IPOD on-screen control with navigation: your experience

The model being updated is the VML (MultiMediaLinQ):

Video,Audio Information Solutions for Toyota and Lexus (MP3 integration, USB+HDD automotive MP3 player, iPod integration)

 

This is great news! Please do keep us updated with how it is going.

If there is any way they could implement a function that lets you jump to a letter (artist/playlist) instead of scrolling (very slooooooowwwwwly) to it, it would be amazingly useful!

 

Ggood is correct, the model I am testing is the VML (MultiMediaLinQ).


Dogllama - I asked the same thing! LoL I'm not sure if they can do it or not but I'm going to push them on it for sure. I am told that the VML will increase the normal scroll ability by like x10 however. One of the engineers told me the initial tests had them scrolling through artist lists of over 500+ items in like 5 seconds!! If that ends up translating into the final product......I think it would be more than adequate.


Update: I received the unit today in the mail and will be doing the install tomorrow hopefully! I have been in touch with the boys at Vais and their engineers are working hard to get this thing tuned just right. As soon as I get an initial software version from Vais I will get to test it out.

Stay tuned......

 

Two Major Software problems
1-Many many times I have to reboot the Ipod into the USB system when I return back to my car after turning the car off. Upon restarting the my Prius 3 with USB, my Nano 3 Ipod does not automatically or re-handshakes with the USB input of the radio.
2- The playlist screen for the songs category has a software issue when selecting or skipping from Screen A song List to Screen B song list.
The song playing is abruptly cut off and the song listed at the top of the selected new screen visible, starts to play the first song listed automatically. This is very annoying

 

Any news?

 

Sorry everyone but I've been dealing with some family things lately and the VML got temporarily put on the back burner. I am still talking and working with VAIS and the unit is still on it's way to the Prius. Stay tuned here for more information.

 

Any new updates? The ability to "slide and scroll" rapidly, similarly to an iphone or ipod touch would be GREAT. Much better than scrolling a page at a time and getting interrupted by the first song at the top of each page!

 

Alright guys here is the latest! I am getting a new VML update today from the engineers at VAIS that will potentially GREATLY ease the installation of the VML unit itself. The new update hasn't arrived yet but it is supposed to get to me today! Essentially installation has gone from 45 minutes and needing an assistant to 2 minutes and needing no help at all.......if all goes well that is. I can not wait to try this new update out. If everything is gravy you can expect a full write up and review, along with video and photos of installation process and the use of the VML!!

 

Curious about the VAIS system, so I called them today to ask a few questions.

Hypothetically: I drive to a park, listening to my music/audiobook, disconnect from car system, and continue listening to the same song/audiobook as I go for a walk with the dog

1) when I come back to the car and reconnect, will my iPhone forget or remember the spot in the song/story that I just disconnected from?

[VAIS answer: no]

I don't know about anyone else on this thread, but that is not acceptable. I'm all for steering wheel & nav control of the iPod features of an iPhone, but why should a product loose my place in a song/story when I reconnect in the car?

Has this been addressed/solved anywhere else in PC?

 

I didn't know this was an issue except when using Bluetooth and iPhone ver. 3.1 and below. When I use my iPhone with streaming audio now with v3.1.2 or when I connect the dock connector to the audio in I do not have an issue with losing my place with music or podcasts. The more I use the BT streaming audio the more I love it. I just miss the on screen controls for FF/RR and the song/podcast info. With BT streaming I just hop in the car and as soon as the BT connectio is established, it starts to play whatever I was last listening to exactly where I left off. I hoping a new iPhone release will upgrade the BT version so that we'll have full control and artist info.

 

I'll check the version. Hopefully this is my user error and the new version will eliminate this issue. Thanks!!

 

Hey everyone. I'm back with some preliminary testing results.

First and foremost I want to tell you all how incredibly SIMPLE the installation process has just become. The first time I received the unit I was taking the dash apart and removing the head unit to install the unit...quite time consuming. NOW the engineers at VAIS have discovered the VML unit can be installed under the drivers seat, utilizing the 12 pin connector going from the XM/USB Control Modules located there. Installation involves no tools, except maybe a butter knife to pop out two plastic pins and takes all of about 2 minutes! Super easy.

