Android Auto bugs and improvements
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Hi, I'm an MRa user (Next 4.3.7 + Gold Planner). I have been on a motorcycle trip around England and France, covering approximately 4,000 km. On previous trips, I've used an Android tablet with the navigation app installed. On this trip, I had to change my system and traveled using a Carpuride w702bs and MRa for Android Auto. The system performed acceptably well, but I think there are improvements to be made to the app when running in Android Auto mode.
The most important thing is that we need to improve the app's stability, as it has crashed several times. The phone running the app was a Samsung S24 Ultra. Another issue I've detected is that the Exit button on the app screen in Android Auto covers the road speed signal displayed on the screen, so it would be necessary to move that button in future updates.
As for improvements, I think there are two important ones to implement in future versions.
One of them relates to waypoints. Android Auto doesn't display waypoint names even when you're at the location where the waypoint is located, and I think this is a major flaw. In fact, it would be important if the name of the next waypoint always appeared on the screen until you reach it. We already have the time and distance information to the next waypoint, but it's necessary to know the name of that waypoint.
Finally, it would be a great improvement to have a menu in Android Auto where we could view the list of waypoints in the current route and be able to select any route from our library and start navigation.Thank you.
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Hi, I'm an MRa user (Next 4.3.7 + Gold Planner). I have been on a motorcycle trip around England and France, covering approximately 4,000 km. On previous trips, I've used an Android tablet with the navigation app installed. On this trip, I had to change my system and traveled using a Carpuride w702bs and MRa for Android Auto. The system performed acceptably well, but I think there are improvements to be made to the app when running in Android Auto mode.
The most important thing is that we need to improve the app's stability, as it has crashed several times. The phone running the app was a Samsung S24 Ultra. Another issue I've detected is that the Exit button on the app screen in Android Auto covers the road speed signal displayed on the screen, so it would be necessary to move that button in future updates.
As for improvements, I think there are two important ones to implement in future versions.
One of them relates to waypoints. Android Auto doesn't display waypoint names even when you're at the location where the waypoint is located, and I think this is a major flaw. In fact, it would be important if the name of the next waypoint always appeared on the screen until you reach it. We already have the time and distance information to the next waypoint, but it's necessary to know the name of that waypoint.
Finally, it would be a great improvement to have a menu in Android Auto where we could view the list of waypoints in the current route and be able to select any route from our library and start navigation.Thank you.
@bluetuz said in Android Auto bugs and improvements:
Hi, I'm an MRa user (Next 4.3.7 + Gold Planner). I have been on a motorcycle trip around England and France, covering approximately 4,000 km. On previous trips, I've used an Android tablet with the navigation app installed. On this trip, I had to change my system and traveled using a Carpuride w702bs and MRa for Android Auto. The system performed acceptably well, but I think there are improvements to be made to the app when running in Android Auto mode.
The most important thing is that we need to improve the app's stability, as it has crashed several times. The phone running the app was a Samsung S24 Ultra. Another issue I've detected is that the Exit button on the app screen in Android Auto covers the road speed signal displayed on the screen, so it would be necessary to move that button in future updates.
As for improvements, I think there are two important ones to implement in future versions.
One of them relates to waypoints. Android Auto doesn't display waypoint names even when you're at the location where the waypoint is located, and I think this is a major flaw. In fact, it would be important if the name of the next waypoint always appeared on the screen until you reach it. We already have the time and distance information to the next waypoint, but it's necessary to know the name of that waypoint.
Finally, it would be a great improvement to have a menu in Android Auto where we could view the list of waypoints in the current route and be able to select any route from our library and start navigation.Thank you.
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Hi, I'm an MRa user (Next 4.3.7 + Gold Planner). I have been on a motorcycle trip around England and France, covering approximately 4,000 km. On previous trips, I've used an Android tablet with the navigation app installed. On this trip, I had to change my system and traveled using a Carpuride w702bs and MRa for Android Auto. The system performed acceptably well, but I think there are improvements to be made to the app when running in Android Auto mode.
The most important thing is that we need to improve the app's stability, as it has crashed several times. The phone running the app was a Samsung S24 Ultra. Another issue I've detected is that the Exit button on the app screen in Android Auto covers the road speed signal displayed on the screen, so it would be necessary to move that button in future updates.
