New from Linkswell at SEMA

[Graygoose2021]

Just saw on CEOutlook,

Linkswell will introduce at the SEMA Show in November a Tesla-style radio with an 18.5-inch screen.

The vehicle specific radio works with the 2021 Ford F150 and includes the climate controls on the radio. Called the XL-FDPU18-5RR-6H, it is expected to ship in the first quarter 2025 at a tentative price of $1,995.

It is joined by a 15.6-inch radio for 2019 to 2023 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks also due in Q1 next year (model XL-GMNP15-6RR-6H). Both offer fast boot up times. They are Android-based radios with third-party access to wireless CarPlay and Android Auto via an app. They have SIM card slots so users no longer need to link their phones to the radio in order to access Google Search, Google Maps, Waze and other apps. See a list of full features below.

Linkswell will also introduce a new RV switching system. Many RVs and and converted vans are rentals whose users find they are unsure how to operate some of the appliances. The new RV switcher has a 10-inch display screen that shows tank levels, and offers controls for lights, awnings, TVs, etc. The system also works with an app that also controls the RV features. It is expected to ship in the first quarter next year at a tentative price of $995.

Typical Features of T-Style XL Radios:

Google Play Store App Downloads

Multi-Function on screen X KNOB

• Volume, Fan Speed, Temp, etc.

**USING WIFI** run Google Maps, WAZE or other Data based navigations

AM/FM Radio w/RDS (12 FM presets, 6 AM presets, plus My Favorite Stations )

3 USB inputs (1 factory input, 1 auxiliary)

BT 5.0 DR/EDR/BLE

• Bluetooth may work with certain Bluetooth controlled devices

USB Music and Video player w/HD Video and Video in motion options

HDMI Output

HDMI Input

• REQUIRES PART NUMBER LW-TSHMDI-IN

4X50 Watt built-in amplifier w/DSP & EQ

4 Volt RCA Preouts (Front, Rear, Sub)

SPDIF Output

• Optical

EQ

• 16 Band
• Low Pass/High Pass Filter
• Subwoofer
  • Filter
  • Gain Control

PhoneLink System (Apple & Android compatible)

• Wireless Apple CarPlay
• Wired / Wireless Android Auto
• AirPlay

On Screen/touch screen climate controls – if equipped A/C, Dual Zone Climate, Seat heaters/coolers, defroster, etc.

• X-KNOB

3 Camera inputs (Front, rear, side)

• Retains Factory reverse Camera
• Reatins factory 360 camera
  • If factory 360 is controlled by the factory touch screen part number FDPU360ADPT is required to retain all functions
• Optional Multi-Cam adapter (FDPUMCADPT) available to add 6 Camera inputs with onscreen access and CanBus triggers

Display factory parking sensors (if equipped)

WIFI for web browser, and streaming apps

• 2.4 GHz
• 5G

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[HammaMan]

They can fawk right off with that shit.
I'd do unspeakable things to retain my physical climate buttons.

Nice to see 3rd parties taking on such a thing. Isn't TRON on the APIM 24+?
Does it break USB updates since those come from APIM or is it trying to just replace the ACM? Hrm, ambitious.

 

[Jesse-Infotainment]

No tron in APIM.

PCM, ABS, PDM,DDM,TCU,GATEWAY,IPMA,PSCM,HCM,GSM

Also some of these units are retaining the apim and routing the LVDS into their display and it maintains OEM Sync on their new display. I havent ever seen one that wrks worth a flip.

We have people calling us all the time to buy all new PEM systems because they replaced their with one of these.. and it doesnt work.

 

[HammaMan]

Also some of these units are retaining the apim and routing the LVDS into their display and it maintains OEM Sync on their new display. I havent ever seen one that wrks worth a flip.

We have people calling us all the time to buy all new PEM systems because they replaced their with one of these.. and it doesnt work.

Yeah, APIM is well-integrated and the level of work required to not only talk to all modules, but do so successfully across trims and software updates --- well it seems overly ambitious. Not impossible but one helluva challenge considering just how integrated it is to all of the other modules in the truck, especially if it's got bluecruise.

