The work which [Mark] did to mount this iPad mini in the dashboard of his Ford truck is commendable. It looks like it came from the factory this way, and the functionality matches that illusion.
He actually started the project before he had the iPad mini on hand. A PDF that mapped out the exact dimensions was used as a template for the layout and alteration. He took the stereo controls out of the original faceplate. That opening was made to fit the screen by cutting, adding putty, then sanding and finishing.
Since the bezel won’t let [Mark] get at any of the buttons on the iPad itself he picked up an external home button on eBay and mounted it just to the left of the screen. Inside the dashboard a docking connector is responsible for powering the tablet and connecting it to the sound system. There’s even a WiFi connection thanks to the MiFi system he mounted in the overhead console.
Would be really nice to read the original article without having to sign up for it… Looks like a really nice build looking at the posted pic though.
Very punny title guys
link worked for me. No sign-up required to read the thread.
Any clues how to wire up an external Home button as shown?
I think it isn’t wired up, but just mechanically extending the “real” one?
Yeah, I thought of that same thing later.
Anyone ever looked into the possibility of wiring something up through the headphone jack since the EarPods have the ability to trigger Siri, trigger the camera shutter, etc.? Just curious for some other projects and ideas rolling around in my head – Google came up empty, for me at least.
It is great but I like this one better http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-ALYArl5S4&list=UUgJRL30YS6XFxq9Ga8W2J3A&index=3
I don’t want to be a party pooper here, but what’s it really for? A bit of restrictively angled web browsing on the move? A bit of overly difficult Angry Birds gaming?
How does he give it reboots or power downs if the power button isn’t available?
A reasonable idea, but it’s just a bit restrictive – I just pop my Nexus 7 in front under the stereo and do navigation occasionally – oh, and I can take it with me when it’s done nav duties.
Especially at this time of year, there’s a real danger of temperature related damage from expansion and contraction, moisture intake, screen clouding, etc. Imagine the regular temp changes outside from the middle of the night thru to warming it up for the morning drive, back cold again, warming up again for the evening drive, then overnight again.
I give it, maybe two years life.
“I give it, maybe two years life.”
Well it’s an Apple device, so naturally he will have upgraded to the iPad Mini 2 and Mini 3 by then. Who needs longevity when you have a forced obsolescence release model?
True. But I didn’t want to go down the whole snobby Apple vs Google thing, perhaps save for the fact that it would be entirely possible to knock up an ODB2 interface+diagnostics system in Android!
I’m off to patent that idea…
:-)
Damn, already done!
So that people know which app you mean, it’s called torque and is available in the play store. A bluetooth odb connector can be bought for around $15.
More poop on the party… a touch screen sucks when you are driving because it requires you to take your eyes off the road to see where you touching on the screen. I had the wonderful misfortune of getting a rental Toyota Pirus that had this issue (utter crap car).
Say what you will about buttons, knobs and dials… you can feel them with your hands and keep your eyes on the road where they belong.
Oh, to live in a place with low street crime….
Good luck using it with gloves.
That’s why you use the “tech gear” gloves. Work with your smartphone as well.
what a bunch of haters
Tell me about it Jose!!!
People should quit playing with electronic devices when they’re behind the wheel and drive. That seems challenging enough for most of them.
Very clean install. Super impressive. Love that you have added on to the functions of the truck without really taking much away. The thread looks like the iPad is removable but I’d personally probably just want to leave it in permenantly. I saw others that were relocating the original radio buttons below (although they aren’t required) which was pretty cool. Innovative. Sort of makes me wish that I hadn’t gotten the navigation in my own F150.
Felix Homogratus, Dimitri Chavkerov Rules! You pay us we post good about us!
Very awesome. I would like to see some instructions on how this was done because I have been wanting to install one of these in my car for a long time.