23-Jun

2011

Tablet PC as a Carputer?

Post Time: 18:06:43


samsung-galaxy-tab

Galaxy Tab for Carputer


7 months back, i painstakingly explained the concept of a carputer to a visibly incredulous fellow-nerd while explaining the big humongous hole on the dashboard of my Gypsy! For him it was probably something of an epiphany moment!! Day before yesterday I sat in his car (a Santro) and was shocked to see that the dude had done in this time what i couldnt in 2 years! Humbling experience indeed!

Learning from that, I am thinking of learning from the devil himself and looking at the possibility of using a Samsung Galaxy Tab kinda device as a carputer. The device should mount on the existing 2-DIN (177.8mm x 101.6mm) opening on the dash.

It would ofcourse be much much simpler: no more complicated PSU stuff, and no more wires running all over the place. If we can figure out the mounting part, it would be a much cleaner install!

Here is what i could gather today after visiting 2/3 stores in the morning. Some places have cheaper options. Prices mentioned are the most expensive found today.


Product Price INR Processor W H RAM SD Stor Resolution Size (in) Contrast OS GPS GPRS 3G HDMI WIFI Camera BT USB
HCL ME AE7 10990 ARM 11 800Mhz 205.4 110.92 256MB 8GB 800×480 7 Android 2.2 Y N N N Y 0.3MP Y Y
OLIVE VT100 15999 ARM11 600MHz 179.4 110 512MB 64GB 800×480 7 Android 2.1 Y Y Y N Y 1.3MP Y Y
HCL ME AM7 22990 ARM Cortex 800Mhz 197 126 512MB 16GB 1080p 7 Android 2.2 Y Y Y Y Y 1.3MP Y Y
Galaxy P1000 26499 ARM Cortex A8 1Ghz 190 120 64GB 1024×600 7 Android 2.2 Y Y Y Y Y 1.3MP Y N
ACER A500 XE.H60AN.001 27999 NVIDIA Tegra 2 Dual Core 259 178 64GB 1280×800 10.1 Android 3.0 Y Y Y Y Y 5MP Y Y
Blackberry Playbook 27000 Cortex A9 1Ghz Dual Core 194 130 1024×600 7 Blackberry OS6 N N N Y Y 5MP Y Y
2-DIN 177.8 101.6

What the carputer should do:

  • 1. A-GPS/GPS. Should be able to run either MapMyIndia or SatGuide apps. MMI supports some Android based phones (HTC, Galaxy Tabs, ASUS etc). DO NOT plan to use Google Maps since that would require a Data Connection and related dependency. SHOULD allow collection of tracks of travelled routes.
  • 2. Decent Audio is a must since music will always be on on highways.
  • 3. Ability to browse. High speed not really reqd.
  • 4. Ability to receive calls. Should work typically like the BT enabled Head Units: audio cuts to ATT/totally and phone conversation routed through car speakers. This DOES work PERFECTLY with the Galaxy unit as i found today (mic of the phone).
  • 5. USB Ports for connecting external devices: Should be useful for expandability like connecting external drives and such. Would like to put a 3 port hub hidden away in the glove box, and a single USB port next to the 2DIN Mounting. Atleast that the plan. From what i have learnt so far, the Samsung Galaxy, otherwise the forerunner in my list, does NOT have USB support built in.
  • 6. OBD-II – Either using the existing USB based OBD-II connector or some other way, we could get OBD-II to work. I know we have been having trouble making the OBD-II work with the Gypsy, but its nice to have that option open.

    I found an android app called Torque mated to work with a Bluetooth based OBD-II device. Looks good!



    Will Bluetooth based OBD-II work just as well (or better?) than a USB based one?

    Suggestions and guidance towards making a selection would be much appreciated! Smile