Super assistant Cast.. All in 1 google asst & chromecast, using old droid 5 phone - Google Chromecast

I started a project to use my old galaxy S4 as a Google assistant and a chromecast all at once. I have the google assistant part working and the casting apps installed. Its just down to fine tuning now and getting both to work correctly. This project originally started with just using the phone as a google assistant and then I thought why not add chromecast. The S4 supports MHL so I figured ill get a dock and go from there (the dock has yet to arrive).
Here is my setup for all those who wish to follow, help or provide input.
-Galaxy S4 rooted with stang5litre Ediition 5.0 rom.
-Installed google assistant via google assistant launcher here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/app-google-assistant-launcher-google-t3614804
NOTE: The above app may not be needed cuz my limitation was getting an updated google to install on android 5, I got the assistant app fine. Your results may vary. I got updated google search via apk and was off and running.
Once I got the assistant installed I paired it with a bluetooth speaker and had 2 issues.
1. Bluetooth not staying connected & audio not coming through the speaker. It was just a matter of finding the right speaker and then playing with it.
2. I also had the screen off issue where assistant would not respond and had to get daydream to work. I also tried this app: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1934495
The problem with screen standby is it wont respond to assistant calls when it triggers, but I might need to go back to it when the doc arrives. The daydream screensaver I have now is clock plus which has a dim to nearly dark features. So that works for assistant to stay active.
-Chromecast ability: I installed 2 apps for chromecast like affect. 1. Airpin (airplay) and 2. allcast receiver. I tried airscreen but that dev wants to much money for such a simple app. Now I know neither of these offer true chromecast support and airscreen is the only 1 that does offer the real deal (it even shows up in the google home app, impressive).
-My next step is to see if I can cast to the device and keep assistant around in the background. I know this will be the most challenging part because of the following:
1. Audio to both bluetooth and TV speakers or maybe I can use a wired speaker for when the TV is off. I'd like to be able to do this all without getting up to fix anything. Will see.
2. Google assistant popping up in front off chromecast app, I'm not sure if I can somehow address this and ask assistant to bring app to front. Maybe impossible and Ill have to use a bluetooth remote.
Input thoughts on this project?

I guess no one cares about this, the state of device obsolescence is so high that a new device is what everyone wants instead of looking for fixes and uses for old devices. Everyone rather move on and move up to something new, easier & better. XDA used to be full of mods, hacks and tricks to use old tech, NO MORE! Everyone seems to be falling for big tech BIG deception. Is it really this bad? Are we all just going to stab mother nature in the back just because we rather have something new, & throw away something old?
Enough of the rant: I got this working and its better then I could imagine. The unitek smart phone dock is great for the S4. Google assistant works via the hacks and keeps connected to my bluetooth speaker despite the tv turning on. The logitech keyboard also works via OTG perfectly. So I can keep assistant working and all I need to do is run allcast or airpin and the audio will continue through bluetooth up until I turn bluetooth off. I like that cuz all I need to do is disconnect bluetooth and TV (hdmi) takes over audio. One thing I noticed is that airpin will not work but allcast does fine, ill have to figure out why airplay does not work but I do know the difference between allcast and airpin is that chromecast is a handoff and airplay is not, so it could just need an update. I could also easily turn this into a android tv with a launcher swap and a few tv apps, but for now I prefer chromecast type device.
The best thing about this is that once I'm done using the cast features I can go right back to it being a google assistant without skipping a beat which I was concerned would cause some kinda hickup with the daydream screen function & MHL. I figured I might need something like screen standby (see: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1934495) but I actually did not, which is a big surprise. The screen just goes off when MHL is used and back on (including daydream function) when tv turns off.
Anyway that's a wrap on this project 100% success. If anyone has any questions let me know I'll try to help.

No one interested.. YIKES..

This sounds interesting but if I need an additional accessory, its not really worth it cuz a chromecast literally costs 35 bucks.
---------- Post added at 11:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:15 PM ----------
Also, this looks interesting.
https://www.howtogeek.com/307267/ho...io-from-only-a-specific-app-on-the-galaxy-s8/
If we can port that over to our device, then we can assign google assistant to the bluetooth speaker and every other sound should come out from the tv.

Google home app
Yes, Airscreen is the real deal and the only store app I've found that actually does work with Google on my old s5 android to stream from new note9 android. so I bought the cheap premium monthly subscription. However I can't get it to show in the home app, just in Google play and YouTube.

