Google Maps Navigation and Bluetooth Source Woes - General Questions and Answers

Here's my woe:
I want to be able to play my FM Radio (or CD, or USB stick - just any audio source I choose in my car) and hear Google Maps Navigation over my car spearkers. Currently I can do that if I listen to BT audio and listen to music from my phone.
My work phone is an Iphone 5s and it does this flawlessly because there's a checkbox option in google maps navigation settings "Play as Phone call" which allows it to work flawlessly. The Android app doesn't have that option. Why is that?
I have tried SoundAbout and it's terrible. Half the audio plays on the phone then it switches to my speakers and is terrible and skips words. As for other apps, I've tried BTmono, I've googled my fingers to nubs and tried every setting (turn off multimedia on the phone, on the car etc).
I'm wondering if I root this phone can I fix this at all? Or is there an alternative APK of maps with that option (maybe beta or something)
(Also can you get Google Now voice to go over the car audio like the iphone voice commands does natively, Google Now requires it to be in BT audio source as well.)
I also know this is not car specific because I tested it with a VW Passat with my phone and a Samsung Galaxy S5 and Motorola Droid something or another my coworker owns and it behaves the same in his car as well as mine.
This feature is absolutely frustrating and a dealbreaker for me. I'd happily just use my work phone in the car but anything on that phone is subject to FOIA from the general public. No thanks to that. I asked in another forum and they said it's because the iphone doesn't do a2dp or bluetooth audio out or whatever but that's not true, my iphone does play music over the bluetooth audio source. And I realize the iphone isn't as sophisticated, I'm android through and through, which is why this is making kittens cry blood for me.
Please help me. And Thank you so much for even reading!
Info:
Phone: Samsung Galaxy s6 (lollipop)
Car: 2012 Camry (No entune).

I've come back to the forums for this exact problem you are describing. I believe it's true that for Google Maps voice prompts, the iPhone will indeed route them using HFP (hands free protocol) to mimic a phone call, so your car will lower the radio volume and let the voice prompt through. As far as I can tell Android has no such similar feature, and yes it's annoying as heck. Since Google Maps works on iOS but not on Android, I can only conclude that this is some oversight by the Android team, or perhaps some kind of hardware limitation that Google doesn't think is worth spending money on.
I'm a bit surprised that after all my internet searching, this problem hasn't made a big enough fuss to get to Google's attention.

I wish they would fix this and am surprised more people are not making a fuss about it

I have made an app for that. It's called AudioBT on Google Play...

Two Years Later
And this is still an issue. And when connected to my truck via bluetooth it won't give voice directions through my phones speaker either. Hard to convince someone Android is better than ios when something that works so well with an iPhone doesn't work at all with an Android. Please fix this!

Related

Android as bluetooth headset and/or headphones

Hi All,
Is there a way to make my Android phone (whatever it is) as an bluetooth headphone/headset?
I'll try to explain it in other words. I want for example route all my PC AUDIO STREAM (IN/OUT) to my Android via Bluetooth and manage it from Android.
So the end configuration would be an Android as an headset able to stream the audio from Android's Mic to my PC and to receive an audio from PC.
Same thing as between two Android Phones.
I mean, when i'm receiving a call, it would be nice to forward that call to another Android phone via bluetooth because the other Android phone will be like a Bluetooth headset.
I'll really appreciate all kind of suggestions.
Thanks
Francesco
i was actually thinking of the same idea last night..but i couldnt find any app that could stream audio from my pc to the phone..
may be i didnt searched enough?
I am also searching for something like this.
Did you find an app that could do it?
I did some searching both online and in the market myself and couldn't find anything related to these purposes. I would like an app for this so that I can lay in bed and watch a movie without disturbing others with the audio. I could just listen to headphones through my Droid X.
The most likely software developer to develop something like this, and has yet to make any smartphone appearances is Soundflower. I love Soundflower on my mac and it makes so much sense that they would develop an app for something like this.
i'm looking for app that will enable my phone to call(and make conversations) trough other phone via bluetooth.did anybody come across such app?
Hi, digging up, I was looking for this kind of feature to watch movies fullscreen VLC on my desktop computer from my bed, without having to buy meters of extra headphone cable or a wireless headphones.
I came accross Jamcast which uses wifi network instead, but it's much too complicated, laggy, and expensive shareware.
Bluetooth is the way to go, but we need to be able to use android as a bluetooth headset.
Anyone got news ?
I'm also interested with doing this. Found any app for this purpose?
I've searched for a while, and found none.
BUMP. this could save me from buying expensive headset which can't even last 1 day!!!
Someone custom-implemented the needed Bluetooth role
It looks like some Android device has custom implementations of both A2DP sink role and HFP hands free unit role. I can't post links yet. Google this:
AllGo Systems Demonstrates Android Based Automotive Infotainment Solutions with Fast Boot-up as a Critical Feature at SAE Convergence 2012 - Detroit, Michigan, USA

