[App][5.1+][Alpha] AnyAutoAudio - Use any audio app in Auto

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jvvpc

jvvpc

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2008
100
130
Lenovo P11
Google Pixel 5a
cover%400.5x.png

AnyAutoAudio
So I was tired of not being able to use the audio apps I normally use in Auto and decided to try and do something about it. This app is the result :fingers-crossed:

How does it work?
By using the notification listener permission, the app is able to access the media session of any audio app that is running. This is then passed to Android Auto, which makes it possible to control as any normal Auto app. This also means that it is necessary to run the audio app(s) first before running Auto.

I have several ideas for future features, but would like some feedback first and get rid of bugs. Take it for a spin!

Howto:
- Setup AnyAutoAudio from the app
- Open and run music app(s)
- Run Android Auto from phone or dashboard

Latest progress update & ideas for the future:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=72587291&postcount=67

Download:
https://labs.xda-developers.com/store/app/dk.jonske.AnyAutoAudio
xdaLabSmall.png


Install AnyAutoAudio directly from apk:

If downloading the APK directly you need to allow unknown sources in Auto,

- In the Android Auto app, tap the Hamburger menu.
- Tap About.
- Tap About Android Auto header 10 times, until a toast appears thar says "Developer mode enabled". Now you can access developer mode by selecting the overflow menu dots on the top right of the handheld screen.
- Select Developer settings from the overflow menu and check unknown sources.

Source: https://developer.android.com/training/auto/testing/index.html#phone

Release notes

0.1.0
- Startup tutorial
- new settings interface
- FAQ
- Feedback
- Analytics
- Pinned apps (browsing)
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=73426860&postcount=108

0.0.4
- No more need for app list! Just run the music apps and open Auto.
- Issue with controls not responding should be fixed
- Lots of bug fixes


0.0.3
- Apps already with Auto implementation is filtered out
- Queue implementation
- If audio app is destroyed, just pause
- Smaller app size
- Error include audio app name

0.0.2
- System apps now allowed in app selection.
- Basic voice control implementation. So far only "play music" seems to work ("pause", "play" etc. fails on Google's side)

0.0.1
- First alpha release
- Basic control and metadata
 

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M

manos78

Senior Member
Jan 17, 2014
808
310
Hi,

Tested and working with "Google Play Books". :good:

I suggest to try to support the FM Radio App.
Perhaps, you feel I'm fool but I like to check one DAB Radio App running in my phone... my car doesn't have DAB radio.
 
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jvvpc

jvvpc

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2008
100
130
Lenovo P11
Google Pixel 5a
manos78 said:
Hi,

Tested and working with "Google Play Books". :good:

I suggest to try to support the FM Radio App.
Perhaps, you feel I'm fool but I like to check one DAB Radio App running in my phone... my car doesn't have DAB radio.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Great to hear it works!

Do you have a link for the app? It should work as long as the app is playing audio the standard way in android, so I'll have a look :)
 
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manos78

Senior Member
Jan 17, 2014
808
310
jvvpc said:
Do you have a link for the app? It should work as long as the app is playing audio the standard way in android, so I'll have a look :)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

For the RADIO (FM) it's the stock FM App... Try it in your phone, it isn't detected in the list of Audio Apps.

Regarding the DAB App it's this:
http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ex.dabplayer

Please, continue improving this great App!
For example, your App can send button events to the controlled App? Back, Play/Stop, Next...
 
jvvpc

jvvpc

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2008
100
130
Lenovo P11
Google Pixel 5a
manos78 said:
For the RADIO (FM) it's the stock FM App... Try it in your phone, it isn't detected in the list of Audio Apps.

Regarding the DAB App it's this:
http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ex.dabplayer

Please, continue improving this great App!
For example, your App can send button events to the controlled App? Back, Play/Stop, Next...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Ahh, the list is filtering out system apps. I will include them in the next update :)

There shouldn't be any problems with the DAB app. Have you tried it?

Yes, it will handle all button events like play, pause, next etc. I will look into if it can take special buttons some apps use :)
 
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M

Mac31284

New member
May 19, 2017
1
1
Jusrt tested with local files and vlc and this works well. Its a Great idea.. Ill be a really happy camper if u can get it to pull the audio from firefox and chrome.

Youtube/netflix/hulu etc could all be nice too. But the browsers obviously would be top priority cuz then u could do anything (live tv news etc etc) in my opinion.

Regardless..Great job and idea!
keep at it. I Will report back after more experience with it.
 
