Bumped!

 

I upvoted that post, which originated with our very own @chvvkumar but just to give you a glimmer of hope, Motor Trend (January 2021) says Subaru is working on it with Google.

2020 Subaru Outback Infotainment Pros and Cons Review (W/System Update Details)

What does the Subaru Outback’s infotainment system do well? And what could be improved? Find out right here.

www.motortrend.com

Subaru tells us it's working with Google to help support a full-screen Android Auto layout like the car's newer CarPlay display.

 

That is awesome! Especially with the wireless Android auto single, that would solve my biggest gripe with the car.

Thank you for posting the link!

 

Android Auto supports arbitrary resolution sizes. If you go through the effort of setting up the android IDE and AA emulator you can see this for yourself.

Subaru needs to update their head unit software to specify the correct resolution.

 

Android Auto supports arbitrary resolution sizes. If you go through the effort of setting up the android IDE and AA emulator you can see this for yourself.

First off, this is a great initial test to do; Rule out the big stuff early. But, the way most will probably read this is that Google/Android Auto supports portrait aspect ratios and thus it must be the infotainment supplier that hasn't chosen to support it yet. There are a couple potential issues with that assumption. First, just because the Android Auto emulator (i.e. the client receiving displaying the AA content sent to/from the phone) supports this feature, it doesn't necessarily mean that the spec has been distributed to the hardware suppliers. I just looked around and it appears the Android Auto protocol (over USB) is not public and so each of the infotainment suppliers likely have a license contract with Google. Even if Android itself supports AA portrait ratios, the legal department may not have decided how they want to test/certify head-units for compatibility in non-landscape ratios (or dozens of other non-obvious hang-ups like that).

Second, Google's Android is not the same Android that most people have. When you download their SDK and run their emulator you're demonstrating the very latest "stock" Android, which may support portrait ratios just fine. But it's also possible that OEM (e.g. Samsung) and even phone carrier modifications to Android are either too old to include that support, break it, or just make it unreliable enough that it's not OK for the infotainment manufacturers to support it.

EDIT: If someone is motivated enough you could check if either OpenAuto or AACS, both of which rely on a reverse-engineering of the AA protocol, support specifying portrait aspect ratios. In theory you could use a real (e.g. Samsung) phone with real 3rd party apps and at least see how smoothly it goes with actual customer devices outside of the stock Google emulators.

 

This has been rehashed again and again - is there any OEM head unit that supports portrait android auto? Having the IDE and AA emulator support it, and having zero head units that actually support it, meanwhile we have Apple in portrait mode says to me that something on Google's end is at play as well.

 

I'm assuming I'll be the odd one out, but I kind of like the size of the android auto map right now. It allows me to have the SiriusXM display and the map on the screen at the same time. I am used to a small android auto screen from my previous VW though.

 

Having it be a setteable option would be ideal.

 

Wireless!!!!!

 

There is a Wireless AA dongle on Indigogo. I backed it last yearand it's shipped now. It should be here in a couple of days and I will post a video of conenctimes, boot up times etc.

New wireless AndroidAuto adapter on Indigogo (shipping now!)

This seems very interesting: https://9to5google.com/2020/12/14/aawireless-android-auto-dongle-hands-on/ https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/aawireless#/ Pictures of the prototype, apparently the final version will be smaller.

www.subaruoutback.org

 

upvoted and shared!

 

Any more news on portrait mode Android auto?
Would love to have it by now.

 

No news.

 

Yea... agree with SilverOnyx. I just checked yesterday morning and there have been no new releases of information. Not even "Hey... we are working on it and should have something soon" that I can find. That said, I will be ordering an iPhone13 tomorrow morning. I really have no issue with Android and like the use. I truly prefer google maps as the primary usage. But Android Auto (or Carplay) is pretty much the top 3 reasons to own a phone for me behind calling and texting at this point in technology. I think it ties with mobile music accessibility. It's above email accessibility and other things like that. I am not a fanboy of any product so seeing that they are behind on panoramic screens no matter who's at fault, including Volvo and RAM vehicles if I'm not mistaken so don't fully blame it only on Subaru, I am switching to Apple. It will be a whole new world for me but I'm bored these days anyway, so it will give me something new to learn while getting a bigger map option. Of course... I am sure that as soon as I switch they will release information on an update hahahaha. If that is the case then shame on both Android and Subaru for not being more forthcoming with information on something like this.

