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What is the fastest and easiest way way to switch between four apps in the car. For example Google Nav, Poweramp, Trapster, and a speedometer app. A wave of the hand would be nice. I have looked at several and used a few. Smart Task Switcher, a reviewer said “Was warned about this app due to access to contacts permissions which dev says is used in China for advertising”. AppSwipe only does two ( the last opened). The “car apps” say nothing about task switching or is it shown in the Youtube videos. It would be nicer if an app would isolate and load these four programs from one key push then allow fast switching. A snap of the fingers would be another way to switch between these four apps. Also, a slideshow type thing of these four apps with the option to stay on the current one showing might be an idea. Or, one app that puts to the front the needed app, like the media player about the first and last 5 seconds of a song, trapster like app that would popup during notifications, navigation about 10 seconds before and after turns, and the speedometer the rest of the time. I'm just thinking out loud. Bottom line is I need a better task switcher (not killer) for the auto. An app that would allow me to map a steering wheel button in my 2011 Ford Fusion SEL for task switching would be golden!
In my case it would be for a Galaxy S2. The long home press does not work for me in the car.
Last edited by allout; November 25th, 2012 at 03:53 PM.
Thanks,
There is Car Dock v2 and Car Dock Home v3.
Offhand are you aware of the differences?
Home v3 seems to have more features and more issues.
v2 seems simple but working.
Is this why you suggest v2?
I use v3 now, used v2 a long bit ago. IIRC I had an add-on app sort of thing for v2 that enabled bluetooth, GPS and added some other functionality. V3 incorporated all those functions right in the app itself. I'm pretty sure that's the difference.
Never had a problem with either, fantastic car/dock app. I have mine set to just have one home screen and five apps; navigation, maps, dialer, pandora and shazam. Big icons, easy to use, love it!
I am reading about the hardware car dock/mounts. Is there any advantage with Car Dock Home v3 to have the phone put into car mode via the mount. I would think that with this app a single tap is just as good as automatic car mode, and use a standard 12v USB charging cable when needed. This could prove faster than having to close the cradle on the Samsung car mount each time. Instead use something like the Fixway Tetrax magnetic mount. That brings up the question which is better sound quality 3.5mm jack or Bluetooth?
From Google Play description:
"* Navigation link that attempts to resume navigation if maps app is running ( not 100% reliable, a work in progress )" Does this mean it is trying to force navigation to run in the background like Trapster?
CDH v3 does not play well with Google Nav. It kills the route in progress when you go back to the CDH home screen. Nice app, I like that everything is done in about half a meg.
Last edited by allout; November 25th, 2012 at 09:06 PM.
I tried Car Dock Home v3. It works by using a launcher that uses the back key to return to it's home screen, then another task can be selected via a shortcut. Unfortunately it cancels Google Navigation when the back key is hit to go to CDHv3 home screen. This would have been a better solution as it takes two key presses. It would be the best solution to perform one action to cycle through the desired programs. I installed Smart Task Switcher and that was good in theory but I could not find how to configure correctly and the floating button is far too small and often requires several taps, and that is sitting at the desk. There is a paid version where some of this is supposedly settable but from my experience with this app I don't think this is a solution.
The car was the first place that came to mind. But the need to quickly and efficiently switch task is useful in several environments.
I have hit a dead end and any suggestions would be appreciated.
1. I saw them build a Neural-Computer interface on Star Trek one time. That would probably meet all of your requirements.
Or
2. Hire someone that you find particularly attractive to sit in the passenger seat and fiddle with the phone while you drive. If they are cute enough, it really won't matter whether they the the correct app up or not.
BigRedGonzo
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1. Neural-Computer interface
2. Particularly attractive to sit in the passenger seat and fiddle with the phone
You are a thinking man. The first answer is, at this point, the most likely solution; freeze myself like Cartman and wait for Star Trek to come true; its only a matter of time. The second solution is my favorite.
1. Neural-Computer interface
2. Particularly attractive to sit in the passenger seat and fiddle with the phone
You are a thinking man. The first answer is, at this point, the most likely solution; freeze myself like Cartman and wait for Star Trek to come true; its only a matter of time. The second solution is my favorite.
1. I saw them build a Neural-Computer interface on Star Trek one time. That would probably meet all of your requirements.
Or
2. Hire someone that you find particularly attractive to sit in the passenger seat and fiddle with the phone while you drive. If they are cute enough, it really won't matter whether they the the correct app up or not.
BigRedGonzo
I like the way you think, sir!!! It will be cool when our phones can start using the front facing camera to recognize hand gestures to interact with the UI. I remember reading about a company that was working on this on modern hardware. Think about Microsoft Connect type of thing. I hope this is something that will happen within the next five years. That will be really cool, and helpful for in the car.
But Google's Car Home should do what you're wanting.
Switching between 4 apps in the car
