Streaming iPhone via bluetooth in the car

When all of those iPhone 3.0 features were first announced, one of the features that stuck out most to me was the incoming A2DP ability -- the new iPhone OS will let you stream out music to a Bluetooth source, like headphones... or your car. And over at Cars.com, the guys got their hands on a Toyota Venza with Bluetooth capability, and did just that, as you can see in the video above. It's pretty slick -- no wires, no annoying pairing, just hit the Bluetooth button on the iPod, choose the car's Bluetooth source, and press play. We're not sure about audio quality (it should be at least listenable), but it looks super cool.

There are, as usual, some catches. I for one was disappointed to hear that this A2DP ability won't work with first-gen iPhones like mine -- you'll need to have a 3G to do something like this. And of course, this will require the iPhone OS 3.0, which isn't technically out yet (though devs in Apple's development program are playing with it right now, which is why you can see it in the video above). And finally, you'll need a car with the Bluetooth capability, which (though I haven't owned or shopped for a car for a few years, so maybe things have changed a bit) is still kind of hard to find.

But hey, even if you're not there yet, here's a look at the future. Where we're going, you won't need wires to get your iPod playing music on the car stereo.

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Source: http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2009/04/video-2009-toyota…

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Analysis / Opinion Software Odds and ends Bluetooth Apple iPhone iPod touch

When all of those iPhone 3.0 features were first announced, one of the features that stuck out most to me was the incoming A2DP ability --...

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webcrs

I haven't seen much on the TUAW site about the lack of AVRCP support for OS 3.0. It is nice to have A2DP and stream stereo to my headset, but it would be nice if I could control the music (pause/stop/play, track forward and backward) without having to pull out my iPhone and use the controls on the iPhone.

Do you know if they plan to support AVRCP in the future? Seems like a very poor implementation of stereo bluetooth.

June 29 2009 at 10:08 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Chris

wait isnt this the same thing as microsoft sync like in ford edge and taurus and other ford lincoln and mercury cars?? cuz sync does audio streaming through bluetooth..

June 22 2009 at 2:54 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

vcao

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May 21 2009 at 11:02 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Fwhite

What about the Kensington LiquidAUX Bluetooth car kit? Does anyone know if this will be compatible with the new iphone 3.0? I don't know if this unit has the power issue and will give a warning of a non supportive device. This would be so cool if it works.

April 27 2009 at 9:32 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jeremy

I actually like the idea of parking my iPhone (3G) into a charging cradle (so now it has a place to sit and charge in good view), and be able to stream via A2DP to car audio system. A nice visor unit for BT phone calls would be a nice addition as well. I've seen visor units that charge via solar, and A2DP units that plug into stereo head unit (with power).

Sounds ideal to me. Biggest question, can anyone else confirm good quality sound with iPhone 3.0 software?

April 11 2009 at 12:45 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

adb

Dave (and others using A2DP): I was under the impression that using A2DP instead of USB meant that 1) your song titles wouldn't show up on the radio display, and 2) you had to change tracks with your device, instead of using the radio controls or voice command. Is this true? If so, why give up all the USB functionality for one wire?

April 05 2009 at 10:40 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

dallasward007

I'm so frustrated that Apple isn't supporting many 3.0 features on the original iPhone. Lame. Doesn't make me want to "upgrade" from the one I have now when the same will just happen to that one.

April 04 2009 at 1:54 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Randy

I recently added the Sony MEX-BT3700U to my car, it offers BT streaming and BT phone integration as well as direct iPod control. Under 200 USD. FYI.

April 04 2009 at 10:34 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

elliot

Are there any good stereo bluetooth adapters out there that would plug into the rca or a headphone jack for attachment to an older stereo headunit with one of those connections?

If there's not yet, I'm sure there will be soon enough.

April 04 2009 at 2:46 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jesse

Very cool, I just got a new Ford with Sync in it and it works great with my iPhone now, but it will be nice to not have to use the ipod plugin.

April 03 2009 at 1:27 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply