ste2000

Noddy90, in Joying HU there is an apk showing the following info (CAN based, I presume): Car Info

I had my battery showing some 12.4 for the last 2 years of its 7-year life span. It even could accomodate Webasto under these conditions (dropping below 12 during Webasto cycle) and I had good start even in -26C last winter (when Webasto was broken). Battery died last summer at almost exact 7 year and was replaced by a new one. It now shows some 12.7-12.9 (we have -15C these days).

Just had it installed during seasonal tyre swap, asked servicemen to pump 2,5 - looks like sensors are quite accurate:

Another gadget to enhance HU usability - TPMS system with software for Android: TPMS (internal) Ordered it on Ali today after a confirmation from HU's forum mate that it works OK on Joying (Intel Atom x3).

"OK Google" works now (in my local language) - I now can say after "OK Google" something like "Let's go home" to have GMaps started with traffic situation and ETA (by voice) and route towards home ready. Prior to that I have to start "Google" or "Voice search" app. What I still can not do with OK Google is to make HU dial a contact via BT-connected phone. Google app identifies contact's phone number correctly and pretends it's dialling, but phone set does not respond. But if I say "dial contact 123" (or "dial 123"), it invokes HU's BT app and dials exactly "123" on the phone. Have to sort this out somehow.

The aftermarket Android head units usually have BT built-in. As to "my" Joying HU, it gives quite adequate voice as heard on the other side, bu BT app itself can not compare to one of factory VW/Skoda's especially in terms of usability of making a call function. "OK Google" might help though if one manages to set up it correctly - I still couldn't.

MadLad91, where does this WiFi amplifier connect? I wonder if internal WiFi module connection with WiFi antenna is OK (not broken) since the signal shoud be good otherwise.

Below is a link to some 20 pics of Joying HU (quad core Intel Atom x3 2Gb/32Gb 1024x600) as my replacement for Columbus. Not every screen is in English, sorry about that. Those pics primarily illustrate some software installed from Play market by Google and also preinstalled by manufacturer. Home screen is of "Car Launcher AG" also from Play market as replacement to Joying factory "skin": Joying HU: some software samples

My specialist did not even go into such details. He has just disconnected both factory Superb antennas from harness supplied by HU manufacturer (the reception was awful with both connected), then reconnected only one of those, no any improvement. Then he disconnected the 1st antenna and reconnected another - and it just did it. Radio reception is now OK. What is WiFi antenna like in your HU? On mine it is flexible insulated wire some 15 sm long coming out of HU back corner side. On some brands it is detachable plastic one on a screw, others may have wire uninsulated making reception worse because of contact with chassis.

Sorry for spamming the thread - can not edit my previous message for some reason. Just to clarify: both phone as WiFi hotspot and Huawei modem as WiFi hotspot (using the same SIM) give fast and reliable Internet, as compared to Joying dongle which is useless still expensive.

MadLad91, I had also two problems you have: bad radio reception and bad WiFi stability. Both sorted (I have different HU though - Joying make). Radio: only one of 2 Superb factory antennas should be connected which gives the result (I reported it on 1st page). WiFi: I got Joying 4G/WiFi dongle retired (faulty product, I've lost tons of man-hours fighting it) and used phone as hot-spot very successfuly, as Noddy90 says, but then I have purchased Huawei E8372 4G WiFi modem and WiFi problems - stability and low speeds - disappeared.

I have just stuck over this launcher: "Car Launcher AG". It looks like it is going to stay installed for some time - it's already is very well thought out and evolves rapidly in responce to user requests on Play Market. Now using 30-day free period: Car Launcher AG Pic

It's still hard to just ignore "vastly inferior GUI", "very low contrast - one can barely see what's onscreen".

Does Google Maps build routes when off-line? My local GM rival (Yandex Navigator) does not. Preinstalled Google Maps on my HU is very low contrast - I can barely see what's onscreen and still was unable to switch it to night mode.

Short update to above report. Good things are: - Bad radio reception sorted out - only one factory antenna of two remained connected which made radio quite good. - Reversing camera (had to order another piece since the first's wiring was broken) now works OK - it was unnecessary to connect it to rear lamp since it gets reversing state from CAN bus. - The whole Play market of applications, capable navi programs both free and commercial (installed couple local brands, and also Maps Me; google maps preinstalled) Bad things are also in place: - Have just noticed that corner light function disappeared both from Maxidot menu and from "live operation". - Now xenon is always on under any ambient light conditions, and rain sensor is now less sensitive. Can not be absolutely sure that this HU (having CAN bus adapter) is responsible for that, but who else... I wonder if XDS is still activated. - 4G WiFi dongle consumed too many man-hours to fight bad WiFi to no avail - now have to use phone in hotspot mode for Internet for HU. The final result (if just forget CAN issue) looks like as follows: money I saved on Chinese device were almost compensated by time spent to set up for proper operations. I could probably aviod most issues if I'd bought new Amundsen for PQ35 (discussed here in a dedicated thread), but it is only 6,5" - not 8" as Joying has, and software scope is also limited.