Just thought I'd share my progress on my ipad mini install, I been meaning to show the progress since I've been running it for a few weeks. Not 100% done, need to finish the dash lid. I have a Sony MEX-GS600BT feeding the audio into my jl amp. The radio is great and with the ipad mini, I have the radio mounted under the passenger seat and control all standard functions of the radio through the ipad mini. I also added steering control piece from Sony that was made for older Sony units but also works on the new ones, I mounted the controls on the column just the signal/light stalk. Sorry for the long post and the long video, check it out and be kind because I'm not done yet. Any questions let me know.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJF7jm8hwkY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JALQ1pjNc8

 

That's really cool!!!

Sent from my carrier pigeon

 

Probably one of the coolest ideas I've seen. I think i may have to borrow this idea if you're cool with that. Very awesome. You said it was a Sony model?

 

Thanks guys and gcb your welcome to use my idea, I'm gonna be hard at work on trying to finish as much of it as possible so I can shoot another video soon . The Sony radio is the mexgs600bt, got from crutchfield with a free xm tuner at the time of purchase.

 

So how do the apps that require a network to run work? I'm wondering about things like pandora, maps app, others like that? I hope you don't say a network provider, seems like you could run up a bill if that was the case.

 

I have a 4g lte ipad mini and also use my phones unlimited hotspot feature to keep data charges at bay. If your not careful and don't get carried away with usage you'll be fine. I don't use the pandora app because apple/Sony block app control when connected directly to the head unit, have not been able to bypass it. Otherwise I just use slacker radio which works better. Google maps doesn't use much data, only music or video streaming are data hogs. I use mostly satellite radio thru the head unit and control it thru the app, and use the data for some Internet radio and google maps, and when parked for Facebook or business info lookup. I've done a couple FaceTime calls just for kicks but something I use anyways.