CarDock Shortcut Thunderbolt

**dbfletcher** · 03-22-2011, 11:34 AM

Is there a way to create a shortcut on the desktop for the carpanel app on the thunderbolt. It looks like the HTC cardock has a resister in the dock that tell the Thunderbolt to launch CarPanel when placed in the cardock. Unfortunately, the stock cardock doesnt works with cases so I had to go with a third party dock. I dont really want to have to figure out how that resistor works, so I'm be happy with just a quick shortcut I can add to a desktop to luanch carpanel.

Tia,

Doug

**Bwangster12** · 03-22-2011, 11:35 AM

I've read that some say you can search Google and it comes up in the search results.

Or you can use a 3rd party app.

**dbfletcher** · 03-22-2011, 12:29 PM

I am able to start carpanel using "Andriod System Info" app, but there doesnt seem to be any way for me to make a shortcut to it. If I long touch on the desktop, "CarPanel" doesnt show up in any of the 4 "Add items to home" selections (widget, app, shortcut, folder). But it does show in the Andriod System info app, under the apps tab... and there is a launch button there for it.

**tekhna** · 03-22-2011, 12:40 PM

Yeah, the Verizon version is supposed to auto-load the car panel, but you can search for it. I can't seem to add a shortcut, but Tasker does see Car Panel as an option to launch. So I guess using takser we'd have to figure it out. I think Tasker can make widgets, lemme see.

**tekhna** · 03-22-2011, 12:45 PM

Ok, I did it using tasker. I can describe how to do it if you use tasker (worth the bucks). Any idea how to post a screenshot w/o root?

**dbfletcher** · 03-22-2011, 12:49 PM

I've done screenshots on my xoom without root using the Andriod Software Development Kit (ASDK). It is kind of a pain to install it all just for a screen shot, but it does seem to work. I havne't tried it witht he thunderbolt yet, but I'll hook it up in a few and see if I can screen shot that way witht he thunderbolt too.

Yep.. just tried it. It works just as well with the thunderbolt as it does the xoom.

**tekhna** · 03-22-2011, 12:54 PM

Alright, I just did it with photo booth on my macbook!

I used tasker to place the app as a widget on my desktop.

**dbfletcher** · 03-22-2011, 12:59 PM

Great! I'll take a look at tasker.... im not familiar with it since i've only been on andriod for 5 days now.... but so far loving the experience.

**dbfletcher** · 03-22-2011, 01:03 PM

If anyone can come up with free or alternative method for this.. please chime in too! I'm not against spending $$... but since all I want is a simple shortcut tasker is seeming pricy to me right now.

**tekhna** · 03-22-2011, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by dbfletcher

Great! I'll take a look at tasker.... im not familiar with it since i've only been on andriod for 5 days now.... but so far loving the experience.

Tasker is a really amazing program anyway. You can set it up to automate all sorts of tasks, but it was just handy for this. Not sure why Sense doesn't let you do it.

**dbfletcher** · 03-22-2011, 03:07 PM

Can you give a quick step by step at what i need to do in tasker to do what you did??

Nevermind.. I think I have it figured out. Thanks again.

Doug

**tekhna** · 03-22-2011, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by dbfletcher

Can you give a quick step by step at what i need to do in tasker to do what you did??

Yep, it's really easy.
Click the little easel in your homescreen to go to the add widget screen. Then from there scroll down to "Task" with the little cog/lightning bolt icon. Tap that, and it'll bring you into Tasker. Tap the plus symbol on the lower left, and then select App (with the little rocket ship). Then select "Load App" (it'll load available apps, might take a minute), and then select Car Panel. It gives you two Car Panels, don't know why. I took the first one. Then just click "Done."
Click "Make Widget" in Tasker. You're done!

Lemme know if that works.

Edit: There's no reason to need Tasker for this, but for some reason it gives you the option to, and Sense doesn't. No idea why.

**miss chris** · 03-22-2011, 03:34 PM

Awesome!! Love Tasker. It is truly an amazing app. I wish I was smarter so I could figure out how to do more with it.

**kilofoxtrot** · 03-22-2011, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by miss chris

Awesome!! Love Tasker. It is truly an amazing app. I wish I was smarter so I could figure out how to do more with it.

Agreed... I use it to automagically silence my ringer during calendar appointments that are "busy". Tasker returns the ringer to normal when the busy appointment is over.

That alone makes Tasker a deal to me.

