[Android Head-Units] Rogerio Prazeres:
Hi Guys!

My new android head unit has a very ugly and poor designed software for using while driving, so I'm already thinking about trying a custom firmware or return it and be back to my stereo + cellphone + BT.

Maybe if I list my issues if you can tell me if a custom rom can solve my problems.

If I can't solve it, maybe it can be useful for developers.

1- Sound switching: Some apps like the FM radio do not pause when another app try to use the audio output, so if a want to run, for example, the Deezer, I have to stop the radio first and only after that I can play the music. (could not find another good radio app)

It is not only annoying, but it is kinda dangerous to look soo much to the screen while driving. In the ideal scenario, when I choose the source using the steering wheel control, the chosen app will play in it last state (the music play keep playing the last song, the radio play the last station etc).

2- Automation: For example, in my original stereo, if I remove the USB stick while playing it will go back to the radio or bluetooth and keep playing music. And if I insert it again, it will detect that is the same USB stick and start to play from the same music again.

3- Steering wheel button mapping: Some apps (mostly the radio again) do not respond to the same logic as the others softwares, so, if I press the pause button, mostly apps will stop/pause playing, but the radio will try to find the next station.

Another problem is that the unit wheel software do not map long pressing the keys, so the numbers of commands are very limited.

4- Fast and accurate volume control: That problem is addressed by the Agama launcher using a gesture on the central ring on the main screen and it works very well, almost like a physical button. But again I could not use the Agama as my solution cause I cannot use the steering wheel control to change the source. In the Agama, If I press the source button to go the bluetooth receiver or the radio, it will stay on the app screen and I have to press the home button to have the main screen again.

If you made it until here, LOL, I think it may work something like this:

- You could choose the main apps to be selected by the source button (kinda like it is now, but you can choose how many sources you have).

- In the SWC (steering wheel control) some buttons would be global and others could be send to the application on the source "slot". Long pressing mapping too.

- Some commands of the SWC could change depending on the chosen source, so it can be more useful in different apps.

- Automation: if you are stopped, you can use the apps and the screen as a normal tablet, but if you reach a chosen speed, the unit will go to the home screen and the apps will run in second plane, unless it is in the list of apps that can stay on the main screen while moving (custom).

- Widgets to control radio and music apps could share the same area on main screen and will be show depending on the source choose.

- When moving, the main screen could priorize gestures to control main functions like volume and screen brightness or turn screen off. The gesture priority could stay on until the first single touch gesture. If you are stopped, the first single touch will enable the "tablet mode" again to permit full use of the unit. The gesture priority would be back as soon you reach the set speed again.

Hope it can be useful. =)