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Hi all, just wanted to share a couple things I have learned after recently installing a new Pioneer head unit. (Posted more about it here recently)
I bought my unit (Pioneer AVH-4100NEX) specifically because I wanted to use Android Auto. It integrates google maps and several music apps (spotify, play music, amazon, etc) from your phone right to the screen. It also will read aloud texts, and makes use of google's voice search. All in all, it's a nice feature that works well, and overall I recommend it - the ability to use Google Maps right there on the screen is, to me, a fantastic plus.
But it was a bit tricky to setup, and I've learned this is for one main reason (at least in my case): the USB connection. Using an extender proved to not work at all. I had to connect my USB cable directly into the head unit. But even this didn't last - turns out that you should also use the OEM cable that you got with your phone. This used to be a problem for me in years past when connecting my android phones to PC's (and some Apple devices too) so it's not entirely surprising.
Additionally, it also turns out Pioneer made several updates to the firmware that helped compatibility with Android phones as well.
Bottom line - hopefully this might save people some future trouble - if you're trying out Android Auto, update your head unit's firmware, don't use extension cables if you can help it, and use the OEM phone cable! Hope that helps.
I bought my unit (Pioneer AVH-4100NEX) specifically because I wanted to use Android Auto. It integrates google maps and several music apps (spotify, play music, amazon, etc) from your phone right to the screen. It also will read aloud texts, and makes use of google's voice search. All in all, it's a nice feature that works well, and overall I recommend it - the ability to use Google Maps right there on the screen is, to me, a fantastic plus.
But it was a bit tricky to setup, and I've learned this is for one main reason (at least in my case): the USB connection. Using an extender proved to not work at all. I had to connect my USB cable directly into the head unit. But even this didn't last - turns out that you should also use the OEM cable that you got with your phone. This used to be a problem for me in years past when connecting my android phones to PC's (and some Apple devices too) so it's not entirely surprising.
Additionally, it also turns out Pioneer made several updates to the firmware that helped compatibility with Android phones as well.
Bottom line - hopefully this might save people some future trouble - if you're trying out Android Auto, update your head unit's firmware, don't use extension cables if you can help it, and use the OEM phone cable! Hope that helps.