[Q] Pairing Tablet as Bluetooth Receiver?

This topic is pasted all over the net and it doesn't seem to be getting much attention, however I think it should be brought to a better light.
The idea is simple: Enable your Android Phone or Tablet to become a bluetooth reciever(to replace a headset or bluetooth speakers) and broadcast audio to the device and broadcast microphone from the device.
This could be used in several different applications:
1. Using an Android Tablet as a Car Stereo Interface
(Connect Phone to Tablet Via Bluetooth and use it as a hands free speakerphone, or aux out to your stereo)
2. Multiple Android Phones
(Have a business and personal phone? Answer all your calls from one.)
3. Phone or Tablet as Bluetooth Speaker/Mic
(Skype, PS3, Xbox 360, TV, Google Voice)
I would use several of these options on a daily basis, and would most definitely pay good money for an app like this.
So my questions are:
1. Is this possible?
2. If it is, how hard would it be?
3. If it isn't that hard, why hasn't someone done it yet!?
Bump if you want this too!
Just wanted to bump this because we need to put our heads together here and get this done. I need this capability for number 1 on your list of potential uses. I also would pay good money for an app that enabled this. Phones and tablet are rooted and ready to modify whatever is needed. Ii've bumped a couple other threads today as well.
I would also pay for this!
I have been looking for this for a while. I use an old LG Eve in my car and my Captivate's Wifi connection for GPS but I would love to have it work for calls and music too.
I would pay as well.
bumping this just to say that I'm going to research the rules and process for starting a bounty. obviously the smart people we need to work on this need motivation lol
Sent from my GT-P6210 using XDA Premium HD app
Hi there,
just wanted to leave an incentive kind of post to say that I've also been looking for exactly the same thing.
My hunting on Google play just stopped after finding this post on XDA.
It's a kind of confirmation that there isn't a solution yet.
Since our rooted androids are more than capable of acting as a Bluetooth receiver, whether they may be based on new or older hardware, this seams like a very logical step in their lifecycle instead of getting forgotten in a drawer full of old and unused electronic waste.
Some doubts:
is a2dp required for this?
Is a2dp hardware related or simply a software feature?
Personally, I could live with a simple one way communication from a phone with mobile network (sender ) to the receiver. The used mic could still be the one on the sender side.
Wouldn't even need to have the receiver in a visible place as I would just connect a stereo cable from its headset output to an aux input on a hifi or a car stereo to hear music or acting as a hands-free system.
Hope this gets some real attention.
Cheers
In one year, nobody found a solution??
I can't beleive there is STILL no progress on this. Maybe I'll try asking a dev that has made similar apps the feasibility of this. There are so many practical uses for this that I cannot beleive no one has capitalized on it.
This would be a killer app if done right. Who here doesn't have an old phone laying around gathering dust? This could start off small; simply enabling the phone/tablet to be essentially a Bluetooth speaker, but then gain features and an interface using A2DP, which would evolve it into a killer way to make any car (with at least a tape deck) able to have full Bluetooth integration and control. I really hope someone can do this!
Bump
Bkb -> p -> PC (either wifi/blu/usb)
yeah so a spare bluetooth phone that connects between a keyboard and PC. Acting like a BT dongle. No way I'm spending 10 bucks for that. if an app...maybe a buck but would prefer free.
looking for this too. Wanting to turn this old phone into a bt audio receiver
Wow, endless searching and now this thread and still nothing :/ i need it for the first idea you listed, did you ever find something?
https://android.googlesource.com/pl.../java/android/bluetooth/BluetoothHeadset.java
Currently the Android Car Multimedia receives Bluetooth Stereo Audio from Phones (Andoird/Apple), how they do it?
Any news?
So many years and still nothing?
May be this is not the right way to do.
I know this is a crazy old subject but others have commented so I don't feel so bad.
I want to make my own android system for my car. I have everything I need for it (hardware/software-wise) except for this one thing.
A few years back there used to be an app called Tablet Talk, it's not exactly what we want but I'm still willing to settle for something like that. The way it works is phone->tablet->handsfree Bluetooth speaker. You could make and receive calls (including seeing the contact names/phone numbers on the tablet) from the tablet itself, then the audio/microphone goes to the handsfree device. Another added feature was when a call is happening the app stops all audio coming from the tablet until the call is done.
Like I said before, it's not perfect but at this point, I don't ever see it happening any other way. I found the app a few days ago, it doesn't exist on the app store anymore, unfortunately, I could get it to run. It just kept crashing.
If anyone knows of something then please let us know.
Years later, found just this thread: I want to do similar thing: Use a private phone (for my sake rooted with custom fw) as a hands-free bt device with an unrooted business phone (non-rooted and secure managed with company tool). I also don't want call forwarding or similar. Just do and answer calls, use phone book and call list via bluetooth like my car radio do for years.
Is there still no solution?