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M

manos78

Senior Member
Jan 17, 2014
808
310
jvvpc said:
Ahh, the list is filtering out system apps. I will include them in the next update
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great! Waiting for it! :fingers-crossed:

jvvpc said:
There shouldn't be any problems with the DAB app. Have you tried it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. It's a wish for the future... if your tool works, then I'll purchase the dongle.

jvvpc said:
Yes, it will handle all button events like play, pause, next etc. I will look into if it can take special buttons some apps use
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will be interesenting if you introduce some additional interaction with the audio app. :good:
 
jvvpc

jvvpc

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2008
100
130
Lenovo P11
Google Pixel 5a
Version 0.0.2 is now released, with system apps included and basic voice control.

Mac31284 said:
Jusrt tested with local files and vlc and this works well. Its a Great idea.. Ill be a really happy camper if u can get it to pull the audio from firefox and chrome.

Youtube/netflix/hulu etc could all be nice too. But the browsers obviously would be top priority cuz then u could do anything (live tv news etc etc) in my opinion.

Regardless..Great job and idea!
keep at it. I Will report back after more experience with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

As i have now included system apps Chrome works. Just tested it with a radio website :) The video apps wont run i the background so we cant use Android Auto at the same time, this is a Android limitation. I have read reports that some find it possible to open Youtube in Firefox though?

manos78 said:
Great! Waiting for it! :fingers-crossed:

No. It's a wish for the future... if your tool works, then I'll purchase the dongle.

It will be interesenting if you introduce some additional interaction with the audio app. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

See if the Radio FM app works now :)
 
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M

manos78

Senior Member
Jan 17, 2014
808
310
jvvpc said:
Version 0.0.2 is now released, with system apps included and basic voice control.
See if the Radio FM app works now :)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Installed! Thank you!

Results:
- App FM don't show in the list. :crying:
- Voice control: Please, explain how to use it. :confused:
- No bugs detected. :good:

Regards.
 
jvvpc

jvvpc

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2008
100
130
Lenovo P11
Google Pixel 5a
manos78 said:
Installed! Thank you!

Results:
- App FM don't show in the list. :crying:
- Voice control: Please, explain how to use it. :confused:
- No bugs detected. :good:

Regards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

If a app dosent show up, it is because it is not made in the standard way Android handles media. Maybe try a different FM app from the Play store? Just find one that has a notification widget, then it should work. I dont have fm in my phone so cant test it myself :)

For the voice control, only "play music" seems to work ("pause", "play" etc. fails on Google's side). This is a requirement from Google, so couldnt update the app without including this, but will expand it furter like "Play Chrome on AnyAutoAudio". :)
 
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D

Dec64

Senior Member
Jul 20, 2016
111
25
jvvpc said:
If a app dosent show up, it is because it is not made in the standard way Android handles media. Maybe try a different FM app from the Play store? Just find one that has a notification widget, then it should work. I dont have fm in my phone so cant test it myself :)

For the voice control, only "play music" seems to work ("pause", "play" etc. fails on Google's side). This is a requirement from Google, so couldnt update the app without including this, but will expand it furter like "Play Chrome on AnyAutoAudio". :)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse


For most android head units you can not use a different FM radio app as far as i'm aware. The DAB app does not show up either which is a big shame, oh well.
 
M

manos78

Senior Member
Jan 17, 2014
808
310
jvvpc said:
If a app dosent show up, it is because it is not made in the standard way Android handles media. Maybe try a different FM app from the Play store? Just find one that has a notification widget, then it should work. I dont have fm in my phone so cant test it myself :)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The stock FM Radio in my Moto G4 has "a notification widget". It's like any other audio app.
Please, can you provide some technical info about how you search for Apps? Can you include some logging tool inside your App?

jvvpc said:
For the voice control, only "play music" seems to work ("pause", "play" etc. fails on Google's side). This is a requirement from Google, so couldnt update the app without including this, but will expand it furter like "Play Chrome on AnyAutoAudio". :)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great! You will start the "AudioApp" when the command "Play [AudioApp] on AnyAutoAudio" is done, or will be required to have the AudioApp already open?
 
jvvpc

jvvpc

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2008
100
130
Lenovo P11
Google Pixel 5a
Dec64 said:
For most android head units you can not use a different FM radio app as far as i'm aware. The DAB app does not show up either which is a big shame, oh well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Ahh so its a unit with Android onboard? Well it should still handle the apps the same way. The way this apps works is by connecting to the MediaSession that an audio app should create, if you follow Android Docs. But apps can still play audio without this, and some does so. I have tried it with different audio apps, and so far have not found other ways :)

manos78 said:
The stock FM Radio in my Moto G4 has "a notification widget". It's like any other audio app.
Please, can you provide some technical info about how you search for Apps? Can you include some logging tool inside your App?

