My car is my sanctuary away from that stuff. Can we get a H3LL NO!
A browser for the XC40?
No browser is available on Google Play for the XC40 Recharge. I suspect that is true for any Volvo. Polestar has offered Vivaldi for a while, and I’ve read that it is quite capable as a browser. It makes sense for a connected car with a nice center console to have a browser - and even if it is not as large as the Polestar screen, the XC40’s center console could fit a browser without any problem.
Starting this thread to see if anyone has heard from Volvo whether a browser (Vivaldi, Chrome, or other) is going to be added anytime soon, or otherwise found reasonable DIY ways of installing a browser.
Would also be good to see who agrees/disagrees that a browser would be a good app to add to add.
Starting this thread to see if anyone has heard from Volvo whether a browser (Vivaldi, Chrome, or other) is going to be added anytime soon, or otherwise found reasonable DIY ways of installing a browser.
Would also be good to see who agrees/disagrees that a browser would be a good app to add to add.
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Ha - sure I’ll edit the poll. Democracy prevails.My car is my sanctuary away from that stuff. Can we get a H3LL NO!
That was my reaction, not a request to modify your poll.Ha - sure I’ll edit the poll. Democracy prevails.
Not against it but there stuff much more important to do first.
I agree there are more important improvements needed, such as a better range optimizer app, a native ABRP app, truly adaptive pixel headlights, etc. But browsers are already available, I don’t believe much development is needed, it is just a matter of accepting and releasing, rather than developing, a browser.Not against it but there stuff much more important to do first.
@4Wheels What you mean with truly adaptive pixel light? My pixels seems very adaptive to the environment and the surroundings
And tbh I’m full of devices to browse internet. Apart the curiosity I don’t see
Myself using a browser in car OS
And tbh I’m full of devices to browse internet. Apart the curiosity I don’t see
Myself using a browser in car OS
Remember... The fact that there's a browser available doesn't mean you HAVE to install it... or even use it. 
Hi Paolo, in Europe you benefit from the truly adaptive pixels. In the US and Canada, the functionality has been toned down considerable because of differences in regulation. High beams turn on/off automatically, but the truly adaptive feature (pixels turning off to block the light for incoming cars) has been disabled.@4Wheels What you mean with truly adaptive pixel light? My pixels seems very adaptive to the environment and the surroundings
And tbh I’m full of devices to browse internet. Apart the curiosity I don’t see
Myself using a browser in car OS
Yes on a browser. Way overdue.
There does not seem to be any browser available for AAOS. Look how long it took to get Waze and it's limited compared to Waze for Android/IOS. You also have the issue of data consumption. Volvo probably bought bulk data plan with some estimate of data usage. If you put a browser in there, the data usage could increase dramatically. Volvo may not way to allow that. With a browser one can download files, watch YouTube, Netflix, etc. You have to disable file download because otherwise how to you access these files, how you delete them, what if the storage device gets full. AAOS is about security/safety, so you probably would have to disable it when the vehicle is moving. AAOS applications are also limited in the amount of information that can be displayed, the layout is limited, etc. That might explain why Waze is cut down in the number of features. I don't know if an application can go around this limitation by declaring itself to be used only when the car is not moving, like the fireplace app does, that might be a way to make a browser easier to adapt to AAOA. The devil is in the details.I don’t believe much development is needed, it is just a matter of accepting and releasing, rather than developing, a browser.
All good points! Mind you, there is at least one browser available for AAOS, but not in the Volvo - i.e. Vivaldi is available for the Polestar version of AAOS. But even with file downloading and use while driving disabled, a browser would be helpful in allowing you to get information, something we often want to do when on a road trip. Google Assistant does a reasonably good job of providing information verbally, but sometimes you just need to see it!There does not seem to be any browser available for AAOS. Look how long it took to get Waze and it's limited compared to Waze for Android/IOS. You also have the issue of data consumption. Volvo probably bought bulk data plan with some estimate of data usage. If you put a browser in there, the data usage could increase dramatically. Volvo may not way to allow that. With a browser one can download files, watch YouTube, Netflix, etc. You have to disable file download because otherwise how to you access these files, how you delete them, what if the storage device gets full. AAOS is about security/safety, so you probably would have to disable it when the vehicle is moving. AAOS applications are also limited in the amount of information that can be displayed, the layout is limited, etc. That might explain why Waze is cut down in the number of features. I don't know if an application can go around this limitation by declaring itself to be used only when the car is not moving, like the fireplace app does, that might be a way to make a browser easier to adapt to AAOA. The devil is in the details.
