Android Auto first impressions thread (and ask us anything!)

[cwolfey]

So... had the 4100 installed yesterday at Best Buy... and it was an experience. Prior to the installation, I had to special order a dashboard kit for the 2012 Equinox. The Equinox has Chevy's MyLink system installed.. which integrates the radio and bluetooth functionality into the display screen, as well as the climate control system, and the rear camera. The dashboard kit was designed to mount the 4100 below the integrated system.... where the cigarette lighter is located. Not optimal... but it was liveable.

The installer was pretty confident that the rear camera would still work... since that unit was still in place, and everything should be okay. Installation took about 3 hours, and I was about to leave when I decided to check the rear camera. Camera doesn't work... and since there's no power to that screen, I also discovered that no climate control information is available either. Can't tell what the temperature my system is set at.

The dashboard kit needs a different wiring harness that would allow power to the old display screen and the 4100 at the same time, and supposedly, that hasn't been produced yet, according to the manufacturer of the dashboard kit. I haven't set up Android Auto yet... that's on the agenda for this morning, so I can test it with my N6. So far it's looking like an $1200 mistake.....

I have resources to find the information you need..
Does your 2012 Equinox have the color screen?
I have been installjng for 25 years.
That is true about Best Buy, we also fix their issues.

 

[posman53]

I have resources to find the information you need..
Does your 2012 Equinox have the color screen?
I have been installjng for 25 years.
That is true about Best Buy, we also fix their issues.

Thanks for your offer to help. It does have a color screen. I'd really wanted it to go in place of the factory radio, but apparently that wasn't an option because of the MyLink system.

 

[posman53]

Sorry you're having this experience. I would have advised to take it to a professional which best buy does not qualify as in any of their dept. I clean up their messes all the damn time. If I were you I'd hit up Google reviews for installers in your area and find the best one. Let them look at it and tell you if they can make it right, shouldn't cost you a thing to find out. If they can then pay them what you have to and chalk it up as a lesson learned to not buy best buys services, they suck... Side note, I bought an 8100 with a high end rear view camera install and only paid about 400 more then you did for the eight hour install. Best buy rips people off!

Well, we learn from our mistakes, don't we? I'd had second thoughts before the install, because I was hoping it would go in place of the stock radio, but decided to forage on... Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[cwolfey]

Thanks for your offer to help. It does have a color screen. I'd really wanted it to go in place of the factory radio, but apparently that wasn't an option because of the MyLink system.

At very least the backup camera is easy to interface into ether hardwired or using an adapter made by Metra: BACKUPCAM-2

I have also found this adapter which should solve rest of issues, Metra: GMOS-45

• Retains factory color screen
• Retains factory backup camera

The issue it seems is that there isn't a interface kit made for the color version yet, I would see what adapter they installed..most likely the 99-3307G (made for b&w screen versions).

 

[posman53]

They said what was needed was the 99-3308G...

 

[cwolfey]

They said what was needed was the 99-3308G...

Yes, but not released yet, so they used an incompatible adapter that came with 3307G most likely.
I haven't seen it so I don't know what cosmetically is different if anything.
I can find out on Monday if the GMOS-45 will solve your issues.

 

[posman53]

Thanks. I appreciate it.

 

[Insp_Gadget]

Wow! I guess I was fortunate doing my own install.

 

[VincentVV]

