Best tablet for car install?

[troyguitar]

So I'm probably going to mount a tablet semi-permanently in my S4 (2006 RNS-E, Nav, Bluetooth) and am having a hard time figuring out which way to go:

Android vs iOS vs Windows 8

Windows 8 should be able to run the most normal programs but has the least support for tablet-specific applications. I have run windows on all my home pc's and laptops and know my way around it fairly well already.

Android has more tablet stuff than Win8 and is similarly customizable but will basically require many hours of setup time, possibly writing my own code for shit. I have a small amount of experience running Linux, but basically no experience with Android specifically.

iOS has the most application support and typically the easiest setup (either shit works or it doesn't, there isn't much you can do). Bonus is they tend to have the most reliable hardware and I already own an iPhone 4S.

This device will likely be connecting to the internet via wifi tethering to my iPhone 4S initially, but whatever I buy will be able to connect to cell networks as well in case the tethering gets annoying.

Desired functions include navigation, music playback (preferably able to play directly from an external hard drive mounted elsewhere), telemetry and video recording via harry's lap timer or similar program, and some kind of decent music composition/recording software.

Another concern I have is resistance to the extreme heat, direct sunlight, and freezing temperatures it will have to endure being mounted in the car - Are there any tablets on the market that can actually handle this?

[naiku]

I am partial to the Nexus 7 - Click Me. I have had it in the car for a couple months now with no issues, today and tomorrow should be a good heat test as we are forecast 90F+ temperatures. I typically use Bluetooth tethering as it is easier on the battery, but the ROM I am using now allows USB tethering, so I am giving that a shot.

If you have any questions let me know, mine is for the most part finished, I am just really working on some cosmetic issues now.

[troyguitar]

I read through your thread yesterday, some good looking ideas there. I want my screen higher up so I'm not going to put it in the console like yours, probably just on a RAM mount or something in front of the center vents.

I plan to use Bluetooth for external GPS, GoPoint OBDII dongle, and possibly A2DP audio transfer depending on quality so I'm thinking the bandwidth available for tethering via BT will be next to nothing. USB tethering is not high on my list. I want to avoid having to take my phone out of my pocket at all when getting in the car for short trips. I'd like to possibly get the Audi phone cradle for the center armrest for longer trips that will charge the phone and utilize the car's antenna (crap signal out in middle of nowhere PA).

[naiku]

Are you planning to keep the RNS-E? Are you also keeping the stock speakers/amp etc? I have not tried A2DP audio transfer, but have read that the quality is poor so never bothered with it. Probably the biggest gripe I have with my Nexus is that I cannot use it to make/receive calls via Bluetooth, so that might be something you want to look into. If I remember correctly the BT stack needs to be hacked for that to work, and no one has done it (yet). I can send/receive text messages (kind of pointless to me), but no luck on phone calls.

If you go ahead with a tablet, make sure to post a build thread. I will be interested in seeing what you do, especially as your interior is much the same as mine.

[troyguitar]

I'm (at least initially) keeping the entire stock system except for the CD changer which I have already replaced with one of those simple Dension units that I currently plug my iphone into. I'm fine with making calls via the iphone paired to the stock bluetooth system, it works well enough for me since I only ever call like 3 people.

A2DP from what I have read so far is capable of both decent and poor quality depending on which codecs are used. The protocol is actually capable of streaming 512kbps stereo audio and can use mp3 and other codecs, so if I can figure out which hardware units will use a decent codec for transmission it will be just as good as using a cable (my source is going to be mp3 files at 256-320kbps). This might mean that a Windows 8 or Android tablet is necessary as I kind of doubt the iOS stuff will let me do that, but I don't know for sure yet.

In any case I'll probably be waiting to purchase anything until the specs and release dates are set for the new Nexus 7 and iPad Mini, both of which are due this year.

[SE-Chris]

It really depends on what you're planning to do with it.

Surface PRO - will let you do EVERYTHING and considering it's going to be mounted/powered all the time the downsides of the added weight and reduced battery life are negated.

iPad - Best app support currently and probably easiest to use if you want to just play music and navi

Android - I've given Android several attempts when upgrading my phone and I have never been happy with it. I don't know much about the tablets but the phone software for the system is just bad...

[troyguitar]

Rough desired location, 7" tablet versus 10" - I'm on the fence as to whether the 10 is too big or the 7 is too small:





Looks like maybe the 7" would be closer to an OEM-type of look:



Or I could mount a 10" tablet vertically and pretend I'm in a Tesla:

[naiku]

I would go with the 7", I think the 10" up there will look really out of place.

[Rx7toAudi]

i have a 7" nexus 7 and love it. I hot spot my phone and can stream pandora thourgh it, youtube, netflix etc. The 7 also fits the space for a double din very well! also android can run torque app, which i love. through obd bluetooth you can set warnings for engine temps and pressures etc, monitor functions, and reset obd codes on the fly.

[troyguitar]

My iPhone ended up biting the dust so I had to buy a new phone which I'm currently working on integrating instead of the tablet for now.

Samsung Galaxy S4 is being mounted between the center vents with a magnetic mount + wireless charging dock streaming audio via apt-x bluetooth device. Completely wireless one-handed operation is the goal.

Bluetooth is up and running already but the wireless charger and receiver are still on a slow boat from China. Hopefully once it is all up and running I'll be fine with the 5" phone screen and 64GB microSD memory, otherwise I'll need to get a tablet and bigger hard drive.