LeMarchand Posted May 27, 2022 Posted May 27, 2022 Old car, no fancy built in Android head unit (and don't want the hassle of plumbing one in). Phone won't go past Android 10, so no Driving Mode(?). At the moment, I put the phone in the cradle, turn the key and Android Auto starts playing Spotify and I tell Waze where I'm going. Anyone got any recommendations for something similar?
CHiLL Posted May 27, 2022 Posted May 27, 2022 (edited) How does your phone connect to your car's stereo, presumably bluetooth? Instead of Android Auto, I just use either Google Maps or Waze, which also has Spotify integration. I also have an app called "Bluetooth Volume Manager", which I have configured to change some settings when the phone connects to the car's bluetooth. Things such as the audio volume and auto-start Spotify. That way, I don't even need to take my phone out of my pocket if I don't need to use maps. Edit: If you're after the other app integrations, apparently the functions are being moved into "Google Assistant driving mode", though that may be limited to Android 12 or newer. From what I'm reading, older versions of Andoird/Auto will continue to work as is. Edited May 27, 2022 by CHiLL 1
LeMarchand Posted May 27, 2022 Author Posted May 27, 2022 How does your phone connect to your car's stereo, presumably bluetooth? Instead of Android Auto, I just use either Google Maps or Waze, which also has Spotify integration. Yep, I found a built-in USB/3.5mm connector that was designed for iPods and replaced it with a <£5 USB powered Bluetooth to 3.5mm receiver. Can't use the "function" buttons on the steering wheel, but can alter the volume as it's coming from the OEM head unit. Did find an "Android Auto for Phone Screens" from Google. Fingers crossed...
CHiLL Posted May 27, 2022 Posted May 27, 2022 Yep, I found a built-in USB/3.5mm connector that was designed for iPods and replaced it with a <£5 USB powered Bluetooth to 3.5mm receiver. Can't use the "function" buttons on the steering wheel, but can alter the volume as it's coming from the OEM head unit. Did find an "Android Auto for Phone Screens" from Google. Fingers crossed... I just launched Android Auto on my phone (Android 11 - and won't update newer than that) and I also get that message - but the app still functions as I'd expect. I think the Android Auto app will continue to work for you, despite the message. Or are you experiencing issues atm?
LeMarchand Posted May 27, 2022 Author Posted May 27, 2022 I just launched Android Auto on my phone (Android 11 - and won't update newer than that) and I also get that message - but the app still functions as I'd expect. I think the Android Auto app will continue to work for you, despite the message. Or are you experiencing issues atm? No issues; just the annoying warning. So far, what I've tried has had various problems. AA for Phone Screens has the same warning.
LeMarchand Posted May 27, 2022 Author Posted May 27, 2022 (edited) It looks like "Driving Mode" is available on Android 9+ (in the UK), but only in portrait mode () and it doesn't seem to allow you to use anything but Google Maps. https://support.google.com/assistant/answer/10217503?hl=en Better than nowt if Android Auto does expire, I guess. Edited May 27, 2022 by LeMarchand
LeMarchand Posted June 17, 2022 Author Posted June 17, 2022 Well, the day has come. Both versions of Android Auto are now saying "car screens only". @CHiLL - can you remember how much the premium version of "Bluetooth Volume Manager" was? They seem to be a bit coy. Also, does anyone's Waze open Spotify? Mine keeps trying and failing. I'm suspecting I going to have to reinstall an automation app that will launch Waze and Spotify on connection to my car's Bluetooth device.
CHiLL Posted June 17, 2022 Posted June 17, 2022 Well, the day has come. Both versions of Android Auto are now saying "car screens only". @CHiLL - can you remember how much the premium version of "Bluetooth Volume Manager" was? They seem to be a bit coy. Also, does anyone's Waze open Spotify? Mine keeps trying and failing. I'm suspecting I going to have to reinstall an automation app that will launch Waze and Spotify on connection to my car's Bluetooth device. From my Google Play history, Bluetooth Volume Manager was £2.09 when I purchased the premium version back in Feb 2019. Waze does open Spotify when I selected it, but it wasn't automatic. I tend to use Google Maps rather than Waze, just for ease. But most of my journeys I don't use maps, since I mainly commute and I know the routes extremely well. Bluetooth Volume Manager just launches Spotify when connected to the car's bluetooth. 1
LeMarchand Posted June 17, 2022 Author Posted June 17, 2022 Cheers! Found Macrodroid, which fairly easily set up a routine. Seems to work if I turn on my PC Bluetooth; just need to test it in my car.
LeMarchand Posted June 20, 2022 Author Posted June 20, 2022 For anyone in a similar position, I'd recommend Macrodroid. You don't get the fancy UI of Android Auto, but can be made to do the stuff I wanted (and more). It's easy to set up/work out and I haven't come across anything I need that I'd have to pay for, though some functions require root.
LeMarchand Posted November 1, 2022 Author Posted November 1, 2022 Well, after a few short months and getting used to "Google Assistant Driving Mode", they're killing it.
CHiLL Posted November 2, 2022 Posted November 2, 2022 Is there a reason you can't use either regular Google Maps (which has it's own driving mode) or Waze, with their built-in Spotify integration and also an automation app like Bluetooth Volume Manager to auto start Spotify, play the music and set the volume level?
LeMarchand Posted November 2, 2022 Author Posted November 2, 2022 Is there a reason you can't use either regular Google Maps (which has it's own driving mode) or Waze, with their built-in Spotify integration and also an automation app like Bluetooth Volume Manager to auto start Spotify, play the music and set the volume level? The good thing about Android Auto was that it kept the screen on whilst providing a fairly pleasant, driver-friendly interface that automatically turned on voice commands (I have "OK Google" off by default ) and didn't need to be used for navigation - you could use it as a media controller. Driving Mode was an ugly interface, but did much the same. The latter did force me to use Maps, which brought the revelation of messages being read out. Whilst I prefer Waze, mainly because of the "Cat" voice option (if only this included street names!) but I can't see a way to have messages read out or use non-navigation voice commands while it's running which are more useful functionalities (sorry cat!). I can automate launching maps, forcing the cleaner "navigation" interface and starting Spotify but, unless a destination is set, the buttons at the bottom of the screen don't appear. You can then cancel navigation and they remain. I also can't work out how to enable Voice Commands without needing to press the microphone button, but that's not too important as long as the button is there. Wish I could work out how to get my Bluetooth receiver to be recognised a a car, but suspect that's on the hardware end. I did try a lot of "car" launchers, but none seemed as good as Android Auto or as useful as Driving Mode. The current solution of Macrodroid routines is OK, but not perfect. It seems as if Google assume that everyone can afford a car with a built-in device (or can afford to fit one).
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