Android Auto first impressions thread (and ask us anything!)

[SuperTongue]

I'll snap some pics later, took it for a spin this morning and pretty pleased. My ProClip sits right above the unit so the USB cable dips a little over the upper right hand corner, but I'll find a better solution for that, but for now the cable placement serves it's purpose. Real test will be tomorrow's commute but I ran it through all the basics including phone calls and messaging and I'm pretty impressed. Just added a few more albums to playlist and changed the retention policy on PocketCast so should be smooth sailing.

So where are those pictures?

 

[BobB67]

Busy at work, but soon, I didn't forget.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[SuperTongue]

To anyone with the NEX units:

Does media audio get sent over USB with call audio going over Bluetooth or is all audio routed via Bluetooth? I'd really prefer to have media audio sent over USB because it's clearly better, but I've seen a few people mentioning that all audio is sent over Bluetooth on Pioneer units with AA.

Can anyone confirm or deny this claim? I'm installing mine tomorrow and can just confirm then, but thought I'd ask here to see what everyone else is experiencing.

 

[Pedrore]

I have the 8100NEX unit. Media audio is sent over USB (native USB audio out is supported by Android Lollipop), while call audio is sent/received over Bluetooth.

 

[Phil Nickinson]

I have the 8100NEX unit. Media audio is sent over USB (native USB audio out is supported by Android Lollipop), while call audio is sent/received over Bluetooth.

Correct. This is what lets it do the cool stuff like pipe the notifications just to the speakers closest to the driver.

 

[thelordsmurf]

So this is an incredibly naive question, but how can you tell which cars will support which aftermarket Pioneer and Kenwood units? I'm going to have to buy a new car soon and figure that the driving part is the most important. I hated the 2015 Sonata. So if I end up buying a car (e.g. Subaru) that is not Android Auto compatible, can I be sure that one of the Pioneer or Kenwood units that support AA would be able to be installed? I don't want to buy a car I don't like just for AA. Thanks!

 

[Tysonsaurus]

So this is an incredibly naive question, but how can you tell which cars will support which aftermarket Pioneer and Kenwood units? I'm going to have to buy a new car soon and figure that the driving part is the most important. I hated the 2015 Sonata. So if I end up buying a car (e.g. Subaru) that is not Android Auto compatible, can I be sure that one of the Pioneer or Kenwood units that support AA would be able to be installed? I don't want to buy a car I don't like just for AA. Thanks!

More than likely you would have to buy a vehicle with a basic radio. More and more manufactures are tying everything in with the radio like climate controls and such which makes it harder for them to be replaced. When you start looking at cars I would take note of what audio system it has and then either talk to your local stereo shop or look on metra's website to see if the radio is replaceable.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[thelordsmurf]

Thanks! For example, the 2015 Outback has a 7" display. So would the Pioneer AVH-4100NEX, for instance, fit in the car since it's a 7" screen? I tried looking at Metra, and the best I could tell is that there is a mounting bracket: part 95-8906HG
Also, if I'm planning on using android auto for navigation needs, do I need to buy a car with GPS, or a receiver with GPS, when the phone obivously has GPS anyway? That would save some money on both the car and the receiver (e.g. getting the 4100NEX instead of the more expensive versions since it doesn't have GPS in it).
I really appreciate the advice!

 

[Tysonsaurus]

Thanks! For example, the 2015 Outback has a 7" display. So would the Pioneer AVH-4100NEX, for instance, fit in the car since it's a 7" screen? I tried looking at Metra, and the best I could tell is that there is a mounting bracket: part 95-8906HG
Also, if I'm planning on using android auto for navigation needs, do I need to buy a car with GPS, or a receiver with GPS, when the phone obivously has GPS anyway? That would save some money on both the car and the receiver (e.g. getting the 4100NEX instead of the more expensive versions since it doesn't have GPS in it).
I really appreciate the advice!

That radio in the outback isn't replaceable as of now. Subaru is one of the manufactures supporting Android auto so down the road there could possibly be an update for that 7” screen for it to get Android auto. The phone uses its GPS for the navigation, nothing else is needed.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Phil Nickinson]

I'd just go to Crutchfield (or similar site) and use their tools that'll tell you if a particular head unit will fit in a particular car.

