Where is the Bluetooth streaming audio functionality?

[tsivas27]

double post ...see below

[tsivas27]

You find it more convenient to switch songs on the iPhone than with your steering wheel controls?

Yes I do find it more convenient. I have over 30 gb of songs on the iPhone and the steering wheel control takes forever. Having a wife in passenger seat also means she likes to control the music and the MMI interface is a bit complicated if you aren't using it everyday.

I also like having the ability to use spotify, pandora and slacker when I get bored of my songs and not having to try and force the MMI to not go back to iPhone/ipod songs every few minutes.

I have the second cable (non hacked) for the traditional way also (with a 3 foot AMI extension cable coming out of the glovebox) but I never use it nowadays.

The hack isn't for everyone. It's a cable and you can always buy another one. The positives outweighed the negatives for my decision.

[Agilis]

Hello everyone,

Has there been any update regarding the status of the MMI 3G Plus systems supporting Bluetooth Streaming?

[Stubek]

Hello everyone,

Has there been any update regarding the status of the MMI 3G Plus systems supporting Bluetooth Streaming?

If you read the thread, you will notice that the last post is only 6 days ago and this is a recent thread, so no.

[nammers]

Hello everyone,

Has there been any update regarding the status of the MMI 3G Plus systems supporting Bluetooth Streaming?

If you read the thread, you will notice that the last post is only 6 days ago and this is a recent thread, so no.

haha grumpy much? If you look at his "Join Date", you will notice that he just joined today, so cut him some slack; he just wants to be included on any future updates.

[Stubek]

Yes, grumpy, but he can still read one page of posts and the post above his to see it is only 6 days old. Reading, a basic skill. I did read that which is why I was nice. Back to dealing with people at work, I would rather spend the day on here or even better, out in my car.

[nammers]

Disappointing update...

http://www.a5oc.com/forums/a5-s5-top...tml#post188836

[svander]

This is pathetic.

[svander]

Duplicate post

[t0mt0m]

When using siri on my iphone4s it works through the car without a problem. I tried playing music on my phone then using siri n i heard the music for a few seconds throught the bluetooth. So it is possible!!! Its there but just needs a hack or something

[svander]

Disappointing update...

http://www.a5oc.com/forums/a5-s5-top...tml#post188836

I got the same answer:

Bluetooth audio streaming for vehicles equipped with “MMI 3G” such as your Audi S4 remains unavailable. I understand at one point in time, the implementation of this capability was expected, but alas, we have been told that the developments will not be made. The interview with Mr. Brabec was at time when A2DP capability was expected.

It is for these reasons that I cannot give you anything to indicate that A2DP streaming will be made available for your vehicle, at any point in the future.

The new iPod cable, 4F0 051 510 R, identified by the dark red grommet on the music interface connector is indeed Apple-licensed (contains their “chip”) and is able to transmit cover art and video playback amongst other features is being made available. This cable, however is intended to work with the Audi 3G MMI+ as found in the current Audi A8, Audi A7, and Audi A6. These systems are not the same as that found in the 2011 Audi S4.

I regret to give you not only one, but two, unfavorable responses, however any other response would be inaccurate and inappropriate. I have also shared our communication with our Product Planning, Accessories Development, and Product Support colleagues.

Sounds like hacking up a cable and buying an adapter will be the only alternative to this.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ally-Possible*

[DLAB]

I stopped by my dealer this morning to pick up the Bluetooth adapter that's supposed to work with the 2G MMI. I have a MY2011 S4 without Navigation... I thought that means that I have the 2G and not the 3G, but alas, the damn thing wouldn't work.

The accessory guy let me take it out to my car and try it out. When I plugged in the flash drive, it said "Updating software...", but then it would fail and say that the software was incompatible. Next I went strait for the Bluetooth device, and it wouldn't recognize my phone, even though it was already paired with the car.

[svander]

Yeah, we're just not going to get this working without some entrepreneurial hacking going on.

I wonder what the difference is in parts from the 3G MMI to the 3G MMI +... and if it could be a simple thing to purchase and retrofit.

