TheSpinningHead

Car Mode Patch for Android 4.2.X

admin — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 21:37:42 +0000

Starting with Android 4.2, a bug was introduced in the android OS that prevents a car dock app from overriding the home button while the phone is in car dock mode. This is a defect in the Android operating system and can only be properly resolved by Google.

However, we have developed a patch that fixes this issue.

It is available here: Car Mode Patch

The one drawback to this patch is that pressing the home button will no longer center the normal home screen on your device. I don’t anticipate having a fix for this. It is simply a drawback to having a patch instead of a permanent fix from Google.

Installation Instructions:
1) Install Car Mode Patch from the Play Market: Car Mode Patch
2) Press the Home Button
3) Select the Car Mode Patch Home option
4) Tap Always

If you do not like the behavior of your phone with the patch installed, just uninstall the Car Mode Patch app.

Sleep Mode (beta)

admin — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 20:31:59 +0000

In an effort to help users reduce battery usage while having their phone docked, I would like to introduce a new beta app called Sleep Mode.

This app allows you to put the phone into a pseudo-sleep mode by tapping on the Sleep Mode icon. You can exit sleep mode by tapping anywhere on the screen or pressing any hardware button.

While in sleep mode, the screen brightness is reduced to a minimal level and since it is running the foreground, (but not actually doing anything) it will pause all activities in apps like CarHome Ultra.

Features:

Start sleep mode by tapping the Sleep Mode icon
Reduces the screen brightness to a minimal level
Turns off back-lit keys
Pauses all activity in CarHome Ultra and other apps that do not have background services
Exit Sleep Mode by tapping anywhere on the screen or pressing any hardware button

Download the Beta and give it a try!

This is beta (experimental) software, use at your own risk.

CarHome Ultra Video

admin — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 21:38:15 +0000

We’ve added our first promotional video for CarHome Ultra.

Check it out:

Setting Shortcuts in CarHome Ultra

admin — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 02:33:02 +0000

There are two types of shortcuts in Android. One performs an action in an app (navigate to a specified destination, start a music playlist), the other just starts the app.

In CarHome Ultra you can set both types of shortcuts:

To set a application shortcut (start an app): tap a empty button –> tap applications –> pick the application you would like to launch.

To set a action shortcut (performs an action in an app): tap an empty button –> tap the shortcut type you would like to set (like Contact) –> an application dialog from the app you picked should open –> complete the details for the shortcut (for Contacts you would pick a contact) –> CarHome returns with the shortcut button set.

Change the default car dock app

admin — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 17:21:50 +0000

Follow these instructions to reset the default “car mode” app on your device:

1) From the main home screen press menu –> settings –> manage applications

2) Pick the app that currently launches when you dock your phone (or start car mode)

3) now press Clear Defaults.

4) The next time you dock your phone you should be presented a list of Car Mode apps.

5) Pick the one that you want to launch (please pick CarHome Ultra!)

6) If you don’t want to see this dialog every time you dock, check the box called Make Default.

Start CarHome Ultra when a bluetooth device connects

admin — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 12:59:56 +0000

If you don’t have a car dock that will automatically start CarHome, you can also have CarHome Ultra start automatically when your phone connects to a bluetooth device like a car handsfree device.

Here’s how:

From within CarHome Ultra press menu -> settings -> bluetooth settings -> select the BT device in the list called “Start CarHome on connect with:”

So, if you picked something like a BT handsfree device. The flow would be something like this:

1) You get in the car
2) (Optionally turn on BT if it is not already on)
3) The handsfree BT device in your car will automatically connect
4) A service sees that the chosen device has connected
5) The service starts car mode manually (simulates a hardware dock)
6) CarHome Ultra launches as if it were placed in a compatible dock (CarHome Ultra is now the home screen)
7) You use your phone in the dock
8) You turn off the BT device
9) A service detects the chosen device is disconnected
10) The service takes the phone out of Car Mode and exits Car Home Ultra

If you have trouble with CarHome not exiting properly when the bluetooth device disconnects, try increasing the Bluetooth Timeout value in the CarHome Ultra Bluetooth Settings menu.

CarHome Ultra now the top paid app in it’s category

admin — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 16:09:54 +0000

Just 2 weeks after being introduced CarHome Ultra has risen to be the top paid app in the transportation category!

This is due in large part to our great beta users! Many have decided to upgrade to the paid version and continue to support development.

Announcing CarHome Ultra for Android

admin — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 16:07:01 +0000

SC (4/12/2011) - TheSpinningHead, llc is proud to announce our latest android app CarHome Ultra.https://market.android.com/details?id=spinninghead.carhome

CarHome Ultra is a car home/dock app that makes your phone much easier and safer to use while in the car. It allows the user to customize up to 18 shortcuts to launch apps, direct dial numbers, or even navigate to a specific location.

Detailed Features:
- Speedometer (Speaks when pressed)
- Compass
- Current Weather Conditions (Speaks when pressed)
- Current Location (Speaks when pressed)
- 18 Shortcuts
- Custom screen modes for day and night modes
- Automatically changes to day or night mode at sunset/sunrise (optional)
- Location alerts
- Starts CarHome when bluetooth connection is detected
- Auto Bluetooth on with Car Mode (optional)
- Auto Bluetooth off when exiting Car Mode (optional)
- Auto Wifi on/off with Car Mode (optional)
- Displays speed in KPH or MPH
- Displays temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit

About TheSpinningHead, llc.
TheSpinningHead, llc is dedicated to writing innovative high quality apps for the android platform.

