I have used the stock car mode that comes with android and car home v3 and they both suck. All they do is provide big buttons to launch apps that go to their normal size selves.
Key features car mode should have:
1. Everything gets played through the speaker (except for when something is hooked to headphone jack, or bluetooth)
2. Some hitting the home button goes to the car mode home, not home page. The way it is now you have to keep back until you realize you are drifting into oncoming traffic.
3. Disable the lockscreen when in car mode/Option to have the screen not timeout. Every time the screen turns off, I'm stuck unlocking the phone again.
Everyone else list what you think should be put in and maybe a nice dev will help out.
riotburn said:
3. Disable the lockscreen when in car mode/Option to have the screen not timeout. Every time the screen turns off, I'm stuck unlocking the phone again.
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assuming you also have the phone plugged in while in your car, you can do this in the applications->development settings
dLo GSR said:
assuming you also have the phone plugged in while in your car, you can do this in the applications->development settings
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Click to collapse
Yea but I prefer to have it no lockscreen with it timing out, I dont usually have it charging. I have it just plugged in to the 3.5mm headphone jack.
#3: I think Tasker should help you out there. Possibly with #1, too.
I use car dock home v3. It's ok. I have 3 audio widgets and I can put player control widgets on the home screen, i like that. I do notice tho that when I go into google navigation it sometimes can't find GPS even if I leave gps on all the time plus having car dock set to turn it on. In those cases I turn it on and off and then it's fine.
There also seem to be some problems with vlingo and google voice. For some apps it uses one then switches to the other. Also the vlingo in car safe reader doesnt always work, to be fair its still in beta and when it does work its awesome. Finally I dont know if I did something but I no longer hear calls through the car speakers. Maybe I have to turn auto speaker phone off?
My biggest annoyance is Acast, my podcast player, doesnt like Car dock. It will pause podcasts when i go to dock home screen. It sometimes restarts podcasts from beginning when unpausing. I use Acast alot, so that's my biggest gripe. Tho since the last update of Acast the whole thing has been slow.
downloaded the trial for tasker, going to see how that works. Though it is a solution, this is something the car dock apps should be doing on their own.
Wow tasker is amazing. Solved all the things I was looking for. Its such a powerful app.
Related
So, the Droid has a dock/holster for the car that automatically puts the phone into a "car mode". Does this phone even have that ability? I know using the Genius button you can activate a driving mode, but I think thats just for notifications...
The MT3GS doesn't have a Car Home app in it, which probably means that there aren't plans for a car dock.
However, I was in the store yesterday, and there was an advertisement for a really cool stereo looking dock for the MT3G, so I'm hopeful one will come out for the Slide. I'd be all over that.
detox702 said:
The MT3GS doesn't have a Car Home app in it, which probably means that there aren't plans for a car dock.
However, I was in the store yesterday, and there was an advertisement for a really cool stereo looking dock for the MT3G, so I'm hopeful one will come out for the Slide. I'd be all over that.
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Interesting, that may make my decision on whether to use my phone as my music player or not. Having it's own 3.5mm jack was one of the selling points for me.
buy a universal car dock that swivels.
install the good ol' google car dock (as attached)
and open.
as for putting your phone in a dock and it magically opens an app. not going to happen we dont have the contacts on the bottom, top, sides, or the back of the phone for those functions.
Employees phones have a Nav app, and the mytouch3g cardock works for pretty much any phone, thats the one im using and it works great.
I created a Car "mode" on my phone with the Genius button as a shortcut so I don't have to hold the real button down. Also I have links to CoPilot, Google Maps, Double Twist, and other things on one screen.
shadowmike said:
install the good ol' google car dock (as attached)
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How does one install this on a phone?