As for improvements, I think there are two important ones to implement in future versions.
One of them relates to waypoints. Android Auto doesn't display waypoint names even when you're at the location where the waypoint is located, and I think this is a major flaw. In fact, it would be important if the name of the next waypoint always appeared on the screen until you reach it. We already have the time and distance information to the next waypoint, but it's necessary to know the name of that waypoint.
Finally, it would be a great improvement to have a menu in Android Auto where we could view the list of waypoints in the current route and be able to select any route from our library and start navigation.Thank you.
@bluetuz, what can and may be displayed by AA/CP devices is not up to MRA but to Google and Apple. They simply do not allow what they consider distracting information or UI elements. That's also the reason why most navigation apps on AA/CP look quite similar concerning the UI.
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Hi @Corjan-Meijerink, I started this thread with the intention of contributing ideas and reflecting on the issues the app is experiencing after a long trip and many kilometers with MRa in its Android Auto mode.
I sincerely and humbly believe that my contributions should be taken into consideration, as they come from experience and many hours of testing (I bought Next when it was in beta).I think it's very important to improve the app's stability, and I'm aware that it's complicated and requires dedication and work, but it's an essential feature.
I think the Exit button on the speed sign is easy to fix and should be resolved in the next version.
I know Android Auto has certain limitations and restrictions, as has been mentioned here, but in the case of the next waypoint name indications, it wouldn't be a problem because, for example, Waze displays a lot of information on the screen and in a very dynamic way. Knowing the name of the next waypoint is very relevant and important information for the driver. Knowing the distance and the time is important, but you must know that time and the distance to where they're taking you (to restaurant X, gas station Y, viewpoint Z, etc.).
The app would be a huge boost if we were able to see the list of waypoints within the Android Auto menu. It would be incredible if we could choose which waypoint to jump to from that list. This would give the app a significant leap in quality.
Another very interesting feature to integrate would be the ability to choose a route from our library in Android Auto.I know you're developing and changing a lot of things for the new version, and I'm eagerly awaiting these improvements.
Finally, I'd like to tell you that it's becoming more and more common to have Android Auto or CarPlay on a motorcycle, either natively, as some brands already integrate, or with a device like the Carpuride or Chigee, which is so popular and so present on so many motorcycles now. Therefore, I think it's very important to improve the app for this system, enhancing it with new features and making it functional and stable. Many motorcycles can already control Android Auto or CarPlay from the handlebars, and integrating new features into the app for these systems would open the door to new partners.
Thank you for your tremendous work and dedication.
I hope my comments are helpful and are taken into consideration. -
Hi @Corjan-Meijerink, I started this thread with the intention of contributing ideas and reflecting on the issues the app is experiencing after a long trip and many kilometers with MRa in its Android Auto mode.
I sincerely and humbly believe that my contributions should be taken into consideration, as they come from experience and many hours of testing (I bought Next when it was in beta).I think it's very important to improve the app's stability, and I'm aware that it's complicated and requires dedication and work, but it's an essential feature.
I think the Exit button on the speed sign is easy to fix and should be resolved in the next version.
I know Android Auto has certain limitations and restrictions, as has been mentioned here, but in the case of the next waypoint name indications, it wouldn't be a problem because, for example, Waze displays a lot of information on the screen and in a very dynamic way. Knowing the name of the next waypoint is very relevant and important information for the driver. Knowing the distance and the time is important, but you must know that time and the distance to where they're taking you (to restaurant X, gas station Y, viewpoint Z, etc.).
The app would be a huge boost if we were able to see the list of waypoints within the Android Auto menu. It would be incredible if we could choose which waypoint to jump to from that list. This would give the app a significant leap in quality.
Another very interesting feature to integrate would be the ability to choose a route from our library in Android Auto.I know you're developing and changing a lot of things for the new version, and I'm eagerly awaiting these improvements.
