Does the 2022 Android system allow you to play music from a USB flash drive? Our 2019 with Sensus does and it decodes FLAC and ALAC without a problem.

 

The AudioWagon app supposedly handles FLAC. Not sure about ALAC.

 

Thanks. So does that mean that there is not native support? We have to download some homebrew third party app? My 2019, you simply plug your flash drive in and it plays.

 

Yes, downloading apps, like on a cellphone, is both the strength and weakness of the new approach. The apps should be compatible across a broad range of cars as more manufacturers adopt Android Automotive, just like normal Android apps work on a huge set of Android phones. New apps won't need to be developed by each individual car maker. But this approach is still in its infancy, and it will take a while before a really good collection of apps is available from the Android Automotive playstore. Personally, I am happy with this new way on my 2022 xc60 and I'm confident that the apps will come along quickly. Others may not want to wait for this marketplace to develop.

 

Thanks - sorry if my reply was snarky. I do appreciate the new software systems in cars -- I had an early Tesla and saw the benefits/detriments. But for something so basic as USB music streaming - and so important if one is investing in the BW audio system and prefers the quality of FLAC vs streaming, this is incredibly disappointing. Native integration (almost) always is more stable than third party apps, particularly those in early development stage.