Ipad mini in-dash installation

[Nine8Six]

Originally Posted by Shehadehd

Bruce, thanks so much for that bit of info. Now I don't have to worry about my top getting ripped for the first 10 minutes I leave my car.

Nine8six... You definitely need to try this mod, at least for the sake of uniqueness. If you want the install for OBD purposes, epapps android might be better though. I don't know if China has 4g so you might not be able to get all the use out of an iPad.

Nah the iPad will be just fine. I just need it to look good there in all honesty (modernize the interior a bit). The only app I need is the GPS. Although I am a fluent Chinese/mandarin speaker, I am "Illiterate". Chinese street names aren't the easiest to read so I mostly find my way using these portable English (Tom Tom) GPS devices in all my 3 cars here :/

No 4G so planning to do like Bruce does and use the 3G off my HTC smartphone

[Shehadehd]

Originally Posted by Nine8Six

Nah the iPad will be just fine. I just need it to look good there in all honesty (modernize the interior a bit). The only app I need is the GPS. Although I am a fluent Chinese/mandarin speaker, I am "Illiterate". Chinese street names aren't the easiest to read so I mostly find my way using these portable English (Tom Tom) GPS devices in all my 3 cars here :/

No 4G so planning to do like Bruce does and use the 3G off my HTC smartphone

One thing to be mindful of is that the iPad mini wifi edition does not come with an integrated GPS chip. So If you want to use the iPad itself for gps you will need to get the 4g capable version.

I'm not sure if tethering to your htc will allow the iPad to get location and use navigation apps.... Something to look into

[Nine8Six]

Originally Posted by Shehadehd

One thing to be mindful of is that the iPad mini wifi edition does not come with an integrated GPS chip. So If you want to use the iPad itself for gps you will need to get the 4g capable version.

I'm not sure if tethering to your htc will allow the iPad to get location and use navigation apps.... Something to look into

hmmmm, okay thanks for the good info. Let's hope the little clerk at that official iStore here should be able to help out with that using is pirated and hacked this & that

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by Shehadehd

One thing to be mindful of is that the iPad mini wifi edition does not come with an integrated GPS chip. So If you want to use the iPad itself for gps you will need to get the 4g capable version.

I'm not sure if tethering to your htc will allow the iPad to get location and use navigation apps.... Something to look into

Yes, you definitely want the 4g version for the GPS chip. If you buy used, there isn't much difference in price on the used market. I actually was just going to get a 32gb version but the 64gb popped up for the same price that the 32's were going for.

[Shehadehd]

Originally Posted by BruceH

The AssistiveTouch touch is a neat little trick! Glad it worked for you. I still haven't signed up for the 4g yet, I have to go to the Sprint store to add it to my account, they won't give me their 2gb for $14.99 over the phone I am currently using the 3G off of my iPhone.

Do you guys have a good recommendation for an OBD reader for the iPad? And an App to go with it? I ordered the anti glare screen so it should be here tomorrow.

I bought an OBD reader for the car just the other day.

I had two options: buy a wifi obd2 reader, or buy a Bluetooth reader. Almost all wifi readers are supposed to work with the iPad, but with the wifi readers you cannot use your data plan on the reader at the same time. This to me was a deal breaker for obvious reasons. Bluetooth OBD2 readers are really finicky with the iPad because of Apples strict rejection o f3rd party Bluetooth devices.

However, I was able to find a Bluetooth device GoPoint BT1 which is an officially supported Bluetooth device (that means, no jailbreaking needed). The device is a little pricy ($120 after shipping), but I though if any device will work, this is it.

I was right, it connects to the computer within 5 seconds of turning the car on, and the ipad recognizes it every time. I bought the $10 app dashcommand to go along with it and it is a seamless integration. I'll try to post videos and pictures soon to give you an idea of how it works.

The refresh rate is surprisingly quick, I don't see discreet steps in the rpm when I rev the engine. There is a small delay before the data shows up on the iPad, but it'll like 0.5 seconds. I think the device really gets its use from it's other features, like its obd2 diagnostic abilities (it lets you know about active, pending, and permanent error code as well as DME readiness after clearing the codes), it reads timing, vacuum pressure, intake temp, coolent temp, and a bunch more.