 

I'm thinking of doing the same, and switch to Apple. I've always preferred Android for many reasons, but Android Auto is complete garbage compared to Car Play, and on top of that, Google has a very long and poor history of not supporting their side projects or software, so I doubt the issue with our Outbacks will be addressed.

With that said, I think I am going to wait until Subaru's mythical Aug, Sept, I mean Oct software update and Android 12 roll out before jumping ship to Apple. Good luck all!

 

So I made the switch. I will say I do like AA better but not enough to not enjoy this large screen! It is NICE! I will get used to the Apple Carplay. Apple maps is not as good as Google maps, so I just use Google maps. Siri is NOWHERE near as good as the Google assistant. NOWHERE! Good enough honestly, but Google assistant just doesn't miss a request typically where Siri does. For example... I said, "Navigate to Tindol Subaru" which is my home dealership. Siri couldn't find Tindol Subaru on multiple tries. So I say "Navigate to Gastonia Subaru" and guess what comes on the screen and gets said to me... "Tindol Subaru"! The truth is when it comes down to it, I use the phone for my car (Music and navigation), calls, and some personal needs. I can get used to anything. If Android/Subaru would've communicated better or taken care of this issue they wouldn't have lost a customer. Sure they don't care though.

 

Whatever happened to Android Users Unite?

 

What I would like is a Google maps screen that I can see! The contrast with roads that are not on your route is awful. There needs to me an option to darken them up a bit.
I can't be the only one with this issue. Can I?

This is on my 2020 outback limited.

 

From one who uses reading glasses, the map that I use in Android Auto is small enough that I need cheaters on to see it. I don't think it's safe to do this, not is it convenient, especially when I also need sunglasses. I one of the reasons I liked the Outback was the large screen, and it's wasted. Please help!

 

After holding off for two years hoping for AA to work decently on my 2020 premium I finally broke down and bought an iPhone 13. The last iPhone I had was an iPhone 4, and I have really enjoyed by Google Pixel devices and Google Fi service the past years, but the difference in how Car Play works on my car versus Android Auto is staggering. I wish I would have made the switch years ago. If you want the best experience for in-car smart phone integration for the Gen6 Outback you should get an iPhone... period. You'll be waiting forever otherwise.

 

With Apple Carplay is Google Maps full screen?

 

Yes. I think most apps can be viewed fullscreen. I mostly use Waze for navigation and Spotify for music and both work fine fullscreen. There is also a view that shows multiple apps at once, for example splitting it between Waze and Spotify. The SIRI search and voice controls also seem to work much better for me than Google Assistant did with Android Auto.

IMHO, there are not enough Android Auto users in positions of power for Subaru or Google to be compelled to invest a lot of resources into improving Android Auto integration. I suspect that within the segment of people purchasing new vehicles from dealerships, that more of the people with iPhones will will complain to the world if it doesn't integrate well... versus the number of Android device owners that are complaining.

 

Whelp. Add me to the list of AA users disappointed by how it shows up on a Subaru screen. Just used it for the first time in my wilderness yesterday. It's not enough for me to switch to apple, though I don't blame others for doing so. Definitely a met down though and I sure hope it gets changed.

 

I switched to iPhone 13 Pro about 2 weeks ago after test driving, and consequently ordering and OBW. First iPhone and I have to say I really dig it. Literally everyone I know is on apple products, so it was a relatively easy decision to jump ship, needed a change in my life anyhow. And the battery life is just... incredible. I can go an easy 2 days without charging if I want.

 

Oh wow.... I currently have a Note 10 plus a d 1st time I connected it I was like.... what it this? I might just have to use the built in Tom Tom. Interestingly.... I never paired my phone with the BT.... but I'm guessing after connecting it with the cable it just decided to do it automatically. Now when I get in the car it just handles calls and texts and music wirelessly. I tried wireless AA but the app is grayed out.

 

Same exact experience with me @White Limo. I didn't want to switch because I really like Android experience. the 13ProMax was the first iPhone I have ever had and the learning curve really hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. The device itself is really nice.

