Google Maps / Car Dock - Motorola Droid X2

OK... so using the "My Location" feature is nice and all but it looks rather blah... I'm surprised that there are no settings that allow Vehicle heading up (rather than North Up) and a somewhat 3D mode, similar to the map view while in navigation mode...
Anyone know how to change the view settings or know of a free app that would do this?
It would be nice if I could leave it in a navigation mode without navigating anywhere

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[Q] Make the "Dock Mode" app visible in drawer?

I'm curious to know if there is a way to show the "Dock Mode" app in the app drawer and/or create a shortcut?
I know the App exists on the phone (location: /system/app/VZW_Dock_Mode.apk ) and have looked for it in the App Drawer, by clicking on the Clock app (some older phones has a Desk/Dock mode in that app), and still can't get it working.
Using Tasker, I tried to get it to launch the app when plugged in, to no avail there. I even tried creating a "dummy" profile in Tasker that just launched the app at a specific time and no-go.
Anyone know if the app can be 'manually' run or do I just have to wait for the actual dock hardware to become available? (I'd actually like to activate it when on my Qi Charging mat at night...)
OK, I sort of figured this out...
First, I downloaded free App called "QuickShortcutMaker." Then, I long-pressed empty space on my homescreen and chose to add a "Shortcut" The very first icon says "Activities" Searched for "Dock" and chose the one called "HTC Dock Screen" Done.
Of interesting note, the Dock mode only stays in portrait mode for me... wonder if that means the docks for the DNA (if and when they are released) will only show the phone in portrait mode?
WorldOfJohnboy said:
OK, I sort of figured this out...
First, I downloaded free App called "QuickShortcutMaker." Then, I long-pressed empty space on my homescreen and chose to add a "Shortcut" The very first icon says "Activities" Searched for "Dock" and chose the one called "HTC Dock Screen" Done.
Of interesting note, the Dock mode only stays in portrait mode for me... wonder if that means the docks for the DNA (if and when they are released) will only show the phone in portrait mode?
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yeah, i noticed this too. ridiculous. every other HTC phone i've used with dock mode allows for portrait dock. ugh!
You can also find it through apex launcher repeating the same steps. It doesn't look to me like it's suppose to be a nightstand dock but rather an office type dock, I will investigate more
earthrocker said:
yeah, i noticed this too. ridiculous. every other HTC phone i've used with dock mode allows for portrait dock. ugh!
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Click to collapse
You mean they allowed both portrait and landscape and yes they did, however previous HTC devices (Rezound, Thunderbolt in particular) had the USB port on the left side of the phone, so I would envision that HTC will eventually release a dock so you can flip open the stupid little 'flap' on the bottom and set the DNA in portrait mode into the base. My wife has a Moto Razr Maxx and though the USB port is on the top of that phone, the dock for that phone is landscape and you have to slide the male dock connectors into the phone. (Sounds kinky)
ML417 said:
You can also find it through apex launcher repeating the same steps. It doesn't look to me like it's suppose to be a nightstand dock but rather an office type dock, I will investigate more
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. I believe the Rezound (and I perhaps the Thunderbolt) had two non-car mode Dock apps... one was accessable via the Clock app (was called Desk Mode or something like that) which was more of a nighttime dock with the clock, and then when you put the phone in the HTC branded "Multimedia" docks, it would start the HTC Dock Screen. Unfortunately the DNA didn't have the Desk Mode option, and there are no Multimedia Docks out there for them yet.
I also noticed that you can actually use the "Tasker" app to initiate the HTC Dock Screen app, as they allow you to start Apps that don't show up in the App Drawer. Unfortunately, Tasker doesn't have any support for Qi Wireless Charging states, so I had to create a profile that starts the Dock Screen whenever the phone is being charged until the Tasker Devs add the Wireless Charging support.

Is there a way to have gps start when navigation opens?

