CarPlay can wait How to get an Android Set Up in Your Car Today

We’ve heard a lot about Apple’s in-car plans. Toyota was the latest to commit to Apple’s upcoming app-replicating CarPlay dashboard technology. Audi is another automaker that was also keen to embed the tech. It planned to introduce 4G LTE Wireless data in its 2015 Audi A3, for its version of Street View. What if you’re not in the market for multiple LTE plans, a new Audi, or want to get this job done in your existing car? Unfortunately, Google’s Projected Mode automotive smartphone connection was somewhere off into the vaporware distance. You couldn’t just walk into Best Buy to get anything similar at the time. The solution was to do it yourself, with your existing smartphone or tablet tethered wireless data connection. Add an inexpensive Gooseneck mount and a car-friendly in-vehicle launcher app interface. You’ll have created your own navigation, infotainment, and connected automobile solution.

Step 1: Purchase and Install the Gooseneck

car arkon product — The Arkon Gooseneck holds almost any tablet in almost any position.

Arkon makes a tablet stalk with a swivel ball mount that attaches to your front seat rail bolts. Which anchor the seat slide to the floor pan. It’s not nearly as scary as it sounds.

Follow the Arkon-included instructions to install the kit. You’ll need an adjustable wrench and a cross-head screwdriver. It may take a little work to hide your power audio cables along the arm of the mount. But you’ll be glad you did.

Then slide the tablet onto the mount to create an on-dash, ergonomic touchpad.

It won’t cost much; the mount is $25 at Amazon.

Step 2: Install Car Widget Pro

car widget headset — The Car Widget Pro app keeps your screen on. And performs other functions useful for mounting your Android device in your car.

It’s lame having the screen time out while driving. Manually configuring screen settings when you get into the car is tedious.

Car Widget Pro will cost you $2 in the Play Store; it disables screen time-out when an audio output. Like a car stereo, it is connected to the Android device headphone jack. Look for actions through detection options in the Car Widget Pro settings area.

Of course, an always-on screen will eat through your battery in no time. Use an automotive power adapter designed for tablets; you need two amps. Get one with two USB ports, then you can charge your phone at the same time.

Step 3: Choose Your Tablet Shortcuts

car widget shortcuts — You can make a tablet home screen just for car use, with large car friendly buttons.

Car Widget Pro allows you to assign a home screen just for in-car use. And provides larger-than-normal shortcuts without pixelating icons. We suggest loading it up with Navigation, Maps, Spotify, TuneIn, and a good podcast app like BeyondPod.

Step 4: Tether Your Phone

If your tablet doesn’t have 4G connectivity, don’t worry. You can still get all the data you need through your smartphone. Just visit the tethering or portable hotspot option on your phone, and share its connection via Wi-Fi with your tablet. Keep an eye on your data use, though. In today’s limited data plans, you might hit your cap quickly if you’re streaming music in your car every day.

car sony cassette — If your stereo doesn’t have a stereo input jack. You may have to rely on one of these old cassette adapters.

When you get into your car, slide your tablet onto the mount. And connect the car stereo head unit to the tablet headphone jack. Or use a cassette adapter if your vehicle has no stereo input jack. Then plug the USB power cables into the tablet or smartphone.
Okay, so it’s not elegant. It looks like a do-it-yourself solution rather than a sophisticated in-dash experience. But it’s adjustable and configurable in a way no in-dash system can ever hope to be. And you can have it in your car right now.