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[hufman]

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[mwekell]

This app is very cool, I have tried it out and it works on my BMW X6 2016 f16. My understanding is that audio quality would be higher via USB, I believe Spotify ends up going over Bluetooth. Is that correct ? Can I play Spotify over the USB cable? Thank you for your help!

[hufman]

You are correct, unfortunately! As far as I know, the car implements audio over USB that is only compatible with the iPhone protocol and the legacy AOAv2 protocol that was removed in Android Oreo. Any newer Android versions can only send sound through Bluetooth.

[gabrik1]

Congratulations for this app, and to give a oportunity to Android lovers in BMW/MINI environmets.
I see taht recently, the MINI connected app has update to MINI app, and it has a new UI firmware. with these changes, do your app still working?

[hufman]

Sadly, the new MINI app is related to the new My BMW app, which seems to drop support for the protocol that my app uses: #149

[gabrik1]

thanks for your support hufman. your app was a very good option tu have android auto in this vehicles :( you are working on it? or this is other war.

[hufman]

I don't think there's currently any way with the new apps to achieve the same functionality, of allowing phone apps to display information remotely in the car. The apps themselves contain most of the necessary code for it, and my app should just work if they do enable it. It's possible they've only disabled it temporarily during this early development while they are adding other features and that it may come back!

[gabrik1]

thanks hufman, and good job :)

[mwekell]

Thank-you very much for writing back, I greatly appreciate. Excellent app!! I am actually curious to run it on my android head unit BMW interface https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087286YBW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_p3x3Fb6VK0ETQ. Usb from the headunit to the USB Idrive, my goal would be if I selected a Google maps destination that it could be automatically sent to the BMW navigation to make use of my heads up display. Any ideas on this ? Thank you again!!

…

On Sun, Dec 13, 2020, 12:18 PM Walter Huf ***@***.***> wrote: You are correct, unfortunately! As far as I know, the car implements audio over USB that is only compatible with the iPhone protocol and the legacy AOAv2 protocol that was removed in Android Oreo. Any newer Android versions can only send sound through Bluetooth. — You are receiving this because you commented. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#152 (reply in thread)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ALBI3KONC5T2MA3SOTDM6ZDSUUHQVANCNFSM4USSYVAA> .

[hufman]

That's a clever integration idea! I don't know of a way to discover the Google Maps navigation destination, but if that were figured out it would seem possible to automatically forward this destination to the car's navigation. The app knows how to trigger the car's navigation, so half of the work is done! 😃

[Tyfon1]

Hi, first of, great app! Tried it for the first time today, had some struggling with the connection, but now it seems to be doing great.

Just one question, it says that also Google Maps is implemented, but I cant seem to find out how?

Thx!

[hufman]

You are correct! There is a code module that can draw a Google Mapview, search using Google Places, and draw a navigation line using Google Directions. It is not strictly the same as Google Maps: It does not have your search or place history, automatic rerouting is not implemented, and in fact it's strictly against the EULA to replicate the Google Navigation experience at all. This module is not enabled by default because of Google Map API restrictions, and so you must follow the instructions at the bottom of the README for how to set up the Google API token and compile the app with this module enabled.

I'm also not satisfied with its performance, averaging ~1fps over Bluetooth and a slightly better 10fps over USB while also starting the phone on fire with CPU usage. I can't recommend going through the trouble of custom compiling the app for fear you'll be disappointed by the result :)

A replacement mapping service is on the roadmap for version 1.4, based on Mapbox which has no such restrictions. I fear the performance will still be bad, so please don't hold your breath :)

[jmone1]

Thanks for your work on this!! I can't believe that in 2020/21 the Mini still does not have Android Auto :( Anyway, I'm trying to compile with my Google API Key and have

• installed Android Studio (4.1.1) for Windows and configured it to only have the Android 9.0 (API Level 28) SDK Platform Installed
• downloaded the project from github into a folder
• edited 'gradle.properties' --> AndroidAutoIdrive_GmapsApiKey=MyKey
• added all the linked APK's to the external folder

but I get the following warnings and errors when running "./gradlew assembleNomapNonalyticsDebug"

> Configure project :app
Warning: The 'kotlin-android-extensions' Gradle plugin is deprecated. Please use this migration guide (https://goo.gle/kotlin-android-extensions-deprecation) to start working with View Binding (https://developer.android.com/topic/libraries/view-binding) and the 'kotlin-parcelize' plugin.

