The MMI, bluetooth con'y, Android phones and telephone prep

[Audiyoudo]

Evening guys

I have another dilemma to this one http://forum.rs246.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=102078

I am in the process of doing some research in to what options are available to get some decent modern connectivity without ripping out the original MMI interface. I have just purchased this below unit which appears to be one of a few in the world made for this unique phone and yes guys, I have an android device, yes I love windows and the ability to perform customisation of an OS without restrictions!!

Although I am not keen on the bluetooth tel prep on the side on the console on my avant, I am convinced it can be modified even if I have to fabricate a small bracket (done professionally in piano black or carbon-fiber of course) to sit in between and marry the two, I think it will look great once the below cradle is mounted for my Galaxy S3. Although I use the Nav and phone side of the MMI interface, I wouldn't mind swapping it for one of the android type head units by Pioneer or Alpine which can run the android desktop through apps so allowing a bigger screen for Google maps, the internet etc etc. Having said that, I am worried about further connectivity issues with other items in the car like the bluetooth external ariel etc and the CD changer in the glove box, the amps, bose etc.





http://telcoantennas.com.au/site/smooth ... connection

So I am thinking possibly stay with the MMI, run the new cradle into the wiring in the rear of the phone prep and hopefully (this is where you guys come in) pick up on the necessary connectivity for the power charging, the external ariel etc etc?? Does anyone have a wiring diagram for the inside of the tel prep dash mount or has tackled a mod similar to this??

Any other advice or arrows of pointing to other forum links would of a great help guys

Thanks once again

Gary
Audiyoudo

[Audiyoudo]

If anyone knows why my pictures are not inserting too, that would be of help?? Do you not just insert your link to your skydrive or picture URL in between the image sandwich?? no getting on too well here and not sure why this is working. maybe it doesn't go through to skydrive but I am sure it's an embedded link which should work??

G
Actually might change my name to 'Audiyoudoit' now!!

[Audiyoudo]

Shitey Skydrive sorted it now!!

Back to Audiyou'do' not 'doit' for a while!!

[Timster]

Sounds like you're maybe using a hammer to crack a walnut !

There's nothing unique about the S3... millions have been sold.
Why not just put your phone in the armrest or glovebox and connect via bluetooth?
If you want a temporary charger too, just put a socket in the glovebox or a trailing lead in the armrest ?

It's what I do !

Edit: I've done this with an old Android HTC and a brand new s3 mini (which I've just taken back to the Shop because it's sh!t)

[Audiyoudo]

No the dash mount option for my phone is to provide a suitable mount for the mapping (Googlemaps) app which is by far the best mapping software out there and it's free. I also need to get to my phone without opening gloveboxes or armrests too. All of these devices are unique in one way or another and use different bluetooth platfroms depending on their o/s versions, Galaxy S3 having one of the newest o/s's at present and this is constantly being updated.

Before the demise of my sportback which had the newer MMI interface, the sync of contacts began showing errors and having read loads of forum post on this, it appears thousands of people have been having bluetooth connectivity issues with all types of new phones. It appears, Audi and BMW are not keeping up with firmware updates on their MMI interfaces which is causing issues worldwide. This is why I was contemplating having a non OEM header unit and deal with a company such as Pioneer or Alpine who are striving to keep up with phone op systems alike something Audi seem reluctant to do. It appears once you buy a new car, the MMI has the last firmware version from factory build then it is never updated or flashed after that?? Now I'm not sure if other people have worked out how to do this for the very reason of compatibility and if they have, great, that's the info I need and I’m sure other tech’s need too!!

I have also read that by purchasing the newest version of the DVD maps, there is coding in their which updates the MMI but I do not believe this is correct unless someone tells me otherwise?? And provides picture of a difference to the layout of their display (before and after) in all modes (phone, car, radio, set up etc) other than different map images which I’m sure is the only update and nothing else??

Thanks for everyone’s help to date...

Gary

[Timster]

My S3-Mini also had the latest ver (Jellybean).
It worked fine with the RNS-E. Correct phonebook, missed calls etc etc.
The only slightly annoying issue was the noise emitted whenever an IM was received.

The mapping requirement however, is a different issue entirely. I agree that the Standard Audi affair is pretty crap.
(Still don't really see the need to integrate with the standard Audi (ugly) cradle though.)
Just stick in an independent cradle, rip out the Audi one.... and use bluetooth.

[Audiyoudo]

Tim, I need to look at maps on my phone whilst driving i.e by utilising the dash mount and because it is there, make use of it and it's internal wiring if you know what I mean? I will be carrying power, the external ariel (for better reception when connected via bluetooth externally to mast reception of calls, data etc) and hopefully a hard wire into the MMI speaker system once docked in the telcoantennas unit.

I did purchase one of the new audi universal docking cradles and thought of modifying that for vertical use which I did temporarily and when test ran, it worked perfectly with all of the above but unfortunately, although it clips onto all of the mounts you see on the picture above, and it's rear contacts marry with all of the pins, it has been designed for a horizontal mount in the armrest so the phone just sits on top of it. Bummer! Did Audi forget that they sold their cars with vertical tel phone preps too?? Unbelievable!!

So this is why I am looking at other options for this, when I conclude, I will post my fix and how well it performs......

G

[Cabar Feidh]

If it's only a mount you need it for the you could do as I've done - see below. Much smaller and neater than the Audi cradle. Bought for my S4 about 5 years ago and transferred to the RS when I changed cars as I was happy with it. Made by Brodit (http://www.brodit.com/brodit.html?pn=home) and comes in 2 parts:

Mount - there are different ones specific to each make and model of car and some have options on how and where you want it to go eg centre console, centre air vent, side air vent etc.

Cradle - screws in to the flat face on the mount and there are different options for whatever device you have eg ipod (mine fits my iphone 3GS, my ipod classic 160gB and my provious ipod classic 80gB, think it also fits iphone 4 - not sure about the 5), other make and models of phone, blackberry, mp3 player, sat nav etc.

My one clips into the gap between the Sat Nav and edge of the centre console with a sticky pad on the outside to stabilise it - no screws, so no holes. Also, its on a swivel so you can turn it so a passenger can operate and/or so its in landscape view. Costs about £30 for the 2 parts - was more like £40 when I bought 5 years ago but cheaper now - I bought one for a mate's Mistibushi last year. Glove box can still open fully and to open the Sat Nav I need to remove the device and swivel the cradle 90 deg clockwise.

Currently I'm connected to the stereo using an extension cable to the Audi ipod dock in the glove box and I also have a charger from the cigarette lighter for when using NavFree as it fairly chews the battery - prob the same with Google Maps which Ive just downloaed but not used. No phone connectivity as I hardly ever use phone in the car but may look to go Bluetooth at some point.


Mike

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