UPDATE: Here is the letter I sent to
@RamCares regarding the issues I have with syncing my phones to my Ram.
Hi Courtney,
Please forgive me for not getting this up sooner. I’ve had several personal, health issues (
no sympathy required as the future looks good), and my business just signed a deal to be distributed by a national chain.
Secondly – thank you and the Ram Forum Mediators for this opportunity to present my problems to you. I will be including this on the Ram Forums that I partake in as that’s where my voice was heard as well as many members asked me to keep the thread open for full disclosure and updates. It would be the right thing to do.
Here’s a list of problems that aren’t only mine, but listed as problems or complaints on several Cell Phone and Automotive sites when it comes to Android Auto and the syncing to our Android phones. I know my 'type-tone' in other posts has come across abrasively - as the list below has no answers from anyone in Customer Service, no matter how high up the Supervisor ladder I got. I sincerely hope you can provide answers. Looking forward to your reply.
My list is specifically for the following:
2021 Ram 1500 Limited
Radio ID: 1*****
Version: 3.00
Phone #1 - Samsung S21 Ultra
Phone #2 - Samsung S22 Ultra
Phone #3 – LG V40
Key:
AA = Android Auto
BT = Bluetooth
1.) Why does Android Auto FORCE the activation of Bluetooth on the phone? Shouldn’t that be the operator of the phone and automobile? Especially when multiple phones are synced to the vehicle and all may be within the range of the Bluetooth of AA upon ignition start. We need the ability to change the default to a “request”. Reasons why:
- Other Driver(s) will want their phone to sync to Android Auto, yet AA defaults to the first user EVERY start and re-start.
- AA will connect to the first phone synced on the list through BT, even if another phone is connected via USB before the vehicle is started and/or even if it wasn’t disconnected.
- AA is the only system that requires BOTH BT and USB to sync. TOO CONTROLING AND INVASIVE! It’s only set up this way to access ALL the information in our phones and under contract, you get to copy, keep and use it for “yet to be determined uses in the future”. Why do you need to have access to it ALL???? (… but I digress.)
- The system needs to allow the phone to be the Dominant Control … not AA. Yes, there is a function to make the phone the Dominant Control, but then the functionality between phone and Entertainment System are at odds with each other – a distraction the Driver shouldn’t have to deal with (elimination of a distracted driver is what the whole system is supposed to be about)
2.) After starting the vehicle, yet not connecting the phone to the vehicle, the phone can not connect to the internet. This is because AA overrides the phone settings to drop WiFi if it’s not available and connect to Cellular Service. The only way to get the phone to connect to Cellular Service is to go into the phone and turn off Wifi AND Bluetooth. I can’t imagine the day when there’s an emergency, someone can’t connect to their Cellular provider, a bad situation turns worse and when it’s explained they couldn’t connect to their Cell Service … it’s found out it’s AA’s fault.
3.) Long explanation for full understanding of the problem: If I was playing something through the Google Podcast App or Spotify, got to my destination, turned off ignition, pulled the USB cord and left the vehicle. It’s natural that I’d continue listening in my home or office and likely have moved on to another song, podcast, etc. So when I start the vehicle and plug in the phone, I should be able to pick up where I left off on my phone. But that’s not the case! When I start the vehicle, AA kept the "last played moment” where I left off when unplugging and will start playing at that point if it was on these two Apps … although … that App isn’t open on my phone! Here’s something fun … (
and shows how invasive the AA system is!) … that App won’t show being open on my phone so I can stop it from playing unless I pull the USB cord! Although this is an occasional thing with Google Apps … it’s wildly aggressive with Spotify! Sometimes, TWO APPS WILL PLAY AT THE SAME TIME! ! !
4.) If ignition is turned off while phone is synced and was playing something there is no AA App for (
3rd Party Apps like: Substack/Patreon/MP3 download/etc.), through the phone. When ignition is turned back on, the system defaults to FM Radio ... and not a station I listen to or have programmed. (
Although I learned that if I program every Preset, then it will turn onto a Preset.). This problem is same when listening to SiriusXM, while the phone is plugged in to keep it charged (
with no other Apps running/in operation). And why is the volume so high when it defaults to an FM Station. Shouldn’t the volume be at a level where it was when ignition was turned off?
