I have not figured out how to auto-start the GPS service when the device boots. But on the launcher, I have one of the options to be 'GPS', which opens the program so I can manually check the box to start the service. The GlobalSat dongle works quite well when I experimented with it in the passenger seat on my cell phone, and disabled the phone's internal sensors and put it into airplane mode so that only the dongle was working.

I do think that I can create a script or shell command using Tasker to automate the service startup. I also found an apk that should automate it, but it asks for superuser permissions. The Beelink GT King is rooted from factory, and comes with TWRP installed, but no SuperSU. So, I think I can manually move the apk files into the root folder to give it manual permission (essentially what granting SuperUser access does), and let the program work as intended.

I'll just be excited to see the car launcher pop up on the touch screen for the first time, be able to control it using the touch screen, use google maps, and hear music stream from the android box to the Bovee bluetooth unit.

I currently use tasker on my cell phone to know I'm both driving, and in my own car, with a few separate profiles.

The first three profiles are what trigger bluetooth to turn on:

They essentially work the same way... one is 'at home' and the other is 'at work'. When I get to work/home by detecting a wifi network ID, the condition is met, and it turns off bluetooth and silences the phone for meetings and the like. The important part for our discussion is the END TASK...

For the end task, once the phone looses wifi connection to my home or work network, it knows I'll probably be in the car soon. So, it turns on bluetooth, sets a 'driving' variable to 1, and tries to connect bluetooth to the bovee in the jaguar. This basically says I'm not at home, or at work, so I'm probably driving somewhere... let's try to connect to the car's bluetooth. If bluetooth is NOT connected (more on that later in condition 4), i will retry 5 times, and if it doesn't connect, bluetooth turns off since I'm not in my car or the bovee is turned off.

The third profile I use to turn on bluetooth uses the phone accelerometer, and knowing I'm not connected to home/work wifi. So, NOT at home, Not and work, and driving detected. When these three conditions occur, it turns on bluetooth. This is for cases where I'm not leaving work or home, but start driving... like from the store, for example. Basically when the driving condition is met, it performs the same end task as above, but as a start task. End task is to clear the 'driving' variable.

So, I've left work... bluetooth turns on. Or, I've left home... bluetooth turns on. Or, I'm not at home or at work, but it knows I'm driving... bluetooth turns on.

Which leads us to the fourth condition... bluetooth connects. This simply sets a 'bluetooth connected' variable to 1. End task is simply to clear the 'bluetooth connected' variable. This makes it so that the phone doesn't keep trying to re-connect to bluetooth in the above tasks, and doesn't automatically turn OFF if the bluetooth does connect to something.

Okay... so bluetooth is on/off when i need it to be... now what? How do we auto enable driving mode?

With the above profiles, bluetooth has turned on because i'm not at home (exit task), OR not and work (Exit task), OR I'm driving (Entrance task).

We only want this to work when we're in our car... so the last profile is only enabled when bluetooth connects to the bovee dongle in the Jag (which can only happen because bluetooth turns on from the above 3 profiles, and doesn't turn off because bluetooth actually connects to a specific device the phone recognizes). Only then will the 'Car audio play' profile become enabled. This turns on the car launcher, turns on pandora, and starts playing music. This profile ONLY turns on in my car while I'm driving... usually within 30 seconds or so. If the phone connected to my bluetooth headphones, for example, this profile would not enable... but bluetooth also wouldn't turn off by itself, because the 'bluetooth connected' variable is 1.

For the android box setup... my phone only needs to make calls, and provide a network connection for the android box. All I need to do is change a few of these conditions so that instead of turning on bluetooth, it turns on wifi hotspot for the car. The android box will also be running tasker to enable GPS service on the GlobalSat dongle, but it should connect to my phone's hotspot as soon as it sees it. Programming all that will probably take a bit of trial and error, but doesn't seem daunting in my head. We shall see!

Sean, while I have your attention... do I need to know a 'radio code' before I start pulling out the touch screen? Will it disable the car if I unplug it to modify the case for ribbon cables and plug it back in when complete?

Thanks for the help.

 

No radio code needed for US cars. I disconnected the battery when I pulled the head unit to install The ribbons are short so I drilled a hole in the back of the head unit and put in a grommet for easier fitment. I don't recall if the nav unit keeps attempting to reboot when you pull the Most cables, but in the end I had a few head units so I just swapped one out while working on another. The car should start and run IIRC but you'll get DTC's which will go away once the unit is plugged back in. Again, the nav unit will be constantly trying to boot unless you install a most bypass loop.

Car Solutions sold you the touch screen bits?

