Sat Nav/Phone: Is the Apple Iphone icompatible with Volvo Bluetooth kit

[sprogger]

Folks
Hi ... I have read through the discussions on this forum and would like to get some confirmation on compatability of the iphone 3gs and 2009 XC70 (looking to buy one soon)

I have a 3gs and would like to use it the car as phone, ipod and satnav ...

From what I read here this is what I understand ..

As a phone .. iphone 3gs will connect via factory bluetooth and works fine

As an ipod ,, iphone 3gs can connect via the center console USB port however ..
i) there is no power supplied via the USB for 3gs so I would have to purchase after market adapter or supply power from 12v outlet
ii) there are known limitations on how the iphone will work with playlists ( i use genius a fair bit or just play whole albums)

As a satnav .. obviously having the USB in the center console will affect the iphone GPS reception so I would have to mount the iphone nearer the windscreen (run a long USB cable from center console)? .. I have no idea whether the Volvo stereo will recognise the iphone as a satnav device

Can anyone confirm my discoveries so far and has anyone found a solution to the satnav iphone option? (given that a Volvo Nav System installed is AU$4K Id rather go the iphone rout)

Cheers
Sprogger

[Bonnie-Sunshine]

As an ipod ,, iphone 3gs can connect via the center console USB port however ..
i) there is no power supplied via the USB for 3gs so I would have to purchase after market adapter or supply power from 12v outlet
ii) there are known limitations on how the iphone will work with playlists ( i use genius a fair bit or just play whole albums)

I can't comment on the XC70, but can on the XC60. My experience with the XC60 is that using the USB in the centre consul for ipod/iphone 3GS, allows both charging and playing of music and control of music through the dash top screen (the small screen). So your first point is incorrect to that extent. Your iphone should charge.

Your second point is probably correct in that you can choose, random, artists, albums or playlists (pre-prepared playlists). I don't think you can use genius though, unless you've used it to create a playlist. Then you can navigate to, and play that playlist.

[Chaddie]

Originally Posted by sprogger

Folks

From what I read here this is what I understand ..

As a phone .. iphone 3gs will connect via factory bluetooth and works fine

As an ipod ,, iphone 3gs can connect via the center console USB port however ..
i) there is no power supplied via the USB for 3gs so I would have to purchase after market adapter or supply power from 12v outlet
ii) there are known limitations on how the iphone will work with playlists ( i use genius a fair bit or just play whole albums)

As a satnav .. obviously having the USB in the center console will affect the iphone GPS reception so I would have to mount the iphone nearer the windscreen (run a long USB cable from center console)? .. I have no idea whether the Volvo stereo will recognise the iphone as a satnav device

Hi,

I had a 2008 XC70 (without USB connector) and now have a 2010 XC70 (with USB Connector), both cars have / had Volvo Bluetooth, I also have a iPhone 3GS so I'll try to answer some of your questions:-

The iPhone works fine as a phone via the Volvo Bluetooth system, never once had a problem (once its been setup).

The USB socket will power & charge the iPhone using the standard white Apple USB lead.

It will also show all Artist, Playlists, Albums etc (you have to press the enter buttom when in USB mode) and you can scroll through everything. To be honest I've not tried Genius when in the car.

Since I have the Volvo SatNav I'm not sure if that will work. You have to have the stereo in either USB Mode or AUX Mode (would have to use the 3mm jack for that) to get the sound from the iPhone throught the speakers, so if you have the SatNav running on the iPhone can you still play songs, and if you listen to a CD / Radio your in the wrong Mode so won't get the sound.


I don't bother with the iPhone as a MP3 player in my car I now use a cheap USB stick, No Charging, No Flat Batteries, just leave it connected and forget about it and IMHO the sound quality is better than with the iPhone.

Chaddie