Playing music from android phone through volt audio system

[travelguy2500]

Hi - I just switched from an iPhone to a Motorola Atrix with Android 2.2 (Froyo) and I am trying to figure out how to play music through the volt audio system (if it's even possible). I couldn't find documentation and nothing in a search of the threads so was wondering if anybody knew how or could point me in the right direction. I can plug the phone into the USB port and it charges fine but wasn't sure how to play music and, if you can, if you had to control the music through the phone or you could control it through the car radio like the iphone. Thanks in advance for any guidance.

[voltage692]

At a bare minimum, you can plug your phone into the 3.5mm aux port in the arm rest console.

Even if you have an iphone, like I do, you still need that 3.5mm port for playing any audio that is not in your ipod app, so don't feel too bad if you can't find a better solution.

[Cari]

We have Android phones as well and will be getting new ones likely next month. Still sticking with Android of course, but would love if someone can figure out any way other than the 3.5mm port for access. It states hard drive hooked up when plugged in via USB, but can't do anything with it but charge. playing music comes out a data static sounds. Likely just can't read the format and we are stuck with 3.5mm port. Not a big deal given the harddrive in the Volt. Not going to run out of music, but wouldn't mind free internet radio vs. paying for XM. Wish they included HD Radio.

Paul (Cari's husband)

[adamsocb]

We have Android phones as well and will be getting new ones likely next month. Still sticking with Android of course, but would love if someone can figure out any way other than the 3.5mm port for access. It states hard drive hooked up when plugged in via USB, but can't do anything with it but charge. playing music comes out a data static sounds. Likely just can't read the format and we are stuck with 3.5mm port. Not a big deal given the harddrive in the Volt. Not going to run out of music, but wouldn't mind free internet radio vs. paying for XM. Wish they included HD Radio.

Paul (Cari's husband)

No support for the Android, in fact I can't even figure out how to play music on the Android from a PC via USB.
I plugged in my new HTC Thunderbolt and the Volt screen came up "Can't Read Media" or something like that. I tried my both my Sony digital Walkman an and old Creative Zen via USB and the Volt could not read them. I transferred all of the music files from the Walkman to a USB flash drive stick and the Volt could see all of the directories, artist, album, and song information. It works great! I am now transferring from the USB stick to the Volt hard drive. Just select USB, touch “Record” on the center stack, then select “All Songs” from the screen menu.

[rtmey2000]

The simplest method is a 3.5mm stereo cable.

The second option is to add a AD2P streaming. See http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread....2197#post52197 . I have personally used this method, and it has worked well for streaming internet radio to my Volt. Unfortunately, It is only good for extended trips. It does take a minute or two to setup. Phone calls come through fine on the regular Volt BT system.

The other suggestion is to try to connect the Android device as a USB mass storage device.
If using pre-Froyo (2.2) then you just pull down the shade on the android device, and select "Turn on USB Storage"
Then plug it into your computer and see if you MP3 files are visible. If they are, unmount the phone from your computer and the Volt should be able to see them when you plug in the USB connector. It may simply be that your phone is not acting like a mass storage device.

In Froyo or newer phones - it is a little easier, A popup will ask you if you want to turn on Usb Storage.


Not sure if it will help - but worth a try.

Good luck.

[voltage692]

I wouldn't hold your breadth for playing free Internet radio through the USB on your Android.

The Volt favors the iPhone/iPod, clearly, and you can't even do that with an iPhone/iPod.

The sound is good out of the 3.5mm so I don't know why you are so bent out of shape using it.

We have Android phones as well and will be getting new ones likely next month. Still sticking with Android of course, but would love if someone can figure out any way other than the 3.5mm port for access. It states hard drive hooked up when plugged in via USB, but can't do anything with it but charge. playing music comes out a data static sounds. Likely just can't read the format and we are stuck with 3.5mm port. Not a big deal given the harddrive in the Volt. Not going to run out of music, but wouldn't mind free internet radio vs. paying for XM. Wish they included HD Radio.

Paul (Cari's husband)

[Cari]

I wouldn't hold your breadth for playing free Internet radio through the USB on your Android.

The Volt favors the iPhone/iPod, clearly, and you can't even do that with an iPhone/iPod.

The sound is good out of the 3.5mm so I don't know why you are so bent out of shape using it.

I am not bent out of shape??!!! Perhaps you were referring to some other post? I stated not a big deal and likely wasn't even going to try again or waste any more brain power on it. In fact, I usually don't even turn on bluetooth on my current phone because of battery life, so don't see streaming music as important unless it is just really easy to do. Any out of shape feeling I have would be over something like having to take the key out of my pocket to press a button to enter the car. Given the cheaper cars out there with push button that allow you to just keep the key in your pocket/purse, no reason for this not the be the case with the Volt. The 30gig harddrive is a nice feature and we are still loading cds on the drive every time we drive the Volt. Just past the 1k mile mark tonight.

Paul (Cari's husband)