GROM VLINE VL2 CarPlay Android Auto Infotainment System User Guide
- June 10, 2024
- GROM
Table of Contents
GROM VLINE VL2 CarPlay Android Auto Infotainment System
Product Information
The product is a VLine infotainment system that provides various features such as voice activation for navigation, media plugins like Spotify and web radio, and access to the Google Play Store. The device requires an internet connection to function properly and can be connected to a phone’s hotspot for internet access. Users need to sign in to their Google account to access various features and services.
Usage Instructions
Connecting to the Internet
- Go to VLine Setup and enter the password for the desired network.
- Select CONNECT.
Note: Check with your mobile carrier for hotspot data usage limits before using your smartphone to tether internet to VLine.
Adding Apps to Home Screen:
- Select an empty spot on the home screen where you want to add an icon.
- Select APPS and choose the desired apps, shortcuts or plugins like Play Store application.
Note: To access the Google Play Store, sign in with your Gmail account and agree to the terms of service and privacy policy prompts from Google.
Voice Activation Button for Navigation:
- Ensure that VLine is connected to the internet.
- Select the Voice Activation button to start navigation with just one tap.
- Speak out the address or the name of the place you want to navigate.
- VLine will start navigating with the map of your choice that you selected in Main menu → Settings.
Media Plugins:
The infotainment system provides various media plugins including Spotify, Web Radio, and Google Music. Below are instructions on how to use each of them:
Spotify
- Requires a Spotify Premium account.
- Login to Spotify by going to Spotify → Menu → Accounts.
- Add multiple accounts and switch between them simultaneously.
- Access and create playlists, search music with voice, see cover art, titles, and discover new music.
Web Radio
- Does not require an account to use.
- Stream radio stations from around the world as well as local radio stations.
- Search with voice.
Google Music
- Requires a Google Play Music account.
- Login to Google Play Music by going to Google Play Music → Menu → Sign in.
- Stream music from the Google Play Music library.
Getting Started
Setting.up.Wifi
The VLINE module will require an internet connection while on the road to take
advantage of majority of its features.
Two ways to provide internet to VLine:
-
Smartphone tethering and hotspot
on iPhone: Home->Settings->Personal Hotspot .Turn it on and set up network name and password.
on Android: Home->Settings->Wireless Networks -> More -> Tethering & Portable Hotspot-> Portable Wifi Hotspot. Tap to turn it on, and set up network name and password. -
Dedicated modem hotspot with SIM card and data plan – either USB modem or any other kind of portable modem. Check with the carrier of your choice on the availability of internet only data plans.
Resources : https://gromaudio.com/blog/2018/09/how-to-get-internet-to- car/
Once you setup Wifi Hotspot in your vehicle, connect Vline to the internet. Go to Vline–> Settings
Go into Wi Fi Settings
Select WiFi channel to
connect
Enter [Password] and select CONNECT
NOTE: Please check with your mobile carrier for hotspot data usage limits
If
you are using your smartphone to tether internet to VLine. Depending on mobile
provider you might be subject to mobile data and tethering charges
Google Apps and Maps
Installing Google Apps (Gapps)
Installing Google Apps will allow you to access Google Play Store to download
any applicatition to VLine, and to use voice assistant (RED) button. Once
GApps are installed, you can download and use any music apps and maps from
Google Play Market.
To install the Gapps (Google Apps) Package:
- Connect VLine to internet. Check Chapter 1, we recommend to connect to home Wifi to install GApps, so you do not spend your mobile data.
- Go to Settings
Scroll down all the way to the bottom and select “About Device”
Then select “VLINE System Updates
Select “Install Gapps”
Press the “Install” button
to apply update.
Wait for update to download and apply. The VLINE will restart during the
process (this may take up to 10 minutes)
If system does not boot up within 15 minutes, please turn off Ignition and
wait 1 minute and then turn ignition on again.
YouTube demo video: bit.ly/vline_gapps
Signing into Play Store and Adding Apps to Home Screen
Select Empty Spot You Wish to Add Icon to
Select the
Apps/Shortcuts/Plugins you wish to add, in this case the “Play Store”
Application.
Signing onto Google Account
-
Select the Play Store Icon
-
First time signing into the Google Play Store, you will be promoted to enter your Google (Gmail) account information.
-
Enter the password for Gmail account
-
Confirm the onscreen Terms of Service and Privacy Policy prompts from Google
-
Select next on Google Services Prompt
-
Confirm Google Play store agreement
Maps Setup
Go to Play Store and install the map(s) of your choice – Google, Waze, Sygic ,
others. Once you install the map(s) of your choice, go to
- Main Menu –>Settings
- select navigation
- Choose your perferred map application
- NOW you can activate preferred navigation using voice icon
Voice Activation Button for Navigation
- Voice Activation button will allow you to start navigation with just one tap.
- The button only works when there is an internet connection to VLine.
Changing Text-to-Speech Output Voice
Once pressed it will ask “Where would you like to go?” You can say address,
such as “123 Broadway Street San Francisco”, or the name of the place, such as
“San Francisco Opera”
VLine will start navigating with the map of your choice that you selected in
Main menu Settings (see page 13).
Changing Text-to-Speech Output Voice
Once GApps are installed, you can download and install Google Text-to- speech
app from the Google Play store to change the voice Synthesizer for Voice
Activation Red Button to one that is more pleasing to listen to.
