Track Information via Bluetooth
January 13, 2016 2:18 PM
I have a new car and when playing podcasts or streaming music to the in-dash unit via Bluetooth, the track and artist information will not appear.
I recently purchased a 2016 Honda Fit, and while being able to stream podcasts and music via Bluetooth is great, I'm disappointed that the track information does not display on the in-dash receiver.
It appears that track information would appear for music that I have stored on my phone because occasionally information from files that are on my phone appears while streaming other music or podcasts.
Is there any way to get track information on the in-dash system? I use PocketCasts to play podcasts that it downloads to my phone, and I primarily stream music via Google Play Music All Access (or whatever it is called nowadays). Both of these are on Android on a Samsung Galaxy S4 Active.
Does this sound like a problem with the in-dash system, or the apps on my phone? The in-dash system is disappointing for many reasons and it would not surprise me to know that it is missing some crucial code to display track information.
Is there possibly a "go between" app that I can install on my phone that will take the track information and broadcast it in a format that in-dash unit may recognize?
Bonus question: The Fix EX that I purchased has an HDMI port but no AUX port. If I purchase an MHL - HDMI cable for my phone, will the in-dash unit treat audio output from the phone like an older radio with AUX input? I don't care about mirroring the screen of my phone on the in-dash unit (which would only work while the car is stopped, anyway), but sometimes I would prefer to just plug my phone in and play the audio without having to wait for the in-dash unit to boot up and the phone to eventually pair.
I recently purchased a 2016 Honda Fit, and while being able to stream podcasts and music via Bluetooth is great, I'm disappointed that the track information does not display on the in-dash receiver.
It appears that track information would appear for music that I have stored on my phone because occasionally information from files that are on my phone appears while streaming other music or podcasts.
Is there any way to get track information on the in-dash system? I use PocketCasts to play podcasts that it downloads to my phone, and I primarily stream music via Google Play Music All Access (or whatever it is called nowadays). Both of these are on Android on a Samsung Galaxy S4 Active.
Does this sound like a problem with the in-dash system, or the apps on my phone? The in-dash system is disappointing for many reasons and it would not surprise me to know that it is missing some crucial code to display track information.
Is there possibly a "go between" app that I can install on my phone that will take the track information and broadcast it in a format that in-dash unit may recognize?
Bonus question: The Fix EX that I purchased has an HDMI port but no AUX port. If I purchase an MHL - HDMI cable for my phone, will the in-dash unit treat audio output from the phone like an older radio with AUX input? I don't care about mirroring the screen of my phone on the in-dash unit (which would only work while the car is stopped, anyway), but sometimes I would prefer to just plug my phone in and play the audio without having to wait for the in-dash unit to boot up and the phone to eventually pair.
I have a 2015 Honda Civic and an iPhone w/ Spotify. If Spotify is already running on my phone (even in the background) when the bluetooth link is made, track info won't show up. If I let it connect to bluetooth, then open Spotify, the track info shows up. It's really annoying, but the only workaround I've figured out so far.
I think HDMI port is just for navigation apps/data, but I'm not sure. Does it work with the USB connector?
posted by melissasaurus at 2:29 PM on January 13, 2016
I think HDMI port is just for navigation apps/data, but I'm not sure. Does it work with the USB connector?
posted by melissasaurus at 2:29 PM on January 13, 2016
I think it may at least partially be phone related. On my old phone (a Nexus 4) track information would show up on my mom's Honda Civic (maybe 2013 or 2014?). On my new phone (a OnePlus 2) it doesn't, which I find quite frustrating.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 2:41 PM on January 13, 2016
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 2:41 PM on January 13, 2016
USB/something that treats the phone as a drive will show the file metadata, I don't think mhl supports that. Bluetooth you are at the mercy of which profile it's using, regular audio doesn't support that, but there's a bunch of profiles it could be using.
posted by TheAdamist at 3:58 PM on January 13, 2016
posted by TheAdamist at 3:58 PM on January 13, 2016
I have a 2015 Fit and the exact same
problem and have thought of posting this question many times! For now, I do just as melissasaurus does: quit the audio app (for me, Google Music or NPR One), and restart, then the track comes up. This issue happens to me whether I'm connected with USB or iPhone. It drives me batshit crazy, but at least there's a workaround.
My lady associate works for Apple and says this is a Honda problem, not the phone, but wasn't sure what the deal was exactly so who knows if she's right. It's an issue with her newer iPhone too, I have the 5S.
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 5:00 PM on January 13, 2016
problem and have thought of posting this question many times! For now, I do just as melissasaurus does: quit the audio app (for me, Google Music or NPR One), and restart, then the track comes up. This issue happens to me whether I'm connected with USB or iPhone. It drives me batshit crazy, but at least there's a workaround.
My lady associate works for Apple and says this is a Honda problem, not the phone, but wasn't sure what the deal was exactly so who knows if she's right. It's an issue with her newer iPhone too, I have the 5S.
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 5:00 PM on January 13, 2016
It is the head unit interacting poorly with whatever version of Android you are using. I use both of those apps and get track info in Fords, VWs, and Toyotas and have since at least Jelly Bean. Ironically, while the VWs will show track info, the track skip buttons don't work.
Nissan is the only one I've had a problem with personally (Bluetooth would only work for phone calls, period), but I've never tried to pair any of my smartphones with a Honda.
If the workarounds given don't work and there is no firmware update available you're SOL, I'm sorry to say. Cars usually have somewhat broken Bluetooth implementations, so it pays to test as much as you can before buying.
posted by wierdo at 2:31 PM on January 14, 2016
Nissan is the only one I've had a problem with personally (Bluetooth would only work for phone calls, period), but I've never tried to pair any of my smartphones with a Honda.
If the workarounds given don't work and there is no firmware update available you're SOL, I'm sorry to say. Cars usually have somewhat broken Bluetooth implementations, so it pays to test as much as you can before buying.
posted by wierdo at 2:31 PM on January 14, 2016
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Car Bluetooth: Absolutely the worst.
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 2:29 PM on January 13, 2016