[Agilis]

Hello everyone, I'm the same Agilis that started the topic over on A5oc.com that nammers referenced. Just wanted to let you know that there is an update in the Bluetooth Streaming support:

http://www.a5oc.com/forums/a5-s5-top...s5-mmi-3g.html

In a nut shell, on Friday, I was able to talk with my contact at Audi of America who works as an Executive Case Support Specialist. He believes it's only a matter of time before Audi of Germany releases an update or device for Bluetooth Streaming. Mainly because, they are receiving an overwhelming number of phone calls and emails regarding Bluetooth Streaming. So many that there is now a trend forming which Audi of Germany is now aware of. Also, because the 2013 MMI 3G will have Bluetooth Support, which is basically identical to existing MMI 3G systems and that will make existing owners even more unhappy.

So, bottom line: Audi of America is pushing for this support, but convincing Audi of Germany is difficult. Because of amount of complaints, Audi of America has leverage.

In the mean time, make your voice heard by contacting Audi via email or voice, and let them know. But in the end, this is sort of good news.

Thanks!

[yas]

Who at AoA should we address the email to?

[BASARAB]

Who at AoA should we address the email to?

[email protected]

[Agilis]

Who at AoA should we address the email to?

I went to AudiUSA.com and used the contact form on their website, or you can try to call them using their contact info. This is the contact info:

http://www.audiusa.com/us/brand/en/a...tact_audi.html

Hope that helps!

[Maxyim]

Cross-linking to my thread in B8 A4 forums:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-contact-info)


"Hey guys,

I just got a major disappointment from learning that it is not possible for me to stream bluetooth audio on my vehicle. After some research, I have discovered that I am now merely one of thousands who has complained about this. Strangely enough however, these complaints did not come up during all of the research that I did before purchasing this vehicle, so the web profile of this problem is still very limited and Audi itself is obviously not going to be very forthcoming about this shortcoming.

My research also turned up an article from 2008, where Filip Brabec (head product development guy in US) specifically stated that support for A2DP would be coming "soon." The article can be found here.

I have also confirmed that Mr. Brabec is still with Audi of America. Even better, I was able to find their corporate contact phone number to get around the "small fry" screeners (yes, we are small fries, even though we spent $40k+ on our vehicles). The number is 1.703.364.7000.

Here is where you guys come in. Please take the 2 minutes to call the number above, dial 0 for the operator, and then ask for the office of Filip Brabec. They will actually transfer you; I got his voicemail when I tried earlier today. If you do the same, kindly leave him a message inquiring as to the reason for the delay of a feature promised 4 years ago, and adding your voice to demand a timetable and backwards compatibility of the promised software update once it is available. A few polite comments about going to the BBB and the media would not be amiss as well in terms of providing encouragement for action. If you actually get him to pick up the phone, kindly and politely give him a piece of your mind. :)

Thanks for your help!"

[jdgamble]

Since this popped back up, I'll throw in my solution...

I bought an ipod extender cable, which I keep in the glove box. When I want to stream, I just plug in my iphone and hold it in the center console. The cable I bought is available here...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...00_i00_details

It charges and works fine with Pandora or TuneIn Radio (highly recommended).

A little ghetto, but it solves the problem.

[Agilis]

Thanks for the contribution but how is this working? How are you connecting the iPhone to the car so that application sounds are processed through the Audi's MMI? iPhone when connected to the MMI enters accessory mode where the phone functions as a hard drive allowing the music to be accessed by the MMI. Please explain further. Thanks!

[BobMugabe]

Is there a solution for non-iPhones (i.e. Android devices) that doesn't involve creating/splicing your own cable?

Since this popped back up, I'll throw in my solution...

I bought an ipod extender cable, which I keep in the glove box. When I want to stream, I just plug in my iphone and hold it in the center console. The cable I bought is available here...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...00_i00_details

It charges and works fine with Pandora or TuneIn Radio (highly recommended).

A little ghetto, but it solves the problem.

