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iPod USB to be fixed on the 2011?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by Mr. Nelsby, Mar 29, 2010.

  1. Mr. Nelsby

    Mr. Nelsby New Member

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    So I've been waiting to upgrade my gen 2 to a gen 3 and was curious if there was any indication that the USB connection in the 2011 would be improved over what I've read about the 2010.

    My understanding is that the 2010 version suffers from a number of problems, including a bad interface for switching what you are listening to, as well as a problem of having to disable the XM radio if you are going to use USB.

    Any news on the subject would be interesting as it would seem the 2011s should be coming soonish.
     
    1 person likes this.
  2. lawboy

    lawboy New Member

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    If you are talking about the USB adapter that works through the Nav unit, you do not have to disable XM to make it work. If you are talking about the unit that is installed in the glovebox with non-nav package models, I don't know.

    I think there are more negatives reported about the iPod interface that positive, but I'm happy with it. If you take the time to make some playlists, it gets rid of 90% of the complaints.

    Could it be improved? Absolutely, but not to the point of waiting on the 2011 if you are able to go ahead and get a 2010.
     
  3. Texas911

    Texas911 Member

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    Don't waste your money on the iPod interface or USB or Nav. Its ridiculously implemented on the Prius. To a point that its useless unless you like listening to music parked in your garage.
     
  4. bigdog1234

    bigdog1234 New Member

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    "Useless"? How so?
     
  5. maddog2020

    maddog2020 Junior Member

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    I disagree. Sure, there are flaws in the system, but overall it's pretty good. To echo lawboy, make some playlists and you'll be good to go.

    The two main irritations with the UI are:

    1 - it disables the fast scroll through lists when the car is moving - I simply don't understand this, in my mind it's far more dangerous to have to constantly press the button while watching what you're doing, than to press and hold for a while. Besides, if you're driving, you shouldn't be doing any of this anyway, but your passengers certainly could be.

    2 - when scrolling it auto-selects and starts playing the item you land on if you don't immediately move on again. This is just plain bad UI design, and has absolutely no merit as a design feature at all.

    Overall though, the sound quality is very good, and the UI is pretty responsive, and provides the functions and information you need.

    Ian
     
  6. Texas911

    Texas911 Member

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    I may be using a different Prius sound system but most everything is locked out while you're driving. Defeats the reason for having a USB or iPod with a hefty song library. My other cars don't do this.
     
  7. thebeed

    thebeed New Member

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    The problems seem more software than hardware related, so I hope and pray that any software fix for the 2011 could be applied to the 2010 as well.
     
  8. maddog2020

    maddog2020 Junior Member

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    Indeed. My 2 irritations are purely software. Gimme the source code...:)
     
  9. fergus

    fergus New Member

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    agreed... most complaints are software & liability oriented... like the damned contact list not being available when moving! I'm probably more at risk reaching for my touch screen phone to find and initiate a call than I would be accessing the contact list!?!

    Someone needs to crack this one...
     
  10. chrisj428

    chrisj428 Active Member

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    This is my major beef. The rest, I can deal with.
     
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  11. slavis

    slavis New Member

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    I recently purchased a 2010 Prius III with navigation. The USB ipod is very inconsistent. It always recognizes the the ipod, saying "ipod" at the top of the screen. But it only sometimes loads the songs or playlist, most of the time it does not load any music at all. I've tried different sequences, starting with power off, audio off, etc but these don't seem to make a difference. I have noticed that it usually reads music if I start it on accessory and not with actual power on. But then if I turn the power off and back on again after driving it won't read the music again. Anyone else having this issue? Otherwise the car is great. Please advise!!
     
  12. maddog2020

    maddog2020 Junior Member

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    I just don't use the USB, it's all Bluetooth for me. It works great and you get the very best music browsing interface (iPod or iPhone) rather than one of the worst...:)

    Lovin' the car. My wife and I argue over who gets to drive the Prius - and our other car is an M3....
     
  13. rhedin

    rhedin Junior Member

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    I am interested in whether the members of pc should start a petition asking Toyota to fix the usb interface. My Prius has the built in interface and I find it absolutely useless. I use an Ipod Classic with more than 13,000 songs and hundreds of album titles. Trying to navigate my music collection in my Prius is the single most disappointing thing about my Prius purchase. I don't want to create playlists, I enjoy listening to whatever strikes my fancy as I am driving, thus the 160 gb Classic. If Toyota does indeed make this system better for the 2011 they had better provide a fix for us 2010 owners. If anyone would like to discuss petitioning Toyota please respond. BTW, this is my first post and I would like to thanks all pc members for the invaluable advice I have received over the last 6 months.
     
  14. slavis

    slavis New Member

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    I would sign a petition to have the USB interface fixed...
     
  15. evpv

    evpv Active Member

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    Tip:

    Try turning the volume all the way off when scrolling. It doesn't solve the problem but I think it makes it less annoying because you can't hear the songs as they auto-select.
     
  16. skilbovia

    skilbovia Member

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    I am considering buying an iPod for Bluetooth connection to my 2010 Prius Nav system. I have a few questions:
    I connect my phone via Bluetooth. How do I listen to music on my iPod and take a call on my phone when it rings over Bluetooth?

    When I connect an iPod via bluetooth, where is my user interface? Do I use the iPod to select music or is the iPod display shown on the Nav display?. If I have to use the iPod to select music, what ends up on the Nav display?

    Thanks, hope to hear from an iPod user soon.
     
  17. skilbovia

    skilbovia Member

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    Me too. And I'm even more ticked off because I had a Ford Escape with the Sync system before my Prius. God, do I miss that!
     
  18. skilbovia

    skilbovia Member

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    The only thing I have been able to do with the USB port is plug in a 4GB flash drive with 3 folders labeled Oldies, Classical and Rock and use the 5 second random feature so they play like radio stations. There isn't even a pause button!
    I use my Creative ZEN connected to the analog Aux jack in the console for playing what I want to listen to when I want to listen to it. I get 12 hours before I have to bring it in the house to recharge it.
    Thank god the people that designed the Nav/audio system didn't design Hybrid Synergy Drive:Cry:
     
  19. stream

    stream Senior Member

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    Comments in bold below

     
  20. cycle11111

    cycle11111 New Member

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    Agree 100% this issue stops me using the iPod interface and instead I just stream over BT and pickup my phone - sort of silly but given the fact you are watching where you are driving it is assured this issue will bite you