Related

Nexus 7 Car Head-unit Install

Nexus 7 Head-unit Install
Hi all, long time reader, first time poster. I'm working on a Nexus 7 Car Head-unit install, and figured I would post my working through the install, hardware, software, and kinda just help all the tons of people I see out there who have the same idea, but just have no idea how to go about it.
This is ment to be half a tutorial (once everything is done) and half a brainstorming to give me idea's for things I haven't thought of or considered. I'll be coming back and updating this OP with pictures, and the build as it gets worked on.
Goals of the Install
I want to be able to run my entire car off the Nexus. I have already set up wifi tethering from my S3 to get internet into the Nexus, and thus open up a realm of possibilities. Necessary features are Nav, and Music. I rarely call from my car, but in car calling would be a nice feature to have as well. I also go out to the track ever now and again, and adding car stats (boost, RPM logging, acceleration, mapping) would be great. The biggest reason to do the install is that one the hardware is configured, you literally have a ultimately customizable setup that will take years to outdate.
The Hardware
1 x 2003 Subaru WRX
1 x Nexus 7
1 x Samsung Galaxy S3 (T-Mobile)
1 x MRX-V60 - Alpine 5-Channel Subwoofer Amplifier
1 x 7 Channel Equalizer
lots of hacked wiring
The Software
This is where I would love some feedback on on what I may be missing, better solutions to what I have suggested, and just some general awesome idea's!
Music:
Pandora, Play Music, DI.fm, Soundcloud, Radio.com
In Car Phone/Text:
Talkatak, Google Voice
OBDII Support: (Future Project)
Right now this is not a nessiacty as the hardware to do this could get very tricky. However I know I can read from the OBDII port with a bluetooth OBDII dongel and an app like Torque Lite. However I do own a tatrix cable, and am considering if it would be possible to go from the USB to the tablet, and find an app/write one what allows for the tablet to control the car in real time.
Nav:
Google Navigation, Local
Track Apps:
aLapHD
The Two Builds
There are two ways to go about this. The first would be the simple and easy way which is to hack together a charger wired to the power source of the car, and use that to keep the tablet charged. Then run a 3.5mm audio into the amp, and have sound run from there. There are a few issues with that. 1. There will be no volume control, as the Tablet's buttons will be part of the center console. I suppose I can run a controller to the amp, that will let me adjust volume. 2. This will not allow for the possibility of adding OBDII support.
The second option is to purchase a micro USB dock that does audio out. Hack it apart, and run the audio to the amp, and the power to the power. This would be necessary if I want to do a full USB ODBII connection (I believe, please tell me if I'm wrong), and would be much "cleaner" when it comes time to take the tablet out of the car for any reason (hardwire sync, parking in the "ghetto").
What I need Help with
Have any idea's. Tried something similar and have some tips. Have suggestions for apps, hardware configurations I haven't listed, or just generally want to say "sick man". Please let me know. I would love to have some people who are also interested in doing this join in on my build, and we can work together to eliminate any issues to make tablet installs easier. I will be coming back and updating this OP throughout the entire process so please look for updates!
Thanks All!
(reserved for pics)
Check out a half-DIN equalizer or crossover to solve your volume, fading, equalizing concerns... can't post a link because this is first post!
I'd like do do this in the future... I hope someone comes out with a custom set of apps that make this really cool and easy... maybe even a custom ROM.
Basically what I'd want out of this is:
Auto-on with power. Auto off after 10 minutes of no power. FM radio tuner. Maybe the ability to connect a rear-view camera (wifi?). Bluetooth OBDII would be good enough for me.
I'd also appreciate the ability to connect to at least one camera and use it as a DVR, but I think that it would probably be beyond feasibility with the Nexus 7...
What I really want to see is the ability for the Nexus to be a full Bluetooth head unit. I want it to pair with my phone for both internet (already do this, works great) and have it act as a headset essentially. This is the part that appears to not exist anywhere. The ability for the Android Tablet to act as a hands free device. I mean if a car stereo can fully integrate with your phone read your address book, start and answer calls hands free, stream music, everything from your phone then why the heck not the tablet! Someone needs to write the BT stack that can handle that. Apparently it doesn't exist for android. It exists for Windows, but not Android. That is just wrong. Are there any car stereo head units running Android as their OS? If so can someone dump their rom so we can see what all it can do for a project like this?
I really want this!
I have had mine in the dash for a couple weeks now, streaming Bluetooth to the radio which I relocated, also using NFC sticker to turn on WiFi, bluetooth , set audio volume, screen brightness and start playing music. Tasker to put unit into car mode, its sick! I'll be following, really interested to see what you come up with. My car is N 06 altima and the Nexus 7 fits almost like a glove where factory stereo use to be.
Nexus 7 in altima
sneakk said:
I have had mine in the dash for a couple weeks now, streaming Bluetooth to the radio which I relocated, also using NFC sticker to turn on WiFi, bluetooth , set audio volume, screen brightness and start playing music. Tasker to put unit into car mode, its sick! I'll be following, really interested to see what you come up with. My car is N 06 altima and the Nexus 7 fits almost like a glove where factory stereo use to be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi!
Can you upload a picture of your install? I own a altima and I am looking to install the Nexus 7 on my dash as well. And also, did your factory stereo have bluetooth? If not, what are you streaming bluetooth to?
Thanks
Just gonna subscribe as I thought of doing something similar
Sent from my LG-E739 using Tapatalk 2
Look into this thread
http://www.mp3car.com/worklogs/152658-nexus-7-android-in-a-2001-audi-s4.html
here's a video also
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdLi9wCFZ7M
timskyline86 said:
Look into this thread
http://www.mp3car.com/worklogs/152658-nexus-7-android-in-a-2001-audi-s4.html
here's a video also
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdLi9wCFZ7M
