Anyone install any Apps on the Clarity?

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StickWare

StickWare

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There is an option to install apps, but nothing I tried works. I followed some videos on app installation on a Civic, but the "Install" option is not available on the Carity. Has anyone had any luck?

I really want to install Google Maps or Waze without jailbreaking my phone. I know the ios12 update that will be release in Sept will allow Apple CarPlay to use these, but I'd like it now. I drive Uber and Lyft, and it would help. (BTW - the Carity was the best decision I have ever made. 2500 miles in 2 weeks and I have saved $300 on fuel alone compared to my Honda Pilot)


Thanks.
 
Have an old Android device you can put Android Auto on? Can probably get a used one cheap. I use Android Auto for the most part.

Glad to hear your experience with Uber/Lyft. Do you find the rear seat legroom is enough with the front seat all the way forward? I ask only because on spec sheet max rear seat legroom is not that high compared to some other cars, but I think it is mostly just spec sheet, and front seat not going that far forward. I don't see it as an actual issue is what I am saying, but curious what your thoughts are as a professional driver.

$300 in 2 weeks is like $7800 a year. Nice savings. Do you get a chance to charge much?
 
Viking79 said:
Have an old Android device you can put Android Auto on? Can probably get a used one cheap. I use Android Auto for the most part.

Glad to hear your experience with Uber/Lyft. Do you find the rear seat legroom is enough with the front seat all the way forward? I ask only because on spec sheet max rear seat legroom is not that high compared to some other cars, but I think it is mostly just spec sheet, and front seat not going that far forward. I don't see it as an actual issue is what I am saying, but curious what your thoughts are as a professional driver.

$300 in 2 weeks is like $7800 a year. Nice savings. Do you get a chance to charge much?
Click to expand...


Hi! Thanks for your response!!! I have an Android Tablet. I am going to try to Plug that in and hot spot it to my phone. I will just have to type in addresses there, but I'll give it a shot.

I was worried about the leg room because I originally was going to get the Accord Hybrid which has about 4 more inches of leg room. But that tax credit pushed my to get the Clarity, plus that's what my father in law has.

I test sat in it, and had plenty of room. I've heard nothing but compliments from my passengers and that they have plenty of room. Even bigger guys. That is good!


As far as charging. Right now, I only have 110V at home, but there are several free charging options around, and I often park there, or take a break then. I am in the process of installing two 240V chargers in my garage because my wife i getting a Nissan Leaf delivered in a week!

I calculated that I'd save $400+ a month, so I am ahead of that, but I've been driving more lately. (Im a teacher on summer break)
 
I'd say wait a couple of months. Waze is working on a beta (but not taking testers anymore - I'm not one :( ) and I'm sure Google too. Pretty sure these will be available once 12 comes out. I'd say stick to Apple maps for now...
 
One of my best “hacks” ever.

(I posted this on my Facebook), so sorry for basic info here. :

My car has this nice tablet screen, that uses AppleCar play which is nice but has limitations.

Like you can’t use Google Maps on it (only Apple Maps, which stink). I need GM for what I do, and having it there as opposed to my phone would be ideal.

When ios12 comes out, it will allow 3rd party navigation like Google Maps and Waze. That will not be until September or so. That’s too far away

Since I’m an “Apple Developer”, I was able to download a beta of ios12, but that functionality isn’t working yet.

I read that if you jailbreak your phone, you could install CarBridge and get it on there that way. Actually any app, including things like NetFlix

I started to do that but got to the point where I needed to pay money to download Cydia, so I gave up.

Read about “Honda Hack” but was unable to get the .apk file to install on car.

I read that if you have Android, Android Auto allows you to use Google Maps. I have an iPhone but I have an Android tablet laying around. Let my try that...

I tried to install Android Auto on tablet, but you are not allowed. Only on phones. However I discovered “apk mirror “ site that allows you to download .apk files and install manually.

So I tried that, however my tablet kept getting stuck. I think by updating all the associated apps, it finally worked.