**dbfletcher** · 03-22-2011, 03:53 PM

Great. If you were doing it, would you change it to "auto turn on GPS" before launching and then turn it off when you exit Car Panel? Seems like it mkes sense to do the, but dont want to over think things either.

**tekhna** · 03-22-2011, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by dbfletcher

Great. If you were doing it, would you change it to "auto turn on GPS" before launching and then turn it off when you exit Car Panel? Seems like it mkes sense to do the, but dont want to over think things either.

Yeah, that's a smart add-on. I didn't do that to mine, I'm going to edit it now! You can also set it to turn off GPS on exit. Tasker's fantastic.

**miss chris** · 03-23-2011, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by dbfletcher

Great. If you were doing it, would you change it to "auto turn on GPS" before launching and then turn it off when you exit Car Panel? Seems like it mkes sense to do the, but dont want to over think things either.

I have also set it up this way. I also set it so that GPS goes on while using my sportstracker app, and wifi turns on when I launch the browser.

**dubge** · 03-23-2011, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by tekhna

Not sure why Sense doesn't let you do it.

so you have to buy the car dock if you want to use it, just another way to get more money out of us

**Bwangster12** · 03-28-2011, 01:10 PM

Just as a VERY cool sidenote, you don't need Tasker to accomplish this Car Panel action.

AutomateIt can do the same thing for you... it isn't as robust as Tasker, but does everything I've wanted it to do. You can set it to launch the Car Panel app when something else happens.

AutomateIt is free!

**dhendriksen** · 03-28-2011, 01:51 PM

The frustration I have with the whole car dock thing is this: let me give you a scenario. Today, I'm driving and I'm on the phone. My TB is in its dock securely mounted on my dash. The car dock screen is up. The client I'm talking to wants to set an appointment. I pull up to a stop light, and try to access my calendar. It isn't an option in car dock. So I pull the notification bar down and "Tap to exit Car Home mode". My home screen launches, I look at my calendar and set an appointment. Now I have no way to get back to the Car Home mode without removing from the dock, and reinserting. THAT'S SO STUPID!

Thanks for the tip on AutomateIt. I need to check out both that and Tasker it sounds like.

**Bwangster12** · 03-28-2011, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by DanH

The frustration I have with the whole car dock thing is this: let me give you a scenario. Today, I'm driving and I'm on the phone. My TB is in its dock securely mounted on my dash. The car dock screen is up. The client I'm talking to wants to set an appointment. I pull up to a stop light, and try to access my calendar. It isn't an option in car dock. So I pull the notification bar down and "Tap to exit Car Home mode". My home screen launches, I look at my calendar and set an appointment. Now I have no way to get back to the Car Home mode without removing from the dock, and reinserting. THAT'S SO STUPID!

Thanks for the tip on AutomateIt. I need to check out both that and Tasker it sounds like.

Yeah, that does sound like both a pain and a common issue. I guess how I'd handle that is I'd quickly unplug my car charger and plug it back in (assuming you have AutomateIt installed and the car charger action is set to launch the Car Panel) OR I'd quickly hit the search button on the TB and either use the voice to text or type Car Panel to search for it and launch it manually on my phone.

Yeah, more steps than anyone wants to make... but at least easier than taking the phone out of the dock and re-inserting it. I guess your other option would be to use one of those 3rd party apps like Custom Car Home and put the Calendar in the car panel.

**RetiredJedi** · 03-28-2011, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by dbfletcher

I've done screenshots on my xoom without root using the Andriod Software Development Kit (ASDK). It is kind of a pain to install it all just for a screen shot, but it does seem to work. I havne't tried it witht he thunderbolt yet, but I'll hook it up in a few and see if I can screen shot that way witht he thunderbolt too.

Yep.. just tried it. It works just as well with the thunderbolt as it does the xoom.

Dude, you missed a phone call.

**chikmagnet** · 05-14-2011, 12:00 PM

I know this is a bit of a bump for this thread, but I noticed that no one mentioned it.
If you use a different launcher other than Sense (ie Launcher Pro, ADW, Open Home etc) Both Car Panel And Desktop Clock come up in the Launcher Drawer and you can add them as a shortcut to the home screen with the usual Long Press, drag and drop.

(Side Note - This is my first post YEEE

)

**karmajack** · 05-14-2011, 12:59 PM

I've been using Car Mode Control (from the market) to access the stock car mode. Also Car Dock Home v3 is a decent customizable car mode system, but I tend to prefer the stock one most of the time.

Using a completely stock TB.