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

[Insp_Gadget]

I tried this last night. Disabling S Voice on the S5 does not fix the voice icon not working problem. I tried disabling using the methods described online (unchecking the "open with home key" box), as well as going into application settings and disabling the app there. I do not have steering wheel controls (Pioneer 4100NEX head unit), so I would need that icon to work for any voice controls.

I'm not experiencing any problems with the voice command icon, but I believe you can press and hold the center "Home screen" button on the head unit to launch voice control. On my 8100NEX I can do that, and it launches the Google Voice Search as if I had pressed the on-screen button. The neat thing about that is that you don't have to be on the Android Auto screen to launch voice commands. You can be on any of the Pioneer screens or modes.

See if that works for you.

P.S. Is your microphone hooked up properly? (The one that should have come with the head unit.)

 

[jnicollnyc]

I am having the same issue with my Verizon S5, microphone on the interface does nothing.

 

[thetaylors09]

Does android auto pick up on the "OK google" command?

Posted via Android Central App

 

[thetaylors09]

I got mine installed by a local shop. Total (including the 4100nex) after taxes was $800. That included converting from a factory installed unit.

Edit: This was in response to an installation price question, forgot to include the quote

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Insp_Gadget]

Does android auto pick up on the "OK google" command?

Posted via Android Central App

I didn't think to try it, but I don't think it does. I think Google intends for people to either use the on-screen button, the button on their steering wheel, or to press and hold the "Home" button on the head unit (the last two of which allows voice input regardless of what mode the head unit is in--for example listening to satellite radio and not displaying the Android Auto interface at all).

 

[Chipras3]

Do you absolutely have to plug in your phone to get it to function? Like maps, Google music, and pocket cast?

Anyone have an answer for this?

 

[Hummer645]

Thus far, if I had to voice a complaint about Android Auto, it would be the same complaint I have about Android Wear: No true support for Google Voice numbers when doing SMS texting. No matter what you do, you can't initiate a text or reply to one with your Google Voice phone number. It insists on using your phone's carrier-assigned number (which I don't ever use for any of my communication). Phone calls go out through my Google Voice number just fine; but not texts.

I haven't tested Hangouts instant messages yet. I suspect those should work fine (as they do with Android Wear). Of course, with Android Wear, you still can't initiate a Hangouts instant message (you can only reply to one). As I said, I have yet to test this on Android Auto, but I suspect it's the same situation.

I've provided feedback to Google (through the Feedback option in the Android Auto app), requesting real support for Google Voice phone numbers; but who knows if they will ever listen and do something about it. As it stands, replying to texts with Android Auto is not a good solution for me (a Google Voice user).

On another note, pertaining to these Pioneer head units, I have noticed that while they have the ability to pair to more than one phone at a time, they cannot dynamically switch between them for Bluetooth calls. In other words, if I hook up my personal phone to Android Auto (which still uses Bluetooth for calls), and also pair my work mobile to the head unit, if a call comes in on my work phone, I still can't answer it via Bluetooth. I have to choose which phone is the "active" Bluetooth device on the head unit. Only one can be "active" (i.e. able to make/receive calls). I literally have to go into a menu and choose which phone I want to use for calls during my drive. So if you use two phones, forget about using both of them on the Pioneer units.

My Jabra Freeway Bluetooth car speaker can maintain two phones and will allow both of them to make/receive calls, on the fly. Once both phones are paired, I don't have to select anything or make any changes to settings on the unit. So, it looks like I'm going to keep my Jabra Freeway on its visor and use it for my work mobile, while I keep my personal phone attached to my head unit for Android Auto. That way, I can still keep both phones hands-free. That's a shame, considering the price of these head units.

P.S. Checking voicemail with Android Auto's "Voicemail" option in the dialer is also a no-go for Google Voice users. It dials your carrier number (which doesn't contain your Google Voice voicemails), so it's worthless.

All of my texts have come through Google Voice and Hangouts and been sent via GV and Hangouts without any issue. I use Hangouts as my stock messaging app and have GV set to send/receive all texts via the Hangouts App. I have also disabled the stock messaging app. I hope that helps!

 

[Hummer645]

So far my impressions have been pretty favorable. The interface is easy to use, the head unit sounds very good and has lots of adjustments to get the sound you are looking for. I have the 4100 and I also happen to have a mic from my Home Theater receiver that I was able to use to automatically setup the sound variables. That worked quite well and the sound quality improved after going through that setup process.

