Power Your Mercedes Dash With Android
Apple and Google are hard at work preparing special versions of software to load into car stereo systems, but why wait for their dumbed down version when you can have a full android experience in your Mercedes tomorrow? In the MBWorld forums, user AstronBnX recently posted about using an android device connected directly to his Command system by way of the aux video input in the glove box.
If you want a similar setup, AstronBnX has been kind enough to provide a thorough walk through on how to get things moving. The basic setup is you take a small Android powered micro-computer, and then with a bit of extra wiring and a simple HDMI converter, you can change the display output to fit into the car’s video auxiliary jack. Internet for the little device is powered by tethering to a phone, and the system is controlled via a small wireless keyboard.
The process is not exactly difficult, but thanks to a few clever workarounds and interesting fixes, it’s not exactly a walk in the park, especially if you are unfamiliar with modifying electronics hardware. And this is far from the most user-friendly setup. But considering you get full access to the android operating system and app ecosystem, it is pretty freaking cool.
You can check out the full set of photos and instructions in the thread. But just because this system puts the power of the Internet on your dashboard, it doesn’t mean you don’t have to pay attention while you’re driving.
Chime in with your thoughts on the forum. >>
