I've been wanting a way to stream Stereo audio using Bluetooth from my iPhone to the Volt. The latest Toyota cars can do this but GM hasn't added this feature yet. The Volt's USB iPod integration is great for longer road trips but for short or medium length trips I would prefer not having to open the floor console to plug my phone into a wire. Fortunately, I found a cheap and flawless solution.

I bought a Blackberry Remote Stereo Bluetooth Gateway from Cellularboys via Amazon.com for $32.99 with free shipping and also a cheap $5 12v car accessory (cigarette lighter) plug to mini-USB adapter.

After a trivial one-time Bluetooth pairing it now automatically connects to my phone whenever I get in the car and start it up (which powers the new gateway via the 12v adapter). The gateway is powered by the mini-USB plug of the 12v adapter and the audio is carried by a short mini-stereo plug cable that runs between the gateway and the Volt's Aux audio input. My phone automatically connects to both the gateway and the built-in Volt Bluetooth hands-free phone integration and it all plays together happily. I can listen to streaming audio and still make or receive cell phone calls via Bluetooth (with the streaming audio coming in over the Aux input automatically faded down by the Volt).

Once it is initially plugged in and paired you can close the floor console and you never need to touch it again (no pushing buttons or plugging things in every time you start the car)! It also keeps the Volt USB socket available for another device. The gateway can also be paired to more than one phone according to the documentation although I haven't tried that yet.

The 'blackberry' device worked with your iphone for this?

The 'blackberry' device worked with your iphone for this?

Yes, it's branded for use with Blackberry phones but is just a standard Bluetooth receiver that implements the A2DP profile for transmitting high quality stereo audio. It should be useable with any Bluetooth device which can transmit A2DP audio. Typically such a device, like a Blackberry or iPhone, can send the audio to Bluetooth wireless headphones but this adapter let's you transmit the audio to a car sound system or home audio amplifier instead.

The cool thing about this particular adapter is that it will automatically reconnect to your phone when the power is connected to it. Some other similar adapters require user intervention like requiring the user to push a power button before they will reconnect. This device also seems to have better than average sound quality, is very compact, has a convenient power source and is relatively inexpensive.

Very nice! Is there any difference between receiving calls via the standard bluetooth connection to the stereo vs going through this intermediate device?

Very nice! Is there any difference between receiving calls via the standard bluetooth connection to the stereo vs going through this intermediate device?

Phone calls still go through the same pairing connection between the phone and the Volt's built-in Bluetooth support. The streaming audio adds an additional connection between your phone and the new adapter. Your phone now has two simultaneous Bluetooth connections and this works fine because the built-in Volt support and the adapter are connecting to your phone using different Bluetooth "profiles" -- hands-free and A2DP. Both connections play well together and don't interfere.

Yes, it's branded for use with Blackberry phones but is just a standard Bluetooth receiver that implements the A2DP profile for transmitting high quality stereo audio. It should be useable with any Bluetooth device which can transmit A2DP audio. Typically such a device, like a Blackberry or iPhone, can send the audio to Bluetooth wireless headphones but this adapter let's you transmit the audio to a car sound system or home audio amplifier instead.

The cool thing about this particular adapter is that it will automatically reconnect to your phone when the power is connected to it. Some other similar adapters require user intervention like requiring the user to push a power button before they will reconnect. This device also seems to have better than average sound quality, is very compact, has a convenient power source and is relatively inexpensive.

Thanks for the info. A few more questions. The comments on Amazon say that this device loses its 'pairing' when its off. But you say it remembers when you return to the car. Can you verify that it re-connects?
Also...I only see a usb connector on it...how are you connecting the 12v power?

Stilgar

The comments on Amazon say that this device loses its 'pairing' when its off. But you say it remembers when you return to the car. Can you verify that it re-connects?
Also...I only see a usb connector on it...how are you connecting the 12v power?

Stilgar

Some Amazon commenters are being sloppy. I think they mean that their phone isn't always automatically re-connecting to the adapter (pairing is a one-time introduction between devices, connecting is something that happens between devices whenever they are nearby only after they have initially been paired).

The re-connecting problem seems to be an issue with some phones. I have only seen Android phones mentioned as having this problem and perhaps they have it only some of the time. Folks with iPhone 4 or other Apple iPods with Bluetooth A2DP support don't seem to be reporting this problem.

It's possible that some phones may not initiate a reconnect automatically at all and may require manual intervention. All I can say for sure is that it works great with my iPhone 4 so far.

As for power, I bought a $5 "Miz-Tech" adapter at Fry's Electronics that plugs into the 12v outlet in the floor console and has a wire coming out of it with a mini-USB connector at the end which then plugs into the Bluetooth adapter. Yes, it sounds like a "mistake" but is working fine so far. I'm sure there are similar 12v adapters on Amazon.