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If anyone can post on his site, tell him to connect two middle pins in usb plug, then it will start charging from the lighter socket.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using Tapatalk 2
Does anyone know of a micro USB dock/cable that then splits to power, usb, and audio? I know of one's that will do 2 of the three, but nothing that does all three. Maybe just a USB and power one, and run the audio straight out of the 3.5mm on the N7.
Amp was ordered, and will be here next week. Prelimanary fitment pics coming soon...
Hello, I'm considering permanently mounting a nexus 7 in my car. It seems like the perfect in car device.
With this in mind I have updated my CarHome Ultra app to better accommodate the Nexus 7 screen. I will be posting a new video soon showing it running on the 7.
I've looked at doing this as well, I've always been prevented by the issue of the FM radio. I use the car a lot in places where I get no or poor connection via the phone, but the radio works fine, so loosing it would not be an option as I use the FM radio quite alot.
I've been trying to figure out away to control an FM radio via the Nexus so if anyone out there has any info it would be greatly appreciated.
Jonnym
Jonnym said:
I've looked at doing this as well, I've always been prevented by the issue of the FM radio. I use the car a lot in places where I get no or poor connection via the phone, but the radio works fine, so loosing it would not be an option as I use the FM radio quite alot.
I've been trying to figure out away to control an FM radio via the Nexus so if anyone out there has any info it would be greatly appreciated.
Jonnym
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Load a hand full of mp3s on the device. Then use Tasker to switch to switch to your favorite music player when reception is bad
Sent from my LG-E379 running ICSyndicate 2.0
I am actually currently doing a very similar project with a Nexus 7 and my Nissan 350z
I am planning on installing the Nexus 7 inside my dash (to replace sat nav dash)
HOWEVER
what about routing the power button on the tablet? Because If you cant access the power button the tablet will only get power when the car is on and if you dont use the car for a day or two the tablets battery would go flat and next time you turn on the car the tablet would go into charging mode (screen with charging battery only) and not boot up into android jelly bean.
Theres 2 potential solutions:
1. Open the tablet and wire the power button to a custom one, however on opening it I have found the button is actually a physical push press button and cannot be wired.
2. There is potential to change a file on the android system to tell the tablet to boot up when a charger is plugged in, check these threads:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1187631
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1815131
Any updates from the OP?
Here's my install. Kept the factory radio intact, if not using the nexus, everything looks totally stock.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1847452
regalpimpin said:
Here's my install. Kept the factory radio intact, if not using the nexus, everything looks totally stock.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1847452
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What OBD ll connector are you using?
tallyforeman said:
What OBD ll connector are you using?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
xitech xr7 purchased off amazon over a year ago.
http://www.amazon.com/XiTech-ELM327...TF8&qid=1347466620&sr=1-3&keywords=xitech+xr7
Never had any problems with it.
Despite working in the car industry and loving gadgets and mod-ing...I haven't really seen what people are up to these days in terms of car mods. The Nexus 7 makes so much sense and looks great!
Hey all
Just to add to the discusion;
Radio/DAB
Frontier silicon are the only company that I can find that do an app that can control an external radio and stream it's signal to the tablet as opposed to picking up the signal over the cellular network.
App:
Their page
http://www.frontier-silicon.com/products/software/DOK_App.html
Play store
http://tinyurl.com/d24gwm4
Module:
http://www.frontier-silicon.com/products/modules/briefs/Venice6_PB.pdf
now the problem with this is, aside from building the module in somewhere' the audio out as it feeds out of the module, but I was thinking I could use some form of y split cables near to my amps 'in'.
Media storage and playback
As far as storage for everything video/audio atc and a player to match I was thinking of useing xmbc
http://xbmc.org/
andriod port;
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1813089
and pairing this with a WiFi DLNA HDD that I would wire in remoted off (say in the boot)
GPS
For improved gps I was going to use an external bluetooth gps reciver then allow mock locations on the tablet, there are also a few apps that help with this.
This app seems to have good support and a nice help page.
App:http://tinyurl.com/a9s7gvo
An example of a external GPS receiver
http://tinyurl.com/a339vu7
Hands Free
The only work round I seem to have found atm though far from perfect is this
http://www.scosche.com/consumer-tech/product/1919
it allows you to to 'cut in' the audio stream, but (can't fins the tread now will keep looking) the guy who was playing round with this was having audio issues.
not an idea solution but workable.
before my mind starts melting again;
How I plan to implement the tablet is to use tasker to wake the tablet when power is supplied then shut of down after, if I disable all kinds of connectivity when tablet shuts down then reactivates when it wakes up everything should run smoothly. Power will be cut because I'll wire in the ignition live, like you do in a stereo anyway, an this shouldn't put a drain on my battery to much, an if the dash build is good it shouldn't be too much of an issue extracting the tablet to hard boot anyway.
Volume and Audio
Volume and audio quality is another issue that needs to be addressed.
http://tinyurl.com/d2zbbnf
Seems like an ok work round.
Another way would be to install a direct in-line volume control as suggested in other threads, and put in an external DAC or hardwired EQ.
On a side note I came across this........ http://www.crutchfield.com/p_773AIRDAC/NuForce-Air-DAC-Receiver.html?tp=59282 ........ although you need to use their plug in senders but I'm sure this can be worked round with the knowledge on this forum, an would provide a very nice solution. then again there are quite a few bluetooth devices around. this probably wouldn't allow for in-line controls though.
well thats it for now, hope this helps push this forward to a working system
ben
nice build thread containing alot of theses ideas;
http://www.mp3car.com/worklogs/152658-nexus-7-android-in-a-2001-audi-s4.html

