Antennapod: Android Auto: Not showing information when resuming currently playing track

[mkholt]

App version: 1.6.4.1 (from Google Play)

Android version: 7.0, patch level October 1, 2017 [Please mention if you are using a custom rom!]

Device model: Samsung Galaxy S8

Expected behaviour: When switching to AntennaPod in Android Auto, it should show the currently playing track, and controls.

Current behaviour: If the track selected, either on start-up of Android Auto, or by selecting from the Queue, is not played from the beginning. Android Auto does not show information about the currently playing track, including not showing controls for playback control.
Additionally the information is not transmitted to the car via Bluetooth.
If a new track is selected, the information is shown.

First occured: Not sure, has started noticing it after using Android Auto, 2 weeks ago.

Steps to reproduce:

1. Start a track and pause it.
2. Close AntennaPod
3. Start Android Auto
4. Navigate to Media > AntennaPod
5. Select Queue -> [Track]

Environment: Connected via Bluetooth to car, phone running Android Auto. Not tested using USB-connected Android Auto environment.

[mkholt]

The problem does not seem to occur when running Android Auto through a car infotainment system.

[rfunk]

I have this problem using Android Auto with AntennaPod 1.6.4.2 on my LG G6 (Android 7.0 / 1-Sep-2017 patch) connected by USB to a (rented) Chevy Cruze screen. The screen tells me to choose something to play, with no play controls, even as it's playing.
I'd be fine with not seeing the episode info if I could have the play controls.

[mfietz]

@rfunk Can you provide a screenshot or camera picture?

[mkholt]

Actually after posting my previous comment, i have experienced the problem when connected to android auto on my2017 Peugeout 3008..
The problem does not occur every time Android Auto is used, but when it does, it is quite annoying.

[rfunk]

I can't use the phone camera to get a picture of the car's Android Auto screen because it disables Android Auto when I start the camera app. But I can replicate the problem on the phone screen. This was taken with AntennaPod playing a podcast within Android Auto (having selected the previously-paused episode at the top of the queue).

I have that same screen not just when AntennaPod starts up within Android Auto, but also after I start playing something that has previously been paused. When the next episode begins, I finally get the proper display (complete with controls), but if I then pause and leave the car, when I come back it's stuck back at "To play something, open the menu at the top left."

Other Android Auto audio apps I've tried (e.g. Spotify, Amazon Music, Pandora, D-Sub) always start up showing the controls and the last track they were aware of playing, so it seems like AntennaPod is probably just missing one piece.

[johnp789]

App version: 1.6.4.5 (beta from Google Play)
Android version: 7.0, patch level December 1, 2017
Device model: LG G5 (LGLS992)

I have had the same issue. My phone is connected via USB to my 2017 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E, and Android Auto displays the "To play something..." message. I tap the menu button, Queue, and select the first file. The file resumes playback (I hear it going), but the display still shows the "To play something..." message. It only happens about half the time I connect my phone to my vehicle. Please let me know if there's any additional information I can provide to help track this down.

[mkholt]

As an additional note, if i switch to a different track, the player controls will show up. I can then "switch back" to the original track, and the controls will persist.

[mkholt]

Update: The issue persists on Android 8, and Android Auto 3.3

[wbagdon]

Was able to reproduce this with the the latest code from the develop branch.
Here is the logcat: logcat.log

And a quick reproduction of the actual issue.

The audio is playing in the background after selecting the queue item, so you can pause it via the notification.
The second attempt to start it after pausing shows the correct media information with playback controls.

This also occurs on my Sony XAV-AX100 Head Unit and with the DHU Emulator.

I'm willing to put some time into debugging this if anyone would be willing to point me in the correct direction.

[tiptick]

Still have this on 1.6.5

[mkholt]

I am no longer seeing this issue on 1.7.0 using the new ExoPlayer implementation

[jeffreyssmith2nd]

I'm still seeing this issue on 1.7.1 using ExoPlayer on Pie. I'd be happy to look into debugging it if someone has suggestions for a good starting place in the code.

[mkholt]

You are absolutely correct @jeffreyssmith2nd, I too am still experiencing the problem on Oreo.

Sounds like a related issue to #2606 and perhaps the entry point for debugging could be found here:
https://github.com/AntennaPod/AntennaPod/issues/2606#issuecomment-375624623

[stovocor]

This issue still exists with Android 10 and the recent Android Auto update.

Whenever I open AntennaPod after connecting the phone to my car' infotainment system with USB, it will only show "Getting your selection". Opening another podcast always fixes this issue until the next connect.

[tonytamsf]

I confirmed that I can replicate this problem

[tonytamsf]

@keunes please assign to me

[tonytamsf]

I confirm this bug

• playing with USB plugged in
• pause on the phone
• unplug USB
• The phone button playing is gone
• plugin in to car
• The play control on the car doesn't do anything

Seems similar to https://github.com/AntennaPod/AntennaPod/issues/2606