Galaxy Tablet - car application

[ArsE92]

Type R Tom said:

Don't worry with a tablet, buy one of these:

http://www.pioneer.eu/uk/products/25/299/35829/SPH...

Currently £200 from Halfords

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

I've just bought one, not installed it yet as I need to buy a new facia but it will duplicate your Android or Iphone allowing you to use all the functions.

That's pretty good. Not really comparable to a tablet though. There only seems to be three 'apps' on there at the moment?

Browser
Media
Waze (Sat Nav)

Not bad for £200 though.

I'm considering installing a Nexus 7 into my wife's new car when she gets it. I installed a nice Linitx screen into my Accord Type-R many years ago!

[Type R Tom]

As standard it's a little limited but add ARLiberator and it completely opens up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJW4V7U8k6E

[ArsE92]

Type R Tom said:

As standard it's a little limited but add ARLiberator and it completely opens up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJW4V7U8k6E

Interesting. Keep us posted with how you get on?

[ATM]

As tablets are getting cheaper now I'm beginning to think buying a car specific head unit makes less sense. I'd much prefer an 8.4 inch Samsung tablet. They're only like 200 quid now.

[DennisCooper]

ATM said:

As tablets are getting cheaper now I'm beginning to think buying a car specific head unit makes less sense. I'd much prefer an 8.4 inch Samsung tablet. They're only like 200 quid now.

A home use tablet PC isn't the 'right' product for in car use for the following reasons;

1. Car audio equipment from the premium brands is 'rated' for the harsh temperature extremes, dust, and vibration aspects found in the automobile environment.
2. No tablets have high quality, car audio grade IC's and circuits. Thus, sound quality is considerably less than a dedicated premium brand unit. An iPad, with use of a high quality specialist external DAC (digital to analogue converter) is the only 'high quality' option I can think of currently, I've not yet seen one that works with Android tablets (will have a look around soon!)
3. Limited in terms of car audio specifics - things like steering wheel interfaces, RDS support, Digital Radio support, user interface to make it more car use friendly, can all be done, but at extra costs.

The original thread is quite a few years old now and a couple years later, Parrot did indeed release a double DIN Android Powered head unit! I have one in my car and I'm very very happy with it. It's the closest thing to a 'car audio grade' Tablet and currently can be purchased for £399 ! There's a version 2 of it out sometime soon too. With this solution, I'd not bother with trying to 'make' a home use tablet work in the car.

Cheers, Dennis!