FAILURE: Build failed with an exception.

* What went wrong:
A problem occurred configuring project ':app'.
> android.defaultConfig.versionCode is set to 0, but it should be a positive integer.
  See https://developer.android.com/studio/publish/versioning#appversioning for more information.

* Try:
Run with --stacktrace option to get the stack trace. Run with --info or --debug option to get more log output. Run with --scan to get full insights.

* Get more help at https://help.gradle.org

BUILD FAILED in 1s

Thanks in advance for any tips (first time using Android Studio)
Nathan

[hufman]

Good evening! This error is due to the build script not being able to find any git information in the folder, and so it can't figure out what version number to set in the APK.
Android Studio's terminal pane has git available on the path for convenient cloning even on Windows (I'm fairly certain, at least), or you can use File > New > Project From Version Control to have Android Studio clone the project for you.
I should fix the build script to fail more gracefully in this case! While I work on that, try out the git checkout method and see if that helps.

[jmone1]

Thanks - that worked and I could run up Google Maps / Navigation on the Mini! That said, I agree with your comments that it is a lesser experience than the real Goggle Maps / Navigation. I also noticed that I lost Spotify Control with my own complied version (I did not try to add a custom Spotify API Key). I think I'll go back to your pre-compiled version and just run Google Maps / Navigation from my Android Phone when needed (sitting in the Cup Holder).

Thanks again for your work, and I've sent some coffees your way.
Nathan

FYI - When asking my Mini Dealer when we were getting Android Auto (as BMW now has it), I was told it would be at least a year away.

[sawinco]

Great work so far, just a couple of quick questions. If I use Spotify via the mini connected app, can I use amazon music in your media a player. With amazon music should I get cover art as I don't at present but do with Spotify, Deezer via your app. At present I use tasker to launch Mini connected app when connected to car Bluetooth which in turn launches Spotify. Will adapt to launch your app which could in turn launch amazon music.
Thanks Simon

[hufman]

Yes, this app uses the same protocol that Spotify and Mini Connected use, so if they work already, this app will work too. Most music apps generally allow this app to load the cover art too, but it is up to the app to provide it.
Note, however, that Amazon Music doesn't allow this app to launch it, so you'll need to set up Tasker to also start Amazon Music.

[sawinco]

Thanks for the reply so do you think Amazon music should supply cover art back to your app. Is the AVRCP version relevant for your app? Plus in the musicplayer with cover art e. g Spotify is there a way to make the cover art bigger.
Many thanks Simon

[hufman]

I do think it should, but I just tested and Amazon Music did not provide cover art for me. AVRCP version is unimportant, the coverart is shown in the car with the BMW Apps protocol and the coverart is fetched from the music app directly via the Android MediaController API.
The Audioplayer interface is locked to 200x200px coverart, or 320x320px if the car is running in wide-screen mode, and unfortunately can not be changed.

[sawinco]

Hi just a bit more feedback. Using the latest nightly build I am using alexa to play music, so neither Spotify or amazon music installed. This does seem to eventually show cover art if I scroll back a track the art work shows up.
Still trying things out but the reason I want to use amazon music in my mini is because I have amazon prime so can hopefully drop Spotify premium. Looks promising so far thanks for all your work

[fookyuanloh]

Would you make this app avail over google appstore?

I'm having issues to install this - mobileiron for work emails/profile etc is preventing me to install any side load apks
Something to do with permission config by the admin when the mobileiron is setup, to prevent "unverified" apks

Any plans to make it avail over appstore?

[hufman]

Yes! With all the work in this upcoming 1.3.0 release (which was admittedly too much and took far too long) to make the app more self-explanatory, this unlocks the ability to post the app to the app store. I filed #212 to track it just yesterday in fact.

