Develop an Android Auto custom app

Question

I'm an Android developer and I'm trying to develop a custom Android Auto app, that does a simple mirroring of the phone screen. I know that currently the API are only available for music and messaging apps, but I would write an app for mirror a simple "hello world". I follow the Google Getting Started tutorial and I'm using the Desktop Head Unit (DHU) provided by Google (at developer.android.com/training/auto/testing/index.html)

but when I tap last button on the bottom of the display and select "All car apps", my application doesn't appear on the list.

All car apps

For example, if Android Auto is launched in a Samsung tablet (SM-T555), the DHU lists these app:

com.google.android.gms, Maps, System UI, Video, SampleAuthenticatorService, SecureSampleAuthService, Screen capture, Android Auto, Phone, Media, Return to Google, Samsung Billing, Google App, Google Play Music, Music

Available Car Apps in a Samsung Tablet

How can I make an app that is displayed on the available app list in Android Auto? Is possible do mirroring for a custom app in Android Auto?

Answer 1

Create a service like this:

public class HelloWorldService extends CarActivityService {

    @Override
    public Class<? extends CarActivity> getCarActivity() {
        return HelloWorldAutoActivity.class;
    }
}

Then add the service to your manifest like this:

    <meta-data
        android:name="com.google.android.gms.car.application"
        android:resource="@xml/automotive_app_desc" />

    <service
        android:name=".HelloWorldService"
        android:exported="true"
        android:label="@string/app_name">
        <intent-filter>
            <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />

            <category android:name="com.google.android.gms.car.category.CATEGORY_PROJECTION" />
            <category android:name="com.google.android.gms.car.category.CATEGORY_PROJECTION_OEM" />
        </intent-filter>
    </service>

Finally create a xml file called automotive_app_desc under your res folder:

<automotiveApp>
    <uses name="service" />
    <uses name="projection" />
    <uses name="notification" />
</automotiveApp>

Your HelloWorldAutoActivity.class will work as your MainActivity.