 

[BobB67]

After a week with the AVH-4001NEX I'm pretty happy. I have a 40ish minute commute and it's been far more tolerable this week with the convenience of Google Traffic data and easy access to entertainment. I had the install done at Best Buy and even though I had some reservations when they dropped it off, they did a great job (even though they were over an hour late, I'd rather they didnt' rush it so I'm not really complaining). The dash kit is meh, not really a great color match but it's close enough I'm not annoyed. I also left my ProClip up (which means I had to route the data cable to more visible space) mostly because if I'm just running to the corner for something I probably won't hook my phone up, but my phone it big enough I'd rather toss it into the holder than have it in my pocket. Attaching a few pics, they aren't great because they are from old my old point-n-shoot, but you get the idea.

 

[dohcstunr]

So how does android auto do with heat? Do phones get warm? I cooked my M7's camera after a 8 hour GPS drive with App Radio. After that every photo was purple.

 

[Cant Miss]

So how does android auto do with heat? Do phones get warm?

I suppose it depends on the phone. I notice my Moto X is warm when I get out of the car, but nothing resembling any temperature that could possibly do damage.

 

[SuperTongue]

Since I was bugging others about info, figured I'd post some from my install. Overall, it turned out pretty good. While there are a few things we couldn't retain from the OEM system, it works (and sounds) far better than the stock HU. Here's some quick info:

Car: 2013 Civic EX without Navigation
Phone T-Mobile LG G4

Things that couldn't be retained from the factory HU:

• OEM Bluetooth controls - The three buttons for answering calls, ending calls, and using voice to call. NOTE: The steering wheel audio controls still work. Volume up/down, next/previous, and source all control the 4100.
• OEM center console USB plug - While I had an adapter for this, it ended up that Honda reversed things in the 2013. Decided to just run an extra USB cable to the center console instead.
• AUX port - Again, proprietary OEM plugs.
• OEM mic - While there's a mic installed somewhere, it's part of the Bluetooth module in the car which is not located inside the HU harness. Ended up running the 4100's mic to a spot right above the ignition.

One final note is that the iMID displays "Audio off" at all times. Again, to be expected. If anyone has questions, I'd be happy to answer!

 

[Pedrore]

It also depends on the radio headunit - if it has GPS/navigation built in, then Android Auto will use that satellite receiver signal instead of the one on your phone. That brings benefits of less demand on the phone (less heat buildup, less battery draw), more accurate signal and not reception is independent of where you have the phone in your car.

 

[SuperTongue]

Anyone else get random spurts of voice input lag? For example, I'll hit the button and it will just sit for 10-15 seconds before listening. Or I'll hit the button, say "Reply", the system won't say anything, then do the Google beep to have me say the message. It will then read it back to me sometimes.

Other times, I will press the notification to have it read a Hangouts message and it will read a part of it, then stop. Or it won't read it at all.

And then it will just randomly work fine other times. Any ideas?

This seems to be a somewhat random thing happening and makes me think it's the phone that's lagging doing music / maps / voice at the same time.

 

[Pedrore]

I've had some random glitches with voice input that match what you're describing as lag. Sometimes I will hit my voice input button on the steering wheel and the red Google circle will present on the screen but it takes another few seconds before I get the audio bleep telling me that it's listening. Other times I have given it the name of a place for navigation and it seems to hang and eventually give up as if I've not said anything.

This may be network related - seems like I have had bluetooth/wifi connection issues more often with the latest 5.1.1 update of Android on my Nexus 5.

 

[SuperTongue]

I've had some random glitches with voice input that match what you're describing as lag. Sometimes I will hit my voice input button on the steering wheel and the red Google circle will present on the screen but it takes another few seconds before I get the audio bleep telling me that it's listening. Other times I have given it the name of a place for navigation and it seems to hang and eventually give up as if I've not said anything.

This may be network related - seems like I have had bluetooth/wifi connection issues more often with the latest 5.1.1 update of Android on my Nexus 5.

Great, thanks for the info. Glad to see I'm not the only one! I've had the navigation thing happen before too where I'd ask where the nearest "X" was and get nothing back. I've only used the G4 on 5.1.1 with my system, so I can't speak for any OS changes that might be causing it.

 

[osho841]

For those that have the 4100nex installed. Where is the USB cable routed to from the back of the head unit? Glove box? The phone can't be in the glovebox for gps to work right?

 

[BobB67]

Most installers route through the glove box because it's easy and takes no extra effort. Most glove boxes are pretty imperfect and it's easy to route a USB extension out the lid. And really, you can get a GPS signal in your house, but yes, to get the best accuracy (and prevent your phone from overheating on warmer days) you don't want it in the glove box.