If you're using theirs, l'd love seeing the demo and probably better posted in the other thread. I found it ultimately to be slow and difficult so I just ended up storing a wireless mouse in the glovebox and if needed use it for maps and music but moved away from it because my eyes were off the road too long. May have been my choices of launchers too as I used two car launchers and Apex. For touch, Apex was the best (for me) Most apps were fine and launched at start up (Torque Pro comes to mind which is basically all I use now) I was disappointed in the display of google maps (color) but liked the voice command capability. Dunno, maybe Waze is better but haven't used OEM maps or google maps when on the road. Will also look forward to which music app you're using. I never tried a subscription service like spotify. If they have voice command you'll be golden. Bottom line for me was touch only before driving. A larger interface is needed (bigger soft touch buttons) Maybe I'm just to old:_)

 

Gregory at car solutions went ahead and sourced the touch controller and switchboard from their partner office in europe for me. EXCELLENT customer service. He still expects a full shipment of both boards next month.

I am going to use Car Launcher AG. The Beelink GT King is a very nice media box, working on the new S922X chipset. It's a much faster GPU and processor than the 905 or 912 chipsets, but the OS is still going through critical updates for features to work (like the notification bar, for example), which is a bit frustrating. So far, using an air remote, I have not seen any lag whatsoever... so I'm interested to see how the touch interface works when it's all connected. Hopefully by the end of the month with my time availability.

I'm trying to time everything so I have the car pulled apart for as little time as possible. So, when the red anodized gear selector comes in, I'll pull the radio and connect the boards, pull the center console trim and wrap it in the satin red vinyl, run the cables to the trunk, and install the gear selector.

 

I have Car Launcher AG, GWG, Car Launcher Pro, Apex and I think I tried the Android Auto emulator. I know Lockbox was using that one. Will be interested in your take but for me to go back , I need a screen with "GIANT *** Soft Touch buttons" so I can focus on the road.

Frankly I wish someone could just redesign the current OEM touchscreen. The current OEM screens were designed by someone who loves excel and drill downs. I'd love to give that a go but I'm not a coder. I think Cambo said he has a partner that broke down that code but he's a busy guy and makes a living off retrofits. Not worth troubling him for it. If someone created one, I'm sure he'd be offering it up.

 

That would be really nice. Or, to even emulate the touch screen in the F Type to maintain the jaguar look and feel but bring it into the current decade of GUI design.

I am also unskilled in python programming, or would definitely have a go at it.

 

Midnight was actually the black colour for the 4.2 litre cars up until mid 2008 when it changed to Ultimate Black. Due to lack of availability of materials after the Japan earthquake and Tsunami they went back to Midnight for a short while.

 

A really useful place for paint colors and these cars.

Jaguar XK Colors | GTCarLot.com - Car Color Galleries

 

I'll use this thread as a log for my progress with the car.

Recent updates:

Wrapped the 'brushed aluminum' interior bits in satin supercandy red by APA Films out of Italy. They make a beautiful product.

I also installed red carbon fiber extended paddles, and diamond weave red stitch floor mats. I got these custom oversized to tuck under the interior panels for a really nice edge-less fitment.

 

Also finally completed integration of the android box. This really enhances the connectivity of the vehicle, and helps make it current with 2020 technology.

 

Also added performance exhaust and custom tips, TIG welded with stainless steel.

 

Some ongoing issues are occassional TPMS signal dropout, and a finding out that the car doesn't like to sit and idle for extended periods of time:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...r-data-221649/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...rmance-225584/

 

Very nice !!
Hi i've install GVIF end box android but have remote to control function. You have install UTC and cotrol screen behind screen ?
I've buying UTC but other control is not available to car-connexion.
Thank's

 

Yes, I have installed the RTC and UTC to make this work. That is the only way I know to integrate the touch panel.

 

Could you post an interior and exterior pic of the backup camera that you installed. I recently purchased a 2010 XKR convertible and it would be nice to have a camera. Thanks!

 

Thank's for response. Can i put android box in the trunk with RTC and UTC ?
Marc

 

For a much easier 5-minute installation and far lower cost, the Type S wireless solar-powered backup camera works for me. See: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...option-206212/

Here's the license plate frame with the camera on the top and the solar panel on the bottom.


There are no wires between the camera and the display unit, which is powered by the cigarette lighter socket and fits perfectly in the ashtray and hides the plug and wire. It works great together with the factory parking sensors. Sure, I'd rather have the it integrated into the touchscreen display but to do that installation is above my pay grade.

 

Do you have the step-by-step installation procedure for adding an android box and a list of all the accessories required? I'd like to get this done before spring. Rhy's Morgan has also been playing with adding more functionally on the XF form.

 

You can put the android box in the trunk but the UTC and RTC are attached to the back of the head unit.
See post 44 here on this thread for some videos on how it's set up.
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-194608/page3/

 

DGL, I replied in the other thread where you posted the same question.

 

If you have access to modified SDD or know someone who does, or live near one of the forum members who does, you'll be happier with this solution. Otherwise there are thousands of backup camera's to choose from and if you use the GVIF solution, get a camera that doesn't have parking lines. GVIF does.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...08-xkr-198002/