User License Agreement

admin — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 23:45:02 +0000

END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR CarHome Ultra

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS LICENSE AGREEMENT CAREFULLY BEFORE CONTINUING WITH THIS PROGRAM INSTALL: The Spinning Head, LLC End-User License Agreement (“EULA”) is a legal agreement between you (either an individual or a single entity) and The Spinning Head, LLC. for the The Spinning Head, LLC software product(s) identified above which may include associated software components, media, printed materials, and “online” or electronic documentation (“SOFTWARE PRODUCT”). By installing, copying, or otherwise using the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, you agree to be bound by the terms of this EULA. This license agreement represents the entire agreement concerning the program between you and The Spinning Head, LLC (referred to as “licenser”), and it supersedes any prior proposal, representation, or understanding between the parties. If you do not agree to the terms of this EULA, do not install or use the SOFTWARE PRODUCT.
The SOFTWARE PRODUCT is protected by copyright laws and international copyright treaties, as well as other intellectual property laws and treaties. The SOFTWARE PRODUCT is licensed, not sold.

1. GRANT OF LICENSE.
The SOFTWARE PRODUCT is licensed as follows:
(a) Installation and Use.
The Spinning Head LLC grants you the right to install and use copies of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT on your Android device.

2. DESCRIPTION OF OTHER RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS.
(a) Maintenance of Copyright Notices.
You must not remove or alter any copyright notices on any and all copies of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT.
(b) Distribution.
You may not distribute registered copies of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT to third parties. Evaluation versions available for download from The Spinning Head, LLC’s websites may be freely distributed.
(c) Prohibition on Reverse Engineering, Decompilation, and Disassembly.
You may not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, except and only to the extent that such activity is expressly permitted by applicable law notwithstanding this limitation.
(d) Rental.
You may not rent, lease, or lend the SOFTWARE PRODUCT.
(e) Support Services.
The Spinning Head, LLC may provide you with support services related to the SOFTWARE PRODUCT (“Support Services”). Any supplemental software code provided to you as part of the Support Services shall be considered part of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT and subject to the terms and conditions of this EULA.
(f) Compliance with Applicable Laws.
You must comply with all applicable laws regarding use of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT.

3. TERMINATION
Without prejudice to any other rights, The Spinning Head, LLC may terminate this EULA if you fail to comply with the terms and conditions of this EULA. In such event, you must destroy all copies of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT in your possession.

4. COPYRIGHT
All title, including but not limited to copyrights, in and to the SOFTWARE PRODUCT and any copies thereof are owned by The Spinning Head, LLC or its suppliers. All title and intellectual property rights in and to the content which may be accessed through use of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT is the property of the respective content owner and may be protected by applicable copyright or other intellectual property laws and treaties. This EULA grants you no rights to use such content. All rights not expressly granted are reserved by The Spinning Head, LLC.

5. Analytics Data

The Spinning Head, LLC reserves the right to anonymously track and report a user’s activity inside of this SOFTWARE PRODUCT. This data is used to gather general statistics about what features are used most frequently.

6. NO WARRANTIES
The Spinning Head, LLC expressly disclaims any warranty for the SOFTWARE PRODUCT. The SOFTWARE PRODUCT is provided ‘As Is’ without any express or implied warranty of any kind, including but not limited to any warranties of merchantability, noninfringement, or fitness of a particular purpose. The Spinning Head, LLC does not warrant or assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within the SOFTWARE PRODUCT. The Spinning Head, LLC makes no warranties respecting any harm that may be caused by the transmission of a computer virus, worm, time bomb, logic bomb, or other such computer program. The Spinning Head, LLC further expressly disclaims any warranty or representation to Authorized Users or to any third party.

7. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
In no event shall The Spinning Head, LLC be liable for any damages (including, without limitation, lost profits, business interruption, or lost information) rising out of ‘Authorized Users’ use of or inability to use the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, even if The Spinning Head, LLC has been advised of the possibility of such damages. In no event will The Spinning Head, LLC be liable for loss of data or for indirect, special, incidental, consequential (including lost profit), or other damages based in contract, tort or otherwise. The Spinning Head, LLC shall have no liability with respect to the content of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT or any part thereof, including but not limited to errors or omissions contained therein, libel, infringements of rights of publicity, privacy, trademark rights, business interruption, personal injury, loss of privacy, moral rights or the disclosure of confidential information. The Spinning Head, LLC shall have no liability with respect to wireless service provider charges including data charges that may be accumulated by using this SOFTWARE PRODUCT.

Manually put your phone into “Car Mode”

admin — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 15:49:59 +0000

You can put your phone into Car Mode by either putting it in a compatible car dock or by using the default Google Car Home icon (the Steering Wheel).

After pressing the steering wheel, it should ask you which car home you would like to run (either stock or Car Home Ultra).

If you don’t get the option, you can reset the defaults for Car Mode by doing the following:

1) From the main home screen press menu –> settings –> manage applications

2) Pick Car Home (the one from Google with the steering wheel icon)

3) now press Clear Defaults.