After installing “Google Text-to-speech” from the Google Play store, go to
VLINE Settings to make change in Language & input–>Text-to-speech output.
In Settings, “select Language & input”
- Select “Text-to-speech output”
- Select “Google Text-to-speech Engine” for Prefered engine
MEDIA PLUGINS
VLINE provides music plugins with an optimized interface with bold graphics and easy to press buttons for the vehicle environment. Most of these plugins require an internet data connection to work besides Local Music and A2DP Stream. Currently available plugins:
Spotify, Web Radio, Google Music, Local (stored on USB drive or MicroSD Card)
music, and A2DP Bluetooth music streaming. Additional plugins are coming soon!
To add a plugin onto the Home screen, select an EMPTY “+” where you would like
to place the icon. Then go to PLUGINS. Then scroll through PLUGINS and select
the desired plugin to add.
Spotify
- Requires Spotify Premium (paid) account. Login to Spotfy by going to Spotify ->Menu->Accounts
- You can add multiple accounts and switch between them simultaneously.
- Access and create playlists, search music with voice, see cover art and titles, discover new music.
Web Radio
- Does not require an account to use. Stream Radio stations from around the world as well as local radio stations
- Listen to 100,000+ live radio stations, plus on-demand content like podcasts & shows anywhere you go.
- Browse Stations by Local, Trending, Music Genre, Sports, News, Location, and Language.
- “Star” your favorite radio stations so you can easily access next time
- Record what is currently playing and listen to it later without WiFi connection. Search with voice
Google Music
- Allows access to your Google Play music (Purchased/Uploaded*).
- Will require Gapps to be installed on VLINE (please refer to Gapps Installation section of this manual p. 6).
- To use Gapps you must have a Google account and be signed into the account.
- Only Purchased music library and Uploaded media will work, unlimited subscription/radio music will not work.
Local Music (USB, MicroSD)
- Play music/audio stored on USB drive or MicroSD card
- USB Drive – use USB2 port of VLine to insert USB flash drive or external hard drive
MicroSD Card
- Insert MicroSD card (*pin side up) with your music to play via VLine. Up to 128GB supported.
- Go to Local Music ->Settings->Storage and select your desired storage.
- Plugin will read the music on selected storage and automatically organize music library by categories (Folder, Playlist, Album, Artist and Songs).
- Create Playlists from within the plugin if needed.
A2DP Bluetooth Music Streaming
Setting up Bluetooth for A2DP music streaming Demo video:
bit.ly,’vline_bluetooth
- select settings Bluetooth. Turn on Bluetooth on VLine.
- Turn on Bluetooth on your phone. Use VLine to find your phone.
confirm PIN code on VLine and phone. Hit PAIR on both – VLine and phone
.
- GO to phone Bluetooth settings and make sure it is now connected to VLine.
- You can rename this connection on the phone if you like.
- Now you can start streaming the music via Bluetooth A2DP.
A2DP stream
- Locate A2DP Streaming plugin icon. Grey icon means there is no Bluetooth connection from phone to VLine. If the icon is grey – check your phone’s
- Bluetooth settings and make sure it is on and says “Connected” to VLine.
- Blue icon means Bluetooth device is connected and ready to stream audio.
- Play any music from your phone.
- Control playback using car stereo and steering wheel control, as well as VLine screen.
- Cover art will display when VLine is connected to the Internet.
OTA SOFTWARE UPDATES
Periodically there will be software updates available for the VLINE to enhance
features or to fix minor bugs. The updates are downloaded via internet (over-
the-air or OTA).
NOTE : We recommend to connect VLine to your home Wifi connectionbefore
downloading any updates. Make sure you are close enough to the internet router
to get a good signal.
- To install OTA updates go to “Settings About Device”
- Select “VLINE System Updates”
- Then select “Check for Updates”
- If there is an update available it will appear on screen to download.
- Wait for update to download and install. VLINE will restart during the process (this may take up to 10 minutes)
- If the system does not boot up within 15 minutes, please turn off ignition, wait 1 minute, and then turn ignition on again.
SUPPORT
- Periodic System Cleanup
- To improve speed and performance of your VLine, it is recommended to periodically uninstall any apps that you do not use.
- Go to Settings Apps •Downloaded and review the apps that you down- loaded.
Select the app you wish to uninstall and tap UNINSTALL. If you want to keep the app, but do not need it to run, uncheck Show notifications instead of uninstalling.
warning: do not uninstall any system apps. If unsure – contact us first .
FAQ
Red Voice button is not working – what can I do?
- Voice Assistant Button requires Gapps and Internet. Connect VLine to WiFi and Install Gapps (see p. 6)
How can I install Maps and Apps?
- Connect VLine to Wifi, install Gapps, add Play Store button on the home screen, go to Play Store and install the maps and apps of your choice.
I am connected to WiFi but can’t download update – what can I do?
- VLine is not getting good WiFi signal. Try to move VLine and the vehicle closer to WiFi signal or use the hotspot in your vehicle.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
- Technical support: http://gromaudio.com/support.html
- Live chat: https://gromaudio.com
- VLine Setup & Use Videos:
- http://gromaudio.com/vline/video.html
- VLine installs:
- https://gromaudio.com/installs/index.html