I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with Android phones (with HDMI out) and connecting them to a larger touchscreen (rather than a TV), and can the touchscreen then control the smartphone via the HDMI cable?
I should probably mention that my end goal here is to drop a 10" HDMI touchscreen in the car, and each time I enter the car I simply connect the phone to the touchscreen and then close the phone in the glovebox, basically using the touchscreen to remotely view and control all the phone features.
I'm afraid that HDMI does not support touch screen input. The type of touch screens you are referring to use either a USB or Serial (RS-232) connection to the computer, in addition to the video interface, to provide Touch Screen input. While I'm sure with a little digging there might be something like this to control your phone through a computer (My Mobiler allowed for this on Windows Mobile 5-6.5 phones through either USB or Bluetooth), I don't see being able to do this without a computer (or carputer) as it was, being involved.
So basically, the Triumph would need a USB host to get it done?
KryptoNyte39 said:
So basically, the Triumph would need a USB host to get it done?
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Yeah, my guess would be that that would be the minimum requirement, as well as obviously some sort of driver support for what would essentially be "Mouse input".
I Think your best bet would be, if you could find an old netbook. One with a touch screen, you could use it as the link to you Phone. I know of 3 programs that let you output your Android phone to a computer monitor. All work on the MT and one lets you use your mouse and keyboard on the MT.
You can find the one I use here.
And if you want to try and make your on touch screen for a netbook take a look at this link. would make for a fun project.
For the other programs have a look at Ashot and [email protected]. All work with my MT.
Thanks, folks. I was kind of eyeballing this thing;
http://www.mo-co-so.com/Double-DIN-Lilliput-669GL-70NP-C-T-7-Touch-Screen-p/mcs-lil-669-dd.htm
But based on what's working right now, the Lilliput screen would still only be a display, and I'd still be controlling it from the phone somehow.
I'm not a programmer I'm afraid, but based on the current state of car stereos, I'm amazed Android hasn't progressed into this market rapidly. Let's face it, Pioneer's current $1000+ head units have just a fraction of the capabilities of my $129 Optimus V.
I considered an Android based head unit, but I think the better path is to be able to tether to the phone when you enter the car in some fasion, and then just simply use the larger in-car display to view the Android device and control it from the touchscreen. In this fashion, I don't need yet another Android device, and the in-car unit is basically without much logic. I'm afraid we might be a couple years out yet.
Yeah, such a panel like that wouldn't really work all that well for your application. The aspect ratio of the panel isn't ideal, and it appears the touchscreen works off a serial interface. Even worse, it is a resistive panel (which is leaps and bounds worse than the capacitive touch panels we're used to on our modern phones). Overall I think even if you did wire something up the experience would be fairly lack luster.
Todd42 said:
I Think your best bet would be, if you could find an old netbook. One with a touch screen, you could use it as the link to you Phone. I know of 3 programs that let you output your Android phone to a computer monitor. All work on the MT and one lets you use your mouse and keyboard on the MT.
You can find the one I use here.
And if you want to try and make your on touch screen for a netbook take a look at this link. would make for a fun project.
For the other programs have a look at Ashot and [email protected]. All work with my MT.
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Click to collapse
Todd, I hear what you're sayin'. I actually have an old netbook that I hopped up with an SSD. I'm wondering about stowing the netbook, rigging up some kind of start button, and then forming a MIMO monitor into the dash ...
http://www.mimomonitors.com/
(just throwing some ideas around in case it spurs another person's inspiration)
Related
The other day, i was sitting with my trusty Thinkpad T60p and my Galaxy S and suddenly i got this idea... i want to build a Android phone into the palmrest! So now i'm just throwing thoughts out the get myself started.
It would be great to have everything Conky provides now, calendar, email and other stuff, placed on a small LCD on the laptop.
So i need to get a spare palmrest for the laptop of eBay, in case the idea doesn't really work out, and a Android phone i can play around with. It seems as Windows Mobile phones are cheaper 2nd. hand, and as i don't really need the phone part of the phone to work, it might be the way to go. So what WinMo phones are good enough to run Android to get: booting into Android without user interaction, touchscreen and hardware buttons, maybe wifi and 3G, but only it it's good enough to provide a access point, USB net and Android 2.x?