I have to say, I'm pretty impressed and it makes the ipad sooo much more worth it. I know epapp has the same thing for his android so I'm sure we'll soon compare them and find out if mine is better, worse, or the same.

[BruceH]

^^^^Thanks, that's the conclusion that I have come to also. The BT1 with dash command seems to be the one to get. I was hoping there might be something a little less pricey.

[Shehadehd]

Here's a couple pictures of the obd2 screens with dash command for iPad



Below are a couple videos to show responsiveness.

http://youtu.be/t3BMKdSBQKk

http://youtu.be/klT_9s3mpfs

[BruceH]

Very nice! Thanks for posting the pics and video. I am hoping GoPoint has some sort of sale here soon. Otherwise I will just have to break down and order it.

[RaisedOnPorsches]

Just a random thought, but seeing how sophisticated the iPad is relative to the OEM headunit and climate control, might it be possible to design apps that would provide these functionalities for a Porsche?

There'd probably need to be some extensive hardwiring and custom dock interface, but these could be hid behind the iPad Mini so that only a single double DIN would be needed. Then a GT3 lower center console delete could be used with just an iPad up top.

Thoughts?

[Shehadehd]

Originally Posted by RaisedOnPorsches

Just a random thought, but seeing how sophisticated the iPad is relative to the OEM headunit and climate control, might it be possible to design apps that would provide these functionalities for a Porsche?



There'd probably need to be some extensive hardwiring and custom dock interface, but these could be hid behind the iPad Mini so that only a single double DIN would be needed. Then a GT3 lower center console delete could be used with just an iPad up top.



Thoughts?

I'm guessing you're talking about controlling the radio and climate control? The radio control won't work without a radio receiver but I suppose if you don't care for the radio, you can connect the ipad directly to the stock amp and remove the need for the radio.

The climate control is another story. Depending on how the climate control adjusts the temperature, fan speed, etc. (analog voltage or digital signals... I think the later) you may be able to connect a micro to the ipad dock connector and use it as an intermediate to translate from the ipad to the climate controls.

I imagine you'll have much better results using an android tablet since they tend to be better for interfacing with third party applications. But in any case, making this work for the radio shouldn't be too difficult, but for the climate control, you will need to know exactly how the climate control communicates your input. And of course, with everything on the tablet, you a restricted to only being able to control one thing at a time.


EDIT: thinking about the climate control, you are almost guaranteed that it is communicating withy the car through CAN bus or some other digital communication. I'd imagine, the only way to get that unit to work as an app would be by either getting a hold of the commands being sent and received by the climate control unit, or by probing each data and clock line with an oscilloscope and going through all the climate control settings and relocating the exact data stream using a micro controller. Most realistic way to do this, would be to have every command mapped Ina. Micro and have it connect to your tablet via Bluetooth. Then whenever you set a setting in your app, it'll communicate it to the micro, which will then send the right data packet over the wire. Sh|t load of work if you ask me.

A second, and pretty jerry rigged solution, would be to pop out all the buttons of the climate control unit, solder the button connections to output pins on a micro, then do the same bluetooth interfacing as mentioned above to the tablet. This time, when you send an input (say, turn fan up) the micro will effectively press the button for you on the climate control unit. If you do put the ipad or some other tablet in the car, you will have plenty of room in the upper console, behind the tablet, to hide the climate control unit. I know epapp will have a field day with this solution, but it'll get the job done.

[RaisedOnPorsches]

Thanks for the detailed thoughts. I was imagining something more a long your latter description. Having the iPad issue a signal that would then trigger the climate control circuitry. I agree that this would be a rather large undertaking anyway around it.

As for the head unit functionality, I pretty much only listen to streaming audio via my iPhone and AUX input adapter on the CDR-220. Since there are streaming radio apps as well, I could imagine effectively deleting the head unit all together so long as iPad interfaced into the amp correctly.