[Q] Mirrorlink

Is there any way to get mirrorlink working on the Nexus 6?
Not sure what mirrorlink is. Do you mean Miracast? If so, I don't believe it works. Chromecast works great for screen mirroring your Nexus 6 to a HDTV.
Found this searching for compatibility... One application for MirrorLink for those that didn't know is Pioneer head units like the AppRadio so you can mirror your phone's screen onto it...
any luck?
Is MIrrorlink compatible with the nexus 6? If so, anybody know how to enable it?
My understanding....
spillytime said:
Is MIrrorlink compatible with the nexus 6? If so, anybody know how to enable it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I have been told neither Mirrorlink nor AppRadio are compatible with Lollipop in general and the nexus 6 specifically. Your only option at this point is Android Auto which works well if you have the supporting HU from Pioneer. However, at this time, not many developers have made their applications compatible with it. When the 2016 car models start rolling out with AA preinstalled in their HU, then I believe we will see a flood of apps moving into the platform.
Google needs to start supporting MirrorLink on Nexus phones. I have a Nexus 6 and the Pioneer AVH-4100NEX.
Android Auto has been a horrible experience so far. It worked at first, for a couple of months, and then I don't know why (Android update maybe?) but suddenly it stopped working and hasn't worked since.
Even when it did work, there were some VERY annoying things:
1) if your phone is plugged into the USB cable, Android Auto launches, and as long as you're still plugged in I couldn't find any way to temporarily get out of Android Auto (such as if I want to check my email or some other app on the phone). Or if I want to listen to a YouTube video (or watch it from my phone, lets say I'm the passenger ok?), then I'd have to un-plug the USB which means my phone isn't charging.
2) The other really annoying thing is that Android Auto limits developers in how many screen clicks user would need to do to get to content (including, clicking the down arrow to browse through a long list). Where this is a problem for me for example, is my Spotify playlists. Android Auto will only display about 10 or so of my playlists.
So I find myself disconnecting the phone from the cable and just streaming over bluetooth.
In fact at first I was really upset that my phone was no longer launching Android Auto at all and stopped working with my Pioneer AVH-4100NEX, but now that I am just able to leave the phone charging all the time and have full access to my phone apps, all my spotify playlists, and am just streaming over bluetooth I'm not really sure I want to fix Android Auto.
What I really want at this point is to just MIRROR my phone screen to my head unit. This way no matter what I want to watch or listen to, it doesn't matter if "Android Auto" supports it or not. I can put on YouTube videos, or anything I want.
So this gets me back to Mirror Link, I don't know why Google or Motorola is not supporting it, MirrorLink from what I've seen should be another viable option for Android users (and for now I think a better option than Android Auto)
I'll be posting this reply as a separate topic as well, here and in Google's forums because it needs some attention.
Thanks
Ill repost this here as well
You have to take into account the many laws in different places concerning cell phones and driving. In some places you can get a ticket just for having your phone in your hand while driving. And now they are cracking down even harder on it. Also some OEM have been known to block some cars from working with devices like that. It was found that one samsung device had a list built into the OS that blocked a number of different cars from working with Android Auto. This I can only assume came from the Car manufacturer.
If I had a nickel for all the distracted drivers around me, well, I'd have a lot of nickels!

[Q] Post 5.1 Bluetooth Issues/bugs

5.1 did not fix the bluetooth issues I had...it actually added another bug.
New with 5.1:
-When playing music with Google Play Music, whenever I switch tracks, the screen turns on. Why?
Still a problem after 5.1:
-Sometimes Bluetooth plays but without sound - it takes some weird opening/closing/pausing/starting maneuvering to hopefully get it working
-Pause during notifications does not work properly - I've tried this with Google Maps and a few different podcast apps. With Google Maps Navigation on and a podcast playing...when Google Maps wants to talk, it pauses the podcast (as the setting says) but the Google Maps notification is muted. It's just silence until it is done and then the podcast resumes.
