hey guys,
i just found out android head units exist and it makes me excited. that being said i have a subaru legacy 2015 and all ive wanted was the ease of use to have the address pulled up on my phone and have my head unit automagically have it and give be turn by turn directions on its screen. so i would like android auto because it seems to be the simplest to use and most intuitive because i use google music as my main source of music and google maps as my main maps. is this a option of the android headunits the reviews seem to focus on the android os not how it interacts with my phone, the last thing i want to do while driving is type in an address when someone text me i want to be able to hit a link and have it pop up on my headunit. you know what i mean?
anyways that's the main thing but i would like "ok google" being sent to my phone and displaying on the screen would be a big plus as well as backup cam support and dvr function and if magically possible retain control over my cars functions like changing my key locking functions would be nice but only if possible ive come to terms with losing that functionality.
car: subaru legacy limited 2015
phone: pixel xl
As the title states, I'm looking for a way to make Google maps on Android auto show me the known speed limit on roads while just driving without having a destination set. As of now when using my pioneer head unit with Android auto it only shows me the speed limits when using directions not just driving with the map open
Hi guys!
I m new here and i ve been searching for it mostly here and in web researches, but cannot find a clear answer.
Does anyone know a ROM suitable for a tablet (i have a xiaomi clover that i could use for it) that i could mount on my motorbike for gpx navigation, maybe weather and music also ( getting real time machine data via the ECU, as speed, revs, temperature etc would be awesome too! )
It ll be great if a tablet could actually (replace, or) complete the dashboard informations,
Does anyone has a clue about which way i should dig around ?
thanks you all
I have a nexus 5x always in car, for android auto. I have rooted the phone and Uninstall most of android. Including phone app, sms, etc. I have only keep the core of android and gaps so to run android auto and evey app i wanted. This is the way..
I guess you are not looking for a ROM but for some apps to be installed in your tablet or phone.
You can test some Car Launchers you can find in the Store.
To get real-time parameters you will need an ODB connected to your bike and for the software, with any ODB you buy there will be a basic app to obtain real-time data. Specifically for motorbikes you have MOTOSCAN.
Hi,
I'm disappointed with AA. I think there is some space for an open source alternative to this system which is so closed.
Moreover the end of life of the standalone version makes me feel that Google doesn't care much about their customer experience.
I tried the Google Assistant driving mode and it's... a disaster for now.
I think it would be easy to create a great AA like launcher. But to make it succesfull there must be a community and an ecosystem around that. Apps are important even in automotive context.
Typically Waze is a key app that many drivers want.
At this time I'm wondering what is the best approach to start this kind of project. I see few show stoppers and I'm interested to get some thought from you about that.
1/ Head unit integration : long time ago I worked on the reverse engineering of the AA protocol. I discovered that the protocol is using SSL certificates. Head units holds a public key and mobile use a private key provided by Google Play Services. The problem is that these certificates have very short lifetime (about 6 months) and if I remember fine the root cerificate will expire in 2030 or something. I don't think that head unit s check the expiration date anyway (because many of them don't have system time). But for sure you need a Google private key in order to initiate communication with a head unit. The key could be captured decompiling code few years ago, don't know if it's still as simple as that.
If head unit really don't check the expiration date then it could be possible to replace the whole AA stack with an independent one.
But even if this work I'm not sure it's possible to disable the native AA protocol and take control of the USB port without rooting.
2/ Apps integration. There are 2 categories of Automotive apps : media apps and navigation apps. I think there are also a category for messaging apps.
Navigations apps are apps that provides an automotive friendly display. Waze does this for example.
Media apps are easy to integrate becaase they rely on the legacy mediabrowser APIs.
Integrating the navigation apps is tough. Because these apps are exposing a special AA service that only privileged apps can invoke (by default).
However apps dev can also allow a third party app to connect their dispkay service. This won't ever happen except if the car launcher become mainstream.
Good point is that would not require any change in implementations : it's just an access right problem.
I have seen a lot of car launchers in Play store. They all display the apps on native mode which is not what you want while driving.
Any comments to this ?
I would also like to see an alternative way...but unfortunately I did not find anything yet.
I'm also not happy with everything on Android Auto.
For example:
- I have apps (e.g. navigation) that are not compatible with Android Auto
- I can't accept Whatsapp calls on Android Auto
- The navgation of media apps is not the best way (if you want to change the playlists, there are way too many inputs necessary)
- I can't turn off Google Maps (GPS) to preserve battery and reduce heat on the phone
- I need internet (I live in a rural area...therefore sometimes I don't have internet and then in a lot of times, Android Auto just crashes...)
- I don't like Google's update policy (it's just good luck if a new version of Android Auto works stable). I want to have a working version and leave it on the phone.
From a user standpoint I definately would like to see an AA alternative. I don't need to watch videos or anything like that but there are a few necessary apps for me that AA doesn't allow.
SOFO888 said:
- I don't like Google's update policy (it's just good luck if a new version of Android Auto works stable). I want to have a working version and leave it on the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can achieve that by disabling Android Auto automatic updates on Play Store app.
CaioTheBrain said:
You can achieve that by disabling Android Auto automatic updates on Play Store app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, unfortunately not. Every Google app has an expiration date, also Android Auto. This expiration date then forces you to update your app. Otherwise it will not start.
There are a few Android dongles that trick the car's headunit into thinking it is connected via Android Auto. However, most of the devices are CarPlay AI units that trick the headunit into thinking is is connected to a CarPlay device and then display the Android system through the headunit. But they are all buggy.
Perhaps something can be learned from how they do that. An app that mimics Android Auto but allows full user control would be great.
