ive been looking at all the $300-$500 touchscreen headunits, and got to thinking my motorola droid does all this and more. im curious if anyone has used the smartphone to run a system. i would probably put a toggle on the remote lead and just use headphone to rca cable to hook it to the amp. not sure if the cig adapter will keep it charged while in use. might need a power inverter. i like the idea of having the internet in my vehicle with pandora, youtube and the built in gps. any thoughts? any pics? tried searching google without much success.

thanks

 

cool concept.

 

I use my smartphone every once and a while, its got the 3.5mm (headphone jack) output. i just use it to listen to Pandora when nothings good on the radio. but the only gripe i have about it is that the sound quality from my phone sucks.

 

I've tried it; I hooked up another cable through my EQ so that I can use my iPod touch for sound. I found that it's too distracting for me trying to scroll through songs and find options on the touch screen - it's caused a few close calls for me. You'd be surprised how much the raised buttons on the radio really help you out.

 

since i found pandora, i never listen to my own mp3s anymore, and it would be the main use while driving. its only buttons are "thumbs up" "thumbs down" "pause" and "next" i likely wouldnt use any but the next and if the phone rang then the speakerphone button. the only thing i listen to on the radio is npr (talk radio) and that doesnt need the amp and sub (or justify an expensive hu). and like this i can keep the 2 systems completely separate and thats sure to save a lot of headache in wiring.

 

I've seen one that uses a iPhone as a headunit, not a Droid though.

 

I use to use my itouch in my mr2 when I had it gutted. Did the same deal. Had a small amp to run the speakers and used the headphone jack to rca's for the amp. So it does work.

 

I've seen an Ipad as a headunit. That is a cool idea.

 

ya, id like a nice 7" android phone on verizon. they have a couple 7 inch tablets now, but i only want to pay for the internet once lol.

 

Since, you'd have to shell out $500 plus, an ipad install isn't necessarily ideal, but it's been done more than once with some success.

 

just had another thought. maybe hack a set of rechargeable bluetooth headphones and run without the 3.5mm headphone to rca jack. that would eliminate one wire from the phone.

 

Someone here put a touch screen laptop in their dash. I can't find the thread though

 

edge2k I think is the username

 

Found it https://www.ranger-forums.com/audio-video-tech-41/10-netbook-into-molded-carpc-95-mazda-b2300-108760/

Thanks Trent

 

Heck even an Evo is almost as big as my HU lol

 

or buy this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUY0woFZemk

 

thats pretty cool ^

when you gonna learn how to use the youtube tags? haha

 

I use my Droid as my head unit... I have doubletwist on my phone, have a 32GB card in it with 3000+ songs, play it through my stereo using bluetooth. only reason i mess with the actual deck is for the playback controls and audio controls.

I LOVE IT!