Develop Bugs

Need Car Panel Tutorial

Just upgraded to 2.2 and there is a new "Car Panel" application that looks interesting. But I can't find anything on how to use it or what options like auto-launch and auto-connect mean. It looks like is mates up with my car (voice nav through the car speakers?) bluetooth, but does anyone have a Google or HTC link to some documentation? Thanks!

I thought it was just something you click when you are in the car so things you would readily need you have quick access to and it's large buttons.
Nothing more.

pixelpop said:
Just upgraded to 2.2 and there is a new "Car Panel" application that looks interesting. But I can't find anything on how to use it or what options like auto-launch and auto-connect mean. It looks like is mates up with my car (voice nav through the car speakers?) bluetooth, but does anyone have a Google or HTC link to some documentation? Thanks!
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LIke you, I know nothing more about it than what I can see in the application itself, but it all seems fairly self-explanatory.
Auto-launch will cause the Car Panel app to run automatically when you place the phone in a (yet-to-be-released) car dock.
Auto-connect will cause the Car Panel app to automatically pair your phone up with a selected bluetooth device (presumably your car's bluetooth receiver, if so equipped).
Other than that, it just seems like the Car Panel is a nice finger-friendly way of navigating to the most critical apps while in your car (the auto-nighttime mode looks pretty cool).

sohr said:
Auto-launch will cause the Car Panel app to run automatically when you place the phone in a (yet-to-be-released) car dock.
Auto-connect will cause the Car Panel app to automatically pair your phone up with a selected bluetooth device (presumably your car's bluetooth receiver, if so equipped).
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Thanks for the info and these are the reasons I had asked the question. I hadn't heard about any car dock being available and my phone already pairs with my car via Bluetooth for handsfree calling. But I was wondering what new features might be available if it pairs thru this Car Panel (and does this pairing replace the one I use now)? I think there might be more here than is immediately noticable just from the UI.

Has anyone noticed issue with running the music player and navigation at the same time?
When I was on 2.1 the music would just pause and the navigation would speak...now if I have the music open and I open navigation, the music player shuts down.
If I open navigation, and then the music player, it works as I would hope, the music pauses and then the navigation speaks. But another turn, the music player shuts down by itself, at least it did in the one or two attempts I tried at it.
Anyone else have issue with this? I have a full car dock setup and one of the main reasons was so I could use the phone as a music player integrated with calls and navigation.
By the way, HTC, a landscape mode for the music player would be GREATLY appreciated.

I don't think the music player for the EVO (one installed by default) is HTC's. I think it is Sprint's music app which replaces the default one. I hate the default sprint music app. I installed the original one and use that, which works great in landscape mode. There are a few really good free music apps from the market which are even better (MixZing is my favorite so far which includes a good navigation menu and gestures, then their is Meridian and DoubleTwist which if had all the features I want, would be really great...).
Why doesn't the Car Panel allow landscape mode??? The Android 2.2 default Car Panel app allows landscape mode (has two screens) with extra slots to set your own apps, has music app built in... Sprints modified version does look better than Android's default, but is severely hindered in optimization! Why remove features!?? modify it, but keep features or add to it! Hell, give me option to choose or something...

Auto start of car panel with mini/micro USB adapter
I bought a mini to micro USB adapter and used it to charge my Evo with my old G1 charger. Interestingly, when I do so, the Car Panel application auto starts.

Maxy6 said:
I bought a mini to micro USB adapter and used it to charge my Evo with my old G1 charger. Interestingly, when I do so, the Car Panel application auto starts.
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Mine does the same. It freaked me out at first.

[Q] Audio through Multimedia Dock with CM9

I am running CM9 alpha 3 and I'm absolutly loving it. It's great ot be able to get audio through the car dock with no extra installs. I also found Car Dock Settings that allows for automatic volume maximization on docking like Galaxy Dock Sound Redirector does for custom kernels.
I also have the Multimedia Desktop Dock for my desk and unfortunately I haven't been able to get sound out of the 3.5mm plug. Does anyone know if that is possible and how to make it happen?

dewey1973 said:
I am running CM9 alpha 3 and I'm absolutly loving it. It's great ot be able to get audio through the car dock with no extra installs. I also found Car Dock Settings that allows for automatic volume maximization on docking like Galaxy Dock Sound Redirector does for custom kernels.
I also have the Multimedia Desktop Dock for my desk and unfortunately I haven't been able to get sound out of the 3.5mm plug. Does anyone know if that is possible and how to make it happen?
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Click to collapse
I'm also having the same issue though i'm not a epic 4g user. does car-docking direct you to different screen like car mode? as you know, media dock directs you to desk clock. I'm trying to merge those two dock options into car-dock as a temporary solution. does cm9 has car mode? i don't have a car dock but only media dock

sociojeje said:
I'm also having the same issue though i'm not a epic 4g user. does car-docking direct you to different screen like car mode? as you know, media dock directs you to desk clock. I'm trying to merge those two dock options into car-dock as a temporary solution. does cm9 has car mode? i don't have a car dock but only media dock
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It has car mode because it shows the steering wheel icon in the notification bar but it doesn't take you to a dock app. I don't like the car dock apps so I'm actually fine with that.

