In November 2021, I started building this in my garage because I was frustrated with the limitations of standard car software. I wanted something that didn't just look good, but actually talked to the car's engine.

The result is Car Nebula, an Android launcher designed to bridge the gap between your phone, your screen, and your engine.

To keep this from being a massive wall of text, here is a breakdown of what it currently handles:

Engine & Diagnostics

• Direct Hardware Integration: Supports any OBD2 chip, plus CAN bus integration for supported vehicles (FYT, NWD).
• Head Gasket Protection: Because we are directly connected to your car's engine data, you can set custom alerts to catch overheating before it does damage.
• Maintenance Sync: Link your phone to track your car's location. Service intervals are tracked seamlessly because everything syncs directly with your actual odometer.

Navigation & Driving Safety

• Dual Navigation: Google Maps navigation with hazard and speed bump detection, alongside our own free in-house offline navigation built with MapLibre.
• On-Road Awareness: Live speed limit displays on your route.
• Dash Cam & ADAS: Full integration for USB dash cameras.

Media & Ecosystem

• Universal Audio: Play and control media from any app, stream online radio, or access your local music library.
• Hardware Syncing: Connects directly with your car's ambient lighting to match your UI.

Infinite Customization

• Widget Engine: 50+ resizable widgets with massive customizability for colors, transparency, and backgrounds.
• Exact Car Modeling: Generate a 2D model of your exact car to display on the home screen.
• Multi-Screen Setup: Create multiple screens, each with their own completely distinct design.

Links & Community

• Discord Community:https://discord.gg/KTMdjEwPWk
• Download (Play Store):https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.khaledisim.carlauncher
• For Themers (Widget Gallery):https://carnebula.com/widget-gallery

I'm always open to feedback and new feature requests, and enjoy them very much, so please always feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

Hello everyone,

I’ve noticed that a lot of users are running Car Nebula on Carlinkit devices (like the Ultra 2). Since the feedback has been so positive, I wanted to drop in and officially introduce it!

I’ve been building Car Nebula since November 2021. I am absolutely obsessed with car software, and my ultimate goal is to bring the technology and feel of modern vehicles into any car.

Here is a quick breakdown of what it can do:

• OBD integration with the engine's data
• Integrates with your car's sensors and cameras for dashcam recording (if your car exposes it)
• Integrates with the native Microphone + a dedicated proactive AI agent that controls everything in the app
• Google Maps APIs to support turn-by-turn navigation and Free offline navigation as a second option
• Fully customizable, resizable widgets and ability to create your own with text-to-widget models
• Custom car model designer that lets you create a replica of your car's model in a split second
• Multimedia integration with any music player (Internet radio, local music, YT Music, Spotify, Apple Music, etc.)
• Support for all screen sizes
• Analysis of every gas press, environmental impact, and gas spending.

You can check it out here: Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.khaledisim.carlauncher

I’m always looking to improve the platform and would love to hear your thoughts. Happy to answer any questions!

I want to share a crazy story about my obsession with car software. Back in November 2021, I was 21, studying engineering. As a massive nerd who loves software and cars, I did the weirdest things possible with my headunit.

My days out with friends actually consisted of me coding in my car; my laptop was always with me. I pushed that thing to the absolute limit. I flashed Kali Linux once, played GTA IV, League of Legends, and even ran PS emulators.

Eventually, I got the idea to build my own custom software. I spent thousands on R&D and bought all sorts of hardware. Right now, I'm literally drowning in CAN bus chips, ESPs, OBDs, and microcontrollers. I had no intention of doing anything commercial with any of it; I just wanted to have a genuinely nice experience while driving.

Fast forward 5 years. In late 2025, I decided to publish my years of work to the Play Store.

I called it Car Nebula.

I received tons of feedback and kept improving it every single day. Now, I actually make some money out of it. I'll be honest: I'm not a fan of subscriptions myself, but I had to do it. Every service I use charges me monthly, which is honestly really depressing for me. But that's just the reality of software products nowadays, servers never run for free.

I’m already a senior SWE now with a nice job, building products that serve millions of people. Yet, almost everything I make goes right back into my car. I could easily afford a modern car today, but it's funny how a headunit is the only thing stopping me from doing that.

My family always says I'm not a good marketer, and they're right. I don't love dealing with a lot of noise. I’m just a very technical person. I enjoy coding/building platforms.

I'm incredibly grateful for the love and support I've been getting over the last 8 months. I'm especially grateful for this sub because it was actually my entry point to helping Car Nebula reach more people.

So, after years of R&D and relentless dedication in a garage that didn't even have internet or cell coverage, here it is:

Car Nebula: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.khaledisim.carlauncher&hl=en

Hello everyone!

