Android Auto - What all can Android do? Tips and Tricks
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,609
Likes: 490
From: Houston, Texas
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23
Android Auto - What all can Android do? Tips and Tricks
My new 16 Stingray is to be delivered this month and would like to know please what all Android Auto can do, and how to do it.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 1,209
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Start here: https://www.android.com/auto/
Product Forum here: https://productforums.google.com/for...m/android-auto
Basically you get Google Maps, Google Voice Recognition, access to your phone and Google Contacts, Google Play Music and any other media app you've installed that knows how to do Android Auto such as Pandora, iHeartRadio, BeyondPod, TuneIn, etc.
Requires an Android phone running a relatively modern Android OS and a USB connection.
Product Forum here: https://productforums.google.com/for...m/android-auto
Basically you get Google Maps, Google Voice Recognition, access to your phone and Google Contacts, Google Play Music and any other media app you've installed that knows how to do Android Auto such as Pandora, iHeartRadio, BeyondPod, TuneIn, etc.
Requires an Android phone running a relatively modern Android OS and a USB connection.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 2,329
From: Central UT
Good advice in above posts. I'll add that we have AA in two cars and really like it. Google maps is much better than factory nav, and easier to use as you can use it on the fly and just 'tell google' to find the location and it finds it in nano seconds and your off. With factory nav you often have to find the address and try to get the voice recognition to enter it correctly - or end up pulling over and entering the address manually. Never again with AA and google. And have you ever tried to get the factory nav to recognize a POI? Almost never worked for us, and with AA/google maps it's almost 100% and on the fly too. Google voice recognition is waaaay better than the factory voice rec.
You have to have your phone 'plugged in' to run AA and in doing so you'll find that Pandora sounds way better than streaming thru bluetooth, and much better than XM.
A little hint: when you have AA running, you can push the steering wheel 'talk button' and hold it down for a second or so, and you'll get google instead of the factory voice recognition and the stuff that comes with the factory op system. Makes it much easier to use. If you want to use the factory voice rec and ops stuff you simply press the 'talk button' and release it right away.
You have to have your phone 'plugged in' to run AA and in doing so you'll find that Pandora sounds way better than streaming thru bluetooth, and much better than XM.
A little hint: when you have AA running, you can push the steering wheel 'talk button' and hold it down for a second or so, and you'll get google instead of the factory voice recognition and the stuff that comes with the factory op system. Makes it much easier to use. If you want to use the factory voice rec and ops stuff you simply press the 'talk button' and release it right away.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 1,209
From: Phoenix, Arizona
How many times have you heard "Due to the number of songs on your.... blah... blah... blah" from the factory voice recognition again and again!!! "Yeah I know that. Would you please never tell me that again!!!".
And I'm still wondering why I need to be told that the speech session ended. Sounds much more like a debugging comment than something useful...
AND STOP SAYING YOU'RE SORRY!!! I get that already. You are indeed sorry, a sorry excuse for AI!
And I'm still wondering why I need to be told that the speech session ended. Sounds much more like a debugging comment than something useful...
AND STOP SAYING YOU'RE SORRY!!! I get that already. You are indeed sorry, a sorry excuse for AI!
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,609
Likes: 490
From: Houston, Texas
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23
Thanks guys for all the good info! 
Nice tips and tricks Hopper12! - Thank You!
Can you see what you see on your phone displayed on the radio, AND also see it in the display screen directly in front of the driver?
Also, can you see your photos and such that are on your phone be displayed on the radio screen or the screen in front of the driver?
.
Good advice in above posts. I'll add that we have AA in two cars and really like it. Google maps is much better than factory nav, and easier to use as you can use it on the fly and just 'tell google' to find the location and it finds it in nano seconds and your off. With factory nav you often have to find the address and try to get the voice recognition to enter it correctly - or end up pulling over and entering the address manually. Never again with AA and google. And have you ever tried to get the factory nav to recognize a POI? Almost never worked for us, and with AA/google maps it's almost 100% and on the fly too. Google voice recognition is waaaay better than the factory voice rec.
You have to have your phone 'plugged in' to run AA and in doing so you'll find that Pandora sounds way better than streaming thru bluetooth, and much better than XM.
A little hint: when you have AA running, you can push the steering wheel 'talk button' and hold it down for a second or so, and you'll get google instead of the factory voice recognition and the stuff that comes with the factory op system. Makes it much easier to use. If you want to use the factory voice rec and ops stuff you simply press the 'talk button' and release it right away.
You have to have your phone 'plugged in' to run AA and in doing so you'll find that Pandora sounds way better than streaming thru bluetooth, and much better than XM.
A little hint: when you have AA running, you can push the steering wheel 'talk button' and hold it down for a second or so, and you'll get google instead of the factory voice recognition and the stuff that comes with the factory op system. Makes it much easier to use. If you want to use the factory voice rec and ops stuff you simply press the 'talk button' and release it right away.
Can you see what you see on your phone displayed on the radio, AND also see it in the display screen directly in front of the driver?
Also, can you see your photos and such that are on your phone be displayed on the radio screen or the screen in front of the driver?
.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 343
From: JACKSONVILLE fla
if you have a picture attached to a caller, the pic will show on your dash when they call.
android auto works great for navigation. except you cannot change or search for a new destination unless vehicle is stopped .
android auto works great for navigation. except you cannot change or search for a new destination unless vehicle is stopped .
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,884
Likes: 2,887
From: Toronto
Thanks guys for all the good info!
Nice tips and tricks Hopper12! - Thank You!
Can you see what you see on your phone displayed on the radio, AND also see it in the display screen directly in front of the driver?
