Nexus 7 tablet intergration

T

toushea

Member
Hi guys this is my first modification post on the site so I hope you all enjoy

I was out replacing my faulty cigarette lighter socket the other they when I noticed that my nexus & tablet neatly fits into the ashtray space in the Z4.This started me thinking how useful it would be to have the tablet in the Z4 for media, navigation and vehicle diagnostics.

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IMG_1763 by toushea, on Flickr

The first step involved was to order a new Aux cable to headphone jack to feed the audio out of the tablet into the stereo (this also allowed me to remove my aging Denison IceLink). I also ordered a cigarette lighter with a 2amp (Nexus Tablet) and 1amp (Phone charger) sockets.

Then the fun began as I cut out the lower part of the ashtray holder leaving only the surround intact

At this point I removed the stereo to fit the aux cable , the aux cable is plugged into Pins 3,4&8 under the fuse on the BMW Business stereo as shown

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IMG_1786 by toushea, on Flickr

This is the progress to date , in time I hope to fill in the ashtray surround to better support the tablet . After which I will finish the write up with some more pics and hopefully a video . Im slightly concerned that automotive body filler wont be suitable for filling the ashtray due to thicknesses etc and any advice would be appreciated.

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IMG_1789 by toushea, on Flickr
 
permissions on your pictures aren't right - we can't see them
 
I see you have also removed the area that controls the buttons for seat warming, switching off DSC, and tyre warning re-set ... at least that's where they are on the facelift models. Wouldn't it fit into the ashtray just as neatly, but still leaving the surround? Maybe it is a different on a pre-facelift?

Anyway, I think it is quite a cool place to set up your Nexus. But if it was moi, I'd keep it just for nav, and forget about linking into the audio system, and just use the normal CD/CD stacker etc for music. I placed an iPod into my car through the Aux in (which exists on facelift models), and found it HIGHLY dangerous/distracting to use while driving the car. Out it went. Using an iPod in the car is very different in the attention span required to interact than just playing the radio, or leaving a CD to play, or using the steering wheel buttons to change track/station.

Summary: I'd just use it as a satnav.
 
You could mount the standard BMW X3 portable navigation holder on the dash and put the nexus in there?

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krusty said:
I see you have also removed the area that controls the buttons for seat warming, switching off DSC, and tyre warning re-set ... at least that's where they are on the facelift models. Wouldn't it fit into the ashtray just as neatly, but still leaving the surround? Maybe it is a different on a pre-facelift?

Anyway, I think it is quite a cool place to set up your Nexus. But if it was moi, I'd keep it just for nav, and forget about linking into the audio system, and just use the normal CD/CD stacker etc for music. I placed an iPod into my car through the Aux in (which exists on facelift models), and found it HIGHLY dangerous/distracting to use while driving the car. Out it went. Using an iPod in the car is very different in the attention span required to interact than just playing the radio, or leaving a CD to play, or using the steering wheel buttons to change track/station.

Summary: I'd just use it as a satnav.
Click to expand...

The buttons are in the same location on the pre facelift , the buttons are actually left in place as i will detail in a later post . In terms of accessing theese buttons , i can easily reach behind the tablet when not driving which i the only time I actually use these buttons.

In terms of MP3 use , I only ever use the system for playlists when driving as I did previously with the Denison Ice Link system , its nice to have a good GUI for passengers to browse music though

Bad_Pritt said:
You could mount the standard BMW X3 portable navigation holder on the dash and put the nexus in there?
Click to expand...

Im not a fan of the dash-mounting solution to be honest , its a small enough windscreen area as it is and the ashtray area seems to have lower glare , give how I plan to use it I dont actually need to look at it whilst driving that often
 
toushea you have inspired me to buy a nexus 7 - double discount weekend for me at work plus £10 off voucher means i got a 16gb tablet for £150 - not gonna mess with the z but i'm interested as to how you would power the nav without 3g
 
theprophecy said:
toushea you have inspired me to buy a nexus 7 - double discount weekend for me at work plus £10 off voucher means i got a 16gb tablet for £150 - not gonna mess with the z but i'm interested as to how you would power the nav without 3g
Click to expand...


For local area navigation , the maps application now allows you to cache maps on the tablet , as for long range navigation I will most likely tether the Nexus to my phones 3G signal
 
This looks great - perfect place to have this functionality. I am really disliking having to attach a sat nav to the windscreen and have wires everywhere.

I don't think i would mod the tray as it sits there quite nicely as it is - think i will be getting a nexus 7 for xmas now :)

BTW from a sat-nav app point of view, TomTom is coming out for Android soon and that should have full offline maps - would be great in this use case.

I might add a a2dp bluetooth to 3.5mm adapter so i dont have to plug it in every time
 
Can you further explain why you needed to cut the ashtray? Was it to change the angle of the nexus? I noticed that it is sitting differently in the first and last pictures.

It is a shame that there is no inductive charging - that would have been awesome just having a pad to rest it against so you wouldnt have to plug it in for power
 
inamak said:
Can you further explain why you needed to cut the ashtray? Was it to change the angle of the nexus? I noticed that it is sitting differently in the first and last pictures.

It is a shame that there is no inductive charging - that would have been awesome just having a pad to rest it against so you wouldnt have to plug it in for power
Click to expand...


No problem , apologies for the late reply . In the first photograph the entire ashtray unit is removed completely ( along with the buttons for the roof control , DSC , etc. In the second photo I have cut the ashtray components out and left the button carrier and have the Nexus sitting effectively under the ashtray , I will post some photographs later on. The bluetooth adapter is a good idea but I'm not too pushed with plugging in the headphone jack for now , ive got other parts I want to spend the money on :D
 
i navigated round europe using my nexus 7. installed co-pilot navigation on it and it worked a treat.
 
inamak, Here is the photo comparing an intact Z4 ashtray to my modified one , it might give you an idea of what was removed, the next stage is to fill in some of the holes , smooth out the rough edges and spray the entire part matt black , as part of a general interior overhaul that I'm beginning.

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photo by toushea, on Flickr
 
Thanks for the pic - much clearer in my mind now! Now all i have to do is get a tablet (have my eye on the galaxy tab 7.7)
 
Good idea Toushea, I rather thought I'd use this to create a door that opens and automatically breaks the table. When not needed closes and remains inside.
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And...why my radio business behind has different coloured cables??

And...I have connected a cable aux Phonocar but with the MODE button switches from radio to cd to radio to cd ecc but no AUX :((((

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