What native Android phones should i look for? I think i'll need the hardware buttons to be on a separate PCB, a small (2,8" to 3.2") screen. CPU and memory isn't really that important. Also the LCD and main PCB needs to be quite flat. If i had brought a screwdriver to school, i could have measured just how flat.
Is there a launcher that can do everything in landscape mode?
Have anyone done something similar to this? Build a Android phone into anything else?
I need to modify the battery circuit to make to phone run of the laptop battery, as i don't think i can find internal room for it and connect the USB port in the phone to the internal USB header where my fingerprint reader isn't going to be anymore.
So I've had a project for the last few months getting Android running as an infotainment system. Here is a demo i thought i'd share with you guys..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNcDq9S8n3I
Basic features:
Android 2.1 (looking to update to GB)
7inch touch-screen (800x480)
3G modem
GPS
Reverse camera (backup camera to see what's behind you)
USB port
would love to hear some criticism or anything regarding the device.. its not perfect, its got a few bugs and glitches.. but is sort of ready for everyday use but is missing a few components to make it 'official' android device (wifi, bluetooth etc).. but i'm just wondering if anyone is interested in something like this? Is this worth developing further on?
This thing runs on Cortex a8 omap3530 board and is based off 0xdroid build.
apologies if im in the wrong forum
Wow dude, thats really cool! I'd love one of these for my car. If you could get Honeycomb on that bad boy it'd be sweet! Just wondering, how do you plan on setting up a rear view camera? Just connect a camera at the back of the car to the tablet itself, then run the Camera app? Seems like the simplest way to me..
Haha cheers love to see the honeycomb source once its out then we'll talk although I'd imagine i'd need better hardware...
currently camera is interfaced by usb (has a usb hub) so i got a cable running under the carpet through the boot then camera is mounted on the bumper. yup camera is called by any camera calling intent.. so any app can use it.
I want to get some proximity sensors (like parking sensors) and write a proper reverse cam app to complement it. But we'll see...
Very cool!
I've been wanting to do this for a while, but I was going to use MeeGo or maybe Moblin since I don't have the programming skills (or Android knowledge for that matter) to build my own computer around Android. I dig what you got so far though.
My suggestion for the reverse camera is one of two things, because it would bug me to have to find and open the camera app every time I needed to back up.
Keep your touchscreen (what model are you using BTW?) and use a bluetooth or wi-fi relay (I know they make 'em, but they are $$$) to provide an input from +12V signal from your reverse light wire to automatically open the camera app, then close the app. Of course, you'd have to program for that.
Or
Have you considered this touch screen? Lilliput 7" touch screen with auto-reverse input. (Needs a RCA camera though)
http://store.mp3car.com/Lilliput_629GL_70NP_C_T_7_VGA_Touchscreen_w_Aut_p/MON-016-0002.htm
This is the one I plan on using since it switches automatically to the camera input whenever you are in reverse. Once you go back to any other gear, the OS input shows up again.
Just a thought to make life a little more convenient (although you already bought your parts so you may be stuck.)
chjade84 said:
Very cool!
I've been wanting to do this for a while, but I was going to use MeeGo or maybe Moblin since I don't have the programming skills (or Android knowledge for that matter) to build my own computer around Android. I dig what you got so far though.
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Click to collapse
Thanks a lot! It needs a lot of time and dedication but it's a real good learning curve. I had to learn a lot of things on the way.. especially c/c++ I wasn't great at but had decent skills with higher level programming.
If you are planning to work with MeeGo its a little fussy with the hardware requirements.. Correct me if i'm wrong, but I think you need an Intel Atom processor. These are a little pricey if you're after an evaluation/hackable kit! But I'd imagine it'll be easier to program as it's a lot more closey coupled with linux.
chjade84 said:
My suggestion for the reverse camera is one of two things, because it would bug me to have to find and open the camera app every time I needed to back up.
