iphone 5 compatability with VW RCD510

[JellyCat]

ok I suspect this could well end up being a hot topic \ picked up on search results but....

I love my iPhone 4 and always connect it to my Golf via the MDI in order to browse and control music content via my RCD510.

I've pre-ordered an iPhone 5.... I bet you can see where this is going....

From postings I'm starting to see problems ahead regarding connectivity via the MDI connector.

Ok VW don't have a new MDI connector for the new iphone5 Lightning port (can't blame VW on this as all car makers maybe in the same boat here).

So that leaves us lot having to buy the new £25 + VAT connector (which also does digital to analogue conversion).

There is a video posting of an Apple SVP doing a customer demo with an iPhone 5 connected to an Audi \ VW MDI 30pin Apple connector using one of the new lightning adapters.
After seeing that thought ah ok cool - it works! But....

Although it looks like it does support audio out, this set up might not allow you to manage content accessed via the RCD510's interface due to the removal of the iPod out support (which some car makers use to allow iPods \ iPhones to be controlled via the cars head unit.

So there is a chance it play back audio, but the head unit might not allow you to select tracks \ change to pod casts etc. etc.

Ok so when I get my iPhone 5 on the 21st I should be able to test and find out???
WRONG!

The new adapter does not ship until Oct. So therefore I have my nice new iPhone 5 but will not be able to test against my car until I get an adaptor. If it doesn't work then it will be too late to return the iPhone (not sure if I want it unless I can use via the mdi connector).

Another way.... use the adaptor to charge the phone - use Bluetooth to connect the iPhone 5 to the RCD510?
Sadly no as I don't have Bluetooth on the golf (I do on my other car - a Tiguan), but would be buggered on the GTI.

So options for me:

1) If the adapter which ships in Oct works then cool! all ok (just cost me about another £30 on top of the phone).

2) If the adapter allow me to manage content, I can at least charge the phone but will also need to shell out about £300ish for a blue tooth upgrade to the RCD510 so I can control the iPhone’s content.

3) wait for VW to release an iPhone 5 \ lightning compatible MDI cable - by then when VW get around to producing  it, and VW UK test and approve it (the latter will take a 99 years to complete I suspect)- I guess the iPhone 15 will have just been released.

I'll report back in Oct if the adapter does allow you to control content or not (unless further news comes out before hand).

[p3asa]

Wait and get your iphone until October?

[andyr]

Leave the 'old' Iphone 4 in the car? 
Get a memory stick and use that? 

Good old Apple, create a standard, get everyone on the planet to buy speakers/cables/interfaces etc, then...... wham!   

[Big_Dave]

I can't blame Apple for changing the connector if we're honest, there was a serious packaging floor!

I would imagine at £25 the adaptor will be the bees knees, and will allow you to control the iphone from the car.

I'm in the same boat, i get my 5 tomorrow.

Unfortunately, you cannot control your phone music through the stereo controls when connected through Bluetooth...you have to choose on the phone (with the exception of pressing 'next/preious' track button)

However, on the off chance the adaptor from Apple doesn't allow you to control the iPhone from the stereo, I imagine that it won't be long before one of the Korean/Japanese eBay specials does allow you to!

[AndyG]

When I get my next iPhone I'm going to get a cheap payg sim card and use my old phone only in the car.The new phone will simply be diverted to car phone when I'm out & about.Also I'm going to hide the phone someplace in the car then if my car ever gets stolen I can use the 'find my phone'feature to locate the car.

[JoeGTI]

I've read this too - the clunky "adapter" that you buy for 30 quid does not support "iPod out", so yes, I think there could be a problem with track / playlist selection via the MDI until VW release a compatible cable for the new Lightning adapter! That'll be another 30 or 40 quid! Talk about a money racket.

That said, I hardly ever use mine. I tend to use either the HD in the RNS itself or the Bluetooth connection.

As others have suggested, I would advise just using a cheap-ass old iPod or your old phone and just leave it permanently connected to the MDI.

[dubber36]

Here's a thought, why not just keep your old phone that you know works and save yourself a bag full of loot in the process? 

[Mr GTD]

Is the iPhone 5 really that much better than the 4s? and Is it really worth all this effort...

[Big_Dave]

Here's a thought, why not just keep your old phone that you know works and save yourself a bag full of loot in the process? 

This was my thoughtline, until I realised that I can make over £200 out of Vodafone from getting a 5?!

Makes a mockery of the people spending hundreds already queueing outside Apple Stores 

[dubber36]

How can you make £200?