Android Auto

[Count Steer]

Any users out there?

I plugged my Samsung mobile into the car, went through the Accept this that and the other and can now use Google Maps with voice instructions etc (will try Tom-tom instead). However it has stuff like podcasts and other things I don't want. I tried to configure on my phone after coming indoors and can't even find the app! Play Store says it's installed but it doesn't appear on my 'all apps' page. Is it another of those 'integrated into the system' apps? ie not really an app more an extension?

Quite impressed apart from the unwanted stuff - plug and play for the phone etc, voice command and all that.

[Rockburner]

With the latest version, you only have Android Auto available when the navigation software is active. (Well, that seems to be the case on my phone)

But i seem to have found a menu item on my phone to allow Auto to be placed as a shortcut on the main screen, not sure where it was unfortunately.

[Count Steer]

With the latest version, you only have Android Auto available when the navigation software is active. (Well, that seems to be the case on my phone)

But i seem to have found a menu item on my phone to allow Auto to be placed as a shortcut on the main screen, not sure where it was unfortunately.

Ah. Looks like more time sat in the car on the drive.

I did have a dab at the phone while it was connected but it said 'gerroff, I'm doing the car thing'.

[Rockburner]

With the latest version, you only have Android Auto available when the navigation software is active. (Well, that seems to be the case on my phone)

But i seem to have found a menu item on my phone to allow Auto to be placed as a shortcut on the main screen, not sure where it was unfortunately.

Ah. Looks like more time sat in the car on the drive.

I did have a dab at the phone while it was connected but it said 'gerroff, I'm doing the car thing'.

You shouldn't need to be in the car, just set a destination and start the nav, it'll go into Auto mode, and then I think there's perhaps some more settings you can access.

If you want the voice commands on permanently then that's somewhere else in the settings, can't remember what it's called.

[Count Steer]

With the latest version, you only have Android Auto available when the navigation software is active. (Well, that seems to be the case on my phone)

But i seem to have found a menu item on my phone to allow Auto to be placed as a shortcut on the main screen, not sure where it was unfortunately.

Ah. Looks like more time sat in the car on the drive.

I did have a dab at the phone while it was connected but it said 'gerroff, I'm doing the car thing'.

You shouldn't need to be in the car, just set a destination and start the nav, it'll go into Auto mode, and then I think there's perhaps some more settings you can access.

If you want the voice commands on permanently then that's somewhere else in the settings, can't remember what it's called.

Ah, gotcha. Just fired up maps and set a journey and it goes into Auto mode and I can change settings.

Now just need to deal with the other Google stuff that I don't need...that probably does mean sitting in the car but it'll wait.

[Mussels]

Android auto used to be a proper app, good for me as I don't have it in the car so could just use it on the phone in the holder. Then they scrapped it so it's just an interface for the car software built into the OS, crap as I can't use it at all now.

[Count Steer]

Android auto used to be a proper app, good for me as I don't have it in the car so could just use it on the phone in the holder. Then they scrapped it so it's just an interface for the car software built into the OS, crap as I can't use it at all now.

I haven't used it before as my car will do the Apple equivalent but not Android Auto - I found that just the Blutooth connection was fine for what I needed - basically hands free phone and Spotify because it has built in GPS/maps. It seems that's old tech now. It does make updating maps simpler and cheaper though - car makers want silly ££s for putting a new memory card in.

If I can't get on with Google maps or Tom-tom I might have to go back to a stand-alone Garmin one that I had for a low tech car.

[Mussels]

I still use my phone for satnav and put calls & music through Bluetooth but the auto app made it easier with bigger buttons. Now Android wants me to use voice controls which from previous attempts is more likely to lead to a crash.

[Count Steer]

I still use my phone for satnav and put calls & music through Bluetooth but the auto app made it easier with bigger buttons. Now Android wants me to use voice controls which from previous attempts is more likely to lead to a crash.

I'd be inclined to ditch the phone satnav and get something like the Garmin Drive 52 (£90) and a mount or better still an older s/h one as long as the maps can be updated. I actually prefer the simplicity of the maps on my old one to all the super-whizzy new style ones that seem to be constantly rotating and shifting magnification. Simple is because you don't really want to be looking at them too much.

Had a middling-top-banana courtesy car recently and the GPS was integrated in a wide screen on the dash behind the steering wheel, it was really, really distracting but I couldn't work out how to turn it off.

(All the new 'safety aids' are really distracting too. Lane Tracing Assist...white lines on the 'HUD' that change colour, alarms going off/steering wheel vibrating if you cross a white line etc etc....probably causes more accidents than it stops. Displays telling you how 'eco' you are etc etc... Just let me concentrate on driving and tell me 'turn left in 100 yards', that'll do fine ).

[Noggin]

All the new 'safety aids' are really distracting too. Lane Tracing Assist...white lines on the 'HUD' that change colour, alarms going off/steering wheel vibrating if you cross a white line etc etc....probably causes more accidents than it stops. Displays telling you how 'eco' you are etc etc... Just let me concentrate on driving and tell me 'turn left in 100 yards', that'll do fine

I took a friend's Audi Q something for a service last year and damn that made me jump a few times before I got used to it!! Going down the mountain, it's often more economical and less hassle to straight line bits of rod when you can see far enough ahead. The bloody car kept shaking the steering wheel and yelling at me!! LOL Same on an empty dual carriageway - long gentle curve, zero traffic so I didn't stay in lane and crossed the white line. It really didn't like how I drive

[Silly Car]

