aznmode

You can use Foldermount if you want to utilize the physical SD card as app data storage. However it still won't copy everything over. I use combination of Move app to sd and Foldermount.

aznmode

So I'm still having intermittent issue with Command screen not showing up in radio on the android. The seller sent me a fakra video connector but did not fix the problem. Decided to redo all the connected again. My theory is the block connector is getting crushed causing intermittent connection. Anyway, at least for w204 Pre FL, I have figured out the best way to get the block connector out of the way. Enough so there is no struggle getting the command back in. It literally just slid back in to place 95% on its own. I uploaded a video to share what I've done. Hopefully this also have fixed my issue.

Chris The Swede

Nice one....

maxnrelax

Order placed with CMK but no tracking info .

Chris The Swede

Email answered. No need to post that here.

deepthought66

I bought the unit last month from Chris, and currently have it installed. After trying a ton of things, I think I'm a bit underwhelmed by this screen. Dont get me wrong; I think its a beautiful screen, with great resolution, etc. The rub is that after spending $600+ its still a screen. My use case is actually pretty simple. When I start the car, I want the screen launch either Android Auto or Carplay. I also want to continue playing music from Spotify or Pandora or whatever, and I want to change songs with the steering wheel. Finally, I want to voice search (mainly for navigation - "navigate to.....").

I can accomplish all of this with a $150 Moto Z Play, but not with this $600+ screen. No Android Auto to the best of my knowledge (since this is on Android 5.1), no Carplay (because the additional dongle - though it works most of the time - has multiple popups I need to deal with each time), no autoplaying of music from any "streaming" app. So net, net, this is just a very nice screen.... and thats it (for me). I just wish I could install Android Auto on this, and I'd be happy.

Ungarisch

Carplay works fine, it launches as soon as you insert your phone into the lighting cable, no pop up, no screen to confirm. Android Auto is stil a no go and I cant find any info on how to get it to work because it seems like 99.95% of Mercedes buyers use iPhones...

Also, I currently have the unit auto-launch Spotify as soon as it turn on, yes I do have to manually hit the play button but that is about it.

Voice search from google works perfectly, and is about as fast as a Moto G. I use that exclusibely to launch everything navigation related, even to launch songs on Spotify. Yes you have to tap the mic button, but expecting Google voice search to be integrated into the steering wheel button is asking a bit much for out of this, as that is probably locked down by mercedes.


EDIT; this is an android unit afterall, it will require some initial software tinkering in the begining to get it to how you like it to be set up. its not a iphone where everything works as you had imagined it just out of the box. However, after you get it to how you like it to be set up, its a set it and forget it affair, you never have to mess with it every again. Infact I havent messed with mine in 1 week and it seems that now the unit boots up more like in 15-20 seconds for first boot instead of 30 sec when I was initially tinkering with it.

benzdude

Have you tried any Andriod task automation apps to solve some of your issues?

maxnrelax

My command knob wasn't functioning as well . Shipped from the factory I received it as B to B and A/B to A.
I switched to A/B to B and B to A and it now functions. My car is an 09.

deepthought66

Yes, and it works decently well. Here's my setup (thanks to aznmode for suggesting a lot of these tweaks). Apps: Spotify, Pandora, Waze. Tasker for (a) autolaunching Tasker on boot, and (b) autolaunching Spotify on WiFi connect. Finally, LMT Pie for recent apps, voice search, and shortcuts to Spotify and Pandora.

The setup works ok, but my sense of being underwhelmed remains.

· Boot to music play time is agonizingly long

· Navigation is slow; Waze is faster than Google Maps

· Space limitation for apps require offloading to SD card, which then creates further performance issues

· Automatic audio switching doesn’t always work. I would have preferred for ‘manual selection’ that stays locked down



All said, I think I have tweaked and tested this screen as much as I possibly can, but the bottom-line in my opinion (irrespective of whether others agree with me or not) is this – if you want an upgraded screen only, then get this – it’s gorgeous! If you want your screen to have additional functionality like Spotify, Waze, Android Auto, CarPlay, etc. then you may want to wait for the next version (which apparently may come out in about a month or so – per Chris on another thread on this subject in the W212 forum). This screen desperately needs a better processor and a more recent version of Android.

95Sinned420

Chris The Swede

The new one will be much faster..

benzdude

Sweeeeet! Andriod 8.

Chris The Swede

7 I think.

benzdude

Andriod 7, 64GB internal and 2GB memory. 12 inch 1920x1080p touchscreen. SOLD!

95Sinned420

benzdude

Ebay. BTW i just made up those specs.

Your current system should be firmware upgradeable.

aznmode

There's a check for software update in the setting I'm dying to press

aznmode

I have to agree that this is not the best but I am glad there's at least an option. I have the stock command and about the only coolest thing it does is the auto open/close when the car is on/off. And I will probably ebay my android unit when the new one comes out or sell it here.

deepthought66

Cant wait for the firmware update too (if and when that ever happens). But I suspect this thing will continue to be slow as molasses thanks to the hardware.
Chris! Please get us an early adopter discount on the new unit when it comes out
And all said and done, kudos to Rock and the rest of the team who built this screen. Outdated/slow hardware (internals) aside, they have pulled off something truly phenomenal.

aznmode

I honestly doubt they will be any android OS update on this ever. Maybe an updated launcher with additional features would be the only possible update.

deepthought66

Speaking of which....you know the Android 7 based version you found on AliExpress? The one that didn't come with the OEM-Type interface (like on ours)? Could the 'BCS Launcher' from this/our unit run on that one? I may be oversimplifying it, but at least in theory - this launcher should directly work, right?

aznmode

Laucher is just an app on top of android OS. So in theory it should work. But the app needs to be compatible and optimized for android 7 for it to work properly or even work at all.

deepthought66

Yeah, true. Dammit! LOL
Oh well...

Chris The Swede

That is pretty close..