Auto has been easy to use though I had to have my parking brake set in order to use Auto the first time. I have the N6 There are several features in my head unit that required me to have the parking brake set so if you run into issues that might be the problem. I also had to adjust the touch points, but now things work awesome.

I did have some issues with Google Maps Navigation. I spent 5 hours driving in my car on Sunday and when I received a phone call, I was disconnected from my data connection on my N6. (I can't wait for 5.1 to appear on my phone and hopefully fix that with VoLTE. Verizon is my carrier) Anyway, while on the phone call I lost all detail to my map and once my data connection returned, the display showed me about 1/4 mile behind where I actually was. This could have been a major problem if I had needed the directions for sure to get where I was going. Luckily I had driven this route a couple of times. I was able to get it to reset correctly once by canceling nav and then going back into it, but it happened again after another call came in and it didn't correct itself until after I had gotten out of the car and jacked in later.

In terms of voice quality and voice actions, the bluetooth quality on this head unit and mic are light years ahead of what I had before. Google has very rarely gotten anything wrong at all so far. I noticed that some people said they could not send messages via Google Voice, but I have had no problems sending or receiving messages through Google Voice using Hangouts or with regular Hangout Messages. Everything has worked great!

I would like to have the ability to touch on the timeline of a song or especially a podcast to get to where I was before or where I would like to start a song. That would be helpful even if it wasn't perfect, but close. I don't need scrubbing, that's too much in a car.

One other note, I have a Subaru Legacy with the Harmon Kardon System and I was unable thus far to get the steering wheel controls to work. If anyone knows of something that will get that to work, please let me know. I miss those!

 

[Insp_Gadget]

Anyone have an answer for this?

Yes, you absolutely do, if you expect your phone to work with Android Auto on your car's new head unit. If you don't want to use Android Auto, and just want to use the head unit's Bluetooth capability with your phone, then that will work fine, but you won't have any of the Android Auto integration or interface, since that data goes through the USB port on the back of the head unit.

 

[thetaylors09]

Anyone out there an audible user? Are you able to listen to books via yourphone while on android auto?

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Insp_Gadget]

...I noticed that some people said they could not send messages via Google Voice, but I have had no problems sending or receiving messages through Google Voice using Hangouts or with regular Hangout Messages. Everything has worked great!
...

One other note, I have a Subaru Legacy with the Harmon Kardon System and I was unable thus far to get the steering wheel controls to work. If anyone knows of something that will get that to work, please let me know. I miss those!

Interesting. I've been able to get regular Hangouts messages to work (can reply to one, but not initiate one, and they must be individuals, not group Hangouts). However, I have not been able to get Android Auto to send an SMS text message using my Google Voice number. It insists on using my carrier-assigned phone number (which I never use). Is there anything special about your setup? Are you running any text message-intercepting apps or anything other than the standard Google Voice app and Hangouts?

When you go to send a text message, does Android Auto ask you how you wish to send the message? (On my Nexus 5, I only have one messaging app: Hangouts.) It does SMS via my Google Voice number, per the settings. Haven't had any problems with it. When I got my Moto 360 Android Wear device, I discovered Android Wear wouldn't use my Google Voice number when replying to SMS messages that had been sent to my Google Voice number. Same situation now exists with Android Auto. What's your secret?

For your steering wheel controls, you'll need an interface module, which attaches between your car's OEM harness and the T-harness of the new head unit. I used the iDatalink Maestro ADS-MRR. It has to be programmed for your specific make/model of car and the particular head unit you're using. If you haven't had that (or something similar) installed, then your steering wheel controls (and other OEM features) will never work.

 

[Hummer645]

When I got my Moto 360 Android Wear device, I discovered Android Wear wouldn't use my Google Voice number when replying to SMS messages that had been sent to my Google Voice number. Same situation now exists with Android Auto. What's your secret?

I have GV set as my default in Hangouts to send and receive messages and I have also disabled the stock messaging app. Other than that I haven't done anything special. I have also never had issues with sending SMS via GV with Wear since Voice migrated with Hangouts.

 

[Insp_Gadget]

I have GV set as my default in Hangouts to send and receive messages and I have also disabled the stock messaging app. Other than that I haven't done anything special. I have also never had issues with sending SMS via GV with Wear since Voice migrated with Hangouts.

Interesting. Allow me to clarify a point in my previous description of my issues. I can reply with my Google Voice number for anything (SMS, Hangouts, etc.) as long as the original message was sent to my Google Voice number or is a Hangouts instant message. I simply can't initiate (start a conversation) via an SMS with my Google Voice number with Android Auto.

