Stuff like this is why I muse about building a RPi based head unit. The biggest thing for me is I enjoy HD Radio (LA has a great 80s Rock HD2 station) but there's no chip readily available (for hobbyists) I'm aware of that implements the HD Radio spec (AM/FM being A-OK). All I really want in a head unit is:
- AM/FM/HD Radio
- iPod/iPhone compatibility with preferences for how and when it will turn itself on
- Simple to use Nav with easily, cheaply (or free), upgraded maps
- No bloat or bizarre features I'll never need
- Backup (and perhaps curb clearance) camera support
- A touch UI designed for actual use in a car that's moving i.e. big pancake buttons and nobs for tactile control
- A quality Amp with actual EQ settings
- Carplay and/or Native App support of some kind
- An oscillator/vibrator in the screen to give some tactile feedback (road quality allowing)
A RPi with a peripheral/support board running some combination of XBMC and an App switcher would probably handle that.
Most of these features, save for the UI and Bloat-less experience are available on the AVIC and other aftermarket head units... Just not always in the same unit (HD radio seems to be either not listed on spec sheets or not as common as I'd hope). I have MyLink in my Camaro, which mostly works fine, save for lacking HD radio and its tendency to default to XM when I unplug my phone. My car didn't come with a backup camera which means I may or may not need to get the radio reprogrammed (Via a USB cable and GM software) to use one ($200 or so depending on the dealer). A lot of the on screen controls aren't available via physical buttons and the buttons are too small to blindly tap at.
Stuff like that is just frustrating since a lot of other consumer electronics (i.e. Phones) have improved so much UI/UX wise. A lot of open source projects aren't known for good UI/UX but I feel like an OSS solution would go a long way to fixing these issues.
You should check OpenStreetMap.org's quality in your area. (iPhones use it, last I heard.) Los Angeles should be pretty good.
The other option, Google Maps over a cell data connection, might be workable but that's competing with just getting an Android tablet and mounting it on the dash with cables to connect it to your existing audio head unit.
HD Radio in an RPi-accessible format is an interesting one I hadn't thought of before. A quick google gives me a few decent hits:
I've found these chips but a lot (all?) of them require a large purchase order and an NDA. I presume because of the encoding or something silly. I believe the HD Radio tech is obnoxiously patent encumbered. Meanwhile AM/FM chips are dirt cheap. C'est la vie.
The problem is the complete lack of front end filtering. They're easily overpowered by a strong station. You're better off building you own with real filters.
- AM/FM/HD Radio
- iPod/iPhone compatibility with preferences for how and when it will turn itself on
- Simple to use Nav with easily, cheaply (or free), upgraded maps
- No bloat or bizarre features I'll never need
- Backup (and perhaps curb clearance) camera support
- A touch UI designed for actual use in a car that's moving i.e. big pancake buttons and nobs for tactile control
- A quality Amp with actual EQ settings
- Carplay and/or Native App support of some kind
- An oscillator/vibrator in the screen to give some tactile feedback (road quality allowing)
A RPi with a peripheral/support board running some combination of XBMC and an App switcher would probably handle that.
Most of these features, save for the UI and Bloat-less experience are available on the AVIC and other aftermarket head units... Just not always in the same unit (HD radio seems to be either not listed on spec sheets or not as common as I'd hope). I have MyLink in my Camaro, which mostly works fine, save for lacking HD radio and its tendency to default to XM when I unplug my phone. My car didn't come with a backup camera which means I may or may not need to get the radio reprogrammed (Via a USB cable and GM software) to use one ($200 or so depending on the dealer). A lot of the on screen controls aren't available via physical buttons and the buttons are too small to blindly tap at.
Stuff like that is just frustrating since a lot of other consumer electronics (i.e. Phones) have improved so much UI/UX wise. A lot of open source projects aren't known for good UI/UX but I feel like an OSS solution would go a long way to fixing these issues.