Two or three years ago, venerable manufacturers of car radios sharply discussed the issue of the appropriateness of transferring their devices from the Windows platform to Android. Skeptics tried to convey their concerns, and optimists boldly objected to them. Nevertheless, fierce opponents of such a transition, as well as supporters, were not noticed, that is, people, in fact, were ready for such changes.
The first full-time recorders on Android (Toyota Corolla and RoadRover) confirmed the correctness of the statements of both parties. It so happened that the devices did not carry out any revolutionary coup against the background of other similar gadgets, but showed a very good prospect for the further development of this direction.
Device Features
The Android Car Stereo Head Unit (4.0, 5.0) provides the user with a completely different service and functionality. Here we have open source code, synergy with various mobile gadgets, a huge amount of software, as well as high speed interface and ease of management. Next, we denote a short list, which includes the most sensible models of full-time car radios on the Android platform, distinguished by a high-quality component and earned the respect of motorists around the world.
Car 4G Edge 3 DM7841
The Android Car Stereo Head Unit on the DM7841 series has a 7-inch screen with an extension of 800 by 480 pixels. The device received a good set of chipsets and a quite acceptable amount of operational (1 GB) and internal (4 GB) memory. If the latter is not enough, then you can use third-party drives through the appropriate interfaces.
In addition, the car stereo on Android Car 4G Edge 3 is equipped with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS wireless modules. There is also a radio and the ability to view video content through a TV tuner. As an optional addition there is an interface for synchronization with the DVR.
In general, the gadget can be called a hybrid, because the available capabilities are quite enough for the role of a tablet: a 2 MP camera, Internet access, the ability to connect external manipulators (mouse, keyboard), the presence of games and other useful applications.
The cost of the car radio is about $ 600.
Ca-Fi 621000
The Ca-Fi 621000 is a head unit (Android 4.2) with a 6.2-inch screen and a resolution of 800 by 480 pixels. A fairly quick set of chipsets allows you to safely manage the interface without any friezes, brakes and other lags.
The Android Ca-Fi 621000 Android Car Stereo Head Unit is also equipped with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and GPS wireless modules. There is the possibility of working with video materials, as well as the availability of a TV tuner. The device makes it easy to download and use any platform-compatible applications. As for the specific automotive focus, the programs from Navitel, GoogleMaps and Yandex.Traffic are working as they should.
You can also note the presence of an extensive library of codecs, so there will not be any unpleasant nuances with reading and playing back even the rarest formats. There were no problems with accessing the World Wide Web either - the 3G module works flawlessly.
Estimated price - about $ 780.
Witson w2-i802
The Android Witson W2-I802 Android Car Stereo Navigation In-Dash Head Unit has a 6.2-inch screen with an expansion of 800 by 480 pixels. The platform version, of course, is outdated (2.3.4), but it is enough for the existing set of chipsets. A dual-core processor and 512 MB RAM ensure smooth operation of the interface, but “heavy” modern applications can significantly reduce the performance of the shell, so it’s better not to load the OS with unnecessary “garbage”.
If there is not enough internal memory (4 GB), then it is possible to expand the amount of free space using external SD-cards. As in the first two cases, the device is equipped with wireless Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS modules, as well as a TV tuner for working with video content. In addition, it is possible to connect an external camera or DVR.
The radio tape recorder boasts multitasking, where the user is available to work with navigation applications in parallel with a radio or music player. In addition, the model received a solid set of codecs, so there will be no conflicting problems with audio and video formats.
Also not be superfluous to note another interesting feature of the car radio. The device is able to work with third-party screens, and through independent channels. That is, for example, if there is a separate monitor (s) in the back seat, then on it you can view some kind of your own content that is different from what is broadcast for the driver.
Estimated cost - about $ 400.