Finally, I'd like to tell you that it's becoming more and more common to have Android Auto or CarPlay on a motorcycle, either natively, as some brands already integrate, or with a device like the Carpuride or Chigee, which is so popular and so present on so many motorcycles now. Therefore, I think it's very important to improve the app for this system, enhancing it with new features and making it functional and stable. Many motorcycles can already control Android Auto or CarPlay from the handlebars, and integrating new features into the app for these systems would open the door to new partners.
Thank you for your tremendous work and dedication.
I hope my comments are helpful and are taken into consideration.@bluetuz, You can be sure your suggestions are read, also without reminding again.
The team is continuously improving the AA/CP functions, but you must realize it will never be as smooth, easy and function complete as the native app. That is simply not possible under restrictions from Google and Apple.Another very interesting feature to integrate would be the ability to choose a route from our library in Android Auto.
This is of course possible from the menu as it is.
I am just an enthusiastic MRA user, and hope you will be one too!
Most motorcycle problems are caused by the nut that connects the handlebar to the saddle.
Streetpilot 2610/Zumo 660/Zumo 395/ CAT S52 + MRA app -
@bluetuz, You can be sure your suggestions are read, also without reminding again.
The team is continuously improving the AA/CP functions, but you must realize it will never be as smooth, easy and function complete as the native app. That is simply not possible under restrictions from Google and Apple.Another very interesting feature to integrate would be the ability to choose a route from our library in Android Auto.
This is of course possible from the menu as it is.
@Con-Hennekens I know the Android Auto version may not be exactly the same as the original version, but the stability and improvements I'm proposing are perfectly implementable.
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I completely agree with all your suggestions
It's just about time and priorities till those will get added, that's the honest part.
Personally I'd like to see them implemented too.Now I'm very busy solving the battery usage together with HERE. Taking up a lot of time, very important and results are getting there. This then however means I cannot work on the (fun) features.
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When i use the "follow" mode, would be nice to have on screen, my speed and the maximum speed allowed there.
Sometime i follow a group but want to record their move, but i lost in that case, the ability to see if i'm driving too fast.. or not !
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Banshees
MRA Gold & Nav - Life
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When i use the "follow" mode, would be nice to have on screen, my speed and the maximum speed allowed there.
Sometime i follow a group but want to record their move, but i lost in that case, the ability to see if i'm driving too fast.. or not !
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Your picture Not look like MRA to me... or i don't have the same info on mine !
Here what i can see if i look at MRA on my Google Android Auto (when i activate the record) :
The record option (follow) not seem to exist on the Android Auto version of MRA :
- I then need to access my Phone (that i usually keep in my TourPack.. with the 12v charging module there), and hit the red incone.
- Once activate, i can drive.. but i only see the map mooving.
Having the "Actual Speed" and "maximum speed on that road) help as :
- Some car / motorcycle maker not show the real speed.. so the GPS (MRA) is more accurate.. approx 5 km/hm difference in most cases
- When you drive in small road (not highway), sometime the speed sign are partially hidded by tree ... so having them on the screen help.
When i plan my drive, and select it.. then those info are on the screen.
So : if i plan a drive, or use the Follow (record) option, having the same info displayed on the screen will be usefull !
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( @ @ )
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Banshees
MRA Gold & Nav - Life
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oooO ( )
( ) ) /
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Your picture Not look like MRA to me... or i don't have the same info on mine !
Here what i can see if i look at MRA on my Google Android Auto (when i activate the record) :
The record option (follow) not seem to exist on the Android Auto version of MRA :
- I then need to access my Phone (that i usually keep in my TourPack.. with the 12v charging module there), and hit the red incone.
- Once activate, i can drive.. but i only see the map mooving.
Having the "Actual Speed" and "maximum speed on that road) help as :
- Some car / motorcycle maker not show the real speed.. so the GPS (MRA) is more accurate.. approx 5 km/hm difference in most cases
- When you drive in small road (not highway), sometime the speed sign are partially hidded by tree ... so having them on the screen help.
When i plan my drive, and select it.. then those info are on the screen.
So : if i plan a drive, or use the Follow (record) option, having the same info displayed on the screen will be usefull !
@Banshees My picture shows my speedometer on my Triumph Tiger, it shows my speed!