The device currently works very well with both my new iphone 3gs and my 5th generation 60gb ipod. Right now the firmware recognizes ipod devices (including the iphone) as a USB storage device and not as an ipod - native ipod recognition update will be coming to me for initial testing very soon so stay tuned.

Initial thoughts - Speed of ipod/iphone library browsing has increased x10! I can scroll through my entire library in seconds! Right out of the box my initial testing recommendations to VAIS were to remove the annoying "auto select" while browsing songs, which they have said they will do. I also recommended the ability to "grab" the scroll bar to drag through your list quickly - they have said they have hope to be able to enable this but say it will be tricky and can't promise me anything right now. (Cross your fingers!)

So right now I am VERY excited about the VML. I will record a nice demo video for everyone showcasing the VML once they have finalized the firmware that supports native ipod support and once all the bugs and fixes I recommended have been ironed out or applied.

Oh and R2Pre2 - I tested this and in the current, initial testing firmware, the ipod and the iphone both will start right back up where they left off after leaving the car and plugging back in! Cheers!

 

Thanks for the update, sounds like a good solution!

Where do you plug your Ipod in? Is it a straight connection to the unit or do you need to have the Ipod USB installed (I have an early version of the G3 without the Ipod USB port and would like to avoid an additional $200 install). Also, does it charge the Ipod? Can't wait to see pics.

 

Dogllama - The VML is essentially a total replacement for the factory USB control module so you do not need factory USB at all. There is a USB port on the device that you connect your player/phone too. And yes, iphone/ipod/device charging is absolutely supported.

 

That's great!

Any word on availability? I know they are still tweaking the software, but if the hardware is done, I'd like to get it up and running asap (even if that means updates down the road).

Also, I would love it if you could test a flash drive with it. One easy way to get around long scroll times would be to order your music collection in A-Z folders, with artist subfolders within. This is not possible with the Toyota USB unit, but it would be terrific if it was possible with this VIAS device.

 

I asked the guys at VAIS this very questions and they are saying it is "available" but they told me they are not pushing it quite yet. I guess it's up to you if you want to dive in early or not.

I have tested the unit with a flash drive and it works great. Essentially any USB storage device will work. You can also purchase the unit with a built in hard drive if that is your preference. My unit does not contain the built in HDD though so I can't explain to you the syncing process.

Your very right about the scroll times and the folder arrangements. Hopefully the engineers will be able to get the scrollbar drag function that I requested working. It would be really nice.

If anyone has any questions please feel free to PM me. And if anyone else wants to go ahead and purchase the VML unit for the 2010 Prius make sure to tell them "Kevin from PriusChat sent you"!

I work as a RN on the weekends so no updates until Monday but hopefully by then I'll have installation pics, and possibly a video. Stay tuned.

Kev

 

Do you think this unit is functional at all if you don't have the Nav?

 

Looking forward to your video and updates.

My Prius was due last week but the wrong colour was delivered to the dealers so now a delay until Wednesday. Waiting is so hard.

As we did not have the XM option here in Oz and the latest word I have is that the Aussie Prius will not get the USB connection in the near future.

Oops, the phone. It was the dealers and further delays to delivery but I have asked them to check out the USB question.

If we do not get the USB and have not got the XM then it may be that the VML quick connection under the seat may not be an option on the Oz Prius. Soon as I pick up the car and drive away from the dealers I will find a quiet sidestreet and get down on my hands and knees to look under the seat. Please put a clear picture of what the unit looks like in your pics and/or video when you post it so I will know what to look for. With Toyota I have found in the past that when someone says something is under the drivers seat in the US I need to check both seats here as they do some strange things with locating equipment even though we should just be getting designs for the Japanese RHD market.

Vaistech have referred me to the Australian distributor (AdvancedIce) however apart from on initial email they have not responded to my further emails about how to order etc. I think it may take a bit of time before we get decent access to the VML unit.

Looking forward to the pics and videos.

David

 

Does this disable the Sat?

 

If anybody is interested in the Soundgate piece I can get them a stellar deal on it (I have a friend that works for them). You can keep SAT with their piece, and you can have your ipod unlocked with full controls while its plugged in.