Siri Eyes Free Proxy for Android - Does it exist?

For those of you that haven't heard, Siri Eyes Free is Apple's iPhone intergration with select Honda and Chevy cars.
What happens is that the car's interior microphone and the steering wheel voice button both act as a proxy to funnel input to the phone over bluetooth.
Did anyone hack together an Android app to work with iOS's input api? All I really want is to send text messages / initiate calls using google now voice.
I could get an iphone for testing. I have a laptop and a phone with bluetooth, if those can record the raw bluetooth signal
I picked up a car that has Siri Eyes Free (after a firmware update) and have an Android so I'm bumping this .
Nearly a year later I'll bump this as well. Any ideas here? Just moved from an iPhone and lack of voice integration over Bluetooth is a bummer. Thanks.
A
Another bump on this for visbility and hopefully some additional useful information. Long story made short I recently got a new car, a Ford C-Max with MyFord Touch, that has Siri Eyes Free capability (as of v 3.6/3.8). Sadly the car I upgraded from had a cheap <$100 aftermarket radio that happily activated Google Now through the standard BT voice dial button and allowed me full hands free functionality and would like to get that back.
What I have found upon a little digging is Apple has published developer documentation which covers Eyes Free functionality:
https://developer.apple.com/hardwaredrivers/BluetoothDesignGuidelines.pdf
As someone who can somewhat understand and comprehend this information but couldn't code to save his life, it appears to be fairly simplistic and is just a handful of custom BT serial commands, simple back and forth request/acknowledge commands, and an SCO audio link. Most of the user interface setup seems like it may be on the accessory/head unit end rather than the phone.
I would love to take a whack at this but unfortunately would not know where to begin. My first thought is would something like this with the serial BT communication, establishing an audio link, and triggering Google Now, be able to all be done without root?
If anyone begins on this or also wants to have a go at it, I'd definitely be willing to help where I can including testing and debugging.

