PUMPKIN CAR STEREO SUPPORT CENTER

Re: 7 weeks later, have it up and running. Very satisfied, but I have a few questions

2016-06-15T15:32:46

as to the radio issue playing in the background of other apps, I just use the back arrow when I want to turn the radio off , then open another music app.

Statistics: Posted by Bluboy77 — Wed Jun 15, 2016 3:32 pm

Re: 7 weeks later, have it up and running. Very satisfied, but I have a few questions

2016-06-11T00:08:40

Sounds like you are heading to a good place with yours too. I am quite happy with mine so far. I dont have many gripes because to be honest I havent given it too much play time, work pressures etc. I dont think my external mic is working, it has been replaced but not installed yet. I would like to set up my mobile hotspot to enable as the phone connects to car bluetooth, it is probably easy enough but i find tasker confusing to set up. cheers

Statistics: Posted by roscored — Sat Jun 11, 2016 12:08 am

Re: 7 weeks later, have it up and running. Very satisfied, but I have a few questions

2016-06-10T21:53:16

And let me clarify: I'm using the external mic for phone calls. I believe the internal mic is what is used for interaction with Android apps, like Google Now.

Statistics: Posted by ben1492 — Fri Jun 10, 2016 9:53 pm

Re: 7 weeks later, have it up and running. Very satisfied, but I have a few questions

2016-06-10T21:45:53

I've done a little more research on my issues:

To automate the wifi tether, it appears I would have to root my phone. I've previously rooted phones, but I'm not doing that with this one (Samsung S6). First off, I've gotten used to using the Samsung Pay feature, and I'd lose it if I rooted. Second, I have all sorts of "no root" policies applied to it through my workplace to keep it secure. That means I'd lose my work email if I rooted, and I'm not willing to do that either.

As to using the SWC's for other apps, there are some apps available to do that. If all you want is to control PowerAmp, then this one on the Play Store will do the trick: Microntek HeadUnit Service. I'm using it to start up the SiriusXM internet service when I turn on the car, as well as to adjust volume with my speed. It works very well for both of those tasks. It does not, however, work with any of my music apps or SiriusXM in terms of changing stations with SWC - only PowerAmp. There are other side loaded options I believe will work, and that do not require root, but they do require a little work to get set up. I may tinker with CarService (created by KeiserSozey) over the weekend.

As to the mics, they are working pretty well. People can tell I'm in a car, but they have no problem understanding me. I can hear them pretty clearly as well - not like on my phone, but again, it's passable. Also, the "Ok Google" functionality works decent using the internal mic. About 80% of the time I hit the Voice Search button it crashes, but it works 90% of the time on the second push. And the mic has no problem picking up my query. I've read that Voice Search crashing is a major issue with most of the custom ROM's, which is one of the reasons I'm hesitant to upgrade. It's really nice to be able to say "Navigate somewhere" and within a few seconds have Google Maps up and running.

I've read a lot of issues people are having with these units, but aside from the PAC Audio adapter, I think I have it working pretty well as intended and I'm happy with it. It does require a little more pre-thought than just getting in the car and the radio coming on to the last station you had it on, though. Goes back to your point about changing the way your used to a radio working. I certainly wouldn't go back to my old OEM radio, and I'm certainly not replacing this with something in the future that does less. With all the work going on with some of the committed developers and tinkerers, I predict that I'll have most of my issues resolved or worked around in less than a year. Whoever thought a car radio could become a hobby?

Statistics: Posted by ben1492 — Fri Jun 10, 2016 9:45 pm

Re: 7 weeks later, have it up and running. Very satisfied, but I have a few questions

2016-06-09T05:32:17

Congratulations I have the same or very similar spec unit and so far very happy with most of it. Its just a matter of changing the way you used to do things, I had an old kenwood unit which they never updated. I also would like to use tasker to turn on/off mobile [samsung] hotspot when it connects to the units bluetooth as the trigger but have no clue at all how to set it up. If you have any tips please let me know. I have yet to setup SWC yet so cant help you there. Do you have the external mic and does it work? mine doesnt and I dont believe there is a fix for it.
good luck with it all

Statistics: Posted by roscored — Thu Jun 09, 2016 5:32 am

7 weeks later, have it up and running. Very satisfied, but I have a few questions

2016-06-09T00:12:12

Amazon Order No: 113-8897480-0971415

This Pumpkin Quad Core 7 inch 2 DIN Universal Android 4.4 Car Stereo Radio HD 1024*600 Muti-touch Screen GPS Navigation Without DVD Player Support WIFI/3G/ is installed in a 2005 Chevy Tahoe with Bose Sound System. I had a heckuva time installing this, but it didn't have anything to do with the Pumpkin unit. Turns out that the adapter unit I was using from PAC was a bad unit. And then the replacement was a bad unit. Third time was the charm, though, and I now have everything up and running: On Star, Bose Amp, Door Chimes, Rear View Camera, etc. I was able to get 5 of the 8 steering wheel controls working as well. With a little more tinkering, I could probably get all 8, but I really only need the five I have working.

First off, this is a sweet set up. I didn't have to give up anything...not even Satellite Radio (I sprung for the extra $3/month for the streaming option). I'm no audiophile, but I swear it sounds better than the OEM unit. I plan on using Tasker and some associated plug-ins to automate certain aspects:
1) AutoInput / SecureSettings to turn on wifi tether from my phone when bluetooth connects to the unit
2) Autoinput / CarServices to make the SWC audio controls work on some of the apps I added, notably Google Play Music and SiriusXM streaming app (volume works on everything, skipping tracks only on OEM apps)

There are some small limitations that I'd like get addressed...not deal breakers, but certainly annoying:
1) When I use the head unit to place a call by speaking to Google Now through Voice Search, it says "No mobile network available." I assume this is because it's looking for a 3G dongle - which I don't have. I want it to route the call through the bluetooth connected phone. Am I missing something in settings to make this work?

2) When using the Mode button on my SWC, it will only scroll through the OEM apps for Radio, Video, and the Media Player. Can those apps be user defined?

3) Also, if I want to switch from the OEM radio to either Google Music or SiriusXM streaming channel, I have to remember to close the OEM radio. If I don't, it will play the radio and Google Music at the same time. Is there a "smart" setting for it to know to shutdown or mute the sound coming from the previous app before it starts playing the "new" app?

4) Is there any way to change the widgets on the home screen? I don't use the radio often, and I'd prefer to have a live weather app in it's place. I couldn't find a way to put anything else on the home screen, or to remove the items that are already there. In other words, I couldn't change it.

I look forward to any advice or wisdom anyone on these boards may have.

Statistics: Posted by ben1492 — Thu Jun 09, 2016 12:12 am