Is anyone else having these sort of issues?
Nexus 6, 5.1D, stock, rooted ,twrp, with my 2013 Cadillac ATS
Yes it is happening to others myself included. why? I have no idea. But you are certainly not alone.
Sent from my Google N6 on VZ
I just posted this in the General section ....
OTA'd the 5.1 update on 3/26/15.
Since then, contact addresses fail to appear on vehicle displays over Bluetooth.
Rebooted phone / Forgot and paired phone to vehicle, no fix.
Phone is paired to 2 vehicles with the same results.
Can anyone confirm this?
Having the same issue. If you disable ambient display, the screen will stay off when selecting tracks with Bluetooth. My issue with Bluetooth is that every few days I have to reboot the phone to get the BT to work. I can't even toggle Bluetooth. When I do, it says Bluetooth turning off, it toggles back on by itself. Tried force closing all running apps but dosent help.
Bluetooth...
jeffreii said:
5.1 did not fix the bluetooth issues I had...it actually added another bug.
New with 5.1:
-When playing music with Google Play Music, whenever I switch tracks, the screen turns on. Why?
Still a problem after 5.1:
-Sometimes Bluetooth plays but without sound - it takes some weird opening/closing/pausing/starting maneuvering to hopefully get it working
-Pause during notifications does not work properly - I've tried this with Google Maps and a few different podcast apps. With Google Maps Navigation on and a podcast playing...when Google Maps wants to talk, it pauses the podcast (as the setting says) but the Google Maps notification is muted. It's just silence until it is done and then the podcast resumes.
Is anyone else having these sort of issues?
Nexus 6, 5.1D, stock, rooted ,twrp, with my 2013 Cadillac ATS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When it comes to bluetooth problems, especially with cars and this phone you will find very few helpful answers. Sad but true, not many Nexus 6 people seem to use hands free automobile applications on their device. I had to buy a new head unit for my car along with all the other bullcrap to make it look nice in my car to get some of these puzzling problems to disappear. Android Auto works great if you have the supporting gear in your car and follow the instructions about how to pair phone with car and use the right USB port and wire in your Nexus. After that, everything works as expected. Unfortunately you do have to spend some cash and time to do this but it is the future and if you plan and use your phone in car more than anywhere else, it is worth the investment and will improve with time. The only good take away from all this is, so far only nexus devices running lollipop work with Android Auto supporting head units.
vvveith said:
When it comes to bluetooth problems, especially with cars and this phone you will find very few helpful answers. Sad but true, not many Nexus 6 people seem to use hands free automobile applications on their device. I had to buy a new head unit for my car along with all the other bullcrap to make it look nice in my car to get some of these puzzling problems to disappear. Android Auto works great if you have the supporting gear in your car and follow the instructions about how to pair phone with car and use the right USB port and wire in your Nexus. After that, everything works as expected. Unfortunately you do have to spend some cash and time to do this but it is the future and if you plan and use your phone in car more than anywhere else, it is worth the investment and will improve with time. The only good take away from all this is, so far only nexus devices running lollipop work with Android Auto supporting head units.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It wasn't perfect, but my Bluetooth was just fine pre 5.1...I can deal with the quirks and avoid spending $$ on Android Auto (for now at least)...but these major bugs need to be fixed ASAP.
Do we know if this is fixed?
Is this fixed in 5.1.1? Is there an issue logged with google? Anyone?
I have my nexus 6 rooted with 5.1.1 stock and the bluetooth doesn't work. I cannot see any device but the other devices can see it.
I have tried to fix it clearing cache and data (only bluetooth) but the problem is still there.
Do you have any idea guys?
This morning I remembered my experiments with my old gt-9100 and I have decided to do wipe cache and wipe dalvik-cache.
And now... bluetooth is alive!!!
[emoji39]

