Car Mode Annoyances

**JinxDroid** · 06-22-2012, 03:56 PM

A couple of gripes that I have with car mode... perhaps one of you guys could point me in the right direction to remedy them.

1. I wish I could disable security code unlock when in car mode (I realize that this is a security breach but I would like the ability none-the-less)

2. When listening to music and running navigation, the google nav voice prompts do not attenuate or pause the music like it did on my OG Evo.

3. When I am using Navigation... there doesn't appear to be an easy way to go back to the car mode homescreen (to change songs etc...) without exiting Nav... in other words, it's like Nav doesn't want to run in the background... if you hit the back button it wants to cancel your route.

Do these things bother anyone else or am I doing it wrong?

**kronosqq** · 06-22-2012, 06:24 PM

For #1 I have a kind of workaround you could do although I haven't ever had mine time out or lock when in car mode, if you download extended controls from the play store you could make a widget to disable screen off or lock screen and just use that before you open car mode. Not sure about #2, but for 3 if you press the home button when in car mode it appears to take you back to the initial car mode screen with music, and phone, nav, all that available. When I tested it just now I could jump between navigation and music without having either stop on me.

**JinxDroid** · 06-22-2012, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by kronosqq

if you press the home button when in car mode it appears to take you back to the initial car mode screen with music, and phone, nav, all that available. When I tested it just now I could jump between navigation and music without having either stop on me.

You're right... on my way home from work it did take me back... for some reason when I tried it earlier I would get the haptic feedback when I hit the home button but nothing would happen. I guess it was just a fluke.

As for the lock code... it's not a timeout issue. I just don't like having to do the unlock code when I put my phone in my truck - it's just a small annoyance (especially unlocking it in landscape mode) but it's not a big deal. I could probably just run my phone without security.

The biggest problem (and only legitimate one from my first post) is that google nav talks over the music without attenuating or pausing it. It really should drop the music volume while speaking. I believe it used to do that - not sure why they would have dropped that feature.

**slackerjack** · 06-22-2012, 07:43 PM

Oohh - and I'm being creative here - but how about a Tectile on your car doc that's programmed to disable your security pin, turn on bluetooth, etc - just a thought...

Jack

**Examiner19** · 06-22-2012, 08:04 PM

Originally Posted by slackerjack

Oohh - and I'm being creative here - but how about a Tectile on your car doc that's programmed to disable your security pin, turn on bluetooth, etc - just a thought...

Jack

I think the phone needs to be unlocked before it will read the NFC, so that would not work.

**pjrake** · 06-22-2012, 09:32 PM

My gripe is that I really don't have the option of using Google Music or Spotify (unless I exit car mode first).

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2

**siradam134** · 06-22-2012, 10:58 PM

CarHome Ultra will fix alot of these problems. Just a recommendation.

**darkfire** · 06-22-2012, 11:23 PM

Originally Posted by siradam134

CarHome Ultra will fix alot of these problems. Just a recommendation.

Great app, thanks for the recommend.

Sent from my EVO using Android Central Forums

**couragedragon** · 06-23-2012, 12:27 AM

Originally Posted by JinxDroid

2. When listening to music and running navigation, the google nav voice prompts do not attenuate or pause the music like it did on my OG Evo.

Weird, mine does silent/pause the music when the Nav talks. I am going through bluetooth though. I wonder if that makes a difference.

Originally Posted by Examiner19

I think the phone needs to be unlocked before it will read the NFC, so that would not work.

Just throwing it out there, if you're someone that flashes ROMs or mods, there is a mod on XDA to get NFC working while display is off or on the lockscreen.

**541rrhse** · 06-23-2012, 01:22 AM

Originally Posted by siradam134

CarHome Ultra will fix alot of these problems. Just a recommendation.

I'm definitely leaning towards this and my Soundgate m2 mount vs the Sprint car dock. The Sprint car dock is an option to the N/A OEM HTC dock but maybe HTC will sell one for this phone. Thanks for the recommendation. I'm thinking it should be possible to launch this app via an NFC Tag placed near or at my current phone holder....maybe?

**Impulses** · 06-23-2012, 02:56 AM

Originally Posted by couragedragon

Weird, mine does silent/pause the music when the Nav talks. I am going through bluetooth though. I wonder if that makes a difference.

Same here, never realized it didn't do so over the headphone jack, seems odd. Car mode in general seems like more of a hassle than an aid to me, but that's probably because of my personal usage case...

I generally program where I wanna go and that's probably the last time I touch the phone until I get out of the car, I control music playback entirely from my Bluetooth kit's remote (or the car's own media controls if I'm in the family SUV).

I do like the car mount Sprint sells despite not really finding car mode very useful tho. The mount's relatively cheap compared to others, sturdy, and can be used in portrait or landscape. Just read the instructions and insert that extra foam spacer if you have a thin case, don't be oneof the dozen wankers in the car mount thread posting pics of a lopsided phone because you didn't read the one page manual!

Originally Posted by couragedragon

Just throwing it out there, if you're someone that flashes ROMs or mods, there is a mod on XDA to get NFC working while display is off or on the lockscreen.

Got a link to that?

**pjrake** · 06-23-2012, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by siradam134

CarHome Ultra will fix alot of these problems. Just a recommendation.

Thanks.

Tried it, didn't like the layout too much

The fact that HTC Car Dock is so integrated with the whole phone makes it a better experience, minus the music apps. Maybe I'll upload some of my music to the phone.

PJ

**rockdrummersrock** · 06-23-2012, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by JinxDroid

You're right... on my way home from work it did take me back... for some reason when I tried it earlier I would get the haptic feedback when I hit the home button but nothing would happen. I guess it was just a fluke.

As for the lock code... it's not a timeout issue. I just don't like having to do the unlock code when I put my phone in my truck - it's just a small annoyance (especially unlocking it in landscape mode) but it's not a big deal. I could probably just run my phone without security.

The biggest problem (and only legitimate one from my first post) is that google nav talks over the music without attenuating or pausing it. It really should drop the music volume while speaking. I believe it used to do that - not sure why they would have dropped that feature.

If you've ever tried widgetsoid or a similar program (widgetsoid is just the one I use) theres literally a power option to disable your lock menu so as your about to hop in you could flick that tile. Granted you would have to remember to re-enable later, or you could always buy one of those new fangled sweet looking tectiles and stick one in your truck for just that reason as others have said.
()

**JinxDroid** · 07-04-2012, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by couragedragon

Weird, mine does silent/pause the music when the Nav talks. I am going through bluetooth though. I wonder if that makes a difference.

Sorry to bump an old thread but I just started using the Samsung BT3000 and the music does indeed pause over bluetooth. The problem now is that even with the music paused the Navigation volume is so low I can barely hear the directions being given.