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Your Triumph yes, like any motorcycle, show a speed based on the speedometer of the bike. Unless your motorcycle show a different and more accurate speed then most North American (canada) motorcycle brand / model?
My 2024 Harley-Davidson is Analog speedometer (i choose that model because of this old analog look) .
And as i tell in my previous comments, most North American (canada) car and motorcycle not showing the real speed... , and i heard that there is a law in EU that tell car maker to adjust the speed shown on the speedometer 5-10% lower, so i supposed the same rules apply here, as i found out it is 5km off for most vehicle i tested at 100km/hrs (show 95 on the car, but 100 on the gps)
So when i drive, same for fiew of my friends, we look at the GPS software as it is a more reliable speed information...or more because we can run legally faster...
The 2 Most well know GPS software used by car driver in canada show on their Widget the actual speed calculate by GPS, and also show known maximum speed allowed on the road.
So it's the reason i comment here, that the 2 widget information not appear in following mode (or record mode), compare to the mode when we open a plan ride.
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( @ @ )
-oOOo-()-oOOo---------------------------------------------
Banshees
MRA Gold & Nav - Life
--------------Oooo-----------------------------------------
oooO ( )
( ) ) /
\ ( (/
\_) -
Your Triumph yes, like any motorcycle, show a speed based on the speedometer of the bike. Unless your motorcycle show a different and more accurate speed then most North American (canada) motorcycle brand / model?
My 2024 Harley-Davidson is Analog speedometer (i choose that model because of this old analog look) .
And as i tell in my previous comments, most North American (canada) car and motorcycle not showing the real speed... , and i heard that there is a law in EU that tell car maker to adjust the speed shown on the speedometer 5-10% lower, so i supposed the same rules apply here, as i found out it is 5km off for most vehicle i tested at 100km/hrs (show 95 on the car, but 100 on the gps)
So when i drive, same for fiew of my friends, we look at the GPS software as it is a more reliable speed information...or more because we can run legally faster...
The 2 Most well know GPS software used by car driver in canada show on their Widget the actual speed calculate by GPS, and also show known maximum speed allowed on the road.
So it's the reason i comment here, that the 2 widget information not appear in following mode (or record mode), compare to the mode when we open a plan ride.
@Banshees My photo of my speedometer was a tongue in cheek comment, it was meant as a humorous reply.
“Tongue-in-cheek" refers to something said or done in a humorous, ironic, or even sarcastic way, often with a hint of insincerity. It means the statement isn't meant to be taken seriously or literally. The expression implies a playful or whimsical exaggeration, rather than genuine seriousness.
A free ride mode where speed is shown without following a route has been asked for on numerous occasions and the answer from the developers is always the same. It will be added but not until the work to improve stability and battery consumption is complete.
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Ok I was about to give you a glowing reference that at long last the app was working well with Android Auto and that I was also now able to get the male United Kingdom voice working. However, the big BUT, the software freezes if part way round a ride one decides to stop for a break. So engine switched off and phone unplugged from Android. After the break plug the phone back into android auto switch on engine let android auto screen fire up click on the mra icon on the android auto screen, map shows ok. However on moving off the direction arrow freezes and does not move. I am using expensive cables on both my Honda NT 1100 and similar expensive cables in my Honda Civic Prelude Mk10. This seizure of the software happens on both vehicles under the same conditions. On the car I unplugged the cable from my samsung A52 mobile phone and replugged it in and managed to kick start the software. On the motorcycle tried the same trick without success. All my software on phone and MRA is up to date. This problem does not occur using TomTom Go software or Google maps. Will you please therefore provide a permanent fix to overcome this problem, which is not unique to me only, judging by the various similar comments on this forum. Once this frustration is fixed then the rest of the navigation works well. I am a university professor covering all STEM and CAD subjects to MSc and beyond. I am 80 years of age and am one of your longest users from the very early days when Michael first started up. I have been very patient waiting for the Navigation App to work correctly with Android Auto since you first started to develop it. Before I decide that enough is enough, please fix this problem soonest before I am forced to comment negatively to my vast number of motorcycle followers in UK and advise them to try other navigation and routing programmes that work satisfactorily. I await your positive proactive reply to my concerns.