Android Auto and the Nexus 6.

I thought it may be interesting to have a thread where Nexus 6 users with the supporting hardware systems could post: Tips, How to's, experience, etc. about the Android Auto APK and Nexus 6 devices. Please feel free to enlighten all who enter. :good:
Android auto is just a remote display and sound, isn't it? I don't find it particularly interesting since it *depends* on the phone for the "android" aspect. It is a much better option to install an Android HU in the car, then it isn't functionally dependent on the phone.
Not sure if you're asking or telling.
doitright said:
Android auto is just a remote display and sound, isn't it? I don't find it particularly interesting since it *depends* on the phone for the "android" aspect. It is a much better option to install an Android HU in the car, then it isn't functionally dependent on the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is a mobile application for using your phone in a car. It displays on the cars touch screen and is controlled by voice commands. It only uses the bluetooth stack for phone calls, all other sound and video comes from the phones usb port. This equates to better audio and clear, crisp video. By the way, it only works on the latest Android HU.
i've been using it with my Pioneer 4100-NEX, it works quite well. i wish you could swipe away cards and have more notifications push though (ie, sms and hangouts come through, but not facebook messenger)
all in all i'm pretty happy with it, it's fast, simple, pretty and i've been pleasantly surprised with how responsive the resistive screen on the HU is.
vvveith said:
It is a mobile application
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. Its an interface.
for using your phone in a car. It displays on the cars touch screen and is controlled by voice commands. It only uses the bluetooth stack for phone calls, all other sound and video comes from the phones usb port. This equates to better audio and clear, crisp video.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Translate to what I said.
By the way, it only works on the latest Android HU.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HU does *not* require android to work with android auto.
If you want to try out Android Auto you can sign up for the beta of the app called AutoMate. First you'll need to join the beta group in Google+. Next you'll have to agree to be a beta tester with google play. Then you'll finally be able to download the app. I have been using the app for a couple of days now and I personally think that it is great. Its just like Android Auto, at least from what i've seen in all of the android auto demos. I have a pretty good car mount that can fit the nexus 6 so when I took a 4 hour trip this weekend everything worked flawlessly. The best part is that you've already got a giant 6 inch capacitive screen, why not use it instead of paying at least $800 for the cheap resistive screen version of the pioneer head units.
I have a pretty interesting issue where my Android Wear watch (Moto 360) is being CONSTANTLY pinged by my Nexus 6 while plugged into Android Auto. For the life of me, I can't figure out why. Maps is the only app I use regularly in Android Auto and I have it muted on Android Wear...yet, it's draining my Moto 360 battery QUICKLY every time I plug in. It's the strangest thing. I've had to start putting my 360 into Airplane mode to avoid problems while driving. As soon as I unplug the Nexus from my Android Auto HU, I then have to reconnect my 360 in the Android Wear app...or else it won't reconnect and continues to drain battery.
Seriously the weirdest thing.
yeah I have the pioneer 4100nex and originally was using a Moto G and it works great and then I preorderd the ATT galaxy S6 Edge and received it on tuesday, well the S6 edge doesn't work with the Android Auto, so I returned it and just bought google play edition Nexus 6 64gb, and works perfect, I really like the google navigation, reads texts and you can voice reply to the texts,you can play your google music, I`m very happy with it.:good:
That is not the purpose of this thread.
blakedunc235 said:
If you want to try out Android Auto you can sign up for the beta of the app called AutoMate. First you'll need to join the beta group in Google+. Next you'll have to agree to be a beta tester with google play. Then you'll finally be able to download the app. I have been using the app for a couple of days now and I personally think that it is great. Its just like Android Auto, at least from what i've seen in all of the android auto demos. I have a pretty good car mount that can fit the nexus 6 so when I took a 4 hour trip this weekend everything worked flawlessly. The best part is that you've already got a giant 6 inch capacitive screen, why not use it instead of paying at least $800 for the cheap resistive screen version of the pioneer head units.
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I like to believe we all know how to use our phones hands free in a car and need no special app to do that. That's the way most of us have been doing it for the past six years or so since the smartphones came out. A simple bluetooth radio used to give you all you needed paired with your phones screen. But now it's much easier to get into your car, plug your device into your hidden USB port and let it charge with screen off and have a heads up display on your radios big screen while the audio is streamed through USB and the only thing using the bluetooth stack is the phone part of the phone. Sound quality is vastly improved and everything runs so much smoother. Plus the steering wheel controls for answering calls, activating OK google and other voice related options allows you to keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the wheel.
vvveith said:
I like to believe we all know how to use our phones hands free in a car and need no special app to do that. That's the way most of us have been doing it for the past six years or so since the smartphones came out. A simple bluetooth radio used to give you all you needed paired with your phones screen. But now it's much easier to get into your car, plug your device into your hidden USB port and let it charge with screen off and have a heads up display on your radios big screen while the audio is streamed through USB and the only thing using the bluetooth stack is the phone part of the phone. Sound quality is vastly improved and everything runs so much smoother. Plus the steering wheel controls for answering calls, activating OK google and other voice related options allows you to keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the wheel.