So today, I plug tablet into car through USB, however it has no data, so I connect to phone via hotspot WiFi.

Was able finally (after an hour of trying) to get AndroidAuto to start on car and I had Google Maps through Android Auto. I thought I was good, but while driving, Android Auto was running Google Maps and Google Play and the music kept stopping and the navigation suddenly stopped. Restarting everything no less than 30 times, getting frustrated was not working.

Could not get tablet to connect to phone via Bluetooth.

Then I tried to run just Google Maps and stream music from phone via Bluetooth to car, Success!!!

I got GM running and talking, while streaming music via Bluetooth to car. . Interesting how two inputs can simultaneously work.

Worked perfectly the past hour. Hope it continues tonight while driving.

Yay
 
I've seen videos online about how to root the head unit so you can install apps as well as get rid of the driving block (like now with the include out-of-date google chrome, it won't work while car is in motion).

All of those are really bad ideas IMO. While I would think the central computer is not in the head unit, certainly that thing has its fingers into a lot of the control features of the car. I'd really be worried about introducing malware into my car and possibly voiding the warranty.

I'm actually thinking of getting a low-cost Android phone so I can get Waze via android auto instead of waiting for the CarPlay version to come out.
 
Omg. Love this. Been driving Uber last few hours with it. :). Nice to have some useful information on the display.
 

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StickWare said:
Omg. Love this. Been driving Uber last few hours with it. :). Nice to have some useful information on the display.
Click to expand...
Neat!
Fwiw, Walmart and Amazon often have cheap low-end Android phones.
I often use them for various things. Imho, I can buy a low-end phone, load an app, and have a very cheap stand-alone device that does stuff- cool! :-)
Examples: Display temperature, forecast, and radar. Bigger display for camcorder, DSLR, pocket camera. Cheap bang-around camera. Cheap bang-around MP3 player. And so on..
I also do some very limited Android development.
 
so, you can not install any app without using android auto? there is an app download button but as OP said it doesn't work.
 
I'm really tempted to do it, but the head end unit has access to and can configure a lot of things about the car, so it has its fingers into the car's computer somehow. I'd just be worried about voiding warranty as well.
 
Unless you want to play video on the 8" monitor, I really don't see why you need to root to install app on the HU... You will still need to charge your phone when you tither with WiFi and god knows if it can even play 1080 video....
 
Odobo said:
Unless you want to play video on the 8" monitor, I really don't see why you need to root to install app on the HU
Click to expand...

I'd just like to get Waze on it. I may just get an android phone for that. Much safer.

By the way, I freaked out a little while ago when I was trying some settings and the display turned to this....
hu.webp

Yuck.

It took me quite a while to find my way around it to get back to the proper setting to change it back.
 
Thank you but as others said i was hoping to install apps without rooting the head unit. I see there is a 'App Install' and 'Download' option but I can't seem to get it to work. I though that Honda would allow some 3rd party app to be installed on the head unit. e.g. weather, gas buddy, etc..
i honestly think that Honda could have done better with Clarity head unit by providing more modern interface with features like Volt, Telsa, Prius, etc..
 
weave said:
I'd just like to get Waze on it. I may just get an android phone for that. Much safer.

By the way, I freaked out a little while ago when I was trying some settings and the display turned to this....
View attachment 1831

Yuck.

It took me quite a while to find my way around it to get back to the proper setting to change it back.
Click to expand...
yeah.. its in 'Settings' --> system -> All --> scroll all the way down and select 'change skin'.
i actually prefer this skin over the factory default.
 
Benalexe said:
Here is a video on how to use Honda hack.



Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
Click to expand...

Thanks! i think there is something wrong with my unit. i don't even sell all the default option i saw @0:34 e.g. browser. i only see 3 options: App Install, downloads and Calculator!
PS: i am using base clarity. can someone please confirm if you see more then 3 options on your Base Clarity. in that case, i may try doing factory default
 
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