Also...I only see a usb connector on it...how are you connecting the 12v power?

Stilgar

I may have misunderstood your question earlier. The USB connector on the Bluetooth adapter is only used as a power source rather than as a data connection.

Thanks for the info!

Stilgar

With this setup, is the car's entertainment system able to list the songs/playlists/etc on the iphone like it can when connected directly via USB? Put another way, do you have to use the iphone's control's for choosing songs when using the bluetooth configuration?

Phone calls still go through the same pairing connection between the phone and the Volt's built-in Bluetooth support. The streaming audio adds an additional connection between your phone and the new adapter. Your phone now has two simultaneous Bluetooth connections and this works fine because the built-in Volt support and the adapter are connecting to your phone using different Bluetooth "profiles" -- hands-free and A2DP. Both connections play well together and don't interfere.

Ah! Thanks for the clarification. That makes sense now.

Cool setup, thanks for the info

Seems like they stopped making the BlackBerry Remote Stereo Gateway. No one has them in stock.

Anyone know of any other options?

So, I take it that the 2012 Volts still do not have built-in A2DP (BT audio streaming) capability? Somewhat surprising and disappointing.

I've been using the Kensington LiquidAUX with my iPhone in my Camry for A2DP and it works surprisingly well. The only trick was to make sure that the phone only uses it for A2DP profile and not for handsfree/headset mode because the microphone in it sucks and is guaranteed to be inferior to the bluetooth handsfree feature of the Volt. http://www.factorydirect.ca/catalog/product_spec.php?pcode=KE3428

So, I take it that the 2012 Volts still do not have built-in A2DP (BT audio streaming) capability? Somewhat surprising and disappointing.

you have to have mylink for that.

I believe that I will be getting the Belkin Bluetooth In-Car Adapter.

Bought 2 of the Blackberry Remotes on eBay and they are awesome. I even take one out of the car to use for iPhone karaoke on the house entertainment system. Kids love that.

Thanks for the tip!

I got my blackberry audio gateway today and it works flawelessly. I am using an iphone 4s and it does not even interfere with siri. I love it! thank you!

Just thinking you will lose audio quality on BT vs. USB.

Plus the USB port charges, just a thought

Just thinking you will lose audio quality on BT vs. USB.
Plus the USB port charges, just a thought

That's probably true. But, Bluetooth A2DP has a maximum available bandwidth of 768kbit/s. If you are transmitting MP3s, the signal will probably not be compressed further due to A2DP. The real loss of quality is most likely the headphone jack interface. For some people the convenience of wireless offsets the loss of quality (if even perceptible).

phone->bluetooth->bluetooth gateway->headphone jack out->car stereo vs. phone->USB->car stereo

I use your 2nd option (direct).

CHEAP! for $2 you can have a USB cable shipped (on eBay) that fits your phone. I use the DroidX, works great and the Bluetooth is flawless as well.

I keep the USB cable plugged in and leave the end out that connects to phone. This is a quick and easy hookup, like said the phone stays charged also.

While direct connect will give better quality, plugging it in causes;

More wear and tear on the charge connector of the phone
Extra time getting in / out of car due to taking out phone
Greater risk of dropping phone due to taking it out
Greater risk of leaving the phone in the car and forgetting it.
More temptation to play with the phone while driving
Audiobooks and pod casts don't need high quality sound
And yes... (cords suck)

Cords suck.

I've found that with my Droid 3 (Verizon) and the Blackberry Audio unit, that if I have it plugged into the cigarette lighter that's in the center console, that I have a LOT of trouble keeping the Droid 3 connected to the Blackberry. However, if I plug the Blackberry into the rear cigarette lighter outlet and run the 3.5" mini plug to the center console, that my connection is flawless. Too bad it's not as slick an installation as if the cigarette lighter plug were in the middle console, but at least the Blackberry stays reliably connected to the Droid 3!

Just a suggestion for anyone whose having trouble keeping their Blackberry connected!

I've found that with my Droid 3 (Verizon) and the Blackberry Audio unit, that if I have it plugged into the cigarette lighter that's in the center console, that I have a LOT of trouble keeping the Droid 3 connected to the Blackberry. However, if I plug the Blackberry into the rear cigarette lighter outlet and run the 3.5" mini plug to the center console, that my connection is flawless. Too bad it's not as slick an installation as if the cigarette lighter plug were in the middle console, but at least the Blackberry stays reliably connected to the Droid 3!

Just a suggestion for anyone whose having trouble keeping their Blackberry connected!

I can tell you this is not an issue with the Blackberry and the iPhone. They also reconnect and stay connected despite the Blackberry being turned on and off every time the car cycles. So the culprit is the bluetooth stack on your Droid. Maybe there is an update/upgrade you can do to it.