Couple ways:
1: Copy the .apk to your SD card, and use a file manager like Astro or Linda
2: Using ADB
Code:
adb install [path to apk on pc]
fermunky said:
So, the Droid has a dock/holster for the car that automatically puts the phone into a "car mode". Does this phone even have that ability? I know using the Genius button you can activate a driving mode, but I think thats just for notifications...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the "Tasker" app for android can be set to launch apps, do things based on states, such as say, plugged in . Mine is set to turn and leave screen on when plugged in, as well as disable the swipe security screen when in range of my home network, switch on alarm clock app between 11 at night and 7:30 in the morning.
im still looking for a car dock that works well :/
Sorry guys found a previous thread in another forum.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=743861
Mods please delete.
I just bought the tasker app and figured I would let people know how its working for me, and to solicit suggestions for things I can do with it.
background:
Its a very good app that allows you to script the behavior of the phone based on a very large set of events or states.
My initial use:
As previously mentioned on this board the bluetooth streaming volume is not the loudest, so I always end up turning up the volume for bluetooth. Then when I plugin my headphones I destroy my eardrums.
So I setup a task that when I connect to my bluetooth car stereo, it automatically sets the volume to max and turns off wifi for good measure.
I have another task that when I plugin headphones, it sets the volume to 60% and opens the doubletwist music player.
Finally I setup the standard battery task so that when my battery gets to 20% it turns of all the GPS, wifi, and bluetooth radios, as well as dimming my screen.
Anyone else have this app and have something cool they have setup using it? I have heard of silent mode when the handset is placed flat facedown, which i thought was unique.
I have had it for a few days and am playing around with it. I have 2 tasks so far. First is to go to silent mode when face down. This is especially nice since I charge it overnight by my bed and don't want notifications (emails etc) waking me up so I have been just turning silent mode on at night and off in the morning. Sometime forgetting to turn on in the morning.
The 2nd task is to read the email sender and subject aloud when I am in the car and it is connected to my car stereo via bluetooth. I like the wifi off setting you did. I may do the same.
I also noticed that when listening to streaming through bluetooth with the wifi on but not connected to an ap, I get "skips" every once in awhile. Turning off wifi fixes it so I may set it to turn off wifi when streaming bluetooth audio.
Couple issues I have had. If the phone is in "standby" (pushing the power button) tasker won't go to silent mode. Also, I tried to make the screen go off when face down as well but it doesn't work. Apparently tasker can not turn the screen off but you are supposed to be able to change the timeout to as little as 7 seconds. I set that up but instead of the screen going off it just dims. Not sure of the issue.
I am interested in what others are doing so post the info.
I have two keyboards i really like in 2 different orientations.
Droid X keyboard:
its sweet autocorrections and large real estate makes it ideal for two thumb typing in landscape
swype:
slower than droid X keyboard in landscape, but in portrait, this is possibly the fastest/most accurate keyboard around.
I tried to set it up so that i could change my keyboards depending on the orientation, but i could not figure it out
im also for an app that turns your screen off with a timer (in the background). and have that work when you turn your screen downward./
any with either of these would be greatly appreciated.
Friends,
I would like to start a collection of tips on actually USING the Tab as a phone (full time). I will start off with some very obvious tips, and hope for your input.
1. Use a Bluetooth headset (or something like the LG HBM-700 Style-i Bluetooth Headset Pen)
2. Add "Direct Dial" shortcuts to your home screen to connect you to specific contacts with one click (hold down on the home screen, select Shortcut, then select Direct Dial).
Desired: The ability to bring up the phone by simply pressing in a special combination one of the (very few!) hardware buttons on the device (such as the Volume button)
Desired: The ability to get rid of the lock screen all together, so that when I turn on the Tab right away I am at my home screen without needing to "slide to unlock".
Desired: The ability to make the Tab car-friendly... I would like to easily use it while driving (with a bluetooth headset) without purchasing a car mount. Does the Tab have "Car Mode" like other Android devices?
Your input is much appreciated!