I also haven't been able to figure out how to start a conversation in Hangouts (instant messaging, not SMS) via Android Auto. What voice command are you giving Android Auto that starts a Hangouts message? (Not talking about replies. I can do those fine. I'm talking about starting a new message thread or continuing one when no one has sent you a message during your driving session.) Can you actually do that?

By the way, on a Nexus 5 (which I have) the only "stock" messaging app is Hangouts. Also, are you a Sprint user (using Sprint's Google Voice integration)? If you are, then your situation is different, as you really wouldn't have a carrier number any more. Your GV and Sprint number would be the same, so it wouldn't matter for you. Is that your situation?

 

[Fleury14]

Inp gadget there is a setting in hangouts that you can change to send sms from only your Google voice number.
By default it's set to send as "last used".

 

[Insp_Gadget]

Inp gadget there is a setting in hangouts that you can change to send sms from only your Google voice number.
By default it's set to send as "last used".

Been there, done that. Still sends via carrier number.

Scenario 1 (Starting a conversation) :

Me - "Send a text message to John Smith."
Android Auto - "What's the message?"
Me - "How's it going?"
Android Auto - "Here is your message - 'How's it going?' Would you like me to send it?"
Me - "Yes."
Android Auto - "Sending message."

Message gets sent via my carrier number. (Confirmed by recipient.)

Scenario 2 (replying to a message that was sent to me either at my Google Voice number or via Hangouts) :

(See Incoming message from John Smith. Tap it.)
Android Auto - "Here is the message from John Smith... I'm doing fine."
Me - "Reply."
Android Auto - "What's the message?"
Me - "Glad to hear it."
Android Auto "Here is your message - 'Glad to hear it.' Would you like me to send it?"
Me - "Yes."
Android Auto - "Sending message."

Message gets sent via my Google Voice number (as it should be.)

No matter how I change the settings, the result is the same.

 

[Fleury14]

That's really bizarre. Mine works normally. I'm Using t-mobile not sprint too.

 

[Insp_Gadget]

That's really bizarre. Mine works normally. I'm Using t-mobile not sprint too.

Yes. It is bizarre. I get the same kind of behavior with Android Wear, only it's worse because even replies come from my carrier number instead of Google Voice.

Using the Hangouts app directly, my SMS works perfectly (messages go out via Google Voice number as they should).

As an experiment, I tried just using Voice commands ("Okay Google, send a text to...") directly on the phone (no Android Auto). When the commands are processed, the text is still sent via the carrier number. So whatever process the voice commands are doing to hand off text messages to the Hangouts app, they're flagging the messages to be sent via the carrier and not via Google Voice. When I look at the conversation thread, the message that I sent via voice commands says "Sent via SMS" instead of "via Google Voice". Any message I type in myself gets sent via Google Voice (as it should).

So, bottom line is any attempt to use Google's Voice commands to initiate a text message (whether using Android Auto, Android Wear, or even just saying "Okay Google"), results in my Google Voice number being ignored by the system and the message being routed out via my carrier number instead. That makes using voice to initiate communication a non-starter for me.

How other people are saying that it works perfectly (sending out via their Google Voice number) is beyond me. I'm hardly new to any of this, and I've tried every setting combination I can think of. If, indeed, it is working correctly for others, I'm at a loss to understand how.

 

[Fleury14]

I just say "send a text to..."
I did notice that when I converted my brother's # to Google voice his hangouts kept reverting to the smart reply setting rather than "send from Google voice number". Could that be the case?

 

[Insp_Gadget]

I just say "send a text to..."
I did notice that when I converted my brother's # to Google voice his hangouts kept reverting to the smart reply setting rather than "send from Google voice number". Could that be the case?

Whether I use the smart reply or hard lock it to sending via Google Voice, the result is the same. Any attempt to use voice dictation from outside the Hangouts app results in the commands sending via the carrier number.

Here's a thread on Google's product forums from last year where the people are experiencing this:

https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!msg/hangouts/JqZHWc2OFJI/d-EffHKSfEAJ

Unfortunately, that thread died from lack of use, but it illustrates that I'm not crazy. This is a real bug, that apparently has gone unnoticed by Google.

 

[Fleury14]

Ha no man I can tell you know your stuff.
Remember you're talking to the ***** that took his whole dash apart rather than wait a day to get an SD card for the firmware update.