MGR Head Unit/On Board Computer with Android OS?

Radioguy · 18th June 2011, 13:10

I have been thinking about how to word this but decided to keep it as simple as possible.

We are looking in to developing a unit with Android Operating system.

For those of you \that don't know what that is, it means that these new units would have an on Board Computer with APPS and Internet and programs etc....

The technology is out there and we have the means to provide them.

I Would love to hear from anyone that may be interested in these, The price is around $799.00 (Dollars)
Also a Vote in the Poll above... would be nice to aid in determining if we should pursue testing etc

For those that have head units and want to upgrade , we would of course come up with a program to do so , crediting your existing unit as we have done in the past...

I Will allow the photos of another type of unit with Android Operating systems to speak...

The Android works with a USB Wifi antenna (included from me) to tether to a wifi hotspot or phone with wifi hotspot capability for internet/data access. Similar to the existing windowsCE wifi hack but minus the hack part.... We will also offer a 3G modem that will require an additional data sim card with its own data plan from your cell carrier. Just like an android smartphone or tablet, access to the internet is necessary to make the most of the unit. in SOme cases you will be able to tether to your existing cell phone

They have Android MARKET Access
Video

http://autogpsdvds.com/index.php?rou...product_id=135

Starman · 18th June 2011, 13:43

Hi Sean. I think in all fairness and speaking only for myself. When my Hi line gives up the ghost I shall be looking at mounting my iPad or such into the dash connected to an amp. As the tablets are available now running iOS or Droid and allow calls, sat nav and everything else it will be cheaper buying a tablet and amp rather than a unit, ( and it IS a NICE unit to be fair), in the long run.
That's only my view mind and doesn't mean to imply that you are not doing a fantastic job and unswerving service.

Regards. Steve.

CDTi · 18th June 2011, 14:09

This is the headunit I have been waiting for!!

I started out trying to fit some kind of carputer over 4 years ago but could not buy complete or build something that I was happy with. This unit seems to tick all the boxes for me. The possibilities with Android are endless - OBD, music, video, internet, email, a huge choice of sat nav apps etc etc etc

I was thinking along the same lines as Starman for the past while i.e. fitting a tablet to the dash. There are a few vids on Youtube showing an in-dash iPad fitting. But I really want a radio and very few (if any) tablets have a built-in radio tuner. I know you can get radio apps but this means constant streaming (and cost!). I also want to keep the steering controls.

Outside of the tuner, the cost of fitting a good tablet with GPS, BT etc etc and the fabrication of some kind of fascia would be in the same ball park as this unit IMHO. This unit will hopefully be plug'n'play.

MARKUK · 18th June 2011, 14:20

Nice looking bit of kit, however far too much to spend for what I need
And I have iPad & iPhone on board should I require extra functionality.

If money was of no concern though would buy one !

handyjackdaniels · 18th June 2011, 15:58

lovely bit of kit, want one!!!!

but, like a lot of people i think, its the price.

handyjackdaniels · 18th June 2011, 19:00

Just been reading up on the android operating systems incars and found a report about a car, the roewe350 being developed last year in china being the first car to have the system in it, does anybody know whether it took off or not?

It also said it was using technology purchased from mgrover??!!

MisterTomez · 18th June 2011, 19:28

An excellent idea, like the photos of it mounted in the BMW too...but the price is way out I'm afraid imo. Don't think many people will want to pay almost, in some cases, the value of their car for a headunit.

Radioguy · 18th June 2011, 20:36

Well, I am going to try and stay neutral and NOT sell you guys on this

But as Objectively as i can say

1/. it is an upgrade in quality from the current factory
2/. There are regular patches to upgrade these

We will be offering a trade in value for those people that have units and want to upgrade to an on board PC

On Board PC's of much lesser quality than this (Chinese) have traditionally sold from $1000-$1500

I Understand well about the ratio of Cost to car value as well .. but MGR's are priceless !

Mr Edd · 18th June 2011, 21:27

Sorry if this is slightly off topic... But how does this work with insurance? If the car gets written off (quite easily with the value of these cars) does the insurance company get to keep these units?

