[M4dski11z]

I have my iPhone connected via USB to pro nav. The proprietary iPhone music app works fine, but when I try and play music via a 3rd party app, it works for about 10 seconds then defaults back to the iPhone proprietary music app. Anyone know what I'm doing wrong?

[MarkG_M5Comp]

I have a similar thing when using Spotify; the car wants the default back to iTunes... I re-paired the phone and made sure iTunes was fully closed (i.e. quit the app rather than just close it), the situation improved.

I still have to reopen Spotify and press play after I start the car. Interestingly the only way it works seamlessly is when I have no iTunes music at all.

[M4dski11z]

Wow Id like to think it would work better than that. I'll have another crack tomorrow doing what you said.

Cheers Mark

[BMWSKI]

Why not use Napster instead? I've been using it and the integration is great...
I have a free 30day trial and after that I'll be keeping it instead of Spotify.

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Originally Posted by BMWSKI

Why not use Napster instead? I've been using it and the integration is great...
I have a free 30day trial and after that I'll be keeping it instead of Spotify.

I may try that, problem is I get Spotify for free with my Virgin Broadband...

[M4dski11z]

Originally Posted by MarkG335

I may try that, problem is I get Spotify for free with my Virgin Broadband...

Yeah I've got spotify for free too. Plus a couple of other music apps that I'd like to use too.

Is it the same with EBT?

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by MarkG335

I may try that, problem is I get Spotify for free with my Virgin Broadband...

A little off topic....
Do you mean you get Spotify Premium for free with Virgin? I've got Virgin and be interested how you get this? I've logged into my Virgin account and cant see how you set this up?

Many thanks.


Edit, think I've found the answer. It appears Virgin is offering Premium free for 3 months (ie just 2 months more than anyone can sign up for with Spotify). Doesnt look like its a permanent thing so would have to start paying for Premium after 3 months, the way I read it.

[M4dski11z]

Isn't spotify premium just free now?

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by Ray335d

Isn't spotify premium just free now?

Nope Premium is £9.99 a month.
I think all they have done recently is allow free Spotify to be available to phones and tablets whereas they charged for it before.
With the free version you get the ads, with Premium, you don't get ads and can download tracks/albums to listen offline.

[Arwmjc]

Originally Posted by BMWSKI

Why not use Napster instead? I've been using it and the integration is great...
I have a free 30day trial and after that I'll be keeping it instead of Spotify.

U using napster thru iphone? I have a note 3 and was wondering if napster is gonna work as well thru that phone...

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Edit, think I've found the answer. It appears Virgin is offering Premium free for 3 months (ie just 2 months more than anyone can sign up for with Spotify). Doesnt look like its a permanent thing so would have to start paying for Premium after 3 months, the way I read it.

In theory, yes. I signed up for the 3 month free trial in August and so should have paid from November 1st. For some reason its still free on mu account so I don't want to 'rock the boat'. I don't feel bad for Virgin anyway, they're running bas***ds - even if they are going to give me 150Mb broadband in a few weeks...

Originally Posted by Ray335d

Isn't spotify premium just free now?

Mine is!

Originally Posted by Ray335d

Yeah I've got spotify for free too. Plus a couple of other music apps that I'd like to use too.

Is it the same with EBT?

Spotify seemed to be the one that 'just worked', unlike iTunes cloud or waterer it is. If I switch to an unlimited data tariff I may change my mind.

I have the EBT option with cradle. Music playback is better quality through the cradle but you'd only notice when comparing back to back with the same song. The problem with playing through the cradle is the black panel doesn't display the song (and the next one to select) like it does when using bluetooth. It's a flawed system for sure, at least with IOS 7 - I may dig out an old iPhone and see if older software makes it better (I've heard it might).

Probably the 'best' option is to use your white Apple sync cable, plugged into the armrest USB. That way you can easily control the phone without looking down. Problem is its a) illegal and b) not what we're all looking for in an 'integrated' solution.

[Deyvy]

Just to clarify this is the same issue as mine.

3rd party music apps, spotify in my case, won't play connected via USB..?

As I've started to use spotify more and more and itunes less, only way for me to get that to work is via the bluetooth. Is that the same for everyone?

[M4dski11z]

Originally Posted by Deyvy

Just to clarify this is the same issue as mine.

3rd party music apps, spotify in my case, won't play connected via USB..?