[jdgamble]

Thanks for the contribution but how is this working? How are you connecting the iPhone to the car so that application sounds are processed through the Audi's MMI? iPhone when connected to the MMI enters accessory mode where the phone functions as a hard drive allowing the music to be accessed by the MMI. Please explain further. Thanks!

When I plug in the iPhone, initially it wants to play my iTunes music. However, I just launch Pandora or Tune In and it overrides the iTunes. So Pandora works like a charm with this. The center console >> button even skips tracks, but if you want to like or dislike a song, you have to do it on the phone (obviously). It's the best $17 you can spend on this car.

Is there a solution for non-iPhones (i.e. Android devices) that doesn't involve creating/splicing your own cable?

I have no idea. I don't know what kind of connector they use. Is it mini USB? Doesn't Audi make a cable for that? If so, you would just need a male/female extender for that.

For the record, Verizon gives away iPhone 4's these days (non S).

[FourRingRider]

Hey guys... I am working with a company that is assisting me to create a bluetooth audio solution for our vehicles. Will post updates as they become available via this thread... Thanks!

[jdwk]

Audi is so far behind that when the S4 finally gets A2DP (2013MY presumably), you can go buy a Camry that has Pandora and other apps built right in to the dash that has no service charge because it just pulls data from your phone. Really, a Camry.

*Edit* Actually it is only free for 3 years, then they start charging, but the apps are projected to be $5/mo and Pandora will still be free.
http://www.toyota.com/entune/what-is...e-account.html

[FourRingRider]

Yeah, but that's the only thing the Camry has going for it...

[inNout]

Hey guys... I am working with a company that is assisting me to create a bluetooth audio solution for our vehicles. Will post updates as they become available via this thread... Thanks!

Subscribed

[jdwk]

Yeah, but that's the only thing the Camry has going for it...

I'd throw reliability in there too, but yeah, that's it.

[lockerfan]

I'm not sure if this will meet everybody's needs, but here's what I did to get bluetooth audio streaming in my new A5 and it works flawlessly for me. It was really easy with no splicing or modification of wires. Note that I have both an iPhone 4s and a brand new iPad. Yes, I'm a gadget geek.

I wanted my iPhone to work with the built-in bluetooth in the car (mainly for incoming calls on my phone). And i wanted my iPad to control navigation, pandora/ipod, videos, voip, etc. If you're happy with just ignoring the built-in phone bluetooth capabilities in your car, you can do all this with just one device.

I purchased 3 items from amazon ~$100 total:

- MDI AMI MMI Cable Adapter Connect Ipod Iphone Mini 3.5mm to Audi A4 A5 S5 A6 A8 Q7 / Vw Jetta GTI GLI Jetta Passat Cc Tiguan Touareg EOS
- StarTech.com GCAUD3535FF 3.5 mm to 3.5 mm Audio Coupler - Female to Female
- Belkin Bluetooth Car Hands-Free Kit for Apple iPod, iPhone, BlackBerry,and Android Smartphones

I just plugged the AUX adapter into the glovebox, and stuck the audio coupler to the end of it, then plugged in the bluetooth adapter into the coupler. Very simple and somewhat clean. I also plug the bluetooth adapter in the outlet next to the ashtray. Once you pair the bluetooth adapter and your device, it works beautifully. Even when you leave the car and come back later, just turn on the car and press the button on the adapter and it almost instantaneously pairs and starts the music where you left off.

In my case, my iPhone is paired to the audi bluetooth so I have both things going on, but you can use the belkin to control phone calls too.

[lockerfan]

sorry, forgot to mention that this should work for any bluetooth device, not just iPods. android should work too.

[BobMugabe]

lockerfan, that sounds like an interesting set up. I'd love to hear from Android owners who've done this to verify that it works!