Why is that volume level the ‘default’ of the system? Why not just go mute and let us pick what we want to listen to as well as how loud we want it?
5.) If some buttons are multi-purpose/multi-use (
Navigation, Phone & Android buttons) and system changed them to be exclusive to AA when I plug in the phone, but I want the Ram Navigation on the big screen, why do I have to disconnect the phone to get to get the Navigation button back? Why can’t I press and hold the button to show it’s other functions? Or maybe there be an additional row of buttons added to the bottom of the screen for better functionality?
6.) Ambient Light Assist is too sensitive in one scenario and not enough in the other. The interior light levels decrease and adjust the screen to “night mode” way too fast (
less than a second) such as going under a bridge or heavy tree cover on a sunny day ... yet when back in direct sunlight, it takes a very long time (
more than several seconds) to return to “Day Mode” ... This is VERY HAZARDOUS! We need to see the screen for Navigation – especially in high traffic areas where overpasses block sunlight and the next intersection is immediately on the other side of the bridge with a combination of 8 different ways to go and we can’t see the screen! It’s not needed when we are familiar with the area and know the route to take … but when we’re using Navigation, we need to see the details in REAL TIME!
7.) Volume isn't same when switching from AM, FM, SiriusXM or Podcast off phone. Shouldn’t the default volume be the same as we switch from one platform or the other? (
NOTE: I do like that I can adjust the volume of Navigation or WAZE independently of the music/podcasts/downloads). I know, I know - it's almost the same complaint as #4, but technically, one is just switching inputs and the other default based on ignition on/off.
8.) Why is default screen set to my Contact Favorites? I can’t find any way to change to a different default. Preference to last Station or the Media Option Screen as the first thing you do when getting in a car is listen to something.
9.) Why isn’t there a Preset seat heat & vent controls both passenger & driver? I understand and endorse putting the heat and vent on full blast to start – but they stay on – and to make a change takes several different steps to get to the controls. This is a Driver Distraction. A preset or a button to access controls would be beneficial.
10.) Using Voice Command:
If we manually “Pause” a podcast, either recorded, through Spotify or Google Podcasts. Then request something from the Voice Recognition System ... Whether it was successful or failed, the Podcast will start again … yet I pressed “Pause” beforehand! I’d understand if I activated Voice Command while something was playing, but not when I pressed “Pause” beforehand.
11.) Why doesn’t the Clock at the top of the Center Screen stay on throughout any and all of the programs and when the phones sync with the Automobile? How can we initiate that to happen?
As stated, I am aware there is a function to make AA or the phone the dominant action which reduces, but does not eliminate the above list. If I make the phone the dominant factor, many of the functions of the screen and controls don’t sync, or work in harmony with each other – and in some cases, switching from download or App in my phone to a Voice Command puts them BOTH on at the same time … which is counterintuitive to the entire design to keep the driver focused on the road and not distracted.
Here's a list I hope AA will be able provide users in the immediate future:
*We should be able to download external Apps/Programs. This will allow AA to sync with the phones seamlessly. At least give us the top Download Apps like Patreon, Substack, etc.
*We get “Preset Radio Station Buttons”, why not a “Favorite Action” row of Buttons – that can be programmable if there are variables in their functionality.
*Give us full control of the options within the system ??
There’s a growing list of threads teaching us how to do it – why not get in front of it and open it up.
Keeping options proprietary is a losing game and makes for a discontented user – proven by the fact there are so many dissatisfied users, that websites and hacker forums are adding hacks to take over the interface for the functionality that ARE IN THE SYSTEM, yet not available for us to access them natively.
I hope you read this with the intent of the message – to make it better for every user.
I look forward to your reply and hope it has constructive answers with usable solutions.
Thank you for this opportunity
Gregory
