So I just found out Android automotive and Android auto isn’t the same thing. Do anyone know if there is a custom ROM like LineageOS or a de-googled one?
If I understand OP’s question correctly, I think they are asking for a custom ROM for Android Automotive (which is not the same as Android Auto). Your GOS link appears to relate to Android auto.
I hadn’t heard of Android Automotive before today, but it looks like:
- Android Auto = an app and a way to connect an android device to an Android Auto compatible head unit or infotainment system.
- Whereas Android Automotive is an OS designed to run on a vehicle infotainment system.
Relevant excerpt from Wikipedia
Android Automotive (AAOS) is an open-source operating system designed for use in vehicle dashboards, based on Android.
In contrast to Android Auto, Android Automotive is a full operating system running on the vehicle’s device, not relying on a smartphone to operate.[6] As such, it has access to a limited number of apps on the Google Play Store.
Android Automotive is an open source operating system and, as such, a car manufacturer can use it without the proprietary Google Automotive Services (GAS)[7][8]—which is a car equivalent to the Google Mobile Services, i.e. a collection of applications and services like Google Maps and Google Assistant—that OEMs can license and integrate into their in-vehicle infotainment systems. Volvo, Renault, Ford and GM are using AAOS with GAS (advertised as “Cars with Google built-in” by Google[9]). In order to communicate with in-vehicle networks (IVI) such as the CAN bus, Android Automotive uses the Vehicle Hardware Abstraction Layer (VHAL), which serves as a bridge between the vehicle’s hardware and software components.
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same issue with android wear os, we don’t have microg for wear os proprietary blobs.
https://github.com/microg/GmsCore/wiki/Implementation-Status
So a good option would be to get a pixel tablet with graphene os installed as a infotainment system in your vehicle.
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Pixel tablet is an interesting option to consider. There are also head units available which run (non-Android) Linux (and support android Auto / Apple Carplay) which could be options depending on OP’s needs. Either of these options might satisfy the “tainment” half of “infotainment” but I’m not sure how well they would accomplish the “info” half of the equation.
I have only basic knowledge of MicroG, but isn’t it only necessary (on a phone or tablet) if you want/need functionality that comes from prorietary Google apps (e.g. Google Play Services) As far back as I can remember LineageOS/Cyanogenmod and other early alternative versions of Android were usable without MicroG and without GAPPs provided that you are satisfied with the functionality provided by AOSP alone.
I’m not quite grasping the relevance of MicroG in this context but it’s probably been at least 5 years since I last read up on MicroG, so its likely i’m misunderstanding or forgetting something.
I’m not sure how relevant this is but the Wiki article for Android Automotive does state that:
Android Automotive is an open source operating system and, as such, a car manufacturer can use it without the proprietary Google Automotive Services (GAS)—which is a car equivalent to the Google Mobile Services (GMS)
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I am looking for a solution in the future as well. Any recommendations or anything interesting to look into?
Yeah also thought about the pixel tablet but I don’t think a tablet is a good infotainment system. I don’t think the tablet can use the cars steering wheel buttons and things like automatic reverse camera, take calls, climate control, etc.
The tablet will just be a big map viewer and if you need a map you can just use your phone.
I don’t really have a plan on at getting a Android /Linux head unit. I just know that modern cars is a privacy nightmare but I found third party head units interesting and never seen anyone talk about it and I was wandering if it is possible to make a modern privacy focus Android /Linux head unit.
The one that caught my eye is the Atoto F7. I believe the F7 is their only model that is Linux based, the rest are Android based with more features/apps and connectivity options, but also more privacy risks to consider.
Afaik, there is nothing specifically privacy enhancing or privacy promoting about this head unit, its pretty benefits are just inherent (in the same way that a dumb TV has some privacy advantages relative to a smart tv without intending to). Its somewhat basic, but if you are looking for something that accomplishes: (1) Maps (only w/ the via Carplay or Android Auto), (2) Music (3 )Optional backup camera & dashcam, and has no mobile data connection of its own, it might an option to consider.
Yeah, That’s something I’ve been vaguely curious about as well. I hope that as it becomes more commonly known how privacy invasive and locked down/lacking in transparency modern vehicles are, that that attracts a fresh interest from hackers and makers, and privacy focused developers.
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can research how to have buttons over bluetooth on android.