oh look another problem I'm too poor to have
this post was submitted on 28 Dec 2025
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So manufacturers can bill you monthly for the same features...
Fucking clickbait titles jfc
2015 cars came with bluetooth support for hands free calling using your phone. This was great.
After that, it was replaced with carplay or android auto as the only means to get hands free calling. Stupid...stupid.
Plus, last 2 new cars i bought, i had to take the interior roof apart so i could access the built in cellular antennae wire and remove that spyware P.O.S. And by the way, car works fine without it.
Toyota didn't have Android Auto for many years after 2015
They didn't really replace it though. Pretty much every modern car sold today has Bluetooth. You don't have to use android auto.
I still use that Bluetooth everyday in my Mitsubishi Outlander I don't need more than this.. I also installed some magnet mount for the phone case.
The only problem is that since December 2024 android release on Pixels it stopped connecting "media audio" automatically due to some timing issue or something. So I have to manually toggle that button on my phone since that day.... (Google Pixel) And now Samsung seems to have the same issue since they started updating to newer android versions.
Google is not focusing on fixing this and just focusing on Android auto instead. But it only impacts some Japanese makes. I think some Mazda also have the issue.
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I am always surprised I don't hear more discussion about Automotive Grade Linux.
Because it's corporate controlled embedded Linux, you aren't guaranteed any freedom or control. Hell you aren't even guaranteed access to a debug menu. Technically a car manufacturer could make a open a free car running embedded Linux that does give you freedom but the chances are absurdly low.
TiVoization
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Every day I get more thankful for my hand-me-down car. It has no heated seats or anything fancy, but that also means no subscriptions, no wifi tracking/stalking, no digital touch screen over physical buttons, etc. All I've ever done is use a clip holder on my AC vent for my phone, so I'm used to it. It's given me time to see how others feel about Android Auto and features in newer cars, and I can make an informed decision whenever my baby decides to kick the bucket. Hopefully I can get something not too stalkerish nor with subscriptions.
The sonata before 2018 is great, but you need to play the engine lottery.
I'm super pleased to have gotten a vehicle right in the breakpoint between dumb and dumber vehicles, 2018, center console without touchscreen, mouse/dpad instead, no connected services except offline gps with option to update maps via tethered network, no sos lojack. Got lane assist, adaptive spees etc but nothing actually 'smart'
Next year model got it all, touchscreens, lojack, annoying android..
I bought a cheap chinabox for android auto instead of upgrading software via dealer for higher price, and now I can connect whatever I want to the system below android, enter ui for dashcams, kill it entirely or just use the good ol radio.
Not looking forward to 'upgrading' in the future at all, I'd rather let this one turn to rolling rust.
People also seriously over estimate the effort required to install an android auto/car play stereo and backup camera. One adapter later and green wire connects to green, red to red, etc. most of the work goes to watching videos on how to do it to get a clearer picture. Not to mention that even for something on the fancier side you pay perhaps one car payment and you are done vs signing up for another 5 years of monthly misery.
Mine was basically plug and play, most difficult part was being willing dismantle a brand new car, besides that it just took 30 minutes to plug the box into the main unit
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