[fookyuanloh]

Cool
Will wait for the next release

[jpmreece]

This app has been a lifesaver in terms of regaining functionality! Thank you.

As a dev, I like to build and integrate myself but have had problems with the Spotify integration. I have created the App Id and redirected the URI but I get an invalid account error message. Are you able to help?

Thanks
Jon

[Petran911]

Hello, first of all congratulations for this app. Is it possible that you help those of us without so much knowledge related to Android Coding about the Google map api? Followed all the instructions, compiled apk but I am getting the google protect error in my mobile.

[waldemar-szostak]

Have u tried just installing the compiled apk?

[hufman]

I can't offer much help about Google Play Protect, the Android Studio should automatically configure the development certificate and it should install properly.

[dlmarien]

@hufman Hello again! I have a question, but I'm reasonably certain I know the answer. My wife's 2018 X1 subscription to BMW Connected ran out mid-April (2021). The subscription is free for 3 years, then you must re-subscribe annually. The annual cost is ~$200US, but before I do this, I wanted to verify that w/o the subscription, the "Apps" check box will not appear and therefore apps such as Spotify will not appear either. Am I correct in saying BMW Connected sub is required to generate the Apps check box? I hope I've explained this correctly. Thank you for your help!

[fabssor]

So I don't think an active subscription of a connected package is required. The subscription is only needed for the BMW online services like locating the car, sending routes to the car, etc. (depending on the level of subscription additional feature are added).

This is at least the case for Germany :)

[dlmarien]

Thanks for the reply. In which case, this begs the question what am I not doing correctly in order to display the App option / Spotify? I'm running both old & new BMW app, latest build for AAI and latest version of Spotify. Android 11 on Pixel 3XL....I have deleted the mobile from iDrive as well as the BT connection fr the mobile...clearly I'm missing something assuming the Sub is not a requirement

[fabssor]

Did it work before the subscription ran out? Be sure your car has the following optional accessories SA 6NR or SA 6AK. Those must be optional ordered when you have bought your car or somebody must code them afterwards into your car.
Also be sure you phone is connected as primary phone (if I remember correctly apps are only available as primary phone but maybe I am wrong here).
Also follow the guide from hufman maybe this helps out https://hufman.github.io/AndroidAutoIdrive/faq.html

[dlmarien]

Hello. Yes, the App option previously was available for both mobile devices (SG10+ and my Pixel 3XL). I've been out to her vehicle just now, deleted the mobile from her vehicle (ID6) and still no App option appears. I've tried this with her SG10+ as well. I have so tried this with both BMW apps installed on the mobile phones and still no go...it's not critical, was hoping there'd be a reasonably good answer why it may have disappeared but more importantly why the App option isn't returning. Oh yes, I double checked hufman's FAQ's as well

[fabssor]

That's very strang. Maybe this will helop:
https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/lost-online-functions-from-connecteddrive-after-coding.888708/#post-9452582

[dlmarien]

Thanks, I hadn't thought of that. Selected the option to update services then logged out and back in again. No luck unfortunately but thank you for trying! I guess perhaps in Canada/US a subscription may be required after all. I'll try to contact the Connected team to see if they can assist...so bizarre as it worked perfectly a month ago or thereabouts

[dlmarien]

Good morning! This is why I had the impression a current Connected Drive subscription is required for the "App" option to appear in iDrive --> Any MY2014 or newer BMW or Mini equipped with NBT or NBT Evo and the "BMW Apps (6NR)" feature, an active BMW ConnectedDrive subscription, or the "Mini Connected (SA6NM)" option should be compatible. Furthermore, it could explain why it was working 1+ month(s) ago, but not now, since the subscription on her vehicle expired 3 years after purchase, which was ~19th April. Hoping someone can confirm this is the case, at least for North America. @hufman ? What do you think?

[dlmarien]

Found a site. Will retry in the vehicle now

[hufman]

👍 There are some more links in this guide. I presume Canada has the same version as the US, because the package code adds "na" which I presume means North America.