dewey1973 said:
It has car mode because it shows the steering wheel icon in the notification bar but it doesn't take you to a dock app. I don't like the car dock apps so I'm actually fine with that.
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well then pretty much the solution would be merging desk dock mode into car mode so that it recognizes it as car dock temporarily. Thanks for your answer I was trying to know it before I really spend my time to fix it. Hopefully it works...

Did you manage to get this working? I have the same problem on my i9000.

I have the same issue with the multimedia dock. It works fine on AOKP, but I don't know if it's kernel or ROM related. Might even be audioflinger. Think I will try and push a couple libs from AOKP and see if it changes anything.

Control Music while Driving

Looking for some headset type adapter that i can use and plug into my cassette adapter, like you know press once to pause, press twice to advance and three times to go back.
I have tried bluetooth/FM transmitters and they degrade the quality and have to much static, or maybe blutooth adapter that has a headphone jack.
Its a pain to control music while driving with all android devices I have owned, that requiring unlocking the screen and making sure to press the correct buttons etc.
Or maybe there is a car doc for the S3 that puts the phone in dock mode and keeps the screen on like a GPS?

You can buy an adapter that's mic used to turn an ordinary headphones into a wired headset. They normally have a button on them one press to pause 2 to skip etc. I bought one from shure awhile ago.

Link please, I also just found out the Infuses 4G car mount actually fits and works with th s#. Now i just have to find a place that sells or at least ships to Canada.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1725013

User poweramp and my hand rests on the gear, change songs ( though I can do that with the car remote too ) as well. I change folders swiping u and down
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=29428443#post29428443

inningsdefeat500 said:
User poweramp and my hand rests on the gear, change songs ( though I can do that with the car remote too ) as well. I change folders swiping u and down
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=29428443#post29428443
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Click to collapse
see my car is not fancy enough that it has a remote which if it did would solve all my problems. I think the best option here is to buy Car Home Ultra. Its 2 bucks and the trial actually works good and has built in media controls, so you don't need to navigate away from the screen.
This works out best coz i can buy a universal dock so all 3 drivers can use the dock and have the same function since they are all Android or at least until i can find a infuse car mount.

jebise101 said:
Link please, I also just found out the Infuses 4G car mount actually fits and works with th s#. Now i just have to find a place that sells or at least ships to Canada.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1725013
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here: http://www.i-luv.com/product_detail.asp?idx=1387
amazon sells it. You can also modify the resistors inside and get the volume buttons to work too.

i'm not sure if you know but the S3 also has voice control if you're using the stock music app.
it only works well if there is zero cabin noise while driving. the 2nd mic is terrible when it comes to background noise suppression.
just turn on "Voice cmd for apps" under "Language and Input" in the Settings.

^ Thanks I know and have it enabled. I use it for my alarm and tried the music app as well. I find i have to yell at the phone especially to turn the dam alarm of in the morning.
@sbddude Will check out its exactly what i need. Still will get a cheap universal dock + Car Home Ultra.

[Q] Car mode

Does G4 has car mode? Is there appropriate cable, car dock?

Also interested in knowing this.

I just got my Sprint G4 and Car Mode is working fine, including "home" going back to the car dock app. I'm using Car Dashboard for the app. I'm also using Bluetooth Car Mode to set the phone to car mode when it connects with my car.
It "just worked" for me... but I also did an LG Backup from my old G2 to the G4, and that transferred all this over to the G4.

There IS a car mode, but as far as I know, not launchable in the conventional sense. I use Tasker to activate car mode when I plug the phone into the car. You can also set it to car mode when connected to your car BT.

What does the car mode look like, or how could I try it out on my phone?

Nothing really - just an icon in the notification bar, and that screen brightness is at max. There's no Google Car Mode app or anything built in.