I wanted to share a project I’ve been building for the last five years in my garage called Car Nebula. My best friend owns a 1999 Golf MK4, and spending time optimizing this app for his car made me realize one universal truth: what is up with the always-on Check Engine Light?! 😂

Because many cars lack modern 2026 technology, I decided to build a custom car software running as a launcher specifically for aftermarket Android head units.

It boots up automatically when you start your car and completely overhauls your dashboard experience, focusing on a clean, simple design that is incredibly easy to navigate while driving.

Here is what it adds to your Volkswagen:

• Built-in DTC Scanner: Read and clear those persistent engine code faults right from your dash without digging out a separate scanner tool.
• Live OBD-II Telemetry: Stream RPM, coolant temps, intake data, and fuel levels straight from your car's computer to your screen.
• Overheating Alerts: The app monitors coolant temperatures in real-time and alerts you instantly if things get too hot, protecting your engine.
• Service Trackers: Log your oil changes, timing belt services, and brake pads. The app will notify you when your next maintenance interval is approaching.
• Smart Drive Analytics: Get personalized fuel-saving and range-extending tips based on how you actually handle the gas pedal.
• Offline Voice AI: Control your music, navigate home, or adjust settings using natural voice commands without needing an internet connection.
• Offline Maps: Download your local region once for reliable, data-free navigation.
• Customizable UI & Ambient Lighting: Sync the app with your cabin's RGB lights and customize the widgets, themes, and layouts to match that classic VW dash glow.

If you’ve swapped an Android head unit into your VW and want to actually tap into the data your car is producing, I'd love for you to check it out.

VW vehicles are 100% compatible, and if they're after 1996, they will also be OBD-II compliant, and you'll be able to see data coming from your car's ECU!

Google Play Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.khaledisim.carlauncher

I’m the solo developer behind Car Nebula, so if you run into any quirks with your specific head unit or have feature ideas, let me know! 😊

Car Nebula started out of frustration with how slow and rigid factory head unit software is. The goal has always been to build something that genuinely beats OEM. This update is the biggest one yet.

What's new:

• USB Webcam ADAS and Dashcam: Plug any standard USB webcam into your head unit and get lane detection, forward collision warnings, and background loop recording. No proprietary hardware needed. Still experimental, but it works.
• AI Text-to-Widget Designer: Type something like "design a cyberpunk RPM gauge" and the app generates a custom widget. You pick the data source (Speed, RPM, Throttle, etc.) and it handles all the connections.
• Phone-to-Car Navigation Sync: Search a destination on your phone, and your head unit picks it up immediately. No typing addresses on a touchscreen.
• In-Map Speed Camera Alerts: Speed cameras now show up directly on the map while navigating.
• Native Android Widget Support: Embed any native Android widget into your dashboard.
• Light Mode: Much more stable now. Actually nice to use on sunny days.The

iOS companion is currently under App Store review and should be out very soon.

Feedback is what drives Car Nebula forward, and I'm grateful for everyone who was part of our journey. Links below:

Discord: https://discord.gg/4FffqzHfk

Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.khaledisim.carlauncher

Hello everyone, I'm really happy that I found this sub!

I'm a proud owner of 3 Lancers (don't judge please, they have different colors!), and I have been building software for the car in my garage ever since 2021. That's how my passion project, Car Nebula, started.

I love the Lancer's reliability, but the car really lacked modern features. I wanted a sleek, modern dashboard, so I built it. Now I have:

• Live OBD2 Data: Real-time stats right on the screen.
• Engine Temperature Warnings: Perhaps the best part. I had overheating issues before and blew a head gasket because there are no stock alarms. This feature alone could have saved me a lot.
• Offline AI Assistant & Navigation: Works perfectly even without a signal.
• Ambient Light Control: Control installed Bluetooth lighting directly.
• Maintenance Tracking: Keep a perfect track of oil changes and service intervals.

Customizability is infinite; every feature is as simple as placing its widget exactly where you want it.

Car Nebula is an Android app that can be simply downloaded from the Play Store on aftermarket Android headunits, not just Lancers; it works on any car, but I would absolutely love it if more Lancer owners joined the community and tried it out!

Play Store link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.khaledisim.carlauncher

I'm always open to feedback and points of improvement/feature requests, and I enjoy working on this every single day.

It's been a while since you've helped reshape Car Nebula; now, Car Nebula is getting more and more powerful.

Everything is super straightforward; every feature is just a matter of placing its widget.

New features:

• Widgets: widgets are now resizable, and a lot of new widgets were added.
• Theme presets, save your presets, and get back to them whenever you want, and set triggers for when to switch, for example, when the phone gets connected.
• Companion app: Use Bluetooth/WiFi to connect your phone to your HU to cast screen/share notifications, music, contacts, and calls.
• Ambient Light Controls: if you have an ambient light device (ELK-BLEDOM) based, you can now control it directly from Nebula and even sync your current theme with the Ambient light.
• TomTom Search: You can now use TomTom search for navigation; it's much better at finding places than OSM.