Keep your touchscreen (what model are you using BTW?) and use a bluetooth or wi-fi relay (I know they make 'em, but they are $$$) to provide an input from +12V signal from your reverse light wire to automatically open the camera app, then close the app. Of course, you'd have to program for that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just had a look at those relays, sounds like its something I really need! Is this how the standard backup cameras work? That was something I was confused about.. I wasn't sure how to detect if i'm on reverse.. especially with the parts I already had. I'd imagine once you implement it you just need a service running in the background to listen for the relay.
The touchscreen is a TFT resistive 4wire touch-screen. It's not something I want to keep as I really want capacitive multi-touch.. But this fits perfectly with the board and was easier to deal with
chjade84 said:
Or
Have you considered this touch screen? Lilliput 7" touch screen with auto-reverse input. (Needs a RCA camera though)
http://store.mp3car.com/Lilliput_629GL_70NP_C_T_7_VGA_Touchscreen_w_Aut_p/MON-016-0002.htm
This is the one I plan on using since it switches automatically to the camera input whenever you are in reverse. Once you go back to any other gear, the OS input shows up again.
Just a thought to make life a little more convenient (although you already bought your parts so you may be stuck.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice find! I wish I saw that earlier .. Quite pricey but would make life so much easierrrrr!
Cheers for the feedback! Best of luck for your project!
tknz said:
I just had a look at those relays, sounds like its something I really need! Is this how the standard backup cameras work? That was something I was confused about.. I wasn't sure how to detect if i'm on reverse.. especially with the parts I already had. I'd imagine once you implement it you just need a service running in the background to listen for the relay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think most factory backup cameras use two inputs and switch between them. I don't have a lot of experience with them though.
chjade84 said:
I think most factory backup cameras use two inputs and switch between them. I don't have a lot of experience with them though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure what you mean exactly. I'll try the relays because it at-least gives me a standard interface to work with (bluetooth or wifi) so there isn't any work you have to deal with on the hardware abstraction.. Although it would probably be better designed if I had some sort of voltage input coming when the vehicle on reverse (the reverse light as mentioned). But I don't really have the electrical expertise to make it happen lol.
tknz said:
Not sure what you mean exactly. I'll try the relays because it at-least gives me a standard interface to work with (bluetooth or wifi) so there isn't any work you have to deal with on the hardware abstraction.. Although it would probably be better designed if I had some sort of voltage input coming when the vehicle on reverse (the reverse light as mentioned). But I don't really have the electrical expertise to make it happen lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well essentially what I was thinking was you'd have the bluetooth relay hooked up to your reverse light wire. This should allow your computer to monitor whether or not your car was in reverse. Relays are pretty simple - one input switches on/off another, usually one of a much higher or lower voltage. So in essence, it's a switch activated by voltage. (There used to be an electromagnet inside that physically moves a piece of metal to make a connection when a voltage is applied - now it's all transistors and whatnot.)
So, if you are in reverse and your reverse lights are getting power, the bluetooth relay should sense that and signal the computer (through a serial command it seems) which in turn could tell a background service to open the camera app. Once the voltage from the reverse light wire is lost, the relay should again tell the computer that you aren't in reverse anymore and the background service would close the camera app and re-open whatever app you were in.
*I should note this is all "in theory"... I don't know exactly how those wireless relays work/communicate and I don't know Android programming at all.
Thanks for the feedback. I was thinking what about using the GPIOs on the board and attach that to the reverse light? would that be possible? and using some resistors on the way to limit the voltages so i don't fry the board.. but we just need to detect some voltage input...
Not sure, will look into it. Right now, taking a pause on the development.. Got a lot of work to take care of but I can't wait to get back into it. I really want to port this to gingerbread.
tknz said:
Thanks for the feedback. I was thinking what about using the GPIOs on the board and attach that to the reverse light? would that be possible? and using some resistors on the way to limit the voltages so i don't fry the board.. but we just need to detect some voltage input...
Not sure, will look into it. Right now, taking a pause on the development.. Got a lot of work to take care of but I can't wait to get back into it. I really want to port this to gingerbread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could possibly do that, a real cheap voltage regulator would probably be better though. You could also use a cheap relay if the correct voltage is already somewhere on the car. Again, I'm not too sure how those bluetooth relays work, but it sounds like you are on the right track.