Great! You will start the "AudioApp" when the command "Play [AudioApp] on AnyAutoAudio" is done, or will be required to have the AudioApp already open?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

My fault :) I assumed that audio apps with notification used standard implementation, but not all does have I found. Also see answer above :)

For the filtering it works by finding apps that use the intent "ACTION_MEDIA_BUTTON". This is what an audio app is required to use to be able to handle volume and playback control, so any audio app using MediaSession will have this. Also in 0.0.3 it will filter out apps that already have Android Auto implementation :)

EDIT: Answer to last question
You will still need to have the audioapp already opened. I might be able to change that for head units but for the Auto app I can't as calling new apps will open ontop and that violates the rules..
 
Last edited:
D

Dec64

Senior Member
Jul 20, 2016
111
25
jvvpc said:
Ahh so its a unit with Android onboard? Well it should still handle the apps the same way. The way this apps works is by connecting to the MediaSession that an audio app should create, if you follow Android Docs. But apps can still play audio without this, and some does so. I have tried it with different audio apps, and so far have not found other ways :)



My fault :) I assumed that audio apps with notification used standard implementation, but not all does have I found. Also see answer above :)

For the filtering it works by finding apps that use the intent "ACTION_MEDIA_BUTTON". This is what an audio app is required to use to be able to handle volume and playback control, so any audio app using MediaSession will have this. Also in 0.0.3 it will filter out apps that already have Android Auto implementation :)

EDIT: Answer to last question
You will still need to have the audioapp already opened. I might be able to change that for head units but for the Auto app I can't as calling new apps will open ontop and that violates the rules..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

So it's not possible to get the FM radio apps in question to work at all?
 
M

manos78

Senior Member
Jan 17, 2014
808
310
jvvpc said:
EDIT: Answer to last question
You will still need to have the audioapp already opened. I might be able to change that for head units but for the Auto app I can't as calling new apps will open ontop and that violates the rules..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,

Perhaps a root mode to launch an App as background can be a temporal alternative.
What you think?
 
jvvpc

jvvpc

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2008
100
130
Lenovo P11
Google Pixel 5a
Dec64 said:
So it's not possible to get the FM radio apps in question to work at all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Well the problem is not in the FM itself, you might be able to find other FM apps that will work. I will continue to seek solutions that will work across most apps :)

manos78 said:
Hi,
Perhaps a root mode to launch an App as background can be a temporal alternative.
What you think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

That's a good idea! I will add it to my todo list, but will focus on the basic features for now. I will look into it when that is working properly
:good:
 
jvvpc

jvvpc

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2008
100
130
Lenovo P11
Google Pixel 5a
Also has anyone tried it with a head unit yet? When I use the emulator, the icons on the list of chosen apps in Auto disappears after first load. Not sure if this is a emulator error or in the app, as i don't get this on my phone :)
 
J

jonsat

Senior Member
Jun 24, 2009
440
137
Roma
App installed... works as promised. Very useful, thanks! Will test next versions for sure...
@chocolatet: as I already wrote in other thread, to restore Spotify, you must install that app from adb shell (not from Play store).
 
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    jvvpc
    jvvpc
    cover%400.5x.png

    AnyAutoAudio
    So I was tired of not being able to use the audio apps I normally use in Auto and decided to try and do something about it. This app is the result :fingers-crossed:

    How does it work?
    By using the notification listener permission, the app is able to access the media session of any audio app that is running. This is then passed to Android Auto, which makes it possible to control as any normal Auto app. This also means that it is necessary to run the audio app(s) first before running Auto.

    I have several ideas for future features, but would like some feedback first and get rid of bugs. Take it for a spin!

    Howto:
    - Setup AnyAutoAudio from the app
    - Open and run music app(s)
    - Run Android Auto from phone or dashboard

    Latest progress update & ideas for the future:
    https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=72587291&postcount=67

    Download:
    https://labs.xda-developers.com/store/app/dk.jonske.AnyAutoAudio
    xdaLabSmall.png


    Install AnyAutoAudio directly from apk:

    If downloading the APK directly you need to allow unknown sources in Auto,

    - In the Android Auto app, tap the Hamburger menu.
    - Tap About.
    - Tap About Android Auto header 10 times, until a toast appears thar says "Developer mode enabled". Now you can access developer mode by selecting the overflow menu dots on the top right of the handheld screen.
    - Select Developer settings from the overflow menu and check unknown sources.

    Source: https://developer.android.com/training/auto/testing/index.html#phone

    Release notes

    0.1.0
    - Startup tutorial
    - new settings interface
    - FAQ
    - Feedback
    - Analytics
    - Pinned apps (browsing)
    https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=73426860&postcount=108

    0.0.4
    - No more need for app list! Just run the music apps and open Auto.
    - Issue with controls not responding should be fixed
    - Lots of bug fixes


    0.0.3
    - Apps already with Auto implementation is filtered out
    - Queue implementation
    - If audio app is destroyed, just pause
    - Smaller app size
    - Error include audio app name

    0.0.2
    - System apps now allowed in app selection.
    - Basic voice control implementation. So far only "play music" seems to work ("pause", "play" etc. fails on Google's side)

    0.0.1
    - First alpha release
    - Basic control and metadata
    View
    17
    jvvpc
    jvvpc
    Progress update!