@Jimmy Patriot - @chvvkumar is running wireless AA through a device and has some great posts on it. The car has to be able to do wireless AA or Carply and Subarus don't. As far as AA or Carplay, I personally believe it is a great service and even though I have a Wireless charger in my car I don't use it purely for the AA/Carplay experience when plugged in. Heck, I can do a long hold on the talk button so that Siri (or Google assistant) answers and I can ask anything and get an answer back. Always great in trivia fights with my wife! Or I can I ask for specific artist be played through Spotify, or navigate to a store, or call a company not in my address book, etc.

 

Yeah I've had iphones for a long time last being the X and had every one up to that point and on my chevy android was a better experience. I've thought of going back since we have 4 phones on my plan alone and wife and kids on iphones and the whole rest of the family is iphone and only 2 of us are on android. I'm just tired of the imessage thing lowering the quality of photos or videos when go between the 2 and really sucks when only 1 person in the group message has an android. The talk was this was supposed to be fixed. I've done some work arounds in the past messaging from other things but it's just annoying enough and promises promises but they will most likely never do well together. I think Google would care less and the hang up is apple being typical Apple to keep people on their device with imessage.

Anyhow.... ill just use the tom tom and BT for now. The BT works well.... only thing right now I don't like is when a text comes in when in BT and you click to hear message and it doesn't take you back to the screen you were in... it dumps you in the messages then you have to do a couple clicks to get back. Not sure if AA maybe has a better handling of that but in my Silverado the phone part was BT and the maps and such were over the cable when in AA and it seamlessly went in and out of messages and back to Google maps on its own. Will have to test but don't really like the tiny map.

 

I can't even get my AA to work, tried numerous cables and tried resetting the AA app on my phone. Really annoying and no way in hell am I going to Apple just for this. I have a Note 10

 

Posted this today...

Just bought a 2022 Outback Wilderness and I love almost everything about this car. Not to be negative but there are two huge misses in my mind.

ONE: I paid an extra $1800 for a sunroof and navigation package on this big beautiful screen but I am seriously disappointed by the way Android Auto displays. Really??? My actual phone is bigger than what is displayed on the screen. It's terrible. It would look better if I duct taped a tablet to my dashboard. C'mon Subaru, I can't believe you've even signed off on this?

TWO: No bumper step protection. For an outdoor, mud and dirt machine this is a must. Within days my dog had left scratches on the rear bumper of my brand new car. I fixed this with an after market universal bumper step protector from Amazon but it should be part of the car's design.

Anyway please fix the teeny tiny itty bitty little portion of the screen you've allotted to Android Auto. The portion of the screen below is for AM/FM/Sirius??? I haven't listened to a radio since last century! Use that spot for a bigger Google Maps or perhaps Spotify.

 

sunroof and navigation package

Neither of which is needed for the large screen and Android Auto disappointment...

 

I notice Google is locking new posts talking about portrait mode but @chvvkumar 's thread is still open to comments - so please let Google know your disappointment.

Are there plans for support for larger verticall screens? Car play's been tempting with this feature - Android Auto Community

support.google.com

 

This isn't a limitation of the android auto platform. Griping to Google won't get us anywhere. Android auto has supported portrait screens for many versions. This limitation is a choice by subaru or a limitation of the way the android auto platform runs on top of the QNX software that makes the infotainment system work.

We need to collectively email SOA and complain about this until they fix it. Unless there's a true software limitation, there's zero excuse for this.

 

Zero cars with portrait displays support vertical full screen android auto. This is not a Subaru-only issue. Subaru worked with Apple specifically to be the first to enable full screen portrait Apple Carplay and Subaru said years ago that they were actively working with Google to support full screen portrait android auto. Meanwhile Google has been absolutely stonewalling on this.

 

Zero cars with portrait displays support vertical full screen android auto. This is not a Subaru-only issue. Subaru worked with Apple specifically to be the first to enable full screen portrait Apple Carplay and Subaru said years ago that they were actively working with Google to support full screen portrait android auto. Meanwhile Google has been absolutely stonewalling on this.

Given this fact, i.e., no automaker has been able to implement this, you'd think common sense would prevail that this is not a Subaru-only issue.

If even just one vehicle manufacturer got this to work, that'd prove it was a problem Subaru could unilaterally solve.

Nope. Not even a fact gets in the way of blaming Subaru for some.