This week’s Ask MF comes from Matt Bentley and deals with an issue we’ve heard quite lot about from a few readers:
>I was wondering if you could shine some light on the current state of the iPod/iPhone integration for R56 vehicles. I own a 3g iPhone. My phone will only charge intermittently, and additionally, there’s no way (other than simply unplugging the USB cable from the vehicle) to enable the use of the iPhone’s iPod app screen, as it’s locked out by default by the ‘Accessory Connected’ screen.
>Though my dealer has been happy to look at my car, they’re unable to figure out why the phone will only charge intermittently, or why the iPod app is locked out.
>Additionally, they were unable to tell me why the iPhone/iPod itself requires 2 connections – stereo mini jack and USB- in order to connect, while aftermarket units simply use USB.
>I’d really appreciate it if MotoringFile was able to highlight this to MINI USA, as it’s a shame to have an iPod/iPhone integration system that really isn’t that well…integrated.
Based on my own experiences, when Apple changed the way the iPhone charged (starting with the 3G) charging in MINI’s system became much more unstable. But that was with the first port installed R56 iPod adapter. We don’t have a ton of experience with the new system other than to know that it doesn’t charge an iPhone 3G or 3GS. So we have to turn this one over to MF readers.
<p>I have an iPhone 3GS and have found that charging from the iPod adapter in the dash works more reliably if I start the car <em>before</em> I connect the phone to the charger.</p>
<p>The intermittent charging might be harder to diagnose… Have you left the phone in the car before trying to charge, so that it is extremely hot or cold? The iPhone has a protection feature that will not allow charging if the phone is outside its normal operating temperature. Does your iPhone screen display any other notifications?</p>
<p>As far as the two cables, that’s an easy one: Apple (until very recently and only by license) does not allow a digital audio output from any iPod device. The iPod dock connector outputs an analog signal that passes through the 3.5mm jack and uses the USB as a control interface. This is true of nearly all iPod accessories, with notable exceptions being very high-end devices (Wadia iTransport, B&W Zeppelin Mini) that Apple has allowed to access the digital datastream. Don’t believe me? Try this…unplug the 3.5mm cable and you will still be able to control the ipod, but no sound. Unplug the USB, leaving the 3.5mm cable in and you will get sound but no control. This is an Apple created neccesity, not a MINI one.</p>
<p>I have a Dice iPod connector in my car that does not need any connection other than the Dock connector to get sound out of my iPhone 3G. I do get the stupid not made for iPhone screen, but it will still work just fine with no interference after that.</p>
<p>I do have intermittent charging issues with it also and I do have the newer unit with the correct charging voltage. I wonder if the charging problems are a function (or malfunction really) of the iPhone iteself?</p>
<blockquote>I have a Dice iPod connector in my car that does not need any connection other than the Dock connector to get sound out of my iPhone 3G.
</blockquote>
<p>The MINI Bluetooth/USB/iPod system doesn’t connect to anything other than the docking port either. It’s just that with the system that MINI uses the other end of the cable plugs into 2 ports. IMHO this is a better setup since you can use the USB port for USB keychain drives with MP3s and you can also use the aux port for things like XM/Sirius, your laptop, other MP3 players etc.</p>
<p>Apple went from 12-volt or 6-volt charging (FireWire voltage) to only 6-volt (USB voltage) on the 3G to prevent iPhones from getting fried by unstable power supply. You can get a cheap adapter that steps the car’s 12-volt power down to 6-volt and that should solve the intermittent charging problem.</p>
<p>I find what if I plugged in my iPhone 3G or my new 3GS it would eat the battery very quickly. I would also get the “This Accessory isn’t designed for this iPhone….” pop-up. My solution…use my older 4th gen iPod connected to the iPod cable, which charges just great. And then plug my iPhone into a 12v to 1Amp lighter port USB charger.</p>
<p>I’ve got a 2010 MCS and iPhone 3GS. I had no luck with one of those converters that supposedly will give you back charging along with control. I did buy a USB Y-cable and plug the side with two ends into a cigarette-lighter charger and the MINI USB port. That allows the 3GS to get the extra power it needs to charge properly. It is a bit of a mess of cables, but at least it charges and gives me control through the MINI.</p>
<p>From what I understood, the iPhone 3G requires more current to charge than the previous iPhones/iPods and MINI released an updated cable to accommodate the change. The 3GS seems to require even more and there’s lots of discussion about it on NAM. The best guess seems to be that the USB port isn’t capable of putting out enough current.</p>
<p>If you have an R56/57 fitted with an armrest with the snap-in adapter capability, there’s snap-ins available for each iPhone version that charge correctly:</p>
<p>For Bluetooth fitted cars without Smartphone Integration (Option 6NE):</p>
<p><code>Original iPhone: 84 10 9 182 792
iPhone 3G: 84 21 2 151 038
iPhone 3GS: 84 21 2 158 682</code></p>
<p>For Bluetooth fitted cars with Smarphone Integration (Option Code 6NF):
<code>Original iPhone: 84 21 9 164 213
iPhone 3G: 84 21 2 151 043
iPhone 3GS: 84 21 2 158 683</code></p>
<p>The reason for the split USB/AUX cord seems to be pretty much an aesthetic+cost savings measure. The BMW electronics only seem to speak the Apple serial protocol, so the cable has a USB to Serial converter built into it, which effectively limits audio to a separate connection. They probably could have added a third connection that had the two combined.</p>
<p>I imagine the alternative would be licensing the Apple encryption hardware to do digital decoding through the USB port.</p>
<p>The charging is definitely a pain – 1st gen iPhone, 3G or 3GS – because it won’t reliably start. And it only provides just enough current to charge if you’re playing back audio (that is, it charges very slowly). Most of the time charging works for me (I have a 1st Gen iPhone and an 09 Mini), but I have to check to make sure that it is. I’ve had the same experience as Dean – if I start the car before plugging in the phone, there’s a better chance that it works. I can usually get it to work after unplugging it and plugging it back in a couple times.</p>
<p>As for the iPod “lockout”, that can probably be laid at Apple’s feet. I’m guessing that if an accessory takes over control of iPod playback, that the iPhone locks that screen. No idea why that’d be necessary, but I find it annoying from time to time as well. Mostly because scrolling through the list of artists or albums takes FOREVER using the dial.</p>
<p>At least you can use the rest of the phone as normal, just not the iPod app.</p>
<p>There are several threads on this on the Apple support forum. Not only are BMW/ MINI’s having this issue with 3GS but other car manufacturers and other charging devices. Theories seem to be that the amps required has gone up and many devices (BMW/MINI) don’t support it.