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First if your car already has Bluetooth like mine then you still have all of the same controls as the actual android auto head units. Also just like on my phone it's not like you can just say OK Google with the music playing but if the music isn't at least I can just say OK Google even with the screen off as well and will get a response. More that likely a person will still end up looking at the device or take their hands off of the wheel when giving a command. I mean come on, Google now works but everyone knows that it's still not perfect yet. Even on my phone I still have to type out what I'm saying even if I'm annunciating perfectly just FYI... Bluetooth audio has also vastly improved over the years. I would argue that the average person would not even notice the difference between Bluetooth audio and being playing directly over USB. Also don't say that it runs 'so much smoother' because most of us have seen the videos and they are still laggy and still not as responsive as our phone themselves. I was simply giving an option to people who wanted to try out android auto without having to buy a crappy resistive screen head unit unless you wanted to shell out over $1000 for one. Also is not a heads up display... A heads up display would be something out in the area of where the driver will be looking out of the windshield as to not having to take their eyes off of the road ahead.
Please.
blakedunc235 said:
First if your car already has Bluetooth like mine then you still have all of the same controls as the actual android auto head units. Also just like on my phone it's not like you can just say OK Google with the music playing but if the music isn't at least I can just say OK Google even with the screen off as well and will get a response. More that likely a person will still end up looking at the device or take their hands off of the wheel when giving a command. I mean come on, Google now works but everyone knows that it's still not perfect yet. Even on my phone I still have to type out what I'm saying even if I'm annunciating perfectly just FYI... Bluetooth audio has also vastly improved over the years. I would argue that the average person would not even notice the difference between Bluetooth audio and being playing directly over USB. Also don't say that it runs 'so much smoother' because most of us have seen the videos and they are still laggy and still not as responsive as our phone themselves. I was simply giving an option to people who wanted to try out android auto without having to buy a crappy resistive screen head unit unless you wanted to shell out over $1000 for one. Also is not a heads up display... A heads up display would be something out in the area of where the driver will be looking out of the windshield as to not having to take their eyes off of the road ahead.
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Please try and understand what I started this thread for. It is for those of us who are using Android Auto with a supporting head unit. Just like back a few months ago, I was using the sync system in my car. I have never had any issues with my voice to text, every once in a while a word would be incorrect, but the more you use it in a quite environment the better your results get. My text messaging reads back my response before it sends and I can either allow it to send or say the message again. I have not had to touch my phone in a car for five years and don't plan on doing anything like that today even with the radios display. The idea of hands free is exactly that, Hands Free. If you don't have the tech to support and help contribute to developing apps that help alleviate the use of hands in the car, this is not the forum thread for you. I don't know what music application you prefer, but the ones I use I pay a premium for because they offer me higher bandwidth and truer sound. And you can immediately here the difference between bluetooth and wired. It's been rumored already that Bluetooth is soon to become extinct and it seems that is the way mobile tech is rolling. BTW, HU the way I was using it my Head Unit not heads up.
The good part is.....
doitright said:
Android auto is just a remote display and sound, isn't it? I don't find it particularly interesting since it *depends* on the phone for the "android" aspect. It is a much better option to install an Android HU in the car, then it isn't functionally dependent on the phone.
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That would be the ideal, but very few cars come with a built in cellular connection, I know they are available but this is the inexpensive way to go. What I like the most about it is the ability to put the phone in my center compartment where the USB outlet is hidden, shut the compartment while the phone is charging and still have access to all of my phones functionality straight from the steering wheel. It's wonderful not to have to look at a screen, and if I do glance at the screen to see a turn that might be coming up or what song is playing on a stream, it is big and clear and takes not even a second to see. Luckily, the Navigation in google maps is pretty trustworthy and gives voice commands with plenty of time to spare so it's rare to even have to look at the Map when moving. My next car will have built in cellular service, it was just still to expensive four years ago when I bought my car and my service provider did not have a system in place for plugging in their tech. They do now but I won't be in the market for another car for at least another year. The thing that got me into having a Android Auto supporting HU is my text messaging application and the sync system, would not play nice together anymore because of changes in Lollipop from kit kat. Sync kept crashing the bluetooth sharing feature anytime I received a text. And since I was using that tech for the past four years, there was no way I was going back to having to touch a screen or try and type a text in the car. The developers I work with tried many fixes to see if we could alleviate the problem, but every thing we tried failed. The problem was immediately remedied with the new HU. Now I'm trying to find others that use the same tech, so we can share our experiences and any other useful features we find or help each other with certain problems one might experience. That is what this thread is about. If you have a Android Auto compatible HU and a Nexus device, this is a place to share.