There are several apps that eliminate the need for a lock screen. I use this free one and it works very well on the Tab. When you push the power button the home screen is displayed, no unlock to worry about.
http://market.android.com/details?id=org.jraf.android.nolock
The Tab does support Car mode without the dock, install the Car Home app from the posting below and add a shortcut to your home screen, when you are in the car just launch the Car Home app.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=922601
There are other third party car apps available in the Marketplace that are more customizable than the Samsung app, one of the more popular ones is Car Dock Home v3.
http://market.android.com/details?id=net.cwfk.ig88.carhome3
I'm not sure if this is in the spirit of the original post, but I've been using Skype quite successfully with my Sprint Galaxy Tab and a corded headset. Although it works without the headset, I prefer not to broadcast both sides of my conversation throughout the room.
I read somewhere (maybe here?) that Skype is working on being able to use the forward facing camera for two-way video but after seeing myself, I'd just as soon not.
I'm not sure why I need to be able to use my SGT as a phone, but hey, what are toys for, if not to play?
Unfortunately I have no experience with Skype on the Tab, but I'd like to thank the second poster for his links to the Car App and other useful stuff.
Keep it coming!
SDW90808 said:
I'm not sure if this is in the spirit of the original post, but I've been using Skype quite successfully with my Sprint Galaxy Tab and a corded headset. Although it works without the headset, I prefer not to broadcast both sides of my conversation throughout the room.
I read somewhere (maybe here?) that Skype is working on being able to use the forward facing camera for two-way video but after seeing myself, I'd just as soon not.
I'm not sure why I need to be able to use my SGT as a phone, but hey, what are toys for, if not to play?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also would like to figure out how to set the Tab into Silent mode so that when it rings it does not even vibrate... but selectively, without having to go into the Settings menu every time.
After using the Tab as my primary phone for one week I must admit defeat. I admin defeat probably not for a reason you could guess...
Carrying the Tab in a jeans pocket regularily causes BACKPAIN! It took me all of one week to realize that when I have the Tab in my jeans pocket my leg muscles seem to be pressured in a strange way which causes me to sit and walk a bit crooked... which quickly casues backpain! The problem seems the be the constant pressure against my leg.
I am sorry to admit defeat, I really wanted to use the Tab for all my tasks.
Get looser jeans :-} ????
Get a small messenger bag to hold the tab, it is not that difficult.
I have the problems of carrying the tab around as well. I ended up purchasing the blue tooth from samsung Modus 3500. I was amazed at how well the music quality is streamed, and the freedom of walking away from it up stair to down stair
is anyone else missing the "new PBX linked to my GV" button on the sipdroid home screen??
no my sipdriod app is still working ...i cant wait until 2.3 ....it adds voip to our tabs ..which will be nice ...
mail_e60 said:
I also would like to figure out how to set the Tab into Silent mode so that when it rings it does not even vibrate... but selectively, without having to go into the Settings menu every time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is simple, if you swipe your finger from the notification bar downwards, it opens a slide out drawer where you can press the Silent button on top. That silences your phone until you go back and press the Silent button again.
Cheers,
its wierd, when i put sipdroid on my droid x the gv setup button is at the homescreen... but not on my tab?!
nvm it doesnt show up on my DX anymore either?!
I have the following issues:
1. I can't get GV to verify my number using sipdroid because of no DMTF! which makes it hard to be used as a phone these days with all automated screens you goo through before talking to a person
2. I have 3 old bluetooth headsets but none of them worked with my tab
nice, appreciate this
Hey, everyone, this is my first Samsung phone, after 4 years of Sony Xperias. I thought it was time to join the big screen league and decided on this beautiful phone.
I am trying to get used to Samsung's way of doing things. One thing that seems very strange is that when I tap NFC on my Sony bluetooth headphones or the loudspeaker, it turns them on and connects them to the phone (and it turns on the bluetooth obviously) - and this is fine - but when I am done and tap the NFC again, it disconnects but the bluetooth on the phone stays on! So I have to remember to turn it off manually. The Sony phones also turned off the bluetooth when disconnecting by NFC tapping, if it was off before I tapped to connect.
Does this happen to anyone else? If so, is there any app or something I can do to get this out of the way? Tasker might be a little too complicated for me
Thanks!