Every single time i open navigation I've got to start the gps or start it before hand. Many links I click take me to navigation then I need to click another window to enable gps. It'd be much easier if it was possible to create something like this that is semi automated.
Dave
Why not have GPS always on?
In my past phone experiences it really sucked the battery dry quickly, is that not the case w/ this one?
I normally keep mine off. When I want to turn it on, I pull down the notification window and enable GPS via Power Toggles.
Sent using my HTC EVO LTE and a magic wand
TT_Vert said:
In my past phone experiences it really sucked the battery dry quickly, is that not the case w/ this one?
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Click to collapse
I don't use GPS so I can't answer that just throwing it out there
Buy Tasker (pricey app, but you'll find so many uses for it that you'll feel like it's completely worth it).
Set up a task that consists of turning on GPS and then opening Navigation (or Maps, whichever you want). Then add a shortcut to that task to your homescreen. You can make the icon the Navigation icon and name it "Navigation" - it'll look identical to the original icon, but it will execute the program (GPS on, open Navigation) when you tap it.
In the case of apps that link to Maps or Navigation, you can create a Tasker profile where, if the Maps or Navigation apps are opened, GPS is turned on. The only downside to this arrangement is that if you're linking directly to Navigation from another app, Tasker needs the Navigation app to open before it enables GPS. The result is that you'll get the "show location settings" window when it first opens Navigation (it likely won't recognize that GPS is on when you get that pop-up).
Mathman85 said:
Buy Tasker (pricey app, but you'll find so many uses for it that you'll feel like it's completely worth it).
Set up a task that consists of turning on GPS and then opening Navigation (or Maps, whichever you want). Then add a shortcut to that task to your homescreen. You can make the icon the Navigation icon and name it "Navigation" - it'll look identical to the original icon, but it will execute the program (GPS on, open Navigation) when you tap it.
In the case of apps that link to Maps or Navigation, you can create a Tasker profile where, if the Maps or Navigation apps are opened, GPS is turned on. The only downside to this arrangement is that if you're linking directly to Navigation from another app, Tasker needs the Navigation app to open before it enables GPS. The result is that you'll get the "show location settings" window when it first opens Navigation (it likely won't recognize that GPS is on when you get that pop-up).
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Click to collapse
+1...this is how I have mine setup, works like a charm. Tasker is awesome, there are tons of things you can do with it. You'll need to install Secure Settings from the play store (free) also if you want to be able to toggle gps.
Sent from my EVO LTE
I use AutomateIt and have it set to start GPS when maps or nav opens. It automatically shuts off GPS when going to a different app.
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G LTE
premo15 said:
+1...this is how I have mine setup, works like a charm. Tasker is awesome, there are tons of things you can do with it. You'll need to install Secure Settings from the play store (free) also if you want to be able to toggle gps.
Sent from my EVO LTE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good call on Secure Settings - forgot about that.

[Q] Google Maps Navigation interface without directions

Using the older versions of Google Maps Navigation, it used to be possible to start up the navigation UI directly from a shortcut. There's nothing worse than having a great feature removed in an update. That ability has been removed from the latest versions, and you must now go through the normal maps app to reach the navigation UI. It's an annoying extra step, and apparently there are workarounds. But that's not my real major concern.
My big concern is that it now seems completely impossible to open the navigation style map display without entering a destination. That is often my preferred way to use the navigation. If I know where I'm going, then I have no interest in any of the turn-by-turn or other related functions. But I still want to have my navigation screen open, so I can see upcoming traffic, or just be able to quickly glance to see where I am and/or what's around me.
The standard map interface does those things, but it is useless while driving. It shows text way too small to see at a glance, and never positions the dot properly, and never even gets the direction of travel correct. The navigation interface is designed to be viewed while driving, and it does the job extremely well.
So does anyone know any way to see the navigation display without entering a destination? I've been searching the app and searching online for hours with no luck.

Change default picture-in-picture location

Is there any way to make the picture-in-picture feature automatically open in the top left, rather than the bottom right.
I ask this because I'm using an Android car head unit (PX5 chipset) and most of the non-configurable apps have useless space in the top left (e.g. album art in the music app), so it'd be really nice if Google Maps PIP mode defaulted to here without me having to drag it every time. I'm quite happy to root or mess around with build.prop if necessary, but have had no luck with search trying to figure out how to do this.

[Easy Guide] Force dual screen wide view on ALL apps

Hello all!
I've seen it somewhat posted throughout the comments here but no thread on it directly. I figure the potential of this this deserves it's own thread and tutorial for those who are coming from Google to try and do exactly this without reading through a few threads.
Anyways:
How to enable Wide View on every app:
Download this app,G8x WideMode.
This puts a new icon in the top bar in the notification shade. If you don't see it, pull down twice and hit the pencil to edit the icons. Find the new one and place it somewhere near the top to keep it close by.
When the dual screen is open, tapping that will force wide screen in every app! There are some limitations:
Intent changes seem to revert the phone back to two separate pages. For instance, the mobile Reddit app Sync closes wide screen if I click any link to an external picture, video or site.
Some apps do f play nice in wide screen due to this, and you can't keep the phone permanently in the mode like a tablet, but it's a great improvement to a great phone idea.
This is super simple so I didn't think pictures were necessary, but let me know if I wasn't clear on anything or if you have problems somewhere!
This is very much appreciated! It works like a charm. It's not the floating dual screen thingy but the toggle buttons that you swipe down from the top. Make sure you add it.
Hey, this app seems to work great! I did have an issue with one app called Steam Link. Steam Link allows you to connect to a computer running Steam and remotely control it from your Android device. When I launch a game and try to use WideMode the Steam Link app refreshes and goes back to a single screen. I would love to be able to play some of my steam games over both screens.
Is there any way to make landscape apps go left/right instead of top/bottom?
bakedpotete said:
Is there any way to make landscape apps go left/right instead of top/bottom?
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Click to collapse
I don't understand. couldn't you just auto rotate? you can also use the rotation control app to lock rotation, which helps with wide Mode
bh_ said:
I don't understand. couldn't you just auto rotate? you can also use the rotation control app to lock rotation, which helps with wide Mode
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
auto rotation did not work because some apps are forced landscape/portrait.
I did end up using the rotation control app with the per-app conditions. :good:
Next nice thing would be if some apps would restart at the new resolution, instead of stretching the single-screen app - some apps/games work perfectly, but others don't (and I think they should have a similar resolution compatible because I've used the axon M, which has "dual screen" retained through home with those apps).

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