Can two systems as seemingly far apart as Android Auto and Android TV coexist? Although it may seem like a lie, one can work on the otherHere’s how I checked it: I successfully started Android Auto on the dining room TV using my Nvidia Shield TV with Android TV. I can’t say it’s the most practical thing in the world, but it’s a good demonstration of the versatility of the vehicle’s software.
The key to a good interface for televisions is that it adapts to the aspect ratio of the device and that navigation is done at the touch of a remote control. Android TV meets both premises, but it does not close the door to other mobile applications either: if an application can be installed on an Android mobile It can surely sneak into an Android TV. I decided to take this principle to the extreme.
Android TV allows projection from your mobile, including Android Auto
Google’s in-car system is not a system in itself, but rather a mobile application that projects content from the small screen to the car’s larger screen, which is a “dumb panel.” Said panel does not process data nor does it serve any function other than supporting the phone to run Android Auto. And we can do the same thing with television.
Although a smart TV with Android TV is ready to receive Android Auto projection, it is essential use an app that serves as a bridge for said projection. This is where one of my favorite apps comes in and the one I have benefited from the most since I purchased it in 2021: Headunit Reloaded Emulator, now acquired by AAWireless. I hope you don’t close it.
Knowing that Android TVs support files in APK format, I wondered what would happen if I installed Headunit Reload Emulator on my player, an application that allows you to project Android Auto on any screen that supports APK. video and audio input. So there you have it, here are the steps I followed.
- I installed Sideload Launcher on my Android TV. This allows you to launch Android applications which do not appear on the Android TV grid because they are incompatible with the television. It’s on Google Play.
- I installed Headunit Reload Emulator on my Android mobile. It costs 4.89 dollars, very well spent.
- I used Google Files to share the CPU APK to my Google Drive account. You need to select the option from the “Applications” menu.
- I had to download a third app from Google Play: a file manager for Android TV. I chose File Managerwhich is compatible with Google Drive. It’s here.
- I opened File Manager on my Android TV and set up Google Drive cloud.
- I accessed the Headunit Reloaded emulator that I downloaded from my phone and installed it on my Nvidia Shield TV.
- Since the application is intended for mobiles, there is no other choice but use a mouse connected to Android TV to address it in depth. I used a wired one, a Bluetooth one also works.
- It was time to start Headunit: I accepted all the permissions and clicked on the USB icon.
- And the last step: I connected the phone to Android TV with the second USB-A of the device. I accepted Android Auto to boot and now had the car’s screen on my 55-inch OLED TV.
The process is somewhat tedious, but not very complicated. It works perfectly as I described, although there may still be some incompatibility with the phone and/or Android TV. At first glance, this doesn’t seem very useful, and it probably isn’t. Yes, I think this could be useful for use a compact Smart TV with entertainment system. Obviously, if it is used in the car, it must not obstruct visibility of the road.
On the surface it’s not useful, but it shows how Android Auto works
Some automotive brands continue to oppose enabling their screens as projection media for Android Auto. They often do not correct errors in cars already on the road and charge large bills to adapt the system to specific models or to repair it. And the truth is that Google makes it very easy to have Android Auto on any screen: If a TV can do it, a vehicle panel shouldn’t have a problem.
Cover image | Ivan Linares
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