Edd

rovexCDTi · 19th June 2011, 09:54

I would imagine its something you could negotiate at the start, or agree an fixed ICE value in the event of a write-off.

Id love this, but yeah $950 is a lot, and given that android tabs with this much power can cost $150 i wonder where the money is going. I realise they dont have 3G, amps etc, but even so.

To be honest internet is not compulsory, android functions fine without it, you just lose market and gmail etc. Apps can be side-loaded from USB or SD card. Google maps will go offline this summer, so navigation will still work.

The primary advantage of android (as long as it remains open on this device), is that you can change the apps to ones you prefer, rather than being stuck with the stock ones.

One question, which version of android is it likely to ship with? If its not at least 2.1 Eclair its a no go for me, 2.2 Froyo is really necessary to be honest, anything less makes this hardly more useful than the WinCE version because so many apps wont work on 1.6. I guess from the spec its using a Rockchip CPU?

View Poll Results: New MGR ANDROID
I would be very interested in having a New MGR Android	22	32.84%
I would be upgrading my existing MGR RADIOGUY unit	13	19.40%
Too much technology for me	4	5.97%
I would but the price is out of reach	37	55.22%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 67. You may not vote on this poll

18th June 2011, 13:10	#1
Radioguy Banned None Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Here on the Forum Posts: 5,352 Thanks: 632 Thanked 822 Times in 573 Posts	MGR Head Unit/On Board Computer with Android OS? I have been thinking about how to word this but decided to keep it as simple as possible. We are looking in to developing a unit with Android Operating system. For those of you \that don't know what that is, it means that these new units would have an on Board Computer with APPS and Internet and programs etc.... The technology is out there and we have the means to provide them. I Would love to hear from anyone that may be interested in these, The price is around $799.00 (Dollars) Also a Vote in the Poll above... would be nice to aid in determining if we should pursue testing etc For those that have head units and want to upgrade , we would of course come up with a program to do so , crediting your existing unit as we have done in the past... I Will allow the photos of another type of unit with Android Operating systems to speak... The Android works with a USB Wifi antenna (included from me) to tether to a wifi hotspot or phone with wifi hotspot capability for internet/data access. Similar to the existing windowsCE wifi hack but minus the hack part.... We will also offer a 3G modem that will require an additional data sim card with its own data plan from your cell carrier. Just like an android smartphone or tablet, access to the internet is necessary to make the most of the unit. in SOme cases you will be able to tether to your existing cell phone They have Android MARKET Access Video http://autogpsdvds.com/index.php?rou...product_id=135 Last edited by Radioguy; 27th July 2011 at 22:25.. Reason: Add video Link

18th June 2011, 13:43	#2
Starman Posted a thing or two 03 CDTi Tourer Conn SE auto Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Shrewsbury Posts: 1,405 Thanks: 0 Thanked 15 Times in 4 Posts	Hi Sean. I think in all fairness and speaking only for myself. When my Hi line gives up the ghost I shall be looking at mounting my iPad or such into the dash connected to an amp. As the tablets are available now running iOS or Droid and allow calls, sat nav and everything else it will be cheaper buying a tablet and amp rather than a unit, ( and it IS a NICE unit to be fair), in the long run. That's only my view mind and doesn't mean to imply that you are not doing a fantastic job and unswerving service. Regards. Steve. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

18th June 2011, 14:09	#3
CDTi This is my second home No longer in the MGR club Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tipperary Posts: 3,933 Thanks: 35 Thanked 51 Times in 35 Posts	This is the headunit I have been waiting for!! I started out trying to fit some kind of carputer over 4 years ago but could not buy complete or build something that I was happy with. This unit seems to tick all the boxes for me. The possibilities with Android are endless - OBD, music, video, internet, email, a huge choice of sat nav apps etc etc etc I was thinking along the same lines as Starman for the past while i.e. fitting a tablet to the dash. There are a few vids on Youtube showing an in-dash iPad fitting. But I really want a radio and very few (if any) tablets have a built-in radio tuner. I know you can get radio apps but this means constant streaming (and cost!). I also want to keep the steering controls. Outside of the tuner, the cost of fitting a good tablet with GPS, BT etc etc and the fabrication of some kind of fascia would be in the same ball park as this unit IMHO. This unit will hopefully be plug'n'play. __________________ 'Tis better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.