More features:

• Media Controls: Control playback and queues across Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and more.
• OBD2 Telemetry: Stream real-time engine data, including RPM, temperatures, and fuel levels.
• Overheating Protection: Receive instant real-time alerts if your coolant temperatures or engine load, DTC errors reach thresholds.
• Built-in DTC Scanner: Read and clear engine fault codes directly from the HU, no extra tools needed.
• Maintenance Tracking: Log services and get automatic reminders synced straight to the companion app.
• Smart Drive Analytics: Get personalized driving tips to maximize your fuel efficiency and range.
• Offline/Online Voice AI & LLM: Control music, navigation, and settings completely hands-free, with no internet required. If you have a powerful enough HU, you can run an LLM agent locally.
• Offline Navigation: Enjoy reliable, data-free local routing.

Download Car Nebula for free on: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.khaledisim.carlauncher

Download Car Nebula phone companion app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.khalidisim.carnebula.companion

Upcoming updates:

• Community widgets are almost out!
• Custom OBD2 commands
• ADAS support
• Ride tracking through the companion app
• iOS companion app
• And your new requests on: https://carnebula.com/social

Thanks for your continuous support!!!!

And I always love getting more feedback, and new fun features to work on :)

Hello everyone!

I wanted to share a project I’ve been working on called Car Nebula. My car lacked modern features and telemetry, so I decided to build a custom launcher specifically for aftermarket Android headunits.

Car Nebula boots up automatically when you start your car and completely overhauls your dashboard experience. Here is what it adds to your Hyundai:

• Live OBD-II Telemetry: Stream RPM, coolant temps, intake data, and fuel levels straight from your car's computer to your screen.
• Overheating Alerts: The app monitors coolant temperatures in real-time and alerts you instantly if things get too hot, protecting your engine.
• Built-in DTC Scanner: Read and clear engine code faults right from your dash without needing a separate scanner tool.
• Service Trackers: Log your oil changes, brake pads, and tire rotations. The app will notify you when your next maintenance interval is approaching.
• Smart Drive Analytics: Get personalized fuel-saving and range-extending tips based on how you actually handle the gas pedal.
• Offline Voice AI: Control your music, navigate home, or adjust settings using natural voice commands without needing an internet connection.
• Offline Maps: Download your local region once for reliable, data-free navigation.
• Customizable UI & Ambient Lighting: Sync the app with your cabin's RGB lights and customize the widgets, themes, and layouts to match your interior.

If you’ve swapped an Android headunit into your Hyundai and want to actually tap into the data your car is producing, I'd love for you to check it out.

Hyundai Vehicles are 100% compatible if they're after 1996. I have a friend with an old Elantra, and it worked like a charm!

Google Play Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.khaledisim.carlauncher

I’m the solo developer behind Car Nebula, so if you run into any quirks with your specific headunit or have feature ideas, let me know! 😊

Hello everyone!

I want to share Car Nebula, the car software that runs on any car with an Android Headunit, because my older car didn't even have an AUX port, let alone modern telemetry. I wanted more out of my dashboard, so I wrote the software for it myself.

Car Nebula is a car software running as a launcher app that runs on any aftermarket Android headunit. It boots up the moment you turn the key, with no extra steps. Here’s what it brings to your cabin:

• Engine protection: Alerts you the moment coolant temps spike, so you never get caught off guard by an overheating engine.
• OBD live data: RPM, fuel level, coolant, intake temp, and more. Pulled directly from your Nissan's computer right to your dashboard.
• DTC scanner: Read and clear error codes without paying a mechanic just to plug in a scanner.
• Maintenance & Oil trackers: Logs your changes and reminds you when the next service (brakes, tires, filters, transmission) is due.
• Drive analytics: Tracks every gas pedal press and gives fuel-saving (or range-saving!) tips based on your actual driving habits.
• Offline navigation: Download your region once, and it works flawlessly without a data connection.
• Ambient light control: Pairs directly with your cabin's RGB lighting if your setup supports it.
• Offline AI voice assistant: Talk to your car naturally. Play a song, navigate home, change ambient light colors, or ask anything, all entirely hands-free.
• Fully customizable dashboard: Widgets, themes, layouts, and car visuals to match your specific ride.

It works on any Nissan equipped with an Android headunit. If you've upgraded your dash and want to unlock the actual data your car is generating, give it a try.

Download on Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.khaledisim.carlauncher

I'm the solo developer behind this, so I'm super happy to answer any questions, take feature requests, or help troubleshoot your specific headunit setups! 😊