Great Job!
I was thinking of doing something similar myself.
I am looking at going with one of the tablets as it is just seems easier? I only really need internet, google maps(GPS) and wifi tethering. I would imagine you are running stereo sound from a 3.5mm? I would still have a seperate head unit to control volume and handle all the regular functions as well as inputs from a 3.5 to RCA cable.
How are you running sound off that setup? Are you running a head unit still?
The sound is running off a small amplifier. then RCA to 3.5mm.
Haven't had the chance to play around with the wifi tether as right now i don't have a wifi card.. It would make sense to have wifi tethering or just wifi reciever and use a phone to tether 3g to the system. Avoids having separate data plans.
Can we get a copy of your "AIVI Car Home" for our own DIY projects?
I don't mind releasing the source for it. Its just right now its a bit messy and quite a few things are hardcoded.
tknz said:
So I've had a project for the last few months getting Android running as an infotainment system. Here is a demo i thought i'd share with you guys..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice project. I gutted a Clarion Mind last year to do pretty much the same thing but am looking to upgrade. You said the software needs work but it's a real good start. Would you mind sharing your hardware list with us?
Nice work!
Something I was also interested in seeing is having vehicle manufacturer recommended service intervals and such available as reminders from your in car system or phone or both.
Stu_Gotti said:
Something I was also interested in seeing is having vehicle manufacturer recommended service intervals and such available as reminders from your in car system or phone or both.
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Click to collapse
You could use 'aCar' which, if you are unfamiliar, you enter the make, model, mileage and all the pertinent service requirements. Battery every 3 years or 50,000 miles, coolant every year or 15,000 miles, oil every 6 months or 3,000 miles, etc. Then, every time you get gas you enter the current mileage as well as gallons/liters of fuel and the price. From that information you not only get your MPG but it will also trigger reminders to do the necessary maintenance at the correct intervals when they come up. You can do this for multiple cars as well. It's a very good program.
On a related note to this thread, I started my own 'carputer' project using an Archos 70 Internet Tablet and an unused articulating wall mount for TVs. It's still a work in progress as well since I don't have all the parts yet but will do everything I wanted (eventually... lol) except the rear facing camera. The video is obviously just of the media player.
I shot this late last night to show a friend. He wanted to know why someone would want a tablet/computer in their car, lol. Sorry about it being so dark.
Dude
I am keen as mustard on one of these beauties, I was considering running xp MCE but the android option would be much nicer..
Love ya work.
tknz said:
I don't mind releasing the source for it. Its just right now its a bit messy and quite a few things are hardcoded.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please do. Would love to play with it. No matter how clean the code is it's just gonna get better...
thanks for showing it..
Anyone think that they could replace a obd2 ecm/ecu with an android phone?
therealmaximus said:
Anyone think that they could replace a obd2 ecm/ecu with an android phone?
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I may be wrong, but:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque
ive seen these, they just read parameters from the computer via the obd diagnostic port, what i meant was actually removing the the obd computer and using an android device to receive the incoming sensor data and use the data such as rpm, throttle position, and so forth to advance or retard timing tables and fuel tables to actually run the engine i have tuning software for my honda that i can run and retune my engine with but only from my laptop id like to be able to do this with an android device.
[A] 😉 let me know
That's an interesting question and not what I thought it was when I first read your initil post. Reading it literally you're asking about replacing the actual 'brain' that conductor that co-ordinates the entire ignition,fueling,emmisions and other secondary parameters that make the engine run in a harmonious symphony(oh, whatever happened to self metering by atmospheric pressure drop and contact breakers lol). I read it as taking out the OE ecu/ecm/powertrain module or whatever other term you use for it and replacing it with an android device. An interesting exercise but hardly worth the mountain range of problems involved considering you can go out and buy a custom fully programmable ECU anyway.
That is how it sounds though when you say replacing the ecu with an android device. i.e removing the ecu and putting in one running android or a piggyback ecu running amdroid....... i know, i'm being maybe a little too pedantic but it drew me in and made me read the thread and am definitely interested in finding out if there are any android apps that can reprogram or flash an ecu similar to the ones that run on windows.
