I've (with help of Claude) Designed a Launcher for Android Head Unit

[bhoom_S54]

Hello Friends,

I currently have Avin Avant 4 Head Unit in my M3. I never liked how bad the UI looked and even after installing custom ROM to it, it still felt boring. So I build a launcher to clean up things. with help of Claude.

Features:
- Built in Music app via bluetooth
- Built in Google Maps. This requires getting google api key
- Built in "Performance" tab that uses CAN BUS or the iBUS adapter data to show the data.
- Classic orange e46 theme and a modern M theme.

If you have the iBUS app, this does require you to stop it from launching at startup since this uses the same adapter to pull data from.

There's so much to it but it does clean up things. However, I do know that this is useless if you use CarPlay. However, I always wanted the system to boot up to clean UI and the best way to go about it was to create a new custom launcher.

Here's the google drive link to the apk file: https://drive.google.com/file/d/175e...ew?usp=sharing





Update 11/3:
Car integration

• Live RPM, speed, coolant, outside temp, range, average consumption and odometer from the cluster
• Optional CAN adapter (CANable or Arduino) for real-time RPM, oil temp and exact fuel level
• Doors, windows, trunk, hood and lights shown on a top-down car view
• Steering wheel buttons control music and volume
• Car info: last oil service, VIN, engine status
• Syncs the dash clock and can show the current song on the cluster
• Works with most USB I-BUS and CAN adapters: tap Scan in Settings and it finds the one sending data

Performance

• Tach, big digital speed and fuel gauge
• 0–60, 60–100 and ¼ mile timers with best runs and a power estimate. The car sits at READY and starts timing when you pull away

Navigation

• Built-in turn-by-turn with voice, rerouting and a tilted 3D driving view
• Free OpenStreetMap maps, no Google account or API key needed

Music and apps

• Built-in player for Bluetooth and any music app, with app shortcuts

Look

• Three themes: Modern, Classic E46 (orange like the cluster) and M Motorsport with optional carbon fibre
• Scales to any screen size, landscape or portrait

Still in active development. Feedback and testers with other E46s are welcome

I will be updating the download link soon with these new features.


Update 11/7:

I’ve created a pcb for can bus that will fit esp32. Added Sport mode dash when sport mode is enabled on the car.

App also has built in code scanner if used with the pcb I’ve made. Still haven’t tested yet since it’s in production line right now. I haven’t added the new apk to download link yet since I’m still making changes over the weekend. I will post a reply when link is updated

[Slideways]

Very cool! Do you need an ibus (Resler) adapter to see the coolant temp, engine temp etc. and would this work on the 8.8 screen?

[bhoom_S54]

Very cool! Do you need an ibus (Resler) adapter to see the coolant temp, engine temp etc. and would this work on the 8.8 screen?

Currently, it is using the iBus Adater for the data but I'm finding that the data comes in slow from that. Under settings, there is an option to detect the adapter but I am still fine tuning that. As for the 8.8 screen, it should work. The launcher has built in Scaling based on screen size but I need to test that as I only have the Avant 4 at the moment.

[9kracing]

APK me

[Bry5on]

Does the AVIN take a CAN input directly? I know the e46 doesn't bring CAN to the head unit from the factory. Very cool!

[bhoom_S54]

APK me

Google drive link for the apk file added.

[bhoom_S54]

Does the AVIN take a CAN input directly? I know the e46 doesn't bring CAN to the head unit from the factory. Very cool!

As of right now, it is just reading data from the USB dongle the iBUS uses. However, the app can work with can bus adapters if you decide to add your own that is USB and plug that into the head unit. In the settings, there is an adapter detector and it will automatically grab the data from it.

[amiao]

Wow this could be a great help! I can’t wait to try it!

[bhoom_S54]

Wow this could be a great help! I can’t wait to try it!

Give it a try and let me now if you have any recommendations for improvement.

[bhoom_S54]

updated download link with latest apk file.

[dr_011]

Looks great, look forward to trying it out later. Does it work with wireless Android Auto (I assume so since it's a launcher).

[bhoom_S54]

Looks great, look forward to trying it out later. Does it work with wireless Android Auto (I assume so since it's a launcher).

yes this is just a launcher. When using android auto, you go into completely different UI which cannot be customized. Sometimes I just have music via Bluetooth so I like looking at this launcher since I’m getting much more info about car out of it.

[dr_011]

Cool. My Avin said the app was built for an older Android version and doesn't include the latest privacy protections. Any issues or concerns I should have about installing this? Appreciate your development for the Avin...

yes this is just a launcher. When using android auto, you go into completely different UI which cannot be customized. Sometimes I just have music via Bluetooth so I like looking at this launcher since I’m getting much more info about car out of it.

[sev]

this is SWEET. my android head unit doesnt have the ibus adapter. where can i get one?

[bhoom_S54]

Cool. My Avin said the app was built for an older Android version and doesn't include the latest privacy protections. Any issues or concerns I should have about installing this? Appreciate your development for the Avin...

Android shows that message for any app built to an older Android version's rules; it isn't a sign that anything is wrong with the app. The launcher was set to Android 10's rules (targetSdk 29) because that's what my head unit runs. Newer Android versions warn about apps like that because some newer privacy rules only apply to apps that opt in. The message has no connection to anything the app actually does: it has no ads, no tracking and no account, and it only uses the internet for maps, search and directions. So it was safe to install, but the warning was fair. I have updated the app. I just need to compile the app once I get home and then I will update the link.

just so everyone knows, there is a lot more added to this app. This is becoming a full blown project lol. Im also working on creating a CANBUS adapter with arduino which will work with this launcher to have diagnostics scanner built into the app to scan for codes. And and some fun transition when sport mode is pressed
I will update this thread as I go