[dlmarien]

Thanks! I did in fact find one. However, I tried it and still no App option...oh well, works in my vehicle just can't explain why it was fine in hers before and now not...other than the expired sub...thanks everyone for trying

[dlmarien]

I can confirm (for Canada) that a subscription to Connected Drive services is required for the "App" function to work. I updated my wife's subscription yesterday and voila...the Smartphone App functionality has returned (along with the other expected options such as Weather, RTTI etc)

[hufman]

Thank you for following up! I'm glad it's working again!

[DoctorHub02]

Hello! First of all, thank you for the great App and the new integration for MyBMW! Just bought a 1er 2017 and was disappointed that Spotify ditched the support on Android. Your app was life saviour. But I have a question: I can't browse my library in Spotify because it requires explicit authorization or something on those lines. Where is the option? Thanks!

[hufman]

If you open up the Music tab in the phone app, it should show an empty checkbox with an button to Grant the Ability to browse your Spotify library. The Spotify SDK will then go through the authorization flow (or return any errors) and then browsing should work in the car. You can click on the Spotify app in that list to open a test PhoneUI music player to try out the browse functionality without needing to go out to the car.

[DoctorHub02]

Thanks for the answer. When I open the Music Tab, I can't check the box cause it gives error says something about auth-flow and explicit authorization. How can I solve the problem? I'm on 1.31 release

[hufman]

The error comes from the Spotify SDK, which is pretty picky about the installed Spotify version. It refuses to support any modded Spotify version, for example. I think that generally returns a different error though, the Explicit Authorization seems like it's complaining that it can't open the popup window to grant access for some reason. I am unable to give clear answers, I'm sorry: is Spotify running, I assume it's signed in properly, is it running in Online mode instead of Offline mode...

[DoctorHub02]

Thanks for the clarification. Now for some unknown reason (giving all permission to Spotify, Android Idrive and of course MyBMW) I'm able to check the box and make it fully compatible. Love how technology works ahahaha

[hufman]

Great, that's good to hear!

[harnas81]

First of all, thanks for great APP! Could you tell, is somewhere to download version with added gmap? I think im so fresh to edit or im doing something wrong. I cant compile apk.

[hufman]

I'm glad you like it! I can't provide a GMaps-enabled build, because it would would violate the Google Maps Terms of Service to show the map in the car. Later this year, there is planned to be a version that adds a map interface from Mapbox.

[minmak11]

Hi,
The app is amazing for us who don't have iphones. I worked most of the functions, but navigation doesn't work.
Any suggestions/solution?
I'm running the latest version of the app on a Google Pixel 6 pro. Mini cooper s.

[hufman]

Thank you for the compliments! Can you tell me more about what isn't working? Can you share the exact build version you are using? What are you expecting it to do, and what it is doing differently? If you mean Turn By Turn Guidance, that is not implemented (#539).

[minmak11]

Yes, i meant guidance. Any possibility of implementing this feature?

[hufman]

Everything is possible, of course :) However, I don't have any good ideas on how to implement this feature, so I won't be able to build it anytime soon.

[catarinalopes27]

Hello, loved to hear about the app! Does it work with the newest Mini's ID6? I can't get it to connect to the car for some reason. Thank you!

[catarinalopes27]

That might be the issue. I have a button that should set up alexa, but it's not working. It doesn't mention anything regarding Device connection though. Thanks for the help

[hufman]

Very interesting! What version of the Mini app do you have? I have version 2.9.1 and it shows the option for me.

[catarinalopes27]

It just updated to 2.9.2, but mine actually has all these options in the bottom

[catarinalopes27]

Could it be because mine is Portuguese?

[catarinalopes27]

Ok, I tried it again today and it worked! It might be because I installed the Mini Connected apk yesterday. Even though the app doesn't work, somehow it made the connection.

[Mesiyas]

Hi Hufman, thank you so much for this amazing app. I love it 😍
I have a question about: I wanted to ask you if it would be possible to add Replaio Radio App too?
I mean just like My Tuner, for example. With searchable favourites like in my tuner. That would be awesome. Thanks again for your amazing work

[hufman]

No, unfortunately Replaio enforces a list of which apps are allowed to connect and control it. Please reach out to the Replaio developer to ask them to allow any apps to connect to its MediaBrowserService.