 

[Graygoose2021]

I think we are at the point, 20" screens in a car isn't safe anymore...too much eye distractions too...I will take a F150 12" screen and call it a day!

 

[VRFlyer]

I'm holding out until 32" screens are the new norm.




/S

 

[nicholsbradley]

I will try anything. I can always go back to stock. I had their products in my 2015, and they are not junk. They are well-engineered and integrated into Ford's systems. Just my option BlueCruise is junk anyway. Can never have too much screen real estate.

 

[The_Auto_Tech]

I have a 14" Tesla-style radio in my 13 Raptor and love it. Uses Android 13, 8GB ram, and is extremely fast to boot, plus the resolution is VERY nice in it. I was hoping to get the same for my 22, so it looks like this is what I'll be holding out for.

 

[HammaMan]

I have a 14" Tesla-style radio in my 13 Raptor and love it. Uses Android 13, 8GB ram, and is extremely fast to boot, plus the resolution is VERY nice in it. I was hoping to get the same for my 22, so it looks like this is what I'll be holding out for.

Keep us updated. Curious to see how the system handles all of the features accessible from the screen only.

 

[CoolCoyote]

When will someone come out with a DIN adapter so I can get rid of the TV screen and put an old school CD player in?

 

[The_Auto_Tech]

Keep us updated. Curious to see how the system handles all of the features accessible from the screen only.

I can at least give you my opinions thus far concerning my 13 Raptor that came with Sync 2 to start with for now!

Original setup was a completely stock Sony Sync 2 system with the OEM subwoofer and the 7" screen. First upgrade was to go from the stock Sync 2 head unit and replace it with a Phoenix Automotive PX6 Android 9 unit with the 12.1" screen and 4GB of RAM. It was a bit buggy at first, but a guy on one of the forums created custom firmware that could be purchased and installed that fixed probably 95% of the issues. The unit retained the OEM CD drive/audio processor and just relocated it further back and down into the dash insert (CD drive no longer accessible though), and then the OEM APIM unit bolted onto the back of the new 12.1" screen setup. It was a large upgrade over the stock Sync 2 unit in terms of features, and since it was still running Sync 2 in the background it retained all of the OEM features without sacrificing anything. I eventually added aftermarket speakers and subwoofer to replace the stock stuff with no issues on integration either.

After running it for a few years the digitizer stopped working so the touch screen no longer worked on it. Until then I had no issues besides some random resets or slow boots. During that time a 14" unit had been released that now had 8GB of RAM, Android 13, external Wi-Fi antennas, and a MUCH higher resolution screen. I ended up ordering that and installing it a few months back, and thankfully it was pretty much a direct swap since I already was using a similar unit in the vehicle, just had to run the Wi-Fi antennas. Even compared to the old 12.1" Android 9 unit this new setup was a HUGE step up in terms of speed, appearance, and features. Having what is basically a large Android tablet in your dash is very nice, and it still uses wireless Android Auto/Carplay too. It's probably one of my favorite features of my Raptor.

I would assume on this new setup for the 21+ trucks it will still run Sync 4 in the background in order to maintain stock functionality as well.

 

[The_Auto_Tech]

When will someone come out with a DIN adapter so I can get rid of the TV screen and put an old school CD player in?

Why?

 

[CoolCoyote]

Why?

Oops, I forgot the /s
But I would love to be able to play the collection of CDs I have.

 

[The_Auto_Tech]

Oops, I forgot the /s
But I would love to be able to play the collection of CDs I have.

I was gonna say, I could see if you were wanting to replace like a Sync 1 setup or something, but even the base radio in my 22 XL with the Sync 4 and 8" screen is pretty solid, it just can't play CD's.

 

[VRFlyer]

When will someone come out with a DIN adapter so I can get rid of the TV screen and put an old school CD player in?

Do you want one with the double din deck, ya know with the lit manual EQ?

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