u/sr1sws

LPT: the immersive experience seems to only "appear" when you're on a route to a destination.

Mine appeared to be active today. You get 3D trees (not an accurate representation of course), overpasses, etc. It does look nice. When I was done, I started heading home without setting a route and it appeared to be the "regular" display. When I activated the route home, I got the immersive experience.

Maps updated yesterday and it now shows your speed (not that I needed that) when using AA. Nice to see AA finally caught up with Maps on the iPhone - wife's done that for years.

Still waiting for the "immersive experience" - or if I already have it, it doesn't compare IRL with the descriptions.

I have my Amateur and GMRS radio licenses. I'm considering installing a small GMRS or 2m radio in my '24 Turbo Signature. For simplicity I'd use a magnetic mount antenna.

Has anyone done this? Any hints, tips, suggestions or pitfalls?

TIA!

I got two boxes of this via an estate. I opened one box and it appears 2-3 cartridges were removed.

Is this collectible or should I just send it down range??

https://preview.redd.it/yiyytl5tao5h1.jpg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f1d59b67679aa003830fe983c3e7e650a664e0f7

https://preview.redd.it/ic9d6m5tao5h1.jpg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6b9062ee055eb5bbe7312cd9ea3a8830a6dcbcf8

https://preview.redd.it/6gbvbl5tao5h1.jpg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=101d003025a3e0f1ca95eacd71e24ac717a57d1d

Bought a bunch of 22lr from someone, this brick included. I effectively paid $25 for it.

Is it anything special? Should I try to flip it?

Update: thanks everyone that weighed in. I'll feed it to my Rugers and/or Henry.

https://preview.redd.it/7nq4sanfxi4h1.jpg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9df3cbeeb180039440f68187953a66742420c59f

Assuming I could get the unit open without further damage, what are the odds of fixing this display? I believe there are two segments out on the rightmost digit. I'm assuming pressure has been lost on the rubber strip that is used as a connection point but might be a solder joint or something. I have reasonable mechanical skills and can solder.

Is this worthwhile pursuing as an actual repair - as opposed to a learning experience. 😂

https://preview.redd.it/r9r031lh3k2h1.jpg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=60d70c136ca3c3bd1b2152b634f1c4b487fdeec1

Google seriously needs to be ripped a new one.

I've had my fancy Dan Starkey Edge AI 20 hearing aids for probably 8 months. They are paired with my Pixel 9 Pro phone. I have never been able to NOT have the HAs be the default audio device for phone calls and streaming media. At least for phone calls I can manually switch to use the phone for audio. I don't often stream music from my phone, so that's less of an issue.

The final straw is the rollout of Gemini to replace Google Assistant on Android Auto. While Google Assistant routed its responses through the car's infotainment system (2024 Mazda CX-5 Turbo Signature), Gemini does not UNLESS I disconnect my HAs from Bluetooth - then things work as you might expect.

The real downside is I need the HAs connected to the phone so I can use the Starkey App to select various programs and settings for the HAs - sometimes needed to adapt to the local environment.

I REALLY hope some Google Engineers read this subreddit and take to heart the task of solving this issue. I'm not the only person experiencing this. Peruse r/AndroidAuto and r/HearingAids to see other complaints.

Come on Google! You're better than this!

The short story here is that Android 16, at least on the P9P, recognizes my Starkey Edge AI 20 hearing aids as "LE" HAs in lieu of "ASHA" hearing aids.

This means the phone directs all streaming to the HAs (phone calls, media) and there's no way to disable it beyond disconnecting from Bluetooth. I've lived with the phone calls going to the HAs for nearly a year. It sounds like a good idea, except the HAs pick up every bit of background noise if you're on a call. I can hear OK, people on the other end get an earful of whatever is going on around me. I have to manually switch each call to either the phone or speaker. The phone mic does superior noise cancellation.

Yesterday, some gasoline was poured on the fire when my Android Auto switched to Gemini from Google Assistant. I was really ticked that Gemini seems to just have a massive brain fart because it's replies where not being routed to the car audio - or anywhere.

Today I discovered the interaction between my HAs, AA and Gemini. If I drop my HAs from BT, then the Gemini responses come through the car as they should.

I spent a couple of hours futzing with settings on the phone, using both CoPilot and Gemini to search for answers on how to switch the BT connection into ASHA mode instead of LE which is supposed to expose the toggles for routing phone calls and streaming media. Alas I could never get the toggles to show up.

Anyone else having this issue? Any solve it?

Google, I think you have a problem to solve here!

I created a different post where I b*tched about my initial experience with Gemini (Android Auto Switched to Gemini - All I can say is, "WTF, Google!" : r/AndroidAuto) that has gone semi-nuclear, so I'm asking a question in this new post.

I think most of my complaint about Gemini going off in lala land is actually it not responding audibly. I DID find the responses to my questions in text format in the Gemini app on my phone. Not exactly useful when driving.

So, can anyone suggest how to sleuth down why I'm not getting verbal responses from Gemini when coupled with AA?

Equipment: Pixel 9 Pro phone; 2024 Mazda CX-5 Turbo Signature; Starkey AI 24 hearing aids.

I mention the hearing aids because between the HAs and the Pixel, the Pixel INSISTS on streaming audio to the HAs and there's no way to turn it off other than on a per call basis. For streaming media like YouTube Music you can't change it. HOWEVER, the audio from Gemini is not coming through my HAs.

I did ask Gemini directly about the issue, but nothing it suggested worked or was appropriate.

Thoughts, hints or suggestions?? TIA!

!Flair 2024 Mazda CX-5 | Factory | Pixel 9 Pro| Android 16

I used to have a drag knife type cutter (a Cricut) for cutting vinyl decals. Now I'm in the CO2 and fiber laser world and might want to do a decal on occasion.

"Some People" say to use heat transfer "vinyl" but I don't want to use heat to adhere whatever I cut.

I found a Lightburn post with a link to a supposed polyurethane product, but of course the link was broken.

Questions:

1. Does anyone have a link or product name for this kind of material?

2. Can you avoid cutting through the backing so the cut material can be handled like vinyl cut with a drag knife using transfer tape to hold the design while the backing is removed?

3. Anyone care to share real life experience doing this? Is the result OK or crap?

I thought Google Assistant was bad on AA. I was wrong, Gemini on AA takes the cake.

I'm a curious guy and I like to ask Google random questions while driving. While Assistant was pretty stupid when on AA, Gemini is far worse. In fact, I can't get Gemini to answer any questions - it just goes into lala land. Want to navigate somewhere? Frist is has to connect to Google Maps - maybe Assistant did too, but it didn't tell you about it and was quicker.

Google, you've got some serious work ahead of you. You're supposed to be making things better. You failed. And I can't believe something that's taken so long to roll out performs so poorly.

End of rant