Also, can you see your photos and such that are on your phone be displayed on the radio screen or the screen in front of the driver?
.
Nice tips and tricks Hopper12! - Thank You!
Can you see what you see on your phone displayed on the radio, AND also see it in the display screen directly in front of the driver?
Also, can you see your photos and such that are on your phone be displayed on the radio screen or the screen in front of the driver?
.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 1,209
From: Phoenix, Arizona
What do you see? Well I believe I pointed you to https://www.android.com/auto/ which has some pictures and you could go to youtube and search for Android Auto to see more and to see reviews and the like. For example,
Also, can you see your photos and such that are on your phone be displayed on the radio screen or the screen in front of the driver?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 1,209
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 655
Likes: 114
From: Orange County, Southern California
NOTE: For early model-year 2016s, an update is needed to get Android Auto to work - reference Service Bulletin # 16-NA-042. I've tried to attach it to this post.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 2,329
From: Central UT
How many times have you heard "Due to the number of songs on your.... blah... blah... blah" from the factory voice recognition again and again!!! "Yeah I know that. Would you please never tell me that again!!!".
And I'm still wondering why I need to be told that the speech session ended. Sounds much more like a debugging comment than something useful...
AND STOP SAYING YOU'RE SORRY!!! I get that already. You are indeed sorry, a sorry excuse for AI!
And I'm still wondering why I need to be told that the speech session ended. Sounds much more like a debugging comment than something useful...
AND STOP SAYING YOU'RE SORRY!!! I get that already. You are indeed sorry, a sorry excuse for AI!
"PLEASE GIVE A COMMAND"
Navigation
"WHAT TYPE OF DESTINATION"
Point of Interest
"PLEASE SAY THE POINT OF INTEREST"
Paradise Inn, Mount Rainier National Park.
"THAT'S PARADISE HAIR DRESSERS IN SALEM OREGON. CORRECT?"
Uh, no..............................
It's a lot different with AA and google maps:
Hold steering wheel talk button down for two seconds.....
"Navigate to Paradise Inn, Mount Rainier National Park"
after about 1 second, route shows on screen: "PLEASE TURN LEFT AT .............."
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 681
Likes: 39
From: Columbus Indiana
Initiate your route while still connected to WiFi. You'll get a black banner at the top of the phone's screen, asking if you want to download the route.
Last edited by cam30era; Jan 21, 2017 at 07:13 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 983
Likes: 23
From: Northeast Ohio
You need a USB3 cable, it supports the very high speed video connection.
If you can do your route on your computer, then send it to your phone, when you go into AA, it will should show up on your last routes list. This allows you to craft your route with all of the features of maps, with a full screen and mouse.
I don't like leaving the phone in the console, it gets pretty warm while the phone is busy, and on the charger.
If you can do your route on your computer, then send it to your phone, when you go into AA, it will should show up on your last routes list. This allows you to craft your route with all of the features of maps, with a full screen and mouse.
I don't like leaving the phone in the console, it gets pretty warm while the phone is busy, and on the charger.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,382
Likes: 3,501
From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 1,209
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Either way, downloading maps for offline use is a good thing to do like when you find yourself in some remote area going on a hike or some such and don't even have a cell connection.
Here's the instructions: https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838. Do it when on Wifi for the areas you most likely would need when offline.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 1,209
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Or, have you ever experienced something similar to the following with the factory nav:
"PLEASE GIVE A COMMAND"
Navigation
"WHAT TYPE OF DESTINATION"
Point of Interest
"PLEASE SAY THE POINT OF INTEREST"
Paradise Inn, Mount Rainier National Park.
"THAT'S PARADISE HAIR DRESSERS IN SALEM OREGON. CORRECT?"
Uh, no..............................
It's a lot different with AA and google maps:
Hold steering wheel talk button down for two seconds.....
"Navigate to Paradise Inn, Mount Rainier National Park"
after about 1 second, route shows on screen: "PLEASE TURN LEFT AT .............."
"PLEASE GIVE A COMMAND"
Navigation
"WHAT TYPE OF DESTINATION"
Point of Interest
"PLEASE SAY THE POINT OF INTEREST"
Paradise Inn, Mount Rainier National Park.
"THAT'S PARADISE HAIR DRESSERS IN SALEM OREGON. CORRECT?"
Uh, no..............................
It's a lot different with AA and google maps:
Hold steering wheel talk button down for two seconds.....
"Navigate to Paradise Inn, Mount Rainier National Park"
after about 1 second, route shows on screen: "PLEASE TURN LEFT AT .............."
My example was "DMV" which the factory nav could not understand no matter how or what I said. AA with GM (and really Google Assistant) gets is with a mere "navigate to dmv".
People who say "I don't see what good AA is - I already have the factory nav" just don't get it. Google Voice Recognition by itself is worth the price of admission....
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 28
Likes: 3
From: Florida
I just got my first ever corvette on December 21 here in FL. Its a 2016. It didnt have the update that included aa. I searched and found that gm did an update and you just had to go to dealer for 1 hr service visit and it would be there. I did that and it didn't work. Dealer claimed issue was with my phone. I tried diff phone and issue persisted. I looked at main settings and aa was not there but on the videos I watched I could see this setting. I went to dealer to see a 2017 and aa was in settings. I went back to service and claimed an update came out today to fix this and did the update while I waited. It worked. I love it. I dont push the steering wheel button i just hollar out "ok google" and you can command it that way and ask it things like send melissa a message or whats on my calendar for the day or how much does a blue whale wieght? Its very smart.