diff --git a/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/UITask.cpp b/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/UITask.cpp
index 2cca883..665c6fb 100644
--- a/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/UITask.cpp
+++ b/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/UITask.cpp
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
 class SplashScreen : public UIScreen {
   UITask* _task;
   unsigned long dismiss_after;
-  char _version_info[12];
+  char _version_info[24];
 
 public:
   SplashScreen(UITask* task) : _task(task) {
@@ -772,6 +772,7 @@ void UITask::begin(DisplayDriver* display, SensorManager* sensors, NodePrefs* no
   text_reader = new TextReaderScreen(this);
   notes_screen = new NotesScreen(this);
   settings_screen = new SettingsScreen(this, &rtc_clock, node_prefs);
+  audiobook_screen = nullptr;  // Created and assigned from main.cpp if audio hardware present
   setCurrScreen(splash);
 }
 
@@ -1241,6 +1242,16 @@ void UITask::gotoOnboarding() {
   _next_refresh = 100;
 }
 
+void UITask::gotoAudiobookPlayer() {
+  if (audiobook_screen == nullptr) return;  // No audio hardware
+  setCurrScreen(audiobook_screen);
+  if (_display != NULL && !_display->isOn()) {
+    _display->turnOn();
+  }
+  _auto_off = millis() + AUTO_OFF_MILLIS;
+  _next_refresh = 100;
+}
+
 uint8_t UITask::getChannelScreenViewIdx() const {
   return ((ChannelScreen *) channel_screen)->getViewChannelIdx();
 }
diff --git a/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/UITask.h b/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/UITask.h
index 8ff8b70..88c1779 100644
--- a/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/UITask.h
+++ b/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/UITask.h
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ class UITask : public AbstractUITask {
   UIScreen* text_reader;     // *** NEW: Text reader screen ***
   UIScreen* notes_screen;    // Notes editor screen
   UIScreen* settings_screen; // Settings/onboarding screen
-  UIScreen* audiobook_screen; // Audiobook player screen
+  UIScreen* audiobook_screen; // Audiobook player screen (null if not available)
   UIScreen* curr;
 
   void userLedHandler();
@@ -97,10 +97,6 @@ public:
   bool isOnNotesScreen() const { return curr == notes_screen; }
   bool isOnSettingsScreen() const { return curr == settings_screen; }
   bool isOnAudiobookPlayer() const { return curr == audiobook_screen; }
-
-  // Check if audio is playing/paused in the background (for status indicators)
-  bool isAudioPlayingInBackground() const;
-  bool isAudioPausedInBackground() const;
   uint8_t getChannelScreenViewIdx() const;
 
   void toggleBuzzer();
@@ -125,7 +121,7 @@ public:
   UIScreen* getChannelScreen() const { return channel_screen; }
   UIScreen* getSettingsScreen() const { return settings_screen; }
   UIScreen* getAudiobookScreen() const { return audiobook_screen; }
-  void setAudiobookScreen(UIScreen* screen) { audiobook_screen = screen; }
+  void setAudiobookScreen(UIScreen* s) { audiobook_screen = s; }
 
   // from AbstractUITask
   void msgRead(int msgcount) override;