[mpatel1080]

I have bluetooth streaming working in my s4 through aftermarket solutions as well. I bought a cable from w ashcroft on the a5oc forum that connects to the MMI interface in the globe box, there are instructions on there on how to wire up your own MMI cable if you are so inclined. That cable has a headphone jack for audio and a mini usb port for power. I then bought the blackberry music gateway from amazon to stream the bluetooth audio and hooked to up to the cable (I tried a couple bluetooth gateways but the blackberry was the only one that auto paired with my iPhone when i returned to the vehicle. It also works seamlessly with the bluetooth hands free feature in the car). Then I bought a mini usb splitter and a mini usb to iPhone charger so that the iPhone can be charging at the same time as the bluetooth gateway. I have included links to the items I purchased. The total cost was around $120.

http://www.a5oc.com/forums/a5-s5-top...ia-mmi-10.html
http://www.amazon.com/BlackBerry-Rem...2600055&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...00_i00_details
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...00_i00_details

[kausbose]

I have bluetooth streaming working in my s4 through aftermarket solutions as well. I bought a cable from w ashcroft on the a5oc forum that connects to the MMI interface in the globe box, there are instructions on there on how to wire up your own MMI cable if you are so inclined. That cable has a headphone jack for audio and a mini usb port for power. I then bought the blackberry music gateway from amazon to stream the bluetooth audio and hooked to up to the cable (I tried a couple bluetooth gateways but the blackberry was the only one that auto paired with my iPhone when i returned to the vehicle. It also works seamlessly with the bluetooth hands free feature in the car). Then I bought a mini usb splitter and a mini usb to iPhone charger so that the iPhone can be charging at the same time as the bluetooth gateway. I have included links to the items I purchased. The total cost was around $120.

http://www.a5oc.com/forums/a5-s5-top...ia-mmi-10.html
http://www.amazon.com/BlackBerry-Rem...2600055&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...00_i00_details
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...00_i00_details

I am heading over to make one myself now. It doesn't seem that difficult to make one. Especially when you open one MMI Interface cable up. I had one question though before I headed into this venture. How is the audio volume? Using the BB bluetooth receiver that is. Do you have to manually crank up the volume of the car stereo such that when you switch sources your have extra loud music? Has that happened to you?

Thanks

[mpatel1080]

I am heading over to make one myself now. It doesn't seem that difficult to make one. Especially when you open one MMI Interface cable up. I had one question though before I headed into this venture. How is the audio volume? Using the BB bluetooth receiver that is. Do you have to manually crank up the volume of the car stereo such that when you switch sources your have extra loud music? Has that happened to you?

Thanks

As long as the volume on my iPhone is set properly I don't have to fiddle with it too much.

[maskinut]

Does this draw power when the car is off? (blackberry gateway)

[maskinut]

Apparently not based on another forum thread

[mpatel1080]

Does this draw power when the car is off? (blackberry gateway)

No it does not stay on

[jstompanato]

Yes I do find it more convenient. I have over 30 gb of songs on the iPhone and the steering wheel control takes forever. Having a wife in passenger seat also means she likes to control the music and the MMI interface is a bit complicated if you aren't using it everyday.

I also like having the ability to use spotify, pandora and slacker when I get bored of my songs and not having to try and force the MMI to not go back to iPhone/ipod songs every few minutes.

I have the second cable (non hacked) for the traditional way also (with a 3 foot AMI extension cable coming out of the glovebox) but I never use it nowadays.

The hack isn't for everyone. It's a cable and you can always buy another one. The positives outweighed the negatives for my decision.

Hi, i also bought an extension cable for the iPod cable but cant close the glove box with the wire coming out. How did you pass the thick wire? Thank you

[HyperM3]

I know its not "bluetooth" streaming, but I was able to get pandora to play in the car from my friends iPhone through the OEM cable in the glovebox. Dunno if this was already covered or relevent, but it worked and I was happy.

[jdgamble]

Hi, i also bought an extension cable for the iPod cable but cant close the glove box with the wire coming out. How did you pass the thick wire? Thank you

Which cable did you buy? I bought this one and the glove box closes on the cable ok.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o00_s00_i00

[BDIAS]

Hey guys... I am working with a company that is assisting me to create a bluetooth audio solution for our vehicles. Will post updates as they become available via this thread... Thanks!

How is your solution coming?