The Polestar 2 has had Vivaldi browser for quite a while now, so it’s definitely available on an AAOS system. And Volvo has already made apps available that do video streaming on AAOS.There does not seem to be any browser available for AAOS. Look how long it took to get Waze and it's limited compared to Waze for Android/IOS. You also have the issue of data consumption. Volvo probably bought bulk data plan with some estimate of data usage. If you put a browser in there, the data usage could increase dramatically. Volvo may not way to allow that. With a browser one can download files, watch YouTube, Netflix, etc. You have to disable file download because otherwise how to you access these files, how you delete them, what if the storage device gets full. AAOS is about security/safety, so you probably would have to disable it when the vehicle is moving. AAOS applications are also limited in the amount of information that can be displayed, the layout is limited, etc. That might explain why Waze is cut down in the number of features. I don't know if an application can go around this limitation by declaring itself to be used only when the car is not moving, like the fireplace app does, that might be a way to make a browser easier to adapt to AAOA. The devil is in the details.
Interesting thanks. Vivaldi does not show up on google list of AAOS apps Android Apps on Google Play, hum neighter does Waze. . Maybe Polestar/Volve have their own store, or apps needs to be approved by manufactures ?The Polestar 2 has had Vivaldi browser for quite a while now, so it’s definitely available on an AAOS system. And Volvo has already made apps available that do video streaming on AAOS.
I've never heard about Vivaldi, just check out their site , here is the list of brand they claim use it. Polestar is there but not Volvo. Readying more about it , they seems to have done the work to get it working for AAOS.
When you said Volvo made apps available that do video streaming, do you mean they are available now or there were at some point in time but been removed since then?
There is one single way to get a browser onto a volvo with aaos. You will need to create a Google developer account, download and build the open source code for Android Mozilla Firefox and publish it as a development app through your Google dev account. Than just invite your Google account and download directly into your car.
Technically you could even go as far as modifying the open source build to include the special flags for distracted driving which would allow it to work while driving.
Requires some know how but it's possible.
Technically you could even go as far as modifying the open source build to include the special flags for distracted driving which would allow it to work while driving.
Requires some know how but it's possible.
Volvo manufactures transportation appliances. Most people that can afford one also own a communications appliance, AKA, a smart phone. Because we have to be in control of our transportation, most places have laws for being distracted while driving. If you're parked, you may as well pull your phone out. Lots of people have things to say about the quality of Volvo's computer interface, and now we are being asked if we should have a browser onboard. I understand the reasoning, as well as some of the IT issues. The simplest answer would be "no point", but the more important one would be that Internet browsers are such a wonderful code injection point, that even the most IT-savvy companies deploy considerable resources focused on keeping bad actors at bay. I wouldn't want to risk a browser that could allow people to access and mess with my car'. At least my phone can't kill me if it's hacked.
Tubi is available on AAOS.When you said Volvo made apps available that do video streaming, do you mean they are available now or there were at some point in time but been removed since then?
It's a fair concern, but at the same time polestar already has it and there's really no drive related functions that could be "hacked" from the infotainment. Except, one pedal drive.Volvo manufactures transportation appliances. Most people that can afford one also own a communications appliance, AKA, a smart phone. Because we have to be in control of our transportation, most places have laws for being distracted while driving. If you're parked, you may as well pull your phone out. Lots of people have things to say about the quality of Volvo's computer interface, and now we are being asked if we should have a browser onboard. I understand the reasoning, as well as some of the IT issues. The simplest answer would be "no point", but the more important one would be that Internet browsers are such a wonderful code injection point, that even the most IT-savvy companies deploy considerable resources focused on keeping bad actors at bay. I wouldn't want to risk a browser that could allow people to access and mess with my car'. At least my phone can't kill me if it's hacked.
Are you sure any Android app can be simply rebuild for AAOS ?There is one single way to get a browser onto a volvo with aaos. You will need to create a Google developer account, download and build the open source code for Android Mozilla Firefox and publish it as a development app through your Google dev account. Than just invite your Google account and download directly into your car.
Technically you could even go as far as modifying the open source build to include the special flags for distracted driving which would allow it to work while driving.
Requires some know how but it's possible.
I've done the same - here's a slightly more in depth post: Help sideload apps Polestar 2Are you sure any Android app can be simply rebuild for AAOS ?
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