2009 RNS-E / iPod integration not 'up to snuff'?

[mcowger]

As the new owner of an 09 A3 with Bose/RNS-E, I was interested in iPod integration.

My dealer told me that for the 09 A3, it wasn't quite up to snuff and doesn't work yet. However, the Audi website implies that it works fine.

So, for now, we have no iPod integration, but I would love some. Does it work, or is my dealer telling the truth?

Is the kit self installable (for a capable car person like me) or is it really a dealer only thing?

[AudiA4b6US]

The Audi iPod adapter doesn't charge the iPhone 3G or newest iPod versions. Other than that it would work fine on a 2009 RNS-E. The DICE adapter might be the better option though.

[mcowger]

The Audi iPod adapter doesn't charge the iPhone 3G or newest iPod versions. Other than that it would work fine on a 2009 RNS-E. The DICE adapter might be the better option though.

Thanks. My iPod is an older one, so the 12v charging is fine. The problem my dealer mentioned is that it won't show all the pkaylits and artists on the rns-e screen. Is that true?

I'd like to avoid the dice gear, as I've not been impressed with it's integration in the past.

M

[AudiA4b6US]

No Audi head unit in the A3/A4/TT will display any text, regardless of the adpater used.

[mcowger]

interesting. The a3 technology microsite as well as the apple website indicates that it will. Are you sure it's not just new for 2009?

[AudiA4b6US]

Links? I would love to be wrong but so far I have yet to see an A3/A4 (not B8)/TT head unit that displays text from the iPod.

[mcowger]

here's where I see it on the A3 technology site:

http://www.truthinengineering.com/ex...nology/a3.html

its A3 specific. Click 'iPhone', and skip ahead 4/5ths of the way into the video. It clearly shows the artists, etc showing up on the RNS-E display.

This apple site, while not A3 specific, also shows the same interface:
http://www.apple.com/ipod/carintegra...acturers/audi/

[AudiA4b6US]

The video shows the MMI in the A6. The phone integration is similar to how it works in the A3/A4/TT but anything they say about iPod functionality though only applies to the AMI which only exists for the MMI or just recently in the B8 A4/A5.

[mcowger]

The video shows the MMI in the A6. The phone integration is similar to how it works in the A3/A4/TT but anything they say about iPod functionality though only applies to the AMI which only exists for the MMI or just recently in the B8 A4/A5.

Interesting that they would display it for the A3 then :( This was one of the factors that got me to choose the A3.

--M

[AudiA4b6US]

That's why you can never trust a sales guy or video...

[mcowger]

That's why you can never trust a sales guy or video...

Agreed. Here's to hoping there will be a software update of some sort....(not that I know of any precedence for this).

[AudiA4b6US]

Well, technically Audi would have all the tools to make the AMI that works with the radios in the B8 to work at least with the RNS-E. They have a CAN based AMI, they have the power to request a software update from their OEM but I don't see thay they are willing to spend more money on they RNS-E. It is more likely that there will be a new RNS for the A3/TT and maybe the R8 that will be based on the VW RNS-510. That new device will like be retrofitable in the A3 and TT but not in the A4 B6/B7 (just because of the missing faceplate and because the A4 B6/B7 platform is now only used by SEAT). Without new hardware (at least a new external device together with some kind of software update for the RNS-E) there won't be better iPod integration for the RNS-E, that's for sure.

[mcowger]

Well, technically Audi would have all the tools to make the AMI that works with the radios in the B8 to work at least with the RNS-E. They have a CAN based AMI, they have the power to request a software update from their OEM but I don't see thay they are willing to spend more money on they RNS-E. It is more likely that there will be a new RNS for the A3/TT and maybe the R8 that will be based on the VW RNS-510. That new device will like be retrofitable in the A3 and TT but not in the A4 B6/B7 (just because of the missing faceplate and because the A4 B6/B7 platform is now only used by SEAT). Without new hardware (at least a new external device together with some kind of software update for the RNS-E) there won't be better iPod integration for the RNS-E, that's for sure.

Agreed - it would certainly require new hardware for the dock itself, which is why I wont buy anything until then.

For now I guess I will just buy a couple of large SD cards.

[Kid Red]

I have the Dice unit hooked to my NAV unit and it's fine. You don't get text, but I get 80g worth of music. There is a way to get to playlists, albums, etc, but I just put it on shuffle and hit down on my steering wheel to skip to the next song. I'll put my new songs, or favorties on SD cards for quicker access.

[mcowger]

I have the Dice unit hooked to my NAV unit and it's fine. You don't get text, but I get 80g worth of music. There is a way to get to playlists, albums, etc, but I just put it on shuffle and hit down on my steering wheel to skip to the next song. I'll put my new songs, or favorties on SD cards for quicker access.

yeah - no text is a deal killer for me.