iPod®/USB Integration in the glove box?

[soconfoozed]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

Me, but not for an iPhone. I use an iPod to store music and that's a much better solution then having the plug by the shifter. It hidden, out of the way and doesn't require moving it out of sight after you park the car.

I agree with the other poster in that it doesn't exist on any brz though but I plan on moving mine to the glovebox.

I understand your point, but to me, that isn't a solution. It's kludgy and inelegant. I would similarly understand if you were to roll your eyes at that, but I'm an engineer, and to me, it's an important distinction. Thoughtful design doesn't cost money. As a designer, your goal is always to design something that's useful, not something that needs to be fixed. Strive for the excellent, not the adequate. This isn't about engineering to a performance target, e.g. 200hp. This is about something that just doesn't work. It isn't even adequate. Not thoughtfully designed.

The entire FT-86 project is about driving, but there are many facets of the end use experience. One of the things that strikes me about the vehicle is just how well put together it is, and where they chose to spend money. They did a really, really great job of designing at the system level while meeting an aggressive cost target.

However, mobile device integration (really, the nav/headunit in general) is a war crime of user experience. I often rant that this isn't a hard one to get right. I'm surprised this problem has been left unsolved. I cringe every time I connect by USB to charge. The headunit fights itself over Bluetooth vs. iPod Dock Connector, and I get angry when the headunit dumps my iPhone into accessory mode, locking me out of the iPod app and forcing me to use the miserable headunit UI...which is so utterly hateful, it's probably more dangerous than futzing around with my phone. This is something that Subaru's code is doing, not Apple's. It's a simple command over serial. They need to issue a firmware update that just charges when there's a Bluetooth connection. This all is to say nothing of the rest of the damn headunit (other than that it's terrible, jab jab), but that's probably wandering a bit too far for this thread.

I wonder if there's an enthusiast community out there doing Android bringup on OEM navigation systems.

[/designtourettes]

[Dave-ROR]

What does any of that have to do with the location of the USB port which is what I was talking about?

[soconfoozed]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

What does any of that have to do with the location of the USB port which is what I was talking about?

That's easy: it shouldn't exist, because it shouldn't need to exist.

[ashtray]

I unsynced the Bluetooth from my iPhone and just plug in. I've been using a white cable - didn't even think to go buy a black one! (tomorrow!) I like that my phone charges during my commute and I have access to all my songs. I just hate how slow the touch screen is. (and dangerous - slightly bumpy road, takes me a few tries to hit the right ration preset button - could they have made them any thinner?! And I gotta look at it the whole time while I'm trying to hit the right button. Meanwhile the guy doing 50mph in front of me has come to a complete stop.)

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by soconfoozed

That's easy: it shouldn't exist, because it shouldn't need to exist.

Well since my iPod doesn't do Bluetooth and since Bluetooth sq is lower than the digital stream over USB I disagree with that completely.

[lordtakuban]

Instead of having it in the glove box, You should just plug the cable into your phone and keep it in your pocket while driving. Much better solution. Maybe have the cables dangle below the steering column so the glove box can be used more appropriately.

FYI: It needs the USB connectivity to control the iPhone to be able to run your Pandora stations from the HU and other features. I have another Pioneer HU that has the same thing. Oh, guess where I routed the cables to come out? ... Correct!

[iBRZ]

I thought I'd resurrect this thread with the following suggestion. Use an old iPhone. In the glovebox it's secure, with the glovebox plug it's charged, and with bluetooth it's hooked up to the sound system.

[Tdot]

Originally Posted by 8987846

i remember someone pointed out that a power supply in the glove box, but i found it is a usb connection in the glove box on Canadian model.
source: http://www.subaru.ca/WebPage.aspx?We...&WebSiteID=282
feel free to delete it if it is already known.:happy0180:

There is an additional power supply in the canadian models too.... Look behind the glove box, its at the back right.... there will be a plastic cover that needs to be removed before you will be able to see the socket.

[Turbowned]

My Audi had the iPod hookup here. It's great if you have an iPod, but seriously annoying if you have an iPhone. I'd always forget to plug it in until I was driving and wouldn't be able to reach it from the driver's seat. And then I'd forget to take it out, too (dude, where's my phone?). Best thing would be to buy an old iPod for cheap and put the music on it. I like it being there, though, because I hate, haaaaaaaate exposed wires/cables in the cabin. I'll probably relocate my USB/aux input to the glovebox or center console cubby when I get the car.

[Dorb]

The Bluetooth for iPod ROCK! I just leave it in the little change thing on the side of the cup holders. I was going to use a USB cord, but seems to work perfect with no wires.

[nix]

My brz has an eclipse avn827ga, the USB on it is way better than Bluetooth.. Thought about just stashing my ipod under the shifter surround but I think I am going to reroute the centre USB to the glove box.

[iBRZ]

Just get the new nano -- it has bluetooth. then you can stash it in the glovebox and never have to worry.

http://www.apple.com/ipod-nano/

[Gords_zenith]

Yup that is Indeed a Canadian picture and it does have a secondary 12 volt supply in the glove box. Our HU is also the pioneer X9310BT. I know as I own one.