I've mentioned in another thread I have a deep knowledge and experience in the car side of the equation but my knowledge of computers themselves ranks about 'interested in knowinf more but basically capable of using one n that's it' level. Or tge same as 99.99% of car drivers. They can drive but beyond that all they really know is where to out the petrol in although 100,000s of them will say they know all about cars lol.
In other words, I see know reason why technically there are no equivalent android apps/devices that can do what software packages running windows you use on a laptop. I'm in a similar but different position than you. I really want that ability to remap/flash new firmware onto ecu's except right now I don't have a laptop or desktop of any kind right now. All my online and computer needs are admirably dealt with on my Note 3 so i haven't bothered replacing either my pc or laptop when they passed on.
Was on ebay recently and seen very interesting and potentially useful software claiming to be able communicate fully with any obd1 and 2 ecus allowing you to reset, remap and 'chip' any ecus and also fully set up a new replacement custom reprogrammable ecu too although i am skeptical you could buy one that fully capable for £20 off ebay but they promise full customer support and the ability to download an entire remap for almost any make amd model so perhaps their claims are based on the abilitynof their product rather than merely sales rhetoric.
Anyway, what I mean is I see no reason why if windows can fully communicate with obd2 and android can also read current and pending dtcs, display freeze frame, live data and allow you, if you know the particular formula, to view data with custom PIDs then it seems possible that a software package written for android couldn't be capable of doing wnat these windows/mac programmes can do. I'm sure I've seen linux compatible software for desktops out there so surely an android version is poasible. BUT as i explained my knowledge of computer systems/languages is risible so there may well be a glaringly obvious reason that android is unsuitable (there's probably 1000s of 10 year olds laughing lije mad thinking is this guy stupid or what lol).
BUT if you ever come accross such an software package that runs on android let me know because if not it looks like I'm going to have to go buy this 20 odd quid ebay software AND a bloody laptop on top to bw able to use it
So, a coworker pointed me at a chrome book, and said, "Look, it's awesome, 10+ hours battery!" I was skeptical, I've heard horrendous things about chromebooks' usefulness, but then I found out chromebooks give you access to TTY, so in theory you can use all the nifty CLI utilities that make Linux/Unix systems so great to work with. So I went back and reexamined how I use my endless supply of various devices, from desktop to mobile phone. For the most part, I use my phone to call, stream, or browse. I use my laptop to connect to my development machine (It's just inconvenient to hold my code on my local machine for a variety of reasons, and it's not really safe practice anyways.) A short while ago, I was looking for a tablet with a data plan, and I couldn't find one - even carriers with unlimited data plans don't support tablets with unlimited data plans. Damn it! Then, as I was researching chromebooks, I realized something spectacular - despite tablets having a thicker, and therefore heaver screens, tablets are in general 1/2 the weight of chromebooks. (wtf?) So I went in search of system on a board computers, and I found MK802, which could cover all the essentials - a keyboard w/ trackpad, wifi, bluetooth, audio, video. But then I realised - I've got a heap of old android devices from the G1 all the way up to my most recent (but still outdated) Samsung I515 (whatever that's called in common-folk-tongue). And I thought to myself, "Why not use the PCB out of one of those old, working-but-outdated phones to make a DIY tablet or chromebook which will probably weigh less than COTS chromebooks, register as a cellphone with the carriers, have unlimited LTE data, and 20hr battery life?" The Droid Charge seemed like the best candidate. Although I have a couple extra I515s, the awesome thing about the Droid Charge is that it has an HDMI port. Work on the fly, come home, hook it up to a proper monitor, instant win!
Unfortunately, I haven't ever worked with drivers, firmware or the likes. I could probably MacGyver a way to hook up a keyboard with a touchpad to use the micro usb jack (I mean I'd just need to emulate hooking the DC to a dock, right?), but the real blocker for me would be the screen. I imagine there MUST be a way to swap the stock LCD and touch screen digitizer on the Droid Charge, and hook up a 10-12in one, probably from some other Samsung product, but that's completely speculation. I was hoping someone on here could help me out with hashing out how to do the screen swap up to a 10-12in screen.
