Add settings dialog in Android Auto (!1799) · Merge requests · VideoLAN / VLC-Android

Robert Stone requested to merge rhstone/vlc-android:car/add-settings-dialog into master Oct 28, 2023

Description

This change adds support for a settings button within the Android Auto interface. I have incorporated three sections on the page: (1) General help information, (2) Android Auto specific UI controls, and (3) a button to launch the preferences menu within the app on the phone screen.

The Android Auto specific UI controls will load while driving. However, the detailed help information is constructed using the LongMessage class which is only viewable when parked. This limitation is designed to limit distracted driving, as motorists should not be reading long explanations while in motion.

Motivation and Context

Ticket #521 (closed) was opened approximately five years ago to add in-app instructions for Android Auto. At the time, there was no facility available to add information in the Android Auto interface. With the recent updates to the Car library templates, it seemed like a good opportunity to add some limited controls, and provide guidance on auto-specific usage. Note that as Google modifies the voice command structure we may have to revise the documentation, since the actual grammar for voice interaction is out of our control.

How Has This Been Tested?

The change has been tested with Desktop Head Unit (DHU) and Head Unit Reloaded (HUR) and confirmed to work correctly. Unfortunately, Car library screens do not function on a physical head unit unless installed from the Play Store for safety reasons. Due to the limitations set by Google, in car testing will have to wait until the build is pushed through the beta program.