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Ok I was about to give you a glowing reference that at long last the app was working well with Android Auto and that I was also now able to get the male United Kingdom voice working. However, the big BUT, the software freezes if part way round a ride one decides to stop for a break. So engine switched off and phone unplugged from Android. After the break plug the phone back into android auto switch on engine let android auto screen fire up click on the mra icon on the android auto screen, map shows ok. However on moving off the direction arrow freezes and does not move. I am using expensive cables on both my Honda NT 1100 and similar expensive cables in my Honda Civic Prelude Mk10. This seizure of the software happens on both vehicles under the same conditions. On the car I unplugged the cable from my samsung A52 mobile phone and replugged it in and managed to kick start the software. On the motorcycle tried the same trick without success. All my software on phone and MRA is up to date. This problem does not occur using TomTom Go software or Google maps. Will you please therefore provide a permanent fix to overcome this problem, which is not unique to me only, judging by the various similar comments on this forum. Once this frustration is fixed then the rest of the navigation works well. I am a university professor covering all STEM and CAD subjects to MSc and beyond. I am 80 years of age and am one of your longest users from the very early days when Michael first started up. I have been very patient waiting for the Navigation App to work correctly with Android Auto since you first started to develop it. Before I decide that enough is enough, please fix this problem soonest before I am forced to comment negatively to my vast number of motorcycle followers in UK and advise them to try other navigation and routing programmes that work satisfactorily. I await your positive proactive reply to my concerns.
@OGRIII You had my full attention up to the point where you threatened bad publicity!
Do you honestly think that MRA enjoy having an unhappy customer?
How is your threat going to speed up the process of assisting you?
If you’ve been a customer for all this time, you will be aware that MRA is not a multimillion dollar company, so resources have to be used wisely.
Finding a fix for the battery consumption problem has taken a lot of those precious resources. -
Ok I was about to give you a glowing reference that at long last the app was working well with Android Auto and that I was also now able to get the male United Kingdom voice working. However, the big BUT, the software freezes if part way round a ride one decides to stop for a break. So engine switched off and phone unplugged from Android. After the break plug the phone back into android auto switch on engine let android auto screen fire up click on the mra icon on the android auto screen, map shows ok. However on moving off the direction arrow freezes and does not move. I am using expensive cables on both my Honda NT 1100 and similar expensive cables in my Honda Civic Prelude Mk10. This seizure of the software happens on both vehicles under the same conditions. On the car I unplugged the cable from my samsung A52 mobile phone and replugged it in and managed to kick start the software. On the motorcycle tried the same trick without success. All my software on phone and MRA is up to date. This problem does not occur using TomTom Go software or Google maps. Will you please therefore provide a permanent fix to overcome this problem, which is not unique to me only, judging by the various similar comments on this forum. Once this frustration is fixed then the rest of the navigation works well. I am a university professor covering all STEM and CAD subjects to MSc and beyond. I am 80 years of age and am one of your longest users from the very early days when Michael first started up. I have been very patient waiting for the Navigation App to work correctly with Android Auto since you first started to develop it. Before I decide that enough is enough, please fix this problem soonest before I am forced to comment negatively to my vast number of motorcycle followers in UK and advise them to try other navigation and routing programmes that work satisfactorily. I await your positive proactive reply to my concerns.
@OGRIII you must have seen that the use of Android Auto is a chance for you to get trouble. Depending on the combination of the phone and the AA device, some have a lot of trouble like yourself and some have almost none, like myself. The limitations of AA was the recasons for me not to have a second screen on my bike but getting a rugged real device for the bike. Thus I have no problems on the bike and since I use the AA system only in the car to do some testing I don’t exoeriance the trouble you’re having. MY conclusion is that the combination I’m using gives me no trouble and for thé fun rides with the bike I use the T865X.
I know that the team is working their asses Off to fix all problems and I would hope that a wise person like yourself would give them more credit. A compliment works better to get things done -
That is indeed still an issue we are actively investigating / attempting to fix.
Main issue is that all our test setups never show this issue and the logs do not indicate where the issue could be.There is absolutely no need to pressure us, it's not like we actively enjoy introducing issues and we always attempt to fix it. No need for others to comment on this specific subject.
