AppShifter

Allows to switch between favorite apps while pressing a steering wheel button

This app was developed to enhance the experience on the Pumpkin Head unit:

Pumpkin 7" 1024*600 Touchscreen Android 4.4 Quad Core 1.6GHz DSP Car Stereo with RAM:2GB (RQ0270)

Currently, the unit offers the possibility to switch between system apps only. AppShifter provides an alternate way to extend this functionality to include favorite apps (Current maximum is 9). PowerAmp (if installed) control is also added as an extra option.

Once AppShifter is installed,

user will need to repeat the next steps to enable it:

a. Goto the Car Settings app.

b. Select as Navigator App the AppShifter.

c. Goto the Steering Wheel controls under the same Car Settings app.

d. Assign the Navigator App to a steering wheel button.

e. Save the settings and exit.

Next user will need to setup the favorite apps through a simple screen by repeating the next steps:

a. Pressing the assigned steering wheel button will bring up AppShifter. Its possible also to run AppShifter from the Launcher.

b. Long press on the icon that will be shown, will launch the Setup screen. Sliding down on the icon will terminate AppShifter.

c. Using the Setup screen, user can locate the apps to be able to shift through and:

c.1 Assign to them a number. This number will be the sequence in which they will be shifted. Same sequence number may be given but after saving, AppShifter will resort them and assign unique numbers. An app can be unassigned by setting the number to '-'.

c.2 If PowerAmp is installed then the option to allow PowerAmp to play at the background when the specific app is shown, is available. By default, AppShifter will pause PowerAmp when in background.

c.3 Any changes made will be saved only after pressing the Save button.

c.4 Exit button will reload the AppShifter and start using the apps set.

After the setup is completed, AppShifter will:

a. Shift between apps when the relevant steering wheel button is pressed. Same functionality is available when touching the screen.

b. The app shown on screen will be launched in 2 seconds unless it is shifted to a new app. PowerApp will be controlled accordingly (if installed).

c. Sliding down on the screen within 2 seconds, will cancel the launch of the app.

Limitations:

- I have only tested it on this head unit which is running Android 4.4, but it should work on other units.

Permissions:

- Draw over other apps. This is required to be able to switch between apps.