[RichCapeCod]

I'm scheming. My AA does not work with my Android phone (yes, I've tried multiple cables, looked up assorted directions on how to mate Android with my Bolt, all to no avail).


I know when I'm licked (a man's gotta know his limitations...). What are your thoughts on my purchasing a well used iPhone, for use only in the Bolt. Subscribing to one of the low cost services now out there, such as Consumer Cellular, which I now use for my Android phone ($25 bucks a month)?


Do any of you guys use such a setup in your Bolt? If so, which work for you?


Thanks!


Rich

 

[Sibilance]

Well, before you lay out more cash, can you at least state which android phone you have now, and what flavor of Android it is running?

If you like using the Android phone you have now, you might consider getting a used Pixel 2, which can run the latest and greatest Android OS with current security updates. Plus I know for a fact that it runs Android Auto and works in my Bolt. Probably cheaper than anything other than a really old Iphone.

 

[RichCapeCod]

Well, before you lay out more cash, can you at least state which android phone you have now, and what flavor of Android it is running? ...........

The phone is an Umidigi A1 Pro, running Android 8.0. I've owned it for around a year and a half.


UMIDIGI A1 Pro Full Specs

• Screen: 5.0'' HD+ SHARP TDDI In-cell.
• CPU: MediaTek M6739 at 1.5GHz.
• GPU: IMG 8XE [email protected] 570MHz.
• RAM: 3GB.
• Internal memory: 16GB.
• Rear camera: 13M+5M, F2.0, 5P lens, Samsung Sensor, AF.
• Front camera: 5M.
• Connectivity: Dual 4G VoLTE, active Dual 4G LTE, BT 4.0, GPS, Type-C, 3.5mm jack, OTG.

Rich

 

[Sibilance]

Well... Looks like it isn't somehow just you. From what I can find it looks like there's a specific bug in how your phone handles audio over USB, which makes Android Auto flake out.

There's a work around but unless you like toying with your phone for fun and feel comfortable doing this sort of thing, a different phone may be a good idea.

Here's a thread discussing it, and it looks like no real fix is forthcoming: https://community.umidigi.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=17283

Based on the Iphones my Wife has used over the years, I wouldn't get anything older than a 7, and I would strongly consider an officially refurbished unit. I'm sure others will have better suggestions.

 

[RichCapeCod]

Thanks for the info.


Rich

 

[240vPlug]

I would go with an android over an iPhone. Even the 1st gen pixel phones will work well with Android Auto. I have used a 1st gen Pixel XL and I now have a Pixel 2 XL that I use and they have both worked flawlessly with Android Auto.

As far as inexpensive carriers check out Mint Mobile. Its what I use currently and I have had it for about a year. It uses T-Mobile's network so if you have good T-Mobile service in your area Mint will work great for you. Here is a referral link to save a few dollars:

http://fbuy.me/laLET

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[cwerdna]

The phone is an Umidigi A1 Pro, running Android 8.0. I've owned it for around a year and a half.


UMIDIGI A1 Pro Full Specs

Interesting. I've never heard of that phone nor brand before. (FWIW, my personal phone is an iPhone 8 and I use Carplay with Bolt just fine. I work on iOS software for a living.

My work phone intentionally is Android: a Pixel 3, but I've never bothered w/Android Auto as Android isn't my preferred phone OS anyway.)

I swore I read about someone here who bought an refurb iPhone SE as a 2nd iPhone to use with CarPlay. Sometimes they've popped up out of the blue at https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished (https://www.macrumors.com/2019/01/19/iphone-se-clearance-special-249/ and https://www.macrumors.com/2019/02/19/iphone-se-apple-clearance-site-restock/).

I've considered switching to Mint Mobile after reading over https://www.tomsguide.com/us/mint-sim-faq,review-5030.html and hearing of some folks on another forum having switched to them.

 

[RichCapeCod]

Guys, I've been using Consumer Cellular, and have been happy with them. I tried Mint Mobile but their coverage in my part of Cape Cod is very poor.

I'll let you all know what I finally figure out!


Rich


Edit: Amazon has refub Pixel phones for $150 and the XL model for $210.

 

[cwerdna]

Edit: Amazon has refub Pixel phones for $150 and the XL model for $210.