Chevrolet MyLink and Google Maps Navigation

I have a rooted Galaxy S3's and updated the software from 4.1.2 to clean rom 4.3 this last Saturday.
I have a 2014 Chevrolet Camaro with MyLink. I've only had it a couple of weeks.
I swear that when I played music via XM, USB, or FM while I was using Google maps navigation, and my phone was connected via Bluetooth, that it would say the directions through the speakers over a lower volume of music, then raise the music volume once finished. This week this does not occur. No directions at all over the speakers yet everything else works like normal, like the audio on the car, and the navigation on just the phone speakers.
Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing? Was there some information I missed in relation to MyLink and Android versions?
Thanks!
ReFLeX135 said:
I have a rooted Galaxy S3's and updated the software from 4.1.2 to clean rom 4.3 this last Saturday.
I have a 2014 Chevrolet Camaro with MyLink. I've only had it a couple of weeks.
I swear that when I played music via XM, USB, or FM while I was using Google maps navigation, and my phone was connected via Bluetooth, that it would say the directions through the speakers over a lower volume of music, then raise the music volume once finished. This week this does not occur. No directions at all over the speakers yet everything else works like normal, like the audio on the car, and the navigation on just the phone speakers.
Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing? Was there some information I missed in relation to MyLink and Android versions?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know this is old, but I'm in the same boat as you. I have seen some Iphone users find a goofy work around, but I do not know the Android method. I have my phone connected via bluetooth, bringup google maps and navigate. No audio through the truck speakers (2014 silverado with 8" mylink). Everybody wants some of your money, so GM would rather make their own apps work for you... Like Bringgo . I would even use Bringgo, but they only released it for a few vehicles. Guess you use Onstar or pay $800 for the nav module.
GPS Audio
I know this is old, but if anyone was still having this problem here is your answer. When you have your phone paired to your car you have to turn to blue tooth on your radio to here your phones GPS/you tube vid or anything coming from your phone besides phone call ( because it goes in phone mode automatically).
If anyone knows how to hack your mylink to play text msg or to mirror your phone please let me know.
thanks
is there any way to add maps and navigation to my linby on stark the factory setting only has turn by turn
If you can't hear the directions it's because you've turned down the volume for navigation. It's easy to do accidentally. To fix it, start up a new navigation route and when the music lowers to give the nav a chance to speak, turn up the volume nob. You just need to correct the balance. Happened to me and I stumbled across the fix.
I used to have the same problem. The issue is actually with how your phone talks to the car. There is usually a delay when a phone is transmitting audio by bluetooth. Some phones simply transmit the information slower than others. I had the same issue with my LG Optimus F3 and chevy cruze; i would rarely get any audio directions, and when i did, they were cut off. That all went away when i switched to an LG Vortex. Now i don't have any problem at all.

Bluetooth delay and Google Assistant

Some BT headsets (typically in car built in systems) have 1-2 second delays from when audio is sent from phone to BT receiver to actual playback. This causes Google Assistant to turn on the mic to listen before the speech is completed. In some cases, the app would time out waiting for a response before the speech is done being read out. Typically when you use Google Assistant to dictate a text message to someone.
Anyone have ideas on how we can customize Google Assistant's wait timer to deal with this kind of delay? Preferably on a per BT device level.
Nobody owns a car and uses Google Assistant in it?
I have a Hyundai Ioniq w/ Android Auto and also have similar Bluetooth lag. I think this is an issue with the (most likely) poor quality BT that cars implement. I've always had several seconds of lag when using bluetooth in a car system. It's never been so bad that it will prematurely cancel voice requests, though.
AFAIK, I don't think there's a specific software option (officially) to account for this bluetooth lag. I'd think the only solution would be to get an ApTX Low Latency-certified bluetooth connector for your car? Might be worth a shot. The Pixel 3 supports it.
I found that it affects cars that uses BT implementation from Johnson controls - Hyundai, Mazda, Honda, Toyota, GM are those I know of at this point. Doesn't seem to impact newer iDrive 6 based BMWs since they have a passthrough button that triggers the assistant directly.
https://www.amazon.com/Kinivo-BTC450-Bluetooth-Hands-Free-Input/dp/B009NLTW60 Seems to work OK ish if you have an aux-in port. Delay is still there but manageable since it's just a slight delay. If you set the phone to not use BT to record audio, move the phone closer to the center away from speakers (assuming you don't have it on full blast loudness) it won't catch the last half a second of delayed audio.
Still not as good as the built in system like on the BMW or my friend's MB. Audi that comes with Android Auto support works beautifully.

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