Hello All,

I had the head unit put in a few days ago and was very displeased that Pandora is not supported in the Android Auto program. I've been using Pandora for many years and it knows me so well that I hardly ever hear something I don't like. Other from that, the Android Auto program runs great on my Pioneer head unit coupled with my N6. Calls and voice are Crystal clear. I replaced my Sync system that was installed when I bought the Focus.
Unfortunately, I have apps that already will read my SMS, Mail and what have you while they pause the audio music stream on my phone. They also will ask me after reading if I want to respond. They work great and always have. I have never had to take my hands off the wheel or my eyes off the road to do simple tasks like that. Android auto does not ask you if you want a notification or text message read which is a big deal to this old man. Also, the lack of being able to stream Pandora is a real deal breaker. The Pioneer head unit sounds way better than the sync system it replaced and the only thing I need now is a way to use google maps via the pioneer head with all my other things. Has anyone had experience with the appradio feature and is it capable of running google maps, pandora and what have you with clarity on the display?
If Google adds Pandora to the mix in AA I'd be willing to live with having to touch the notification but I really think that is not a auto friendly way of doing things. My developer for my SMS, Mail and what have you says that there's a problem with the code google wants him to use that prohibits his program from being AA certified. But his is so programmable and customizable that it blows google's idea for text away. So my opinion at this time is AA; not ready for prime time. Pioneer NEX heads, rock. Peace. V

 

[Insp_Gadget]

Isn't Pandora integrated in your Pioneer unit? It is in mine.

 

[VincentVV]

Not the point, we are talking or at least I was about Android Auto.

 

[Insp_Gadget]

Not the point, we are talking or at least I was about Android Auto.

Then blame Pioneer and Pandora, because they struck a deal to integrate it directly into the head unit; therefore, the Pandora app hasn't been updated to work with Android Auto.

 

[anon(871934)]

I don't think that the lack of Pandora functionality through Android Auto has anything to do with whether Pandora and Pioneer have a deal or not. That's small potatoes.

 

[Insp_Gadget]

I don't think that the lack of Pandora functionality through Android Auto has anything to do with whether Pandora and Pioneer have a deal or not. That's small potatoes.

So, who are you blaming? Google? They have nothing to do with whether Pandora does or doesn't update their app to work with Android Auto. You can call it "small potatoes" if you like, but when companies enter into contracts they can't just break them without consequences. The fact is we don't really know why Pandora hasn't updated their app (whether it be a contract obligation or something else), but we do know they haven't updated it. And that would be required to make it work with Android Auto. If it's that big a deal to you, I suggest you contact Pandora and ask them to update their app.

 

[VincentVV]

So, who are you blaming? Google? They have nothing to do with whether Pandora does or doesn't update their app to work with Android Auto. You can call it "small potatoes" if you like, but when companies enter into contracts they can't just break them without consequences. The fact is we don't really know why Pandora hasn't updated their app (whether it be a contract obligation or something else), but we do know they haven't updated it. And that would be required to make it work with Android Auto. If it's that big a deal to you, I suggest you contact Pandora and ask them to update their app.

My God dude, you seem very hostile. No one is trying to cast blame here. When Google revealed AA at the CES show they touted full support for other media such as Pandora, in fact, on the web page for AA it claims the same thing. Just seems like google does not want media competition to me in their AA app and would prefer you to use Google Play music with a subscription. Also, not being able to ask one of the most used features like text to be read without having to look at the display and touch the notification is just short sighted and very unintuitive. Say what you will, in the end it is googles platform launch and it is something they should remove from their AA page all together. Don't suggest support for a company that you don't have control over period and use that for a selling point. The liability at this point lies with Google. They made the promise, cannot find anything from Pandora even mentioning AA.

 

[Insp_Gadget]

My God dude, you seem very hostile. No one is trying to cast blame here. When Google revealed AA at the CES show they touted full support for other media such as Pandora, in fact, on the web page for AA it claims the same thing. Just seems like google does not want media competition to me in their AA app and would prefer you to use Google Play music with a subscription. Also, not being able to ask one of the most used features like text to be read without having to look at the display and touch the notification is just short sighted and very unintuitive. Say what you will, in the end it is googles platform launch and it is something they should remove from their AA page all together. Don't suggest support for a company that you don't have control over period and use that for a selling point. The liability at this point lies with Google. They made the promise, cannot find anything from Pandora even mentioning AA.