Can I turn an old android phone into a recognized Google home speaker?

Essentially my objective is to build my own Chromecast audio using an old android phone/tablet. I want to plug the phone to my sound system via AUX and tell my Google mini to play music on the old phone - which will play through the nicer speakers.
Is this possible? I found some apps that turn the old android into a castable device, but I'm not able to link it in Google home (it only appears as a cast device when in other apps).
I researched this on Google but wasn't able to find exactly what I was looking for.
I need the Google Home app to recognized my old phone as a "device"
Thanks!
This is something I've been wondering too, I've been experimenting with the new Google Assistant SDK v1alpha2. I got her talking now which I couldn't do on alpha1, the problem is that the types of devices you can register as applications are limited to basically lightbulbs and switches. I wonder how much we can eventually do with the Assistant SDK, since other companies are releasing speakers now with Google Assistant on them like the LG ThinQ Speaker.
We'll probably see more features soon.
i think for now that's doable only with pixel phones..
Have you thought about updating the phone with a rom, connect a mic and speakers to it? Keep it plugged in and keep the screen on face down. That's what I did for my speakers..
ezramaryland said:
Essentially my objective is to build my own Chromecast audio using an old android phone/tablet. I want to plug the phone to my sound system via AUX and tell my Google mini to play music on the old phone - which will play through the nicer speakers.
Is this possible? I found some apps that turn the old android into a castable device, but I'm not able to link it in Google home (it only appears as a cast device when in other apps).
I researched this on Google but wasn't able to find exactly what I was looking for.
I need the Google Home app to recognized my old phone as a "device"
Thanks!
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use a custom rom with android tv opengapps that works

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