There are many who say that it worked fine with 3G but not 3Gs.</p>
<p>I believe the issue with the ipiPhone 3GS is that the amperage requirement varies with the battery’s state of charge. When it is very low, it requires more power than is available at the MINI’s USB port. So, it wont charge. When the battery has more charge it requires less power an will charge from the USB port.</p>
<p>Some have reported that using a special Y USB cable allows them to connect the iPhone to a USB car charger (cig lighter socket) and the MINI USB port simultaneously. The car charger provides the additional power required.</p>
<p>If you can’t find the cable, you could just carry a USB car charger for times when the iPhone battery is too low for the MINI’s USB port. Then switch when the battery has sufficient charge.</p>
<p>My MCS predates the USB connection. I use an Apple Universal Dock to connect the iPhone’s dock port audio out to the AUX, and a Belkin Micro USB Car Charger. I get the same audio quality, and charging, but don’t have NAV display of playlists nor Next/Previous on the MFSW.</p>
<p>I have this custom system in my car which has done me very well and its super simple to use an iPhone or iPod with it! You slide this special tape into the deck and there is a cord coming out the back with a headphone jack on it and all I do is plug it into my iPhone and it works like a charm. Talk about integration.
On the flip side, making sure that your iPhone and iPod has the most up-to-date software may not be the best idea because something might change with how it interacts with devices (or a MINI). I’m betting one can get on Apples website and find an old software version for the iPods and it will work much better. And, then it might not, but its a start. Worst case, just use the AUX port. Don’t they all come with one? I was in a very base feeling S and it had one.</p>
<p>From my experience and research, I believe that Robin is correct…</p>
<p>If you start with a full or nearly full iPhone battery, it will stay charged all day, even with continuous phone/ipod usage.</p>
<p>The battery will not charge, however, if more than about 1/3-1/2 of the battery charge has been used–dependent on your current usage. If you just plug in a half charged iphone but do not use it at all, it might charge, but if you then turn on ipod, phone, wireless or bluetooth, the drain on the battery is greater and the Mini will no longer be able to charge it.</p>
<p>I have a couple of solutions to I-Phone/ I-Pod Touch users who want to use things like Pandora Radio. Start the application first before pluggin in the product. Then plug in the product and wait a fee seconds for the radio to recognize the product being connected. Lastly once it is recognized select it in the audio screen and the next sounds you hear will be of Pandora Radio. The screen also does not lock you out so you have the ability to control the I-Phone/ I-Pod Touch normally without any issue.</p>
<p>Gabe thanks for posting up my question. I’m hoping you might be able to pass it along to your contacts at MINI USA.</p>
<p>Just to be clear my question is really centered around charging and playback. It’s not possible currently to reliably charge the phone. When the phone does charge, it’s not possible to use the iPhone touch interface to control music playback.</p>
<p>I’m not interested in why this is- I simply want to know if MINI has any plans to address these issues.</p>
<p>Frankly, I’d expect such a slap-dash setup from someone like GM, or Ford. The lack of polish on this pretty expensive system is dramatically apparent. Also, the iPhone 3g had been out for almost a year by the time my vehicle was produced. (It’s not all about my vehicle, I’m just saying that would be enough time to react and address issues.)</p>
<p>Though there’s some relation between that change and the issues that folks are seeing with older iPod based 3rd party chargers- that’s not the case here. Yes, Apple did change the spec to no longer include support for the Firewire 12v charging, opting instead for the lower USB 5v. But in that case you’d simply get a ‘caution’ symbol with the notice that ‘Charging is not supported’ with that particular accessory. What I’m seeing is intermittent charging, as shown by the display of the lighting bolt icon at times, and the plug icon at others.</p>
<p>Will MINI ever update the car so that the iPod app isn’t locked out while connected with the USB cable?
-I’d think that this was a safety concern on MINI’s part, but as they don’t lock out other apps, why the iPod app? Those with hacked phones have had success disabling the iPod app lock out screen by altering the iPod app. That seems to indicate that it’s possible to address in software somehow.</p>
<p>A few side questions:</p>
<p>Did BMW/MINI do this on the cheap?
-They don’t sport the ‘Made for iPod/iPhone logo anywhere on their system, which indicates to me that they tried to go it on their own.</p>
<p>Why is MINI still using a USB to serial adaptor?
-Alpine, Pioneer etc all seem to be capable of single cable USB playback AND flawless charging. Again, I get the feeling that they did it to shave cost, and avoid licensing fees from Apple.</p>
<p>In the end, I’m just a little let down at the entire experience. But even more let down that I haven’t got any way to contact the company and voice my concerns and get them resolved.</p>
<p>I’ve never been a big fan of Apple but I have to admit that the iphone is quite good! 🙂 I’d like to know if this issue about the iphone 4 is important or not. I’d like to buy the new 4g and I was wondering if the calls actually drop more or not. Sorry if it’s a bit off topic 😛 Many thanks</p>