All,
Any thoughts on preventing car mode from resizing the screen to accommodate the enlarged soft keys and re-enable the Recents button again? I need car mode to keep the screen on while driving, but not being able to quickly transition from Maps to Google Play Music with a double tap of the Recents button, as well as the reduced screen size, is beyond annoying. Saying "don't use car mode" without a solution to keep the screen on while driving (read: not just "while charging" like the developer option allows) isn't a valid solution.
I've attached a screenshot of the issue. Thanks in advance!
Sent from my LG-H910
Have you tried Android Auto. Google just updated it so you can run it stand alone on a phone. It would give you a simplified car friendly screen with quick access to music and maps.
nicholb said:
Have you tried Android Auto. Google just updated it so you can run it stand alone on a phone. It would give you a simplified car friendly screen with quick access to music and maps.
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Click to collapse
I like the concept, I just don't like being limited to only accessing those select apps, I use lots of other things to search for addresses I travel to for work, driving 50K miles per year, so I'm in the car working (yes, stopped when accessing emails) and I hate having to disable car mode every time I need to multitask
Good suggestion, I am interested in the direction of Android Auto, just not for my main device at this time
Sent from my LG-H910
Now car mode prevents me from seeing that a call is currently active, nothing on the notification bar, nothing on the second screen, can't hang up unless I use the controls on the car steering wheel. Need to find another solution using Tasker or otherwise. Screen on while charging in developer's options dims the screen beyond usefulness.
Sent from my LG-H910
you're having strange issues, are you connecting to a head unit or using the phone alone? Im not having any problems, but i dont need to switch between apps. Also now that Android Auto works over Bluetooth its i can choose between wired connection(which doesn't let me change apps) or wireless is i want to use an app while stopped. As for the call issue sounds like something is triggering the proximity sensor, i had the same issue when i had a screen protector for a different device on at the beginning?
KryptosXLayer2 said:
Now car mode prevents me from seeing that a call is currently active, nothing on the notification bar, nothing on the second screen, can't hang up unless I use the controls on the car steering wheel. Need to find another solution using Tasker or otherwise. Screen on while charging in developer's options dims the screen beyond usefulness.
Sent from my LG-H910
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Click to collapse
I just ordered the V20 today and intend on using it in Landscape mode while driving and using Google Maps or Waze. My previous phone Note 4, the screen would always stay on as long as i had Google Maps running. I never used the car mode feature and always had it plugged in while driving. Do you really need to use Car mode? Couldnt you just keep Google Maps active and access other apps as needed?
LOTL said:
I just ordered the V20 today and intend on using it in Landscape mode while driving and using Google Maps or Waze. My previous phone Note 4, the screen would always stay on as long as i had Google Maps running. I never used the car mode feature and always had it plugged in while driving. Do you really need to use Car mode? Couldnt you just keep Google Maps active and access other apps as needed?
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Click to collapse
That would be fine for the times I'm ONLY using Maps, but not Music or anything else that keeps screen on while in foreground. If I switch to anything other than Maps, I have to switch back before the screen times out - and considering the power button is almost impossible to get to when mounted, that isn't a viable solution for me, unfortunately.
KryptosXLayer2 said:
That would be fine for the times I'm ONLY using Maps, but not Music or anything else that keeps screen on while in foreground. If I switch to anything other than Maps, I have to switch back before the screen times out - and considering the power button is almost impossible to get to when mounted, that isn't a viable solution for me, unfortunately.
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Yeah, this was the first thing I noticed\hated with either the V20 or 7.0, I hate that the nav buttons increase in car\dock mode. I use CarHome Ultra as my docking app and the only way I have found around it is to Auto hide the Navbar when I'm running CarHome Ultra and my Navigation GPS app. I auto-hide just those two apps from within the "Home Touch Button" tab in the Display settings. I can add shortcuts within CarHome Ultra to the apps I my use while driving: Etc...Nav, Messenger, phone app.
Hope this helps some.
That actually did help me! Thanks. I also use Car Home Ultra, which I love, but I had switched from 8 buttons to 6 because they were too squashed due to the nav buttons at the bottom.