You clearly know more than I do about the technical aspects of this idea. It simply occurred to me as a next possible phase to iPad (or tablet in general) integration. The computing power within these tablets far exceeds anything in the cars electronic controls, it seems like it should be possible to leverage it. Just some random thoughts.

[BruceH]

You are correct that the iPad far exceeds the capabilities of head units. I use mine as an audio source, GPS, radar detector(Escort), weather radar, and of course I can check my email and messages along with numerous other apps. Once you put one of these in a vehicle, you won't want to be without it. Apple needs to build their own head unit. I believe it would sell like crazy. A good start would be to partner with an auto manufacturer like Tesla, or.....Porsche!

[Shehadehd]

Originally Posted by RaisedOnPorsches

Thanks for the detailed thoughts. I was imagining something more a long your latter description. Having the iPad issue a signal that would then trigger the climate control circuitry. I agree that this would be a rather large undertaking anyway around it.



As for the head unit functionality, I pretty much only listen to streaming audio via my iPhone and AUX input adapter on the CDR-220. Since there are streaming radio apps as well, I could imagine effectively deleting the head unit all together so long as iPad interfaced into the amp correctly.



You clearly know more than I do about the technical aspects of this idea. It simply occurred to me as a next possible phase to iPad (or tablet in general) integration. The computing power within these tablets far exceeds anything in the cars electronic controls, it seems like it should be possible to leverage it. Just some random thoughts.

I mean, the second route is definitely possible, interfacing with a micro wouldn't be terribly difficult. The bottleneck will be connecting to the micro. I'm not sure if ios7 allows for background bluetooth connectivity or if you will have to reconnect every time you open the app. Besides that, everything else is straight forward: wire everything, program a micro, create an app. DIYs will be everywhere to do this.

[jaykay]

Originally Posted by BruceH

You are correct that the iPad far exceeds the capabilities of head units. I use mine as an audio source, GPS, radar detector(Escort), weather radar, and of course I can check my email and messages along with numerous other apps. Once you put one of these in a vehicle, you won't want to be without it. Apple needs to build their own head unit. I believe it would sell like crazy. A good start would be to partner with an auto manufacturer like Tesla, or.....Porsche!

Pioneer makes an application radio that runs applications uploaded by iPhone iPad or androids ....search on application radio and you will hit it. Not sure if this better than just straight iPad but the install would be far easier

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by jaykay

Pioneer makes an application radio that runs applications uploaded by iPhone iPad or androids ....search on application radio and you will hit it. Not sure if this better than just straight iPad but the install would be far easier

I saw that. The Pioneer I have is a single din. App Radio is a great start, but doesn't compare to actually having an ipad installed. The install of the mini really is not that difficult. Highly recommended!

[Shehadehd]

Funny, I just saw this article on the news

DailyTech - Google to Announce in-Car Android Software Collaboration with Audi at CES 2014

Google wants to start interfacing its OS in cars. The next logical move is for apple to do the same and limit google's market share. Looks like we may see iPads working their way into cars as dealer options sooner rather than later.

EDIT: Just read this quote in a similar article lol.

"Imagine a future where you're racing your Audi through the streets and you get lost. There will be no need to pick up your phone. Instead, you'll just give a voice command to your dashboard, which will bring up navigation software. You will also be able to send an email to your friend telling him you will be late and play your favorite song to cheer you up — all without taking your eyes off of the road or your hands off of the steering wheel."

[BruceH]

Jeez, I think Apple owes us a finders fee!

[BruceH]

I just found this:

iPhone Android iPad WIFI car backup camera

I might have to order.

[Shehadehd]

Originally Posted by BruceH

I just found this:

iPhone Android iPad WIFI car backup camera

I might have to order.

I saw that one when I was considering a backup camera. My beef with it is that you will now be mutually exclusive with 4g, you your iPad gets it. In other words, to switch from camera to 4g, you need to power off wifi and visa-versa to use the back-up camera.

[BruceH]

I was wondering how it would work. Not very seamless. A Bluetooth option would be better I would think.