AABrowserCharlesJose v2.4

Note

Fork & Attribution Notice

AABrowserCharlesJose is an enhanced fork of the open-source AABrowser project created by Kododake. All credits for the original base project belong to the original author. This fork focuses on automotive browsing, streaming compatibility, a 4-digit App Lock PIN, tab/session management, and privacy with no trackers or usage analytics.

Warning

Safety & Driver Disclaimer

Drivers MUST NOT watch videos or look at interactive media while driving. The driver must maintain full attention on the road at all times. Use entertainment features only when it is safe and lawful to do so.

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📖 Available Languages / Idiomas disponíveis

• 🇺🇸 English: You are reading the main documentation.
• 🇧🇷 Português (pt-BR): Clique aqui para ler a versão em Português (pt-BR).

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🌟 Comprehensive Features (Complete List)

🚗 Vehicle & Driving Features

• 🎬 Streaming Compatibility (Prime Video, Disney+, YouTube, etc.):
  • Auto-Desktop Mode: Enforces Desktop User Agent on streaming sites to load official Web Players without mobile block screens.
  • ⚠️ Netflix DRM Notice (Error E100 / 1044): Services like YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, Max, Pluto TV, and Twitch play video smoothly in Desktop Mode. However, Netflix enforces strict Hardware Widevine L1 DRM & EME checks that intentionally block video playback inside third-party Android WebViews (resulting in Error E100 / 1044). Browsing the Netflix catalog is supported, but video playback is restricted by Netflix to certified native browsers/apps.

🔐 Security & Privacy Features

• 🔐 App Lock PIN Privacy Protection:
  • 4-digit PIN lock screen with a randomly salted, slow key derivation hash and progressive retry delay.
  • Fullscreen lock overlay hides all browser tabs and web content when leaving your car for valet, car wash, or maintenance.
• 🛡️ Private (No Trackers):
  • The app does not collect or send usage analytics.

🌐 Browser Core Features

• 🗂️ Real Tab Manager & Session Restore: Open multiple tabs, switch between tabs easily, close tabs, and optional tab session restore on app launch.
• 🎨 Light + AMOLED Dark Mode + Beta Dark Pages: Bright light theme, true-black AMOLED dark theme, and optional forced dark page rendering.
• 🏠 Custom Home Page & Speed Dial Cards: Custom start page with Material 3 elevated shortcut cards for YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Spotify, and Google Maps.
• 🧭 Persistent Address Bar & Configurable FAB: Optional compact top URL bar and customizable floating action button (position and click action).
• 🔎 Global Display Scale: Adjust UI and web content scaling with presets or custom percentages for widescreen automotive displays (16:9, 21:9, 32:9).

📱 Android Auto & Hardware Optimizations

• 🚗 Android Auto Coolwalk 10.0+ Native Support: Window resizing (resizeableActivity), Picture-in-Picture (supportsPictureInPicture), and dynamic multi-window re-layout.
• 📱 Android 15+ (API 35+) Support: Built with modern Android system APIs.
• 📐 Edge-to-Edge & System Insets: WindowInsetsCompat handling prevents UI elements from being hidden under rounded display corners or notches.
• 🕹️ Rotary Controller / iDrive Support: Focus highlights on interactive controls for cars with console D-Pad / rotary knobs (BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Mazda).

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📥 Installation Instructions for Android 15 & Android 16

Step 1: Install the APK on your Phone

1. Download AABrowserCharlesJose-2.4.apk from the repository or GitHub Releases.
2. On your Android 15 or 16 phone, open your File Manager and tap the downloaded .apk file.
3. If prompted, allow "Install unknown apps" for your file manager.
4. Tap Install to complete the installation.

Step 2: Enable Android Auto Unknown Sources (First Time Only)

To allow the app to appear in your car's Android Auto launcher:

1. On your phone, go to Settings > Apps > Android Auto (or open Android Auto settings).
2. Scroll down to the bottom and tap Version 10 times consecutively until a popup says "Developer settings enabled".
3. Tap the Three Dots Menu (top right) and select Developer settings.
4. Check Unknown sources.
5. Tap Application Mode and select Developer.
6. Go back to Android Auto settings, select Customize Launcher, and ensure AABrowserCharlesJose is checked.

Step 3: Grant Permissions When Requested

The app requests permissions only when a feature or website needs them:

• 📍 Location Permission: Optional; requested when a website asks for your location.
• 🎙️ Microphone Permission: Optional; requested for voice search and speech-to-text input.
• 🔔 Notification Permission (Android 13+): Required for background audio playback service controls.

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🛠️ Building from Source

Requirements

• Android SDK (API 35/37)
• JDK 21

# Build Release APK
./gradlew assembleRelease

# Build Debug APK
./gradlew assembleDebug

Release builds require RELEASE_STORE_FILE, RELEASE_STORE_PASSWORD, RELEASE_KEY_ALIAS, and RELEASE_KEY_PASSWORD in local.properties, Gradle properties, or environment variables. The build fails if a release key is not configured.

Output APK locations:

• Release APK: app/build/renamedApks/release/AABrowserCharlesJose-2.4.apk
• Debug APK: app/build/renamedApks/debug/AABrowserCharlesJose-2.4_debug.apk

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📜 License & Credits

Distributed under the GPLv3 License.

• Original Project: Kododake (AABrowser)
• Fork & v2.4 Enhancements: Charles & Thiarley