Thanks,
Misha
So I just backed the NexDock 2 on Kickstarter. The experience with DeX and LoD has been great as far as software goes, the Sentio Superbook not so good though. Looking at the options I think the HP dock sounds very finicky, although good if it works for you and the Mirabook I do not trust. Nex computing have at least delivered a product in the past and this version is now fully funded. Hopefully I will get it this year and I will report back when I do.
you can just get an Anker adapter!!!
ruiinplano said:
you can just get an Anker adapter!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What screen resolution is the Anker adapter you have in mind? Does it have backlit keys? What battery life?
Hello,
I use a note 9 with a Nexdock 2 with android 10, it's great, I've been using it while on the road, with the right tools I find it very efficient. I wonder if there a utility out there for virtual screen on DEX
Cheers,
Philippe
Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk
My Nexdock came three weeks ago and since then I've put it through its paces with a Note9 Mate 10 Pro and even with a Fire Stick. It has worked with zero issues and now my Note9 is my main computing device. It’s a pity that Android 10 dropped 2 days before the Nexdock arrived meaning Linux on Dex went away.
Good Stuff
For the money the hardware is pretty solid. It adds useful ports like 3.5mm headphone, full SD card, USB C and USB A.
Decent 1080p screen, which is bright enough indoors. I live in the rainy north of England so it would be OK outside for me, I’m not sure about direct sunlight though.
The keyboard has good travel and is backlit and the trackpad is big.
It charges your phone as you use it so that after an intensive couple of hours use you finish at 100%. Nice.
It comes with all the wires and leads you could possibly want to connect a variety of devices. The PD charger is good quality and pumps out 65W (from memory it is 65W, I’m noth checking).
Not so good
Although the trackpad is big it isn’t as nice as on my Windows laptop (which cost many times more than the Nexdock btw). It is useable, just not great. I tend to use a Bluetooth mouse for all prolonged sessions with the Nexdock. But I do that with my Windows laptop as well.
Battery life is about 5 hours. Decide yourself if that’s OK, I wanted more. But it is charging your phone as well.
It is heavier than I was expecting.
The USB C cable supplied to connect your phone is quite thick, braided and very stiff. I didn’t like it so replaced it with a flat, flexible cable. Make sure that if you do this you get the right type as not all cables will work. Mine is Thunderbolt 3 compatible.
I got a Mountie clip to attach the phone to the Nexdock screen. It seems the best solution as to where to put your phone.
Speakers and headphones are better on the Note9 than the Nexdock.
All in all I am super pleased with the Nexdock. It is makes my Note9 very productive and I rarely turn to my Windows machine now as DEX can do just about everything. Having access to all your files on the phone and always being connected to LTE is great when you are out and about. I have a Microsoft 365 account so all the Office apps work for me. I can recommend Yandex Browser as the best browsing solution as you can set it to always open the desktop site. Chrome (which I don’t use) and Firefox (my main browser everywhere) are OK but do have compatibility problems with some websites.
I can recommend the Nexdock2. And best of all when you get a new DEX compatible phone your laptop gets an upgrade. Huawei Easy Project is OK (but wither Huawei?), LG are getting in on the desktop mode game and Google may make it Android wide – these are exciting days for those of us who want to make more use of our phones. A Note9 and Nexdock2 is a definite replacement to a Chromebook and way more powerful than most.
I have the nexdock 2 as well. Since there are no official forums for the device, I will ask my question here.
Is it possible for an android device to send function keys commands over USB-c? I would like to implement a simple app or tasker to automatically adjust nexdock screen brightness via the phone's light sensor. Possibly other functions if this is possible.
---------- Post added at 08:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:12 PM ----------
I have the nexdock 2 as well. Since there are no official forums for the device, I will ask my question here.
Is it possible for an android device to send function keys commands over USB-c? I would like to implement a simple app or tasker to automatically adjust nexdock screen brightness via the phone's light sensor. Possibly other functions if this is possible.