Can just add: when Car Mode is initiated, the call AutoAnswer becomes active and works without switching on Call auto answering in LG menu

I use Bluetooth Car Mode Starter to start car mode when the phone pairs with my car's bluetooth:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mohammadag.bluetoothcarmodestarter&hl=en
Prior to that, I used the Car Mode app to enable car mode manually:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.schwimmer.android.carmode&hl=en
(alternately, as mentioned about, you can use Tasker)
The Car Dock Settings app is helpful:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.cwfk.incar&hl=en
I've actually got the old Google Car Dock on my phone; I plucked the APK off my Galaxy Nexus and Google has moved it forward for me every phone I've had since. It's really ugly. As I said, I prefer "Car Dashboard".

alamo76 said:
There IS a car mode, but as far as I know, not launchable in the conventional sense. I use Tasker to activate car mode when I plug the phone into the car. You can also set it to car mode when connected to your car BT.
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Click to collapse
I was trying to do exactly this. Do you know what activates car mode? I know I can use NFC but I was hoping to replicate a setup I had on my S4 where I plug into a dock and tasker detects it is in dock mode. If I recall on my Samsung S4 had to modify a USB cable for the S4 to detect this.
Cheers!

db2boy said:
I was trying to do exactly this. Do you know what activates car mode? I know I can use NFC but I was hoping to replicate a setup I had on my S4 where I plug into a dock and tasker detects it is in dock mode. If I recall on my Samsung S4 had to modify a USB cable for the S4 to detect this.
Cheers!
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Click to collapse
Within Tasker I can search for Car Mode, but I have no idea how to find and initiate merely from the phone.

Any ideas on how to activate Car Mode?

I used my M8 in the car a lot but most of what I need involves Car Mode being active on the phone, it was no problem with the M8 as the HTC car kit contained a USB cable that enabled Car Mode when you plugged it in.
HTC assured me that the 10 was compatible with Car Mode and it was the dock part of the Universal Car Kit that activated Car Mode and not the USB cable. Their Universal Car Kit only comes with a Micro USB Cable and not Type-C cable that the 10 needs. Turns out it's most definitely the cable that activates Car Mode and not the action of placing it in the dock, so as there only seems to be normal USB Type-C cables on the market I can't get Car Mode to activate when I use the phone in my car.
Does any one have any ideas? HTC's social teams online are useless, even after telling me that the 10 was definitely supported for Car Mode when it wasn't they just kinda shrugged it off with no real answer.

It isn't installed on the HTC 10. They lied to you.
You will have to install them from this http://forum.xda-developers.com/htc-10/themes/patch-one-patch-missing-sense-apps-t3362787 but you will need to unlock your bootloader, flash TWRP and flash it through recovery.

Alternatively android auto in app mode will be out soon and likely sufficient.

nobnut said:
It isn't installed on the HTC 10. They lied to you.
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Sorry I should have been more specific, I'm not on about the "HTC Car" app, I'm on about triggering a Car Mode action dock event.
A lot of the apps I use function better when they're triggered by a dock event from Android system rather than being triggered by a Bluetooth or charge event.

indie1982 said:
Sorry I should have been more specific, I'm not on about the "HTC Car" app, I'm on about triggering a Car Mode action dock event.
A lot of the apps I use function better when they're triggered by a dock event from Android system rather than being triggered by a Bluetooth or charge event.
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Click to collapse
LOL
Easy. If you want to trigger car mode, just install an app that does just that. My weapon of choice would be Tasker. That way, you could trigger via an event or anything else really (e.g. bluetooth connection, NFC tag, whatever you like).
You could even simulate a dock event.

nobnut said:
LOL
Easy. If you want to trigger car mode, just install an app that does just that. My weapon of choice would be Tasker. That way, you could trigger via an event or anything else really (e.g. bluetooth connection, NFC tag, whatever you like).
You could even simulate a dock event.
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Click to collapse
Thanks, I'm having a look at Trigger, it looks like I can get it to trigger a car dock event when it sees that the phone connect to the car's Bluetooth AND is charging. And then it'll send an undock event when it disconnects from the car's Bluetooth and stops charging.
Will see how it goes when I get in the car later!

You may also like the Drivemode app. I'm using it on HTC 10 and it works pretty well. Triggered via BT connect to your car, but seems to trigger reliably.

I'm not using a HTC10, but found this thread when looking for the same thing as the thread creator here. I also used my HTC One M8 up until about a month ago with the HTC Car dock and the "special" cable that triggered car mode. From what I can see from this thread: https://forums.androidcentral.com/epic-4g-accessories/64959-what-triggers-car-dock-mode.html, it seems like the magic to trigger car mode is that the cable have a 619K resistor between pins 4 and 5 on the micro usb cable.
Does anybody know if something similar is valid for Type C usb cables and in that case where to get those kind of cables?
Since I got my new phone (which unfortunately was missing NFC, so I can't use RFID stickers in my car dock) I've used a Tasker profile to enable bluetooth on "Power AC" (=wall charger or 2.1A car charger) and then another Tasker profile to enable car mode when it gets connected to the car bluetooth, but this means it takes quite some time before my car home app gets started since the phone first has to enable bluetooth and wait to connect before launching the car app as opposed to with the M8 that triggered car mode immediately when the USB cable was being plugged (by docking the phone) and then let the car app enable bluetooth.