Alternate iPhone 3GS adapter to Toyota's iPod adapter

As you experiment, I hope I can ask you some questions. I have a 3GS and I'm picking up my series IV later this month. Does the Kensington adapter permit the iPhone to work through the Prius hands free system or just provide power? Will the iPod functions work through the stereo system? Thanks.

TK

 

I've been doing some research before I get my III and I'm pretty certain that the only way to get the iPhone to work with the in car controls are:
1. Use bluetooth. This only allows use of the play/pause buttons though.
2. Use a dedicated ipod interfacesuch as the one coming out soon for the Prius.
The Kensington unit from the above post and any unit (like the Griffin I use) that plugs into the audio jack can not be controlled via the head unit.

 

I have had this unit for a year now, for my 3G iPhone. It will sometimes give you an 'Accessory not Supported' message. Even if it does, cancel the message and everything works as advertised. I think it has something to do with when you hook up the iPhone and when power is applied to the connector. But all in in all it's been a great product. Waiting for TomToms device/software to come out to check that out.

Steve

 

I've had this unit for over a year also and it works as advertised in both my Gen II and Gen III.

 

Thanks for the info. I have a question for you: Does it stop the song when you turn the car off and resumes from where it stopped when you turn it back on? Thanks.

 

I think I'll wait until the iPod interface accessory comes out, I've seen there will be September availability, to see how and if this will work with iPhone/iPod.

Thanks, TK

 

This will be a better solution, though a lot more expensive, for those who have a models with NAV system. Just a reminder, people with non-NAV Prius 3 or above, like myself, who choose to install the iPod adapter PriusChat Shop : 2010 Toyota Prius OEM iPod Interface Integration Kit [PT545-00082] - $209.99, will have to give up the satellite radio... not good.

 

So, if I follow you Indyking, if I HAVE Nav and use this, I KEEP my satellite radio? I hope so that would be awesome!

 

If you have NAV, you would be better off installing the Toyota IPod adapter available at September. I'm not sure what the cost for that one is but I suspect around 300-400 installed. Anyway, that will allow you full integration with the Prius sound system.

For those with non-NAV like my Prius 3, the adapter available in the priuschat store can only be installed at the expense of satellite radio, which, for me, is not an option. I prefer run my IPod though the aux jack and keep my satellite radio. That's where the Kensington IPod adapter proposed by the OP comes really handy, because it will allow charging the IPod (not possible through aux jack connection) plus wireless control via the remote attached to the steering wheel. The only thing I don't know is that if the Kensington adapter stops the song and resumes it when the car is powered off and back on (that's my question above). Also, keep in mind, that the Kensington adapter will not be integrated with the Prius sound system. Hope this helps.

 

I have this same adaptor as well, but the Deluxe version with a little "stand" that makes it stick out of the cig lighter (look up "Kensington LiquidAUX Deluxe for iPhone and iPod").

The iPhone automatically stops playing (aka pauses) when power to the cig lighter turns off. You have to manually hit play to turn it back on when you get in.

If you have a bluetooth headset and recieve a call, it works flawlessly. It pauses the music, and goes from outputting audio from aux cable to the bluetooth headshet for the call, and automatically starts playing music right when you hang up. I don't need more integration than that!

However, those hoping to use the phone to channel out audio to the speakers during the call will be disappointed, as it does not work. Also, you will be occassionally annoyed when the device does not not to recognize your iPhone without frequent unplugging/replugging.

Also, you might need a better place to put the remote itself on the wheel.

Recommended.

 

Hey guys, I use a similar Belkin product. Do any of you notice a hissing when listening to the music?

 

I'm loving the BT streaming audio through my iPhone, but my iPhone is my personal only phone and I have to do a lot of work calls in my car. So, having to switch back and forth between my iPhone for BT streaming audio and my work phone for calls is becoming tiresome and tedious. So, I am really looking forward to the expected iPod adapter in September and hope it will be reasonably priced and not mess up the XM sat radio.

 

How is the quality of sound with BT streaming compared with aux jack connection? Have you tried? Just curious...

 

If you have a Nav system, you should be able to use Bluetooth's A2DP profile to wirelessly stream music to your system. Then just use any iPhone/iPod charger adapter to charge your phone. You'll be able to control the iPhone from either the Nav screen or from the iPhone itself.

Apple added support for A2DP in the 3.0 software update, and it should work on all iPhone's with the software update installed.

 

Indyking, the sound quality seems to me to be the same for BT steaming and aux jack.

 

Exactly. Everything is controlled by the iPhone, which if you think about it, is almost ideal, since everything audio-related is now controlled by a central piece and makes the Prius stereo redundant except for volume control.

@paranoidandroid - No, no buzzing for me.