iPhone 5 and MDI

[DkN]

Just to be crystal clear; the iPhone 5 does indeed support simple command inputs for play/pause/stop/next/previous via the lightening connector interface (with hi-fi docks in mind). That being said, the current VAG MDI interface does not. MDI uses iPod-out connectivity for control input to Apple iPod compatible devices. The assumptions above are flatly wrong.

An update to MDI will be necessary if this functionality is to be available on the new iPhone 5.

That makes sense.

And the adapter will at least provide Play/Pause/Next/Prev, just like BT A2DP. The only thing not confirmed is the ability to select playlists/artists/etc, features Android or USB never had anyway.

Actually these are features that AVRCP does have and AVRCP has been available on many Android devices as well as the iPhone for a while now, but all the HU manufacturers were so wrapped up in Apple licences that no one paid much attention.

BT is the way forward for phone connections, and if you're using USB or SD, it's simply up to the HU manufacturer to implement a music library system that pretty much any half decent phones will have these days. And yes that includes playlists, they do exist outside of Apple, Apple just likes being a PITA and make their own standards to make things inconvenient for everyone else.

I daresay all of the mentioned features (play / pause / skip, ID3 tag display, playlist / artist select etc) will be in the new Discovery Pro units whether you plug in an iPod, USB, SD or use BT. The press release mentions improved media-handling capabilities and I wouldn't expect anything less from VW.

[readerr0r]

Just to be crystal clear; the iPhone 5 does indeed support simple command inputs for play/pause/stop/next/previous via the lightening connector interface (with hi-fi docks in mind). That being said, the current VAG MDI interface does not. MDI uses iPod-out connectivity for control input to Apple iPod compatible devices. The assumptions above are flatly wrong.

An update to MDI will be necessary if this functionality is to be available on the new iPhone 5.

iPod out is for visual display on a car screen, like the Mini and some BMWs, it was introduced in iOS4.0

If the MDI only worked with devices that supported iPod Out, it wouldn't work with the iPod Classic, iPod Nano, older iPod Touches and older iPhones.

If the MDI does indeed use iPod out, it'll just go back to the older mode for more basic/older iPods

Thorough write up here.

http://www.tuaw.com/2012/09/13/lightning-30-pin-adapter-works-with-analog-audio-ipod-out-doe/

[readerr0r]

That makes sense.


Actually these are features that AVRCP does have and AVRCP has been available on many Android devices as well as the iPhone for a while now, but all the HU manufacturers were so wrapped up in Apple licences that no one paid much attention.

BT is the way forward for phone connections, and if you're using USB or SD, it's simply up to the HU manufacturer to implement a music library system that pretty much any half decent phones will have these days. And yes that includes playlists, they do exist outside of Apple, Apple just likes being a PITA and make their own standards to make things inconvenient for everyone else.

I daresay all of the mentioned features (play / pause / skip, ID3 tag display, playlist / artist select etc) will be in the new Discovery Pro units whether you plug in an iPod, USB, SD or use BT. The press release mentions improved media-handling capabilities and I wouldn't expect anything less from VW.

I meant in the scope of the current VW BT and MDI units. You cannot control playlists/artist etc. via a BT connection on any current VW with any device

You get Play/Pause/Next/Prev only atm

[rockcod]

A Bluetooth module upgrade should enable you to control your playlists though wouldn't it? That's what I've been looking into lately.

[readerr0r]

A Bluetooth module upgrade should enable you to control your playlists though wouldn't it? That's what I've been looking into lately.

Nup, the latest BT modules only allow the Play/Pause/Next/Prev and show Track info. I have one in my Polo from the factory

You can select the playlist you want on your phone though

[rockcod]

Ah k, thanks for the info.

[IN2VWS]

The biggest issue that we have all overlooked with this is that from now on, if BT streaming is the way forward, cops are going to have a field day because you cannot (in Vic anyway) have any kind of mobile device in the passenger compartment available to touch or interact with while the car is in motion. You can't even have a phone or iPod sitting on your passenger seat or in your lap, even a GPS can get you stung!

Nice one apple...

You are wrong.

This is from the Vicroads website:

Mobile phones
Using a mobile phone while driving is prohibited, except to make or receive a phone call or to use its audio/music functions provided the phone:

is secured in a commercially designed holder fixed to the vehicle, or
can be operated by the driver without touching any part of the phone, and is not resting on any part of the driver's body.


Using a phone as a navigational device/GPS while driving is prohibited unless it is secured in a commercially designed holder fixed to the vehicle. All other functions (including video calls, texting and emailing) are prohibited.

[Ryan_R]

Will just have to pretend switching OBD info screens in Torque is included in that (I have a holder)

[Paulc1964au]

Are we able to receive text messages on the screen now?

[IN2VWS]

Anyone else having call quality issues with the iPhone 5 on the RNS-510?
Handset to handset sounds great.
Bluetooth handsfree in my car to another HD voice compatible phone, is terrible. I keep getting bursts of static during the call.
Bluetooth handsfree in my car to non HD voice phone, works fine.
All the calls affected have been to Samsung phones, as I don't know anyone else with a iPhone 5 yet.
Anyone else having the same issue?

[mythik]

Bluetooth handsfree in my car to another HD voice compatible phone, is terrible. I keep getting bursts of static during the call.

Get onto a call with someone you know it causes issues with. Turn the volume rocker on the phone up to maximum whilst on the call, then back the volume down 3 presses and that got rid of it for me. The output gain was too high and it was distorting.

[Ryan_R]

There's also volume settings in the bluetooth module you can adjust via VCDS

[alexz]

is there an iphone 5 cradle available yet?

[IN2VWS]

Don't think so. I use one of these for all my phones. Home - Steelie Mobile Device HolderSteelie Mobile Device Holder | Stand for iPhone and iPad

[mythik]

GOOD NEWS!

After my previous doom and gloom that the adapter wouldn't work - in response to a number of very pissed off customers, you might have noticed Apple delayed shipment of the adapter quite significantly. This delay I'm told was due to working on the adapter firmware having more support for 30-pin accessories to ease consumer pain. Happily, they worked in the VW MDI setup into it and it plays nicely with iPod-Out for VW. It also charges (500mA only, so no speedy recharges).

I received my adapter today and it works as if it would when you connect an iPhone 4/3/iPod. The only hiccup I notice so far is when you plug it in, there's a significant initialisation delay. I have nfi why this is, however, it's currently taking upwards of 10 seconds to get going.

HAPPY DAYS.