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iPod output selection in car

I've seen a number of posts here about the iPhone 'preferring' Bluetooth audio output but no reply / resolution.

I have the same problem, that is:

- my car has an iPhone dock connector for audio integration with the audio system

- I have a Bluetooth 'speakerphone' (Plantronics K100 - REALLY good quality)

- I can switch from Radio to the iPod (Media) on my car audio and browse the folder structure but...

- the iPod routes the audio through Bluetooth

- I have to use the speaker symbol on the iPhone to switch back to the dock connector


This is obviously VERY dangerous when driving and I guess everyone's having the same problem (posts go back to 2009).

Does someone have to sue to get a change to IOS to set the preferred output device??!!


Any help appreciated.

iPhone 4, iOS 4.3.2

Posted on Apr 26, 2011 7:10 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 18, 2011 10:24 AM

Try A2DPblocker in the App Store 🙂

25 replies

Sep 19, 2011 5:47 PM in response to cedb

Cedb,


Thanks for the support!


What iOS device and version of software are you using with A2DPblocker? If you have iOS 4.0 or later you may just need to enable the "Background Audio" feature and then set the independent volume slider to zero to keep the app active. You shouldn't need to switch it to "receiver+" to get it to play via the dock connector, however, it may operate differently on other iOS devices. Can you explain the scenario where you need to use "receiver+"?


Thanks,

Gnavicks

Sep 19, 2011 6:06 PM in response to KiltedTim

KiltedTim,


A few scenarios come to mind about waiting to dock the iOS device (one that I put up with for years) like when the device is left docked and say you run into a coffee shop and turn the car off. When you return to the car and start it up you would expect the device to continue to play via the dock connector but it starts playing over Bluetooth instead 😠. With A2DPblocker running you would never have to worry about re-docking or switching back the audio output device to the dock connector 🙂 I would also forget to dock the device sometimes by waiting because I'm driving by the time Bluetooth connects. Its just nice to dock and forget.


Thanks,

Gnavicks

Sep 20, 2011 12:20 AM in response to Gnavicks

Thanks KiltedKim (who's solution saved my frustration Pre-blocker) and Gnavicks, who's right that if you stop for coffee (or anything else involving a BlueTooth reconnect) the whole process start again. In my VW Golf the dock is in the centre armrest and it's not easy to get to, especially when driving.


Thanks Guys

CedB

Sep 20, 2011 12:30 AM in response to Gnavicks

Hi Gnavicks

I'm using and iPhone 4 with IoS 4. Not sure on the 'receiver+' scenario... I had plugged in, started the app and left it in foreground but locked the iPhone. I was listening to the radio then switched to Media but, although it was connected and my tracks showed on the car system, no output. I stopped and changed the settings and all was well. Not enough for a debug, I know - I'll try to remember my steps if it happens again.


Thanks

CedB

Sep 21, 2011 5:46 PM in response to cedb

CedB,


I think the "Background Audio" feature will work in this situation since you are locking your iPhone. Try it out next time.


Since you appreciate A2DPblocker so much you should consider rating it and writing a review in the App Store. Usually utility apps like this one never receive praise by the users that actually benefit from using it but rather they get bad ratings and reviews from those few users who don't read instructions 😟. So please be kind and review!


Thank you so much!

Gnavicks

Sep 25, 2011 10:49 AM in response to Gnavicks

Hi Gnavicks

Just been out in the car and the problem occurred when I stopped and restarted. iPhone went to Bluetooth. Switched on the background audio, pressed pause / play on the car audio, got both tracks (!!), turned down the background volume In blocker and, as you said, all was well and didn't need the receiver setting.


Well done and thanks again!

CedB

Oct 14, 2011 10:37 AM in response to EndOfInfinity

Markus,


I've been working with Apple for quite some time now to get the "run in background" feature working and I'm still waiting to hear back from them. I have been testing the "run in background" feature on my own iPhone 4 and it is working so fantastically; I wish I could share it with everyone but it's up to Apple if the update will be approved to the App Store. The best thing you can do is write a review in the App Store asking for the feature so that then I can point Apple to all the users who want this feature too. In regards to the "Background Audio" feature not working for you can you tell me on what iPhone model you are testing? FYI, you will need to keep the app open to block A2DP in its current version until backgrounding is supported.


Thanks,

Gnavicks

Oct 14, 2011 1:29 PM in response to Gnavicks

Gnavicks,


i'm using a new iPhone 4S.

This bluetooth issue bugs me since a really long time and for my old 3G i had a really nice solution (even though it wasn't "apple compliant")!


"You will need to keep the app open?" I thought by using the background audio feature the app should work properly even in background mode?


Hopefully you can argue apple into approving your next version so we don't need the background audio feature any more.


Markus

Oct 15, 2011 8:32 PM in response to EndOfInfinity

Markus,


I don't have an iPhone 4S to test A2DPblocker on yet but when I do I'll figure out why the app is laggy for you. You may just need to close out other apps by double clicking the home button and then hold an app icon until it wiggles then just press the minus (--) button that appears for each icon. What audio file types are you trying to play (MP3, AAC, etc.)? And at what bitrate (192kbps, 256kbps, etc.)? If they are DRM protected they will not play so try another track. You will need to keep the app open to block A2DP until true background audio multitasking mode is supported in v1.1 so until then please don't close out of the app. Actually, the background audio feature will be the required way to "run in background" in the next update since so many people are having issues with this.


Gnavicks

iPod output selection in car

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