Phone or Tablet as your interface device?

[danimal]

Personally, I'd prefer a tablet for the larger screen and dedicated functionality. I'd only install car and driving related apps.
It'd be good to find a mounting option that looks integrated and not an obvious target for thieves. Or quick mount/unmount option and a good spot to quickly stash it when parking the car.

I'm thinking the Lenovo ThinkTab X11 is a good fit. Decent specs and 5G connectivity.
But what sets it apart is the removeable battery and option to run in "Battery Mode" - no worries about leaving a battery plugged in all the time or in a hot car.
Also, two USB-C ports allows for plugging in to power and an accessory (maybe a camera/dash cam, wired speakers to avoid added bluetooth complications, something else I'm not imaginative enough to think of...)
It's aimed at commercial customers, so it has robust build quality, touchscreen works with gloves, and it'll hopefully have a wide range of third party mounts/accessories to make it feel more integrated into the truck.

All that said, $500 is a big investment, especially compared to free if you already have a tablet or will just a phone.

 

[EVfun]

I think my regular Slate interface device will be none! I can bluetooth my phone to some speakers under the dash without the Slate being involved.

I'll plug in a phone if the Slate needs a software update. That is an occasional thing, and not something you do while driving.

 

[Visualvalhalla]

Initially, I thought of simply adding a cheap Android Tablet and flash Android Automotive into it.
Now. I'm leaning towards a full 2 DIN 8" display with an amp , a couple inline speakers and a sub.

 

[GrizzlysGhost]

Just my phone in the cradle, paired to a BT speaker under it will provide me with my navigation and music (which is all I need really), and I don't have to worry about thieves targeting it because my phone will return promptly to my fanny pack when I leave the vehicle.

 

[EV Trek]

Phone for daily driving.
Tablet for trips that require navigation or more than a single charge

 

[EV Trek]

Personally, I'd prefer a tablet for the larger screen and dedicated functionality. I'd only install car and driving related apps.
It'd be good to find a mounting option that looks integrated and not an obvious target for thieves. Or quick mount/unmount option and a good spot to quickly stash it when parking the car.

I'm thinking the Lenovo ThinkTab X11 is a good fit. Decent specs and 5G connectivity.
But what sets it apart is the removeable battery and option to run in "Battery Mode" - no worries about leaving a battery plugged in all the time or in a hot car.
Also, two USB-C ports allows for plugging in to power and an accessory (maybe a camera/dash cam, wired speakers to avoid added bluetooth complications, something else I'm not imaginative enough to think of...)
It's aimed at commercial customers, so it has robust build quality, touchscreen works with gloves, and it'll hopefully have a wide range of third party mounts/accessories to make it feel more integrated into the truck.

All that said, $500 is a big investment, especially compared to free if you already have a tablet or will just a phone.

I think there are pockets on the back of the seats that I have seen in some videos, that is where my table will go when I leave the truck.. completely out of sight.

 

[murder]

What’s going to be the largest tablet we can use with the table mount?

 

[EV Trek]

What’s going to be the largest tablet we can use with the table mount?

Ask Slate, nobody on here probably knows

 

[P. Regent]

 

[EV Trek]

I wouldn’t expect much at that price.

 

[P. Regent]

I don't want much. Just an Android Auto screen. That's my nav and music/podcasts. Some of the cheap AA screens come with backup cameras as well.

 

[Luxrage]

Still bitter that Google axed android auto as a standalone app for phones a few years back. Was a great tool doing roadtrips in my LTD which had the stock radio and would have been perfect here.

 

[GaRailroader]

I am expecting the Q1 Slaters to give us reviews of all of these Android Auto/Apple Car play devices so the Q2 Slaters will know which ones are the good ones.

 

[007]

A tablet on the dash is theft bait.

 

[GaRailroader]

A tablet on the dash is theft bait.

Probably so. I wouldn't worry about it at work or at home but if I am leaving it overnight somewhere I'd probably throw it in a seat back pocket. Do we know if these seats have seat back pockets?