The chinese 2 DIN head unit I got in my car does the job quite ok hardware-wise. The software however is a terrible mess, as it’s based on the ancient dinosaur named Windows CE 5.0. There are no apps, the resistive screen is crappy, the audio + I/O + system settings are controlled by some very primitive chinese software. The clock keeps resetting to random values, the GPS module doesn’t provide the correct time in software, and so on. The music playback interface (one of the most important functions of the device, after all) is even designed like the old Norton Commander ! 😀

I’ve long wondered why the chinese manufacturers in Shenzhen haven’t used Android on the same hardware. Licensing issues (although this hasn’t stopped them before) ? porting difficulties ? who knows. It seems this finally happened though. Have you heard of Shenzhen Zhiluling Technology Co., Ltd. ? me either. However, they’ve manufactured the device seen in the below pictures.

As you can see, it’s a different approach than the classic one (fixed/sliding screen, like the Jimny 2 DIN DVD shown here): you get a portable tablet which docks into the car head unit (pictured in the last two shots, with red in the middle). Unfortunately, there’s no picture of the sides to see how it’s fixed into the dock; “just sitting there” like it looks might be an unfortunate idea, I would have preferred something sturdier. However, it’s definitely a step ahead; currently, the only person on eBay selling it is a guy named ottonavigps for about 500 euros + shipping; not even Chinavision has them yet, only Alibaba. I keep dreaming of the perfect Android app for in-car entertainment, something like this mock up:

Android car HUD mock up

Concepts:

• navigation is always displayed
• shuffle/answer call buttons placed to the right of the screen (easier access with screen edge as reference)
• only 4 hardware buttons which need to be accessed without looking: power on/off, volume and eject buttons
• two configurable user shortcuts for other apps
• library music button pulls up the audio sources (CD, memory card, USB, AUX, radio)
• on screen compass (which could be replaced with clinometer ? 😀 )

Please, please Shenzhen, make this one for me !