All the new 'safety aids' are really distracting too. Lane Tracing Assist...white lines on the 'HUD' that change colour, alarms going off/steering wheel vibrating if you cross a white line etc etc....probably causes more accidents than it stops. Displays telling you how 'eco' you are etc etc... Just let me concentrate on driving and tell me 'turn left in 100 yards', that'll do fine

I took a friend's Audi Q something for a service last year and damn that made me jump a few times before I got used to it!! Going down the mountain, it's often more economical and less hassle to straight line bits of rod when you can see far enough ahead. The bloody car kept shaking the steering wheel and yelling at me!! LOL Same on an empty dual carriageway - long gentle curve, zero traffic so I didn't stay in lane and crossed the white line. It really didn't like how I drive

Our 1 series has got it on, it is now turned off as we both found it downright dangerous if you wanted to make ‘progress’ on country lanes (50% of the wife’s commute) so it now just gently vibrates rather than drag you back into your lane.

The car is kitted with Android Auto but seeing as though we can’t currently connect any phone via Bluetooth* then it’s way down the list of things to play around with.

*there is a software recall outstanding which the Doris should have booked weeks ago but apparently the BMW dealer is too far from her school to make it viable… (1/2 mile and on the commute route for 75% of her colleagues )

[Count Steer]

All the new 'safety aids' are really distracting too. Lane Tracing Assist...white lines on the 'HUD' that change colour, alarms going off/steering wheel vibrating if you cross a white line etc etc....probably causes more accidents than it stops. Displays telling you how 'eco' you are etc etc... Just let me concentrate on driving and tell me 'turn left in 100 yards', that'll do fine

I took a friend's Audi Q something for a service last year and damn that made me jump a few times before I got used to it!! Going down the mountain, it's often more economical and less hassle to straight line bits of rod when you can see far enough ahead. The bloody car kept shaking the steering wheel and yelling at me!! LOL Same on an empty dual carriageway - long gentle curve, zero traffic so I didn't stay in lane and crossed the white line. It really didn't like how I drive

Just been for a trip out to an exhibition (test run of Tom-tom using Android Auto and a faff with all the settings). Tried to turn all the assist stuff off....nope. Decided the wheel vibrate was less annoying than the alarm so set it to that....and it seems to have turned off in a huff. Zigzagged over the white lines, nothing, zip, nada. Yay! (It'll probably reset every time it's started ) Happy to get back in my own car, but the 72mpg average was nice.

That Q must be quite new. I drove a brand new Audi estate (A4? A6?) recently, all the toys, but I don't think the lane assist could have been switched on 'cos I don't think it beeped at all. Nice car but prefer the (petrol) Qs. IIRC you didn't like it much?

On the basis of one trip, Tom-tom preferred to Google maps.

[Noggin]

Just been for a trip out to an exhibition (test run of Tom-tom using Android Auto and a faff with all the settings). Tried to turn all the assist stuff off....nope. Decided the wheel vibrate was less annoying than the alarm so set it to that....and it seems to have turned off in a huff. Zigzagged over the white lines, nothing, zip, nada. Yay! (It'll probably reset every time it's started ) Happy to get back in my own car, but the 72mpg average was nice.

That Q must be quite new. I drove a brand new Audi estate (A4? A6?) recently, all the toys, but I don't think the lane assist could have been switched on 'cos I don't think it beeped at all. Nice car but prefer the (petrol) Qs. IIRC you didn't like it much?

On the basis of one trip, Tom-tom preferred to Google maps.

Definitely didn't like it! At all! Lots of reasons! LOL I think it was a Q4 and yes, too new to have a CT (MOT) here back in November!! Less than 2 years old maybe? The guy had the next model up in the UK (not sure if the UK one was a Q5 or just a better Q4) but he was surprised that I wasn't that keen on his car!! LOL The fuel consumption was an instant no TBF! LOL LOL


He did tell me how to turn off the warning(s) but they do come back on for the next drive

[Count Steer]

Just been for a trip out to an exhibition (test run of Tom-tom using Android Auto and a faff with all the settings). Tried to turn all the assist stuff off....nope. Decided the wheel vibrate was less annoying than the alarm so set it to that....and it seems to have turned off in a huff. Zigzagged over the white lines, nothing, zip, nada. Yay! (It'll probably reset every time it's started ) Happy to get back in my own car, but the 72mpg average was nice.

That Q must be quite new. I drove a brand new Audi estate (A4? A6?) recently, all the toys, but I don't think the lane assist could have been switched on 'cos I don't think it beeped at all. Nice car but prefer the (petrol) Qs. IIRC you didn't like it much?

On the basis of one trip, Tom-tom preferred to Google maps.

Definitely didn't like it! At all! Lots of reasons! LOL I think it was a Q4 and yes, too new to have a CT (MOT) here back in November!! Less than 2 years old maybe? The guy had the next model up in the UK (not sure if the UK one was a Q5 or just a better Q4) but he was surprised that I wasn't that keen on his car!! LOL The fuel consumption was an instant no TBF! LOL LOL


He did tell me how to turn off the warning(s) but they do come back on for the next drive

I think the only Q4 is the e-tron (electric). Probably the Q3 that you drove? I really like the older 2l petrol one but haven't driven the newer version with all the 'driver aids'.

[Noggin]

I think the only Q4 is the e-tron (electric). Probably the Q3 that you drove? I really like the older 2l petrol one but haven't driven the newer version with all the 'driver aids'.

He really likes his. It felt to me like driving a really fat minibus!! And used way more fuel than a minibus!!! But then, I wouldn't choose to buy one, so it's ok, cos he likes it a lot