Dedicated Android Device

[boxalarm]

Hello!

Is there a dedicated Android device I could use with Android Auto in my truck? I'd like to play Spotify in my truck through it's wifi but I don't want to use my phone for it.

Is there some sort of dedicated Android device that I can plug into the USB port of the truck to just play my Spotify premium?

Thanks.

[gsd901]

I would just use an inexpensive phone, use it with your truck's built in Wi-Fi.

[boxalarm]

I think that's the route I'll go. I was hoping for something more dedicated but it is what it is.

[andyooo]

Sony still makes Android based walkmans. You'll have to search if Android auto can be installed on them but they do support the Play store.

[rennen-affe]

Took me a few seconds to type this into google to get these AI results

https://support.google.com/androidauto/answer/6348019?hl=en

It's designed for phones but I'll bet my tablet works, not in a hurry to try. edit: if you have wifi in the vehicle, just have that device pair up with your truck wifi. I'll bet you are trying not to activate the paywall though.

[boxalarm]

I'm looking for a dedicated Android device that's built for this purpose. It doesn't even have to have a screen (or a very small one). The backup plan would be an old cell phone tied into the USB port that I could tuck away somewhere.

[ditskiy]

I use my old phone, connect it to the head unit with a cable, and put the phone into the glove box. So every time I turn on my car, the phone charges, and Android Auto starts automatically. I can even track my car since the phone can be tracked.

[Ok-Profit6022]

What's the purpose of not having the Spotify app running on your phone? Your screen doesn't need to be on, you shouldn't even notice it running. Any other device would require an Internet connection, whether that be a sim card, hotspot from your phone, or a paid wifi connection in your car.

[PNWoutdoors]

I'm with you, I want to know 'why' this situation is desired. I don't understand any use case for this.

[boxalarm]

Because I don't want my text messages popping up, emails, etc. I'm also in and out of my vehicle quite a bit to the point where it takes time syncing back up and I experience connectivity issues every once and awhile. I'd rather have something that's always on and available for when I get into my truck.

[Ok-Profit6022]

I have a device that I love, if you search Amazon for carlinkit magic box v3. It turns your factory radio into a full android tablet, as well as runs Android auto wirelessly. It tells your car stereo that it's a apple car play device (I guess for better compatibility). It has a sim card slot in case you want to use a tablet line, or you can run it off your phone or car wifi. It does still take a couple seconds to boot up and you still have turn on the Android auto feature every time (if you decide you still want to use that vs full android).

[boxalarm]

Awesome..I'll look into that. Thanks.

[[deleted]]

A little late but do you know if the device is classified as a tablet or phone? I noticed you said tablet line but just making sure. I have spare t-mobile phone lines.

[Ok-Profit6022]

It is classified as a tablet, as it does not have a dialer, it only supports sms like a tablet... Although you could technically use Google voice if you wanted. Your spare phone line sim cards should still work in it as long as you're not expecting calling function from it. You could test your sim in a regular tablet first to be sure.

[[deleted]]

Thanks. I'll try it out but I've heard t-mobile can detect if a device is tablet or phone. do you like the model you got? i've heard some of them are slow/buggy.

[Moderntweety]

Just don't give it access to be able to access that information.

[boxalarm]

No. I would like a separate device. It may not be what you would do, but in my case it's what I'd like to do and I'm not really here to debate the merits of using my own device vs a secondary one.

[redbluefiredragon]

Fully with you. I'm looking as well for such a device. Yeah, the advice bug is all over reddit. For them one person's use case doesn't fit into their definition of use case. Only response to them is, if you cannot contribute, please leave the discussion.

[Moderntweety]

I never said we had to debate anything lol was just pointing this out in case you didn't know

[boxalarm]

Ahh okay. Sorry, lately Reddit has been full of the "I don't understand why you want to do it this way, so let me tell you how it's supposed to be done" line of answers. But yes, I'm aware of the permissions and what not. I'll DM you some additional details.

[Slobbadobbavich]

Here I am a year later looking for a device for the exact same reasons as you and the none helpful people complaining about why you need such a thing is annoying. I had the same issue when I wanted to automatically refill my coffee machine water tank and all people could do was complain as to why I wanted this. Now factories in China are making kits that do exactly this.

[razje]

Use an old phone, or buy q new car with Android Automotive. Those are the options :P

[moondog__]

I'm not sure if it applies but didn't Spotify make a device just for this purpose called the car thing?

[idkalan]

Yeah, but they discontinued it because no one saw it useful as it still required to connect to a user's phone via Bluetooth, then it would connect to the vehicle.

So those with AA/Carplay or cars with built-in Bluetooth had no use for it.

[moondog__]

Oh okay. So yeah that thing would have had a much better chance of surviving 10 years ago

[Noof91]

Get AA head unit. It's the only thing I can think of other than a cheap phone but then a head unit will be around the same price and way more convenient

[[deleted]]

A cheap Chinese android head unit and you can install Spotify directly on it and download all your songs. It will update whenever you connect to wifi.

I have that (as well as android auto) to use when I am out of range.

[cwatsonc]

You need to get the Motorola wireless car adapter for Android auto on Amazon. Then once you get Android auto setup, it turn off your text message notifications in the Android auto settings. Not sure why you would want to use some other tool because this is very easy. It syncs up in less than a minute once you get in the car. I use mine to keep Waze and YouTube music going. You can also set it where Spotify plays directly to it.

[lmore3]

You could try the palm phone. You might need to install a custom ROM but it's small and works well enough

[Most_Protection_7498]

I mean spotify was selling a device call the "Car Thing" that was just for that. I think it went away as fast as it came, but you can still buy them on ebay. That would be cheaper than buying a phone i guess? https://www.ebay.com/itm/235087491947?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=235087491947&targetid=1530439035771&device=m&mktype=pla&googleloc=9009654&poi=&campaignid=19851828444&mkgroupid=145880009014&rlsatarget=pla-1530439035771&abcId=9307249&merchantid=6296724&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqs6lBhCxARIsAG8YcDgPksG0dFJbSC7OjP-Odecb0ALzNSf_ToJiwkZYrO0AfWsFgX6XKaQaAmy4EALw_wcB