18th June 2011, 14:20	#4
MARKUK Gets stuck in ROVER 75 2.0 CD DIESEL Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Barnsley Posts: 906 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Nice looking bit of kit, however far too much to spend for what I need And I have iPad & iPhone on board should I require extra functionality. If money was of no concern though would buy one ! __________________ Mark - " Maximum Planning - Minimum Mistakes !! " * NO TMC MOD KITS AVAILABLE !! *** See the TMC / RADIO VIDEOS HERE.... Send me an Email HERE…. Signup for Sugarsync HERE**.. http://sincemylastcigarette.com/bann...GBP_5_dark.png

18th June 2011, 15:58	#5
handyjackdaniels Posted a thing or two Rover 75 2.5 v6 in firefrost red Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Letchworth Posts: 1,402 Thanks: 383 Thanked 121 Times in 106 Posts	lovely bit of kit, want one!!!! but, like a lot of people i think, its the price.

18th June 2011, 19:00	#6
handyjackdaniels Posted a thing or two Rover 75 2.5 v6 in firefrost red Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Letchworth Posts: 1,402 Thanks: 383 Thanked 121 Times in 106 Posts	Just been reading up on the android operating systems incars and found a report about a car, the roewe350 being developed last year in china being the first car to have the system in it, does anybody know whether it took off or not? It also said it was using technology purchased from mgrover??!!

18th June 2011, 19:28	#7
MisterTomez Gets stuck in '00 BMW 535i Auto M-Sport, '99 Rover 75 2.5 V6 Connoisseur SE Auto Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Midlands Posts: 733 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 2 Posts	An excellent idea, like the photos of it mounted in the BMW too...but the price is way out I'm afraid imo. Don't think many people will want to pay almost, in some cases, the value of their car for a headunit. __________________ ` [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] "Trimmed like a first class cabin on the Titanic...before it sank." ---------- "The LPG'd, civilized psychopath."

18th June 2011, 20:36	#8
Radioguy Banned None Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Here on the Forum Posts: 5,352 Thanks: 632 Thanked 822 Times in 573 Posts	Well, I am going to try and stay neutral and NOT sell you guys on this But as Objectively as i can say 1/. it is an upgrade in quality from the current factory 2/. There are regular patches to upgrade these We will be offering a trade in value for those people that have units and want to upgrade to an on board PC On Board PC's of much lesser quality than this (Chinese) have traditionally sold from $1000-$1500 I Understand well about the ratio of Cost to car value as well .. but MGR's are priceless !

18th June 2011, 21:27	#9
Mr Edd From the Horses Mouth 2012 Honda Oddessay and 1996 Ford Ranger Truck (Splash) Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Fort Myers, Florida Posts: 1,045 Thanks: 0 Thanked 13 Times in 7 Posts	Sorry if this is slightly off topic... But how does this work with insurance? If the car gets written off (quite easily with the value of these cars) does the insurance company get to keep these units? Edd __________________ I'd be dyslexic if I could spell ti.

19th June 2011, 09:54	#10
rovexCDTi This is my second home MG ZT+ 135 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Exeter Posts: 3,626 Thanks: 9 Thanked 42 Times in 26 Posts	I would imagine its something you could negotiate at the start, or agree an fixed ICE value in the event of a write-off. Id love this, but yeah $950 is a lot, and given that android tabs with this much power can cost $150 i wonder where the money is going. I realise they dont have 3G, amps etc, but even so. To be honest internet is not compulsory, android functions fine without it, you just lose market and gmail etc. Apps can be side-loaded from USB or SD card. Google maps will go offline this summer, so navigation will still work. The primary advantage of android (as long as it remains open on this device), is that you can change the apps to ones you prefer, rather than being stuck with the stock ones. One question, which version of android is it likely to ship with? If its not at least 2.1 Eclair its a no go for me, 2.2 Froyo is really necessary to be honest, anything less makes this hardly more useful than the WinCE version because so many apps wont work on 1.6. I guess from the spec its using a Rockchip CPU? __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Last edited by rovexCDTi; 19th June 2011 at 10:06..