I don't know how much you care about this, but keep in mind, if you buy older phones, they will hit end of security updates sooner. Many Android makers are TERRIBLE w/keeping up with security updates (putting them out in a timely fashion or at all).

https://support.google.com/nexus/answer/4457705?hl=en at the bottom lists when security updates are scheduled to end for Google-branded phones. Pixel and Pixel XL hit that in Oct 2019.

Although Google does put out security updates for their own phones and tablets promptly and regularly, they haven't been in the habit of supporting their hardware for that long. Apple's better in this regard, if you buy the latest and greatest hardware of the time.

BTW, looks like we'll probably hear about the rumored Pixel 3a at Google I/O on Tues May 7, 2019.

Example: Looks like original Pixel phones were introduced Oct 2016. Yet, see the above end of security update date.

In contrast, the oldest iPhone that is still receiving iOS updates including security updates is the iPhone 5S that came out in late Sept 2013. I wouldn't be surprised if the iPhone 5S will not receive iOS 13. We'll find out probably next month when WWDC is held and iOS 13 betas come out.

My work requires that the smartphone we use to access our corporate Gmail, calender, etc. be either an up to date iPhone or an Android phone that regularly and promptly receives security updates which leaves only still being updated Google-branded phones. So, since I chose the latter for work, I had to turn in a Samsung Galaxy S6 once they instituted this policy and replace it with a Nexus 5X. Once Nexus 5X hit end of security updates, I had to get a new work phone, so i picked the Pixel 3.

 

[Sibilance]

I only buy Google brand phones, so my counter point is this: I've been able to buy /two to three/ Nexus phones and now Pixel phones for the price of a single new Iphone, so I've always been up to date on Security fixes and OS updates. Basically I wait until Google announces a phone and buy it a year later on sale. Then I use that phone until it is about to stop receiving security updates, which is just about when a NEW phone has been out for a year. On sale.

There's a price to pay either way, basically.

I think the OP can get away with buying refurbished Pixel (or whatever Google calls the next round) phones indefinitely for a lower price.

Edited to add: I say all of this as someone who is strongly considering getting an Iphone next, just because it would make it easier to have the right accessories around for my wife and because the Carplay interface seems nicer.

LAST EDIT, I swear!

Here's a video showing the differences between Carplay and Android Auto on a Bolt (embedding doesn't seem to work, just follow the link):

 

[RichCapeCod]

Thanks Sibilance.


Rich

 

[levatino]

One of the limitations of Apple Car Play is, like most Apple implementations, the button that activates siri (the "speak" button) will only activate Apple apps.

On android auto you can press the 'speak' button and say, "play XXX on spotify". Pushing the 'speak' burtton in Apple will only support Apple apps (so no opening waze, google maps, spotify), which pisses me off about apple to no end. Also, there is a significant Android update coming (late summer I believe) that makes the interface more visually appealing and adds some features. You may choose to wait and see if that takes care of your issue.

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/google-android-auto-summer-visual-update-2019/

 

[cwerdna]

Google I/O began Tuesday The $399 Pixel 3A came out: https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/7/1...deo-specs-price-release-date-features-io-2019. That's the direction to go if one wants a cheaper Android phone w/pure Android and that receives security updates on a regular basis.

 

[cwerdna]

One of the limitations of Apple Car Play is, like most Apple implementations, the button that activates siri (the "speak" button) will only activate Apple apps.

On android auto you can press the 'speak' button and say, "play XXX on spotify". Pushing the 'speak' burtton in Apple will only support Apple apps (so no opening waze, google maps, spotify), which pisses me off about apple to no end.

The bolded part is NOT true. I just launched Waze, Google Maps, Spotify and Pandora by pressing and holding the voice button on the steering wheel and saying start (app name). They all worked.

However, play xxx on Spotify won't work. I'm new to CarPlay so I'm not clear if this is currently due to an Apple limitation on 3rd party apps. (https://www.imore.com/whats-great-about-carplay-and-what-still-needs-work mentions it if you search for media apps.) If it's an iOS limitation, I wonder if it'll be addressed with iOS 13. We should find on at WWDC on June 3, 2019.

 

[levatino]

thank you for the correction. i tried spotify and with that result improperly applied it to non-apple apps. my bad