SPOTIFY: steering wheel controls + iDrive interface

jpsimon · 08-08-2011, 07:33 PM

As you may or may not know Spotify is awesome. What's even more awesome is using your steering wheel controls to switch between songs, and even display the current playing song on your iDrive screen.

I have a 2008 335xi coupe, with iDrive and the iPod cable. You can do this is 3 easy steps:

- sign up for spotify premium and download the free iPhone app
- jailbreak your iPhone
- on cydia, buy Music Controls Pro ($5.99)

Next/Previous steering wheel buttons work, and the current playing song displays as if it's a real song on your device.

Elliott@DetailAddict · 08-08-2011, 08:42 PM

sweet info! Wish i had an ipod integration from the factory

r3t1cal · 08-08-2011, 10:27 PM

Thank You! Now I can