[oldsalt]

Has anyone managed to successfully hack any apps to run on android auto?

There are quite a few people working at it here https://forum.xda-developers.com/sitesearch.php?q=android auto

However, there appears to be quite a bit of stuffing around to get other apps to work.

Bloody Google keep blocking all the good hacks with their updates.

Just maybe, the Chinese will soon be selling a drop in replacement head unit with GPS, video etc etc.

 

[ribuck]

I would buy a drop in head unit if it had physical buttons at the bottom of the Android Auto screen. The on-screen buttons are very difficult to hit accurately on a bumpy road.

I'm not sure what you want video for, but it could be hacked by using an audio player that changes it's "cover art" continuously to simulate a video.

For GPS, what are you wanting that Google Maps doesn't offer?

I wonder whether the head unit software will get updated by Mitsubishi when the car is serviced? That could be interesting. Has anyone here had their first service yet?

 

[oldsalt]

I would buy a drop in head unit if it had physical buttons at the bottom of the Android Auto screen. The on-screen buttons are very difficult to hit accurately on a bumpy road.

I'm not sure what you want video for, but it could be hacked by using an audio player that changes it's "cover art" continuously to simulate a video.

For GPS, what are you wanting that Google Maps doesn't offer?

I wonder whether the head unit software will get updated by Mitsubishi when the car is serviced? That could be interesting. Has anyone here had their first service yet?

1/. Video for the wife when we go on long trips.

2./ Google maps uses data which is very expensive in Australia, also, in the bush it's near impossible to get a mobile/cellphone signal.

 

[ribuck]

2./ Google maps uses data which is very expensive in Australia, also, in the bush it's near impossible to get a mobile/cellphone signal.

Fortunately, there is an easy solution. The Google Maps app can pre-download the maps when you have WiFi. They stay on your phone for 30 days, but if you connect to WiFi again in that time you can renew the download.

This solves the "expensive data" problem, and also solves the "no signal" problem. The only thing it doesn't give you is real-time congestion information.


https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838?co=GENIE.Platform=Android&hl=en

 

[oldsalt]

Fortunately, there is an easy solution. The Google Maps app can pre-download the maps when you have WiFi. They stay on your phone for 30 days, but if you connect to WiFi again in that time you can renew the download.

This solves the "expensive data" problem, and also solves the "no signal" problem. The only thing it doesn't give you is real-time congestion information.


https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838?co=GENIE.Platform=Android&hl=en

Thanks, I wasn't aware of that.

Still costs $$ to download the maps and you have to know before hand where you want to go.

GPS = free and instant.

 

[ribuck]

No, it's completely free to download Google Maps over WiFi for offline use 30 days at a time. I have done this in the UK and Australia, but I think it works in all countries.

But I agree with you, a dedicated GPS app would be better. All it needs is a way to "cast" from an app to the Android Auto head unit, in the same way that an app can "cast" to a Chromecast-enabled TV. But that's an Android Auto limitation rather than an Eclipse Cross limitation.

 

[pgh3]

When test driving my EC, it soon became apparent that plugging in a phone each time I wanted the maps to work was not going to do the phone (or me) any good.
That is why I have a Garmin GPS attached to the screen with a lead to the cigarette lighter socket - ugly, yes, but very effective. Comes on straight away, a couple of screen taps and there is the map. I can even talk to it.
My phone connects via Bluetooth for the hands-free calling feature and it doesn't require me to do anything to set it up.

 

[slippercream]

Not sure, but can't the head unit connect A/V via external aux? That might be your easiest option there.

If so, you'd have to choose between Android Auto versus "docking" as an external monitor.

 

[Elpato]

@pgh3: Use Waze app it is accurate and also the interface is more friendly than Google map and Apple Map, the other Alternative is to buy premium Sygic, you can download the Country Map and use it offline( the free Version doesn't support CarPlay or Android ).

 

[Landshark]

When test driving my EC, it soon became apparent that plugging in a phone each time I wanted the maps to work was not going to do the phone (or me) any good.
That is why I have a Garmin GPS attached to the screen with a lead to the cigarette lighter socket - ugly, yes, but very effective. Comes on straight away, a couple of screen taps and there is the map. I can even talk to it.
My phone connects via Bluetooth for the hands-free calling feature and it doesn't require me to do anything to set it up.

i bought my mom magnetic cables for her EC.


you install a little insert into the phone and it stays there. the magnetic charging cable sticks to that. this eliminates wear on the phone's charging port as you aren't always physically sticking a connector into the port everytime to charge. it also it easy for car use as the magnet "sucks" the cable right to it - no fishing around for the hole. buy a few extra for home, work, etc. (no "standard" for these - some cables won't work with other brands, so buy as many as you need the first time.)

i also added a magnetic phone mount, and a cable clip that keeps the charging cable right near the mount.

 

[Markus Hipp]

Hi there
I suggest, you download an App for the mobile phone called : Offline Maps and Navigation....its free!
You could also download "WAZE" To your phone.It integrates well with Android Auto and in Town it is superior to Google Maps...

Greetings from Across the Ditch

 

[Paul]

Android auto is working well on my Eclipse Cross Instyle+.

 

[oldsalt]

Interesting, are these cables just for charging?

EC owners need to connect their phone to the USB input in the vehicle, does data flow with these cables?

 

[Landshark]

Interesting, are these cables just for charging?

EC owners need to connect their phone to the USB input in the vehicle, does data flow with these cables?

charging and data ... just like a regular cable. i have them on all my devices.

 

[oldsalt]

@pgh3: Use Waze app it is accurate and also the interface is more friendly than Google map and Apple Map, the other Alternative is to buy premium Sygic, you can download the Country Map and use it offline( the free Version doesn't support CarPlay or Android ).

Do you have a link to the Sygic app that works with Android Auto?

 

[oldsalt]

I bought a couple of these cables, however, with nowhere to really store the phone, the magnetic connection kept coming off.

So, I bought a phone holder off ebay and stuck the cable connector to it with araldite.

It's just too easy to put the phone into the holder, once the connection is made the two arms fit to the phone and it's secure.

Just lift the phone to remove.

I suggest you buy a couple of cables, one for the car and one for connecting to your puta as it saves having to remove the female bit from the phone all the time.

EDIT: Dunno why the photo is sideways.

 

[zarbs]

Do you have a link to the Sygic app that works with Android Auto?

Hi mate,

Don't know if you ever got this info. On Google Play:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sygic.aura

It's not cheap for the full app and I don't know if it is AA compatible. Works with CarPlay but costs extra even after buying the Premium Worldwide maps option. Reading the blurb on Google Play it says it works with Skoda (Smartlink) so it may well support the EC. I drove a Skoda whilst in Slovakia last month and it had Smartlink which supported CarPlay.

 

[oldsalt]

Facebook has a EC page and someone in Germany posted a photo of their EC.

The head-unit was completely different.

Searching further, I found the head-unit was also on a USA model.

What's the story, anyone know?

Link to USA Dealer, scroll through photos to see head-unit. https://www.castleguy.com/inventory...-cross-es-4wd-sport-utility-ja4at3aa1kz001543

 

[oldsalt]

Here is a photo of the German guys EC, note that it has Sat Nav built in.

 

[zarbs]

Yes, the 2019 US owners manual lists this head unit, the SDA head unit and the Rockford Fosgate premium system as options...