    First of all, thank you all very much for the kind words and help you have given me! :D

    I have been working on bits and pieces of the app and believe I have found the way this development shall go ahead.

    There will be two apps, the normal on Google Play and a advanced on XDA Labs. As Google has a lot of restrictions, it is not possible to get the deep level access to music browsing that is wanted, so I am able to achieve this by having an "advanced" version on XDA Labs. I have already developed and tested this feature, and it works! I will need other bits finished before a release though. It will be a simple feature that opens the music app itself and upon music selection goes back to Auto. So if you use dashboard, the phone will change app and if you just use the app, it will just change. Simple and easy :)

    The first post has already been updated with a link to XDA Labs, but here it is (I even created the image :victory:):

    https://labs.xda-developers.com/store/app/dk.jonske.AnyAutoAudio
    xdaLabSmall.png


    I do know there still is bugs, and I will attend them throughout the whole process :)

    The ideas I have for the future in general:

    - Proper settings UI
    - Intro screens
    - Feedback option
    - FAQ screen
    - Analytics (minded on the dual app solution)
    - Proper voice implementation
    - Search in app if possible (requires each music app to allows this)

    Advanced:
    - Pin music apps in auto
    - Launch music apps from auto, and return on music selection! (Yay!)
    View
    9
    jvvpc
    jvvpc
    Hi everyone! A long overdue update:

    The development is still going strong, there have just been some vacation and work taking my time. Also, even though this is an alpha release I want to minimize the bugs as we’re closing in on 2k active users on the Play version alone. Even though I have to pull it from Google Play, more on this:

    From the first release of this app, every time I have uploaded a new build to Google Play there have been some issues with the build. Within Android Auto, Google only allows audio and messaging apps. Sometimes they would give me a limited approval, other times they would reject the build. The weird thing was that when it got rejected, I could just create the same build with a new version number and then it would be approved when I tried again or a little later. After getting the app released the first months this way, it became clear it wasn’t viable when I wanted to push small bugfixes.

    So I decided to reach out to Google, they looked into it and found that apps that allow other apps to play in AA are not allowed. So no point of keeping it on Google Play as I can’t update it. You can read their answer below.

    Thank you for contacting the Android Auto Team.

    I see that there is some confusion as to why your app, AnyAutoAudio (dk.jonske.AnyAutoAudio), did not qualify for Android Auto.

    After further investigation, we found your app does not qualify for Android Auto as we are currently only accepting two types of apps:

    • Audio apps that allow users to browse and play music and spoken audio content in the car.
    • Messaging apps that receive incoming notifications, read messages aloud via text-to-speech, and send replies via voice input in the car.

    Here are some specifics regarding this issue that are present in your app:

    • Your app is not a media app but a tool for other media apps. Your app allows other media apps to play in the Android Auto UI and does not play media of it's own. This functionality is not approved for Android Auto.
    After you address the matter mentioned above, please submit a new version of your app and our team will gladly review it for you.

    I hope I was able to provide you with some clarification. If you have further questions or concerns please reach out to us again. We will be glad to help.
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse
    So what’s next?
    From now on, only the XDA version will be updated. The advanced version are almost ready to go, I have been using it for over a month now and believe it is ready for a release next week. It is awesome!
    I know this is a long post for a change. But for those that are interested, I wanted to share it with you

    Finally, you guys are awesome! Firstly I can see you are great at helping each other when I have been away and as always, thank you for the kind words here, on email and etc. I will get to answer the post here, that have been unattended.
    Dev love <3
    View
    4
    jvvpc
    jvvpc
    Hi all, the annoying play update is fixed and a updated have been pushed to XDA to set a higher app version :)


    chrisk5655 said:
    I was using AnyAutoAudio with no problems then received a message telling me it was removed from google play. I came here to download the new apk and not it will not install, getting the message that the file is corrupt. Can you help me either with an older version that will install or a non corrupted version of the current apk. I really depended on this app to play my audio books through Android Auto in my car. Thank you.
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    Hmm, is this happening both from XDA Labs and the website? You can find all previous versions here http://jonske.dk/archive.html
    View
    4
    T
    twalton42
    eriknokc said:
    I tried this with Apple Music on a Samsung Galaxy S9. It caused my Android Auto to freak out and it kept rebooting / refreshing the Android Auto interface on my car. It was an endless loop of my screen flickering until I closed out the AnyAutoAudio app. I will definitely keep an eye on this app for an update.
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    Same thing is happening with Apple Music on my S8.
    View

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