Amazon should make a tablet with GPS

[KevinRS]

Heat is a concern for leaving anything in the car. Cars get a lot hotter than you think in the sun. I used a digital thermometer meant for outdoor weather use, and got a reading of 160F which was it's limit, on a spring day. I tested with it because I had a dash cam where the case of it had gotten all warped and distorted.
You probably want to move the phone or tablet under the seat or maybe inside the dash when you get out both for security, and to avoid heat damage. Phones and tablets don't seem to be built to operate without a battery and just plugged in, so removing it won't work, but even without the battery as a concern, the glued on glass will probably come off, and the plastic parts get hot enough to soften and warp.

 

[crownmountain]

It's pretty much the same thing with any Android phone hotspot. Only it would be way less expensive to get a generic Android table with GPS and dedicate it as your head unit.

But then is the real question will it be left in the car. If it is a purpose built unit makes sense. In my case I would likely take it out and with me. From the looks of the mounts in the prototypes theft would be easy.

 

[Letas]

I feel like we are trying to reinvent the infotainment system... If anything, this is fun because it allows us to see why companies make the decisions they do with these systems.

 

[Daemoch]

Google for "rugged tablet" and youll find brands like Dogee, CAT (yes, THAT CAT company), Ulephone, Blackview, Oukitel, etc. Stay away from the weird Amazon brands. These are major brands, just not ones you see much in the US outside heavy construction. Ive got an Ulephone in my pocket atm for example. Most the standard US tablets are either garbage or crazy $$$.

 

[KevinRS]

Google for "rugged tablet" and youll find brands like Dogee, CAT (yes, THAT CAT company), Ulephone, Blackview, Oukitel, etc. Stay away from the weird Amazon brands. These are major brands, just not ones you see much in the US outside heavy construction. Ive got an Ulephone in my pocket atm for example. Most the standard US tablets are either garbage or crazy $$$.

For a while I had a CAT phone for work, android based, with an extended battery built in, basically had a built in case, and waterproof, could just clean it under running water.
For a screen in a truck you kind of want something heat resistant, possibly without a battery at all. Most devices won't turn on on external power without a battery.

 

[Daemoch]

For a while I had a CAT phone for work, android based, with an extended battery built in, basically had a built in case, and waterproof, could just clean it under running water.
For a screen in a truck you kind of want something heat resistant, possibly without a battery at all. Most devices won't turn on on external power without a battery.

Nice. I havent used a CAT myself. Most people seemed to like them. They werent making anything too modern when I started looking, though I think they did come out with a new one this year. I needed a Thermal camera though specifically, which I dont think they've offered at all (iirc).

Most of those will list their temperature ranges. Several of them have swappable batteries shockingly enough and a few WILL work off direct external power (though they wont always note it). Technically Samsung makes one, but I'd call it "Rugged LITE" and its more $ for less hardware in my opinion. But its a nice option if you want a major mainstream brand or need Knox.

 

[Daemoch]

Assuming I leave it in the truck 24/7, Id need something that can do 105 F in the summer (not counting sealed in a truck cab in the sun, so 160 F?) and down to -20 F (sometimes worse!) in the winter.

Realistically I'd just bring it in and out with me. Anyone leaving a phone/tablet in a vehicle like that is just begging to replace a busted window.

edit: just read your post above. Looks like my 160 estimate was a solid guess.

 

[KevinRS]

Assuming I leave it in the truck 24/7, Id need something that can do 105 F in the summer (not counting sealed in a truck cab in the sun, so 160 F?) and down to -20 F (sometimes worse!) in the winter.

Realistically I'd just bring it in and out with me. Anyone leaving a phone/tablet in a vehicle like that is just begging to replace a busted window.

edit: just read your post above. Looks like my 160 estimate was a solid guess.

One possible feature an EV could have is the capability of automatically activating the climate control on a low setting, possibly just the fan, if the cabin temp goes over a set limit, with a limit on how low the battery can go, but I'm not expecting that to be included on the Slate without some future add on.

 

[Luxrage]

I've mentioned this before in a different thread, but I have worked semiconductor, specifically automotive-specific products. We'd nominally test chip operation at room temp (25C) then 130C (266F) and back to 25C, making adjustments each time to ensure it worked as well at high temp as it did room temp.

However, the battery thing is absolutely true. I have two dashcams that are capacitor based to save the last clip when you turn the car off and they run great in all temps. The Squire has a battery-based dashcam and you can see it struggle starting and saving in the Texas heat.