I am by no means an expert but I want to help do this! I liked using rooted devices for AA and having AA tweaker but I always felt like it was just the start of something not a finished product so I'm definitely down with this. What I feel like would be the simplest approach would be making an Android auto app that (it communicates with your phone and doesn't need data) runs on a cheap tablet that you put on your dash or wherever in the car and from there you have full control over the app and device. Just my thoughts
Did someone tried sreen2auto? Its mirroring your phone to your android auto. Search it on XDA forum.
drnightshadow said:
Did someone tried sreen2auto? Its mirroring your phone to your android auto. Search it on XDA forum.
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I used to use Screen2Auto but it required too much upkeep every time Google made changes to Android Auto. The last time it broke I couldn't get it working again.
I have a 2016 Mazda CX-5. It has a touch screen if you use it in the default way (touch only when the car is stopped, otherwise the knob selector must be used). But immediately after you connect an Android Auto, it disables the touch screen even if the car is stopped. This isn't very pleasant because many functions are much faster with using a touch screen (entering an address for example). I'm talking about when a car doesn't move.
AFAIK, Mazda made this decision because Android Auto doesn't allow BOTH the touch screen and physical controls (knob selector) to work. They decide on physical controls and the touch screen is then disabled.
Do some of you guys have any idea if this (theoretically) can be overridden? Is this the reason why Coolwalk (beta) doesn't work on cars with knob selectors (Mazda, BMW, Audi ...)?
Is this limitation coded in Mazda's infotainment firmware?
I have the same car. The default Mazda entertainment software with original USB hub allowed touchscreen with hacked Android Auto tips from Mazda forums. But when I decided to use my iphone with the car which interface much more useful and beautiful, the tech guy upgrade the software on the car & replace the hub, then Android Auto disable the touchscreen. I try several times but the ugly interface and the dead touchscreen force me to prefer Apple Carplay. Even the latest beta AA cannot use touchscreen.
Tnx.
AFAIK, the touch screen is disabled only on Android Auto? Can you confirm that the touch screen works while using Apple CarPlay?
I've got a mazda 3 2018, I've installed AA with MZDAIO. As it was possible in the tweak to remove this restriction, i've done it, so the touch screen always work. But still, I never use it.
Honestly, learn to play with the knob. Except for the keyboard, I love controling AA with the center knob, bottons do exactly what they are supposed to, no missclick while driving, easy and fast to control. Bonus point, the screen stay clean loll
When I need the keyboard, I use my cellphone anyway.
I think with AAWireless there is an option to remove this restriction too.
Tnx.
You are right. MZDAIO is a firmware for infotainment and it can remove this restriction.
I have the official firmware (MDZAIO installation is more complex with the latest version of official firmware) and looking for a solution there.
Don't get me wrong - I also love the knob and Mazda really made a great job there. But when using Android Auto, many actions are slower and inconvenient.
I'm using Carsifi (AA Wireless competitor) and it can't remove this restriction. Can someone confirm that AA Wireless can remove it?
tuncan said:
Tnx.
You are right. MZDAIO is a firmware for infotainment and it can remove this restriction.
I have the official firmware (MDZAIO installation is more complex with the latest version of official firmware) and looking for a solution there.
Don't get me wrong - I also love the knob and Mazda really made a great job there. But when using Android Auto, many actions are slower and inconvenient.
I'm using Carsifi (AA Wireless competitor) and it can't remove this restriction. Can someone confirm that AA Wireless can remove it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can see the option in the print screen
Tnx, but I don't understand (I tried with a dictionary to translate at least some words).
In your opinion, which option can disable touch screen restriction?
I know that there are Android Auto limitations on how many touches/clicks are allowed. Maybe you have this on your mind?
tuncan said:
Tnx, but I don't understand (I tried with a dictionary to translate at least some words).
In your opinion, which option can disable touch screen restriction?
I know that there are Android Auto limitations on how many touches/clicks are allowed. Maybe you have this on your mind?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, i haven't think to change my device language ^^
Well, i remember before having aawireless, when i was looking for music in vlc, aa force to stop scrolling every...20 rows? And i do not have that anymore
tuncan said:
Tnx.
AFAIK, the touch screen is disabled only on Android Auto? Can you confirm that the touch screen works while using Apple CarPlay?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's work with Apple Carplay and the Mazda entertainment system
Tnx for confirmation.
ShadowJP88 said:
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Sorry, i haven't think to change my device language ^^
Well, i remember before having aawireless, when i was looking for music in vlc, aa force to stop scrolling every...20 rows? And i do not have that anymore
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tnx, now I understand what is on your phone's screen
The option "Remove tap restriction" (probably) removes Google's restriction for "too much clicking/touching on the screen". What I want is to enable a touch screen. It is disabled on Mazda's infotainment when Android Auto is connected.
hix same problem. native AA on Mazde can't touch. need use custom AA install by Mazda AIO but it' not stable.
but i upgrade fw to 74+, AIO Tweak not compatible. i think should be familiar with the knob
I too have a hard time using apps with that stupid knob. Some functions are slow using knob, that I can still tolerate. However, some function just must use touch. For eg, when using Waze, sometimes I need to scroll the map to see my route. There is no way to do this with knob other than to zoom in/out. I just want to move the map at the zoom level I am at.
AIO is also not an option. I need to buy special connector to get it working and it's quite complicated.
Why can't Mazda just allow touch!??!
i connected to mazda connect SSH. can edit android auto source code to active touch?
I am the same, the central control is very comfortable but there are some options of applications that would be easier to use the touch ... hopefully someone finds the solution