I have bought double USB cigarette lighter adapters on eBay. Would that solve the problem?

3956




I've found that with my Droid 3 (Verizon) and the Blackberry Audio unit, that if I have it plugged into the cigarette lighter that's in the center console, that I have a LOT of trouble keeping the Droid 3 connected to the Blackberry. However, if I plug the Blackberry into the rear cigarette lighter outlet and run the 3.5" mini plug to the center console, that my connection is flawless. Too bad it's not as slick an installation as if the cigarette lighter plug were in the middle console, but at least the Blackberry stays reliably connected to the Droid 3!

Just a suggestion for anyone whose having trouble keeping their Blackberry connected!

To voltage692:

I never blamed the Blackberry! Nor do I think that the Droid 3 is to blame. When I had a Chevy Cruze loaner for a few days, it performed flawlessly with the Droid 3. I believe that the problem may be that there's some isolated electrical interference in the center console area. Remember also that there may be sample-to-sample differences in electrical noise in different Volts.

My post was simply to inform users of the Blackberry that putting it in a different location may help connection problems.

To MTNRanger:
I had a cigarette lighter to USB plug in my center console and experienced the same problem. As I said, the Bluetooth interference and connect problems are peculiar to the Volt. The Chevy Cruze loaner that I had worked flawlessly every time.

To

To voltage692:

I never blamed the Blackberry! Nor do I think that the Droid 3 is to blame. When I had a Chevy Cruze loaner for a few days, it performed flawlessly with the Droid 3. I believe that the problem may be that there's some isolated electrical interference in the center console area. Remember also that there may be sample-to-sample differences in electrical noise in different Volts.

My post was simply to inform users of the Blackberry that putting it in a different location may help connection problems.

To MTNRanger:
I had a cigarette lighter to USB plug in my center console and experienced the same problem. As I said, the Bluetooth interference and connect problems are peculiar to the Volt. The Chevy Cruze loaner that I had worked flawlessly every time.

To

Ironically, I use the Blackberry bluetooth Remote Stereo Gateway with an iPhone 4S and it works great. I have the phone in my pocket or cupholder; it doesn't seem to affect the signal.

Bluetooth streaming from my iPhone 4s directly to my Volt for less than $100. Perfect solution. I use Stitcher to store all of the Podcasts that I like, and just leave the phone in my pocket. Works fine with Pandora, too.
(Look for used Blackberry Bluetooth Remote Stereo Gateways on Ebay. That's where I found mine.)

Has anyone used the Griffin Technology BlueTrip AUX for iPhone? I am thinking about getting one.

Has anyone used the Griffin Technology BlueTrip AUX for iPhone? I am thinking about getting one.

Nope, I have the Blackberry stereo gateway, its just simple and awesome!

The Blackberry unit is discontinued and difficult to find. I just ordered a very inexpensive "Tao Tronics" adapter from Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/TaoTronics-TT-BA01-Wireless-Bluetooth-Adapter/dp/B004B8GF7Y/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1331742359&sr=8-4

I will let you know if it works.

Yeah, took me forever to find a NIB blackberry gateway, it sucks they discontinued it as its a great device.

Here is one on ebay $46 with shipping: http://www.ebay.com/itm/BlackBerry-BLUETOOTH-STEREO-GATEWAY-MINI-ACCS-USB-F-/190653164854?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item2c63d06d36

One word.....Amazon The best price I found on the gateway

found and ordered on macmall - see if you can get free shipping (spe
cify UPS?) I didn't and shipping + tax was another $10...

http://www.macmall.com/p/product~dpno~8343248~pdp.gdgeabj?isPopup=y

I found a $9 solution.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/130723684810?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

This device is working with my android phone and 2012 non-nav Volt. I plug it into the USB (for power) and the Aux Port. I had to pair with my phone the first time (0000) but I have not had to pair again. I have been using it with Pandora. I have three bluetooth connections active, the car's bluetooth speaker phone, a bluetooth ODBII adapter connected to Torque, and the DMZMusic AD2P adapter streaming Pandora.

I found a $9 solution.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/130723684810?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

This device is working with my android phone and 2012 non-nav Volt. I plug it into the USB (for power) and the Aux Port. I had to pair with my phone the first time (0000) but I have not had to pair again. I have been using it with Pandora. I have three bluetooth connections active, the car's bluetooth speaker phone, a bluetooth ODBII adapter connected to Torque, and the DMZMusic AD2P adapter streaming Pandora.This is great. Thanks for sharing. I'm waiting for my 2013 Volt which has MyLink which I think has A2DP built-in, I assume, so I can stream audio from my iPhone to it, no problem. But I went ahead and bought a couple of these devices anyway for use with other car and home setups that I have. I can't believe they're so cheap. I hope they last.