As I've started to use spotify more and more and itunes less, only way for me to get that to work is via the bluetooth. Is that the same for everyone?

Yep exactly as mine. I don't have enhanced Bluetooth so can't stream apps. My only choice is via the Apple USB cable in the armrest.

If anyone knows how to stop it defaulting back to iTunes please let me know.

[browellm]

Originally Posted by Arwmjc

U using napster thru iphone? I have a note 3 and was wondering if napster is gonna work as well thru that phone...

If you have EBT, you can stream it, but you won't be able to control it with iDrive.

Unfortunately Napster integration with iDrive is limited to iOS at the moment. It doesn't work on Android, and it was one of the things made me move back to iOS from my Nexus 4.

[Deyvy]

Originally Posted by browellm

If you have EBT, you can stream it, but you won't be able to control it with iDrive.

Unfortunately Napster integration with iDrive is limited to iOS at the moment. It doesn't work on Android, and it was one of the things made me move back to iOS from my Nexus 4.

I can control it to the extent of moving moving through tracks backwards and forwards. Just to add, I do have EBT.

[BMWSKI]

Originally Posted by Arwmjc

U using napster thru iphone? I have a note 3 and was wondering if napster is gonna work as well thru that phone...

Yes, I'm using an iPhone 5 and it works great

[BMWSKI]

Originally Posted by Deyvy

Just to clarify this is the same issue as mine.

3rd party music apps, spotify in my case, won't play connected via USB..?

I used Spotify with no issues at all from my iPhone 5. Admittedly it wasn't fully integrated and you had to control it via the phone (unlike Napster which you can control everything via Idrive) and sometimes it would keep displaying the same song even though the track had changed.
Napster is the same price so I would advise changing if you can...

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Originally Posted by BMWSKI

I used Spotify with no issues at all from my iPhone 5. Admittedly it wasn't fully integrated and you had to control it via the phone (unlike Napster which you can control everything via Idrive) and sometimes it would keep displaying the same song even though the track had changed.
Napster is the same price so I would advise changing if you can...

Sounds like a plan then, thanks for the info.

[BMWSKI]

Originally Posted by MarkG335

Sounds like a plan then, thanks for the info.

No problem With Napster you just open the app on your iPhone and it will show up on your Idrive. Select it from the menu and you're away!
You can also search the Napster database and populate your playlists through Idrive whilst on the move. Much to my wife's enjoyment
The only downside I guess is like any Idrive Apps you can only run one at a time and it means you can't use your phone for anything else otherwise the App will pause. On the plus side though it forces me not to check my messages until I get to my destination :roll eyes:

[Deyvy]

Originally Posted by BMWSKI

No problem With Napster you just open the app on your iPhone and it will show up on your Idrive. Select it from the menu and you're away!
You can also search the Napster database and populate your playlists through Idrive whilst on the move. Much to my wife's enjoyment
The only downside I guess is like any Idrive Apps you can only run one at a time and it means you can't use your phone for anything else otherwise the App will pause. On the plus side though it forces me not to check my messages until I get to my destination :roll eyes:

Going off topic slightly, how does Napster compare to Spotify?

[M4dski11z]

Hmmm checked it today and Spotify works fine. It's some of the other apps that default back to iTunes. Need to play more with it.

[BMWSKI]

Originally Posted by Deyvy

Going off topic slightly, how does Napster compare to Spotify?

Similar amount of tracks I believe and I actually prefer the user interface through my iPhone. They do a 30 day free trial so I'd recommend you trying it out and seeing for yourself if you can.
tbh, if BMW had a Spotify app then I wouldn't of bothered swapping. I just want to be as integrated as possible and the cost of both services are the same anyway.
Casual users will have no complaints about Napster's sound quality, but unfortunately it's not as good as Spotify's. The maximum bit rate is 192kbps, which will put off true audiophiles when tracks on Spotify are (mostly) available at 320kbps.
Music streaming bit rates are only a headache for those who have seriously invested in their audio systems. I specced HK and thought the lower bit rate would be an issue but so far I haven't really noticed any quality issues. I'm sure a true audiophile would beg to differ
Lots of people stream via EBT anyway which I believe is only around 160kbps. If I want higher quality tracks then I will either use my iPod or better still a CD.
If you are looking for the best quality, Napster isn't for you right now.
Things might change with customer demand so watch this space...
Hope that helps?