First off, let's clear the air. I'm in no way hostile. If I were being hostile, there'd be no question about it. I'm simply asking a question (just as you were). And it seems quite clear that you are indeed casting blame on Google for not having Pandora as an Android Auto app. I questioned you because when I look at the Android Auto website and look at the apps that Google advertised as being Android Auto-compatible, I don't see Pandora on the list. People just assumed Pandora was one of the apps because of its popularity, and were subsequently disappointed. I do see Spotify, iHeart Radio, etc. All competitors to Google Play Music. Of course Google would prefer you to use their own service, but I see nothing that suggests they falsely advertised or touted Pandora, nor do I see any effort to prevent Pandora from offering Android Auto compatibility. In fact, what Google actually said at CES (and at Google I/O) was that developers would need to update their apps to make them Android Auto-compatible. It's not automatic. (Now, if there's a Google website you can link to that shows Google explicitly advertising Pandora as an Android Auto app, then I'll certainly apologize and beg your forgiveness.)

Second, I simply pointed out that Pioneer and Pandora seem to have an agreement that integrated the Pandora service directly into their head units (bypassing the need for Android Auto compatibility). What that has to do with Google, was my question to you. Perhaps your energy would be better spent dropping the conspiracy theories about Google somehow keeping Pandora from being Android Auto-compatible. Perhaps, just perhaps, Pandora simply needs to update their app, and that would be the end of it.

Third, I said nothing about the text messaging interface. I actually agree with you that it could be better-implemented. But I would want it to be an optional setting. Personally, I don't want my text messages automatically read out loud to me (and everyone else in the car), without my explicit permission (and action).

Now, if you're through being all buthurt over being asked to think about who is truly responsible for Pandora not being updated to Android Auto-compatibility, perhaps we can get back to constructive Q&A?

UPDATE: My apologies for the mass of text garbage. I was trying to paste in a screen capture from the www.android.com/auto website, but Android Central didn't parse it correctly.

 

[cwolfey]

They said what was needed was the 99-3308G...

I have confirmed the only true way will be using 99-3308G at this time,
also a release date is unknown, mostly because of low demand.

 

[posman53]

Thanks for looking into it for me. Will the GMOS-045 at least give me most of the functionality in your opinion? The 4100 is such a great unit that I truly hate the idea of having to go back to the factory radio. I can deal with not using the rear camera, since I can always install an aftermarket one, but I'm not wild about not being able to see the climate controls.

 

[cwolfey]

Thanks for looking into it for me. Will the GMOS-045 at least give me most of the functionality in your opinion? The 4100 is such a great unit that I truly hate the idea of having to go back to the factory radio. I can deal with not using the rear camera, since I can always install an aftermarket one, but I'm not wild about not being able to see the climate controls.

I'm surprised they actually attempted the install, and let car leave without working properly.
The backup camera like I said is the easiest to retain.
But..no unfortunately that color screen needs information from the original unit to function properly.
They may have been able to relocate one of the original components to keep it powered & retaining the color screen.

If I was you...i would complain and get them to do something for you or attempt to get it working..anything. ..big company...squeeky wheel gets the oil

 

[hasnolimits]

Recently I saw a 4100NEX unit for display, with the microphone, Lightning and Micro USB cables out for user demo.

I hooked up my Lollipop and Android Auto-loaded Galaxy S5 to the Micro USB cable, and as many have described, for a split second I saw "Android Auto" in the APPS, Android Auto auto launched, but it did not stay in place for me to switch. I made sure that Android/USB2 setup was enabled for this in Smartphone Setup. I even turned on USB debugging for the phone. Does this unit need the firmware update? Are there any other settings that need to be enabled on my phone for this to work? Would using a custom launcher cause any issues?

I'm having this exact same thing occur and I have installed 1.03. I thought it may have been because of the Amazon USB 3.0 extenders i installed instead of buying an official pioneer cable. I know 3.0 wasn't supported but it was a nice thick cable.. Any thoughts?