{"id":1405,"date":"2009-04-09T08:00:26","date_gmt":"2009-04-09T08:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.markwilson.co.uk\/blog\/2009\/04\/more-on-integrating-an-apple-iphone-3g-with-audis-telephony-and-audio-systems.htm"},"modified":"2011-12-12T19:12:27","modified_gmt":"2011-12-12T19:12:27","slug":"more-on-integrating-an-apple-iphone-3g-with-audis-telephony-and-audio-systems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.markwilson.co.uk\/blog\/2009\/04\/more-on-integrating-an-apple-iphone-3g-with-audis-telephony-and-audio-systems.htm","title":{"rendered":"More on integrating an Apple iPhone 3G with Audi’s telephony and audio systems"},"content":{"rendered":"

A few days ago, it was my birthday. Whilst 37 is not a particularly significant age to celebrate (I prefer to think of it as the 16th anniversary of my 21st birthday), I did get a little present at the start of the month (hopefully it wasn’t an April fool’s joke) when my new company car was delivered. Bye bye Saab (I liked you at first but you soon showed yourself to be a Vauxhall Vectra in disguise… with aftersales service to match…) – this time I’ve gone down the German route and plumped for an Audi A4 Avant S-Line. I have to say that, even though it’s still early days, this could shape up to be one of the best cars I’ve ever driven (especially with the extra toys I’ve added to the spec) – mind you, I’ve always liked German cars and have bought a few Volkswagens over the years.<\/p>\n

Don’t worry – I’m not going to start writing car reviews – but I did write something a few months ago about integrating an Apple iPhone 3G with Audi’s telephony and audio systems<\/a> and I wanted to write a follow-up, now that I’ve had some opportunity to spend a bit more time with a suitably equipped car.<\/p>\n

First up, telephony integration. This is simple, as long as the car has the Mobile Telephone Preparation Low<\/a> option. No cradle is required as the mobile phone preparation provides Bluetooth<\/a> connectivity. As I wrote in my earlier post, just pair the iPhone with the car using the code 1234<\/code> within 30 seconds of opening the car and inserting the key (i.e. activating the car’s systems). The handsfree device will be something like Audi UHV 0000<\/em>, although the number will vary and, once paired, calls will ring the iPhone and the car simultaneously. The Bluetooth logo and signal strength are displayed on the Audi Multi Media Interface (MMI)<\/a> display:<\/p>\n

\"Audi\"Audi<\/p>\n

My iPhone 3G is running software version 2.2.1 and I seem to have no difficulties accessing the phone’s number lists and directory (although voice activation\/control is not available<\/a> – the phonebook that this refers to is the voice tag system, not the directory accessed on the phone over Bluetooth<\/a>):<\/p>\n

\"Audi<\/p>\n

One thing to note – the car can only act as a handsfree for one phone at a time (although it can pair with up to 4 devices). When I’m “on the clock”, I turn off the Bluetooth on my iPhone so that the Nokia 6021 I use for work can access the car systems.<\/p>\n

If you’re still having trouble, Audi provides a Bluetooth FAQ<\/a> as well as a PDF with details of supported handsets<\/a> (which is now over a year old and so does not include the iPhone 3G, although it appears to work).<\/p>\n

Because Apple has not provided Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP)<\/a> functionality on the current iPhone 3G or the first-generation iPhone, to integrate my iPhone with the music system so that I can access the phone’s playlists, etc., I needed to specify the <\/a>Audi Music Interface<\/a> option<\/a> and buy an AMI iPod cable<\/a> for \u00c2\u00a329. I think there is a minimum requirement on the sound system for this too (mine is the Audi Concert system).<\/p>\n

The AMI is in the glovebox (close enough for a Bluetooth signal for the phone to carry on working) and the cable will charge my phone at the same time. The only problem is that the iPhone complains that the AMI is not a supported accessory and wants to go into airplane mode. If I tell it not to, the AMI will usually find the iPhone and let me navigate the playlists, etc. but I have found it seems to work better if I put start the iPod application on the iPhone before connecting:<\/p>\n

\"This\"Accessory
\n\"Audi\"Audi<\/p>\n

The good news is that the forthcoming iPhone 3.0 software is expected to include A2DP (and it should work with the iPhone 3G – but not the original iPhone), after which I should be able to stop using the cable (although I may just leave an old iPod semi-permanently connected to the car at that point).<\/p>\n

[Update 12 December 2011: Even though iOS is now at v5.0.1, I’ve been unable to use A2DP. This worked in another Audi I drove recently so I assume the car needs a software update too. \u00a0This information from an AudiForums thread<\/a> might be useful too:<\/p>\n

“First, the difference between AMI and MMI, which threw me off, so hopefully someone else will find this helpful. This is for my 2011 A4… I don’t know what other years\/models it may apply to.<\/p>\n