Android Auto, Waze and more: aftermarket screen with Android 8.1 Install & Review

[fantaxp7]

Originally Posted by Fab's

which version was it?
Mine works pretty well for me so far, I use Spotify without issue, audio is through the bracket, not with audio input, and quality is good, interface is fast, integration with idrive works great.
You also have to load another launcher to make the experience enjoyable, I find the original one horrendous.

I think it was the second version. I believe they may have made a third.I had the CIC version idrive. The audio connection is huge. The low quality chip on the headunit made for a terrible experience.

Yes I tried a few different launchers, most had their problems as well. Anyways, if you check out other threads from other forums there are a number of people discussing issues with these.

Some people do find the sweet spot though where it all comes together and is a nice upgrade. I personally got frustrated with a number of the small things, biggest of which was audio quality and non optimized apps.

Another example is google maps and spotify are not really great to use without touching the screen and even then the font is very small, not adjustable and becomes cumbersome and dangerous to operate while driving. These non-optimized apps sort of break the integration with using the idrive knobs....some of it worked some of it didn't and not having the fluidity between the two bothered me.

Anyways, if you enjoy it then great. And maybe they've made some good advancements with the f15 units.Perhaps the android auto would help a lot too with the experience.

Just wanted to throw in my .02 cents.

[DocW2001]

So you need a stand alone tablet for your car?

[ATL_X5_Driver]

Did you get the bluetooth to work? I did the same install and my Bluetooth doesn't work.

[Fab's]

Originally Posted by ATL_X5_Driver

Did you get the bluetooth to work? I did the same install and my Bluetooth doesn't work.

nope, I use the Bluetooth from the car, and make phone calls from there directly.
I use Tasker, when I connect to the car's Bluetooth, it activates my tethering.
I don't need Bluetooth otherwise.

[ATL_X5_Driver]

Originally Posted by Fab's

nope, I use the Bluetooth from the car, and make phone calls from there directly.
I use Tasker, when I connect to the car's Bluetooth, it activates my tethering.
I don't need Bluetooth otherwise.

Man. This is a really good idea. Thanks for this.

[ATL_X5_Driver]

I havent been able to set the time on the original BMW interface. The clock on the heads-up-display is wrong and the clock on the 10inch display reads --:-- . Updating it in the settings doesn't do anything.

Do you have this problem?
If you did, what'd you do to fix it?

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by ATL_X5_Driver

I havent been able to set the time on the original BMW interface. The clock on the heads-up-display is wrong and the clock on the 10inch display reads --:-- . Updating it in the settings doesn't do anything.

Do you have this problem?
If you did, what'd you do to fix it?

There's no clock on the hud. Clock on the NBT gets it from the gps. Maybe you hooked up wrong?

[foo2002]

Any update using Apple CarPlay?

[sunny_j]

Originally Posted by Fab's

nope, I use the Bluetooth from the car, and make phone calls from there directly.
I use Tasker, when I connect to the car's Bluetooth, it activates my tethering.
I don't need Bluetooth otherwise.

What do you mean by this?

Let's say I'm listening to music with Spotify app on the android side and I get a phone call on the idrive side ( I'm going to use the factory system for phone calls). How does it switch over?

[Fab's]

Originally Posted by sunny_j

What do you mean by this?

Let's say I'm listening to music with Spotify app on the android side and I get a phone call on the idrive side ( I'm going to use the factory system for phone calls). How does it switch over?

I think it switches automatically, otherwise just tap the phone button

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by sunny_j

What do you mean by this?

Let's say I'm listening to music with Spotify app on the android side and I get a phone call on the idrive side ( I'm going to use the factory system for phone calls). How does it switch over?

Your phone can connect to more than one Bluetooth

[foo2002]

Apple CarPlay !!

[Fab's]

Originally Posted by foo2002

Apple CarPlay !!

awesome, thanks. do you need to connect via USB, or can you then do it via WiFi after configuration?

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by foo2002

Apple CarPlay !!

Using what product?

[foo2002]

Originally Posted by Fab's

awesome, thanks. do you need to connect via USB, or can you then do it via WiFi after configuration?

Through usb cable. I took a new connection to center console.

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Using what product?

I upgrade my factory screen with AvinUSA F15 android:
https://avinusa.com/10-25-bmw-x5-x6-...on-system.html

[sunny_j]

Have you had any issues with Smart Launcher 5 crashing? Are you still using it daily?

[delitero]

does the "dashcam recording" can use the bmw cameras or only avin cameras?

[Fab's]

I do not use smart launcher anymore, because there is a bug with the sound, where I don't have the instructions from Waze or maps.
so now I use the main launcher and then just use Android auto, which feeds my basic needs.
Also there will be a redesigned version of Android auto late summer that looks really cool, can't wait to use it.


For the cameras, no it can't use the orginal cameras from the car.

[delitero]

Thank you for your review, i just got two units for both my F01 and F15. Can't wait for them to arrive and install so i can finally use waze, spotify, etc. As i understand the sound goes through aux, is there a major sound quality difference?

[Fab's]

I didn't plug the aux, it's supposed to bypass it directly. sound quality is good, I don't hear a difference

[SupersixM]

Very thorough review 5* I actually saw your YouTube review before seeing this thread and it was thorough. What sold me was the smart launcher 5. I have the F86 and am contemplating on buy it from Avin for $380. Wonder if there’s any difference to the $800 4x4shop version. Also wondering if new version is coming soon.All reasons why I haven’t hit buy now yet.

Some questions.
Any split screen on Android side?
If I were to install ext mic, can I talk to google assistant, like ok google, take me home.?
Can you open up unit and upgrade ram and possibly HD?
What else have you done to the unit since?

I’m NY .

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by SupersixM

Very thorough review 5* I actually saw your YouTube review before seeing this thread and it was thorough. What sold me was the smart launcher 5. I have the F86 and am contemplating on buy it from Avin for $380. Wonder if there's any difference to the $800 4x4shop version. Also wondering if new version is coming soon.All reasons why I haven't hit buy now yet.

Some questions.
Any split screen on Android side?
If I were to install ext mic, can I talk to google assistant, like ok google, take me home.?
Can you open up unit and upgrade ram and possibly HD?
What else have you done to the unit since?

I'm NY .

Ram no but it comes with a SD card slot. So you can add storage.

Google and Siri should work through the external mic

The 4x4 place also is selling the android 9.0 for $180 extra. That's where your big price bump comes from.