Most tablets don't have a separable bezel, just one big glass front...
Printable View
Most tablets don't have a separable bezel, just one big glass front...
Personally I think that removing the bezel from a tablet is doing yourself a disservice.
As has been discussed ad nausem, tablets have limitations that many "traditional" carPCs do not. Of course, they also have benefits over those same carPCs, including startup times, ease of installation, bright and responsive displays, and (IMO the biggest one) portability. You can build the best ever carPC, but it's just that - a computer in the car. A tablet has the unique ability to leave it's carPC shell and travel with you into the house, on a plane, at the office, etc.
In this way, a tablet carPC is also an incredibly inexpensive option, as you already have the tablet for uses X, Y, and Z. By paying relatively little to retrofit your car to "tablet-ready" status, you've got a very decent carPC solution.
Removing the bezel (if even possible as Cesco noted) kinda smashes our ability to do this, and kills a lot of the inherent benefits of a tablet carPC solution in the first place.
Removing the bezel may not be smart if the function buttons (home, back, menu and search) reside on it (like with the Samsung Galaxy Tab). Again software based buttons (usually placed in Android's notification bar) are the alternative to physical buttons. The big problem with that is most likely the app you're running is fullscreen and/or not designed with the ability to access it's menu/settings and exit button without the need of the standard function buttons. You'll be stuck running just that app until you can reset the device or find a way to press the menu or back button.
Needless to say, you're going to need always access to the function buttons when using an Android tablet as a car infotainment solution.
http://en.store.creative.com/product...=948&pid=20231
I don't there's any physical buttons there? Seems like there's some emphasis on the audio quality on this one. Interesting, but resistive?
As for removing the bezel, not sure how much room your going to gain doing this, since those things are packed already? Post pics in a work log when you do it!
That's a brave endeavor. As was mentioned by others, these things are so integrated and compact it'll make for a difficult challenge. Personally, I wouldn't hack up a newly purchased tablet like that. If you do it, just take pics and document so others may follow.Quote:
Originally Posted by HIGHGRADE
Why would installing a tablet behind the bezel defeat the purpose of it? You're re-purposing it for another use as a in-car media/communications hub. You would only be loosing use of the rear mounted camera.
I'm not sure how many devices you can have connected via Bluetooth, but OBD-II and Hands-free calling are built-in advantages over your standard CarPC.
Google Maps with Navigation is superior to just about any commercially available software and is included with the price of your phone. Again another advantage over a CarPC.
There's a Sirius app for Android, I don't have much use for FM or AM radio for that matter. On top of that Pandora and Slacker, no need for traditional media playback and with 32GB microSD cards that's plenty of space for your media, even full length movies.
With ORB you can place shift with your home PC with a TV Tuner.
Not to mention you have HSPA internet which I have found to be on par with $20/mo DSL.
Car Home solves some of the interface issues.
The only thing that's not totally solved is how to interface it with your audio system. If you have Ford Sync, Nissan's A2DP supported or GM A2DP supported audio systems then that's not much of a problem. With interface devices like the ones offered by JL Audio or Rockford-Fosgate, you can keep your OEM Bluetooth enabled audio system but add aftermarket amps and speakers as needed.
You would have to install an aftermarket head unit that supports streaming but only a handful of cars even have the additional dash real estate to support this. What's why I would be open to just putting the unit on the windshield.
Garmin now makes a GPS with a 7" screen, I don't think mounting a Galaxy Tablet like that would look any different and then its removable.
My 2 centavos.
I agree with the above, mostly. It's perfectly fine to just leave it there behind the bezel - I just did not understand yet the need to remove the bezel yet. One of the reasons a tablet may not work is if your wife does not agree with the need to carry it with her every time she takes the car, for example.
Agreed, but everyone has their own needs and goal to achieve. Turbocad6 achieved an outstanding OEM look with his and he didn't give a damn it wasn't removable.Quote:
Originally Posted by jr4284
I was with you right up to the "very decent" part. My tablet is an outstanding, full featured, CarPC in all three of my cars. :caked:Quote:
Originally Posted by jr4284
That's all well and good in the big city, but on the road and small towns internet (cellular and wifi) is iffy at best. 32GB doesn't come anywhere near my needs.Quote:
Originally Posted by djfourmoney
Depends on the woman I suppose, WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor) or the WAR Dept as my homie Thomas calls it, seems to be an issue on many tech oriented forums, usually to do with replacing your standard home DVR with a Media Center PC, adding Automation to the home, performance modifications, suspension modifications, etc, etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by RipplingHurst
I'm not married and currently don't have a GF, but in the past I have one basic requirement, claim indifference or be supportive, women that question things like personalized license plates and aftermarket wheels need not apply, there are plenty of Metrosexual types to date if that's what they want.
I've found European women more supportive of my modding habit than American Women, go figure.
Radio in Rural Areas makes me puke, which is why when I drove trucks (JB Hunt, etc) I had Sirius. Its just Audio, I believe it still works with EDGE. AT&T claims this huge national network and so do the other carriers, my phones have always worked, maybe not 3G speed but they work.Quote:
Originally Posted by GizmoQ
You can have backup systems, I was thinking if your using the Google Maps Navigation function of the tablet you would be streaming audio and hands-free via Bluetooth. You could have a redundant system ready to go in the case of a drop in coverage. Google Maps Navigation still works without a phone signal or WiFi as far as I can tell anyway.
If you have Ford Sync then you still have an audio system, you would have to break the Bluetooth audio link however. I think the same goes with aftermarket units, though I have been told that Pioneer and Kenwood head units with Blueooth will attn the audio of whatever source your using when Google Maps prompts and then returns to full volume.
With a tablet you wouldn't be using your phone anyway unless you got a WiFi unit, but you would only be saving $100. Sell your Android phone for $100 if its fairly new. Not sure how you would carry it with you, but with your Bluetooth headset, I don't think making or receiving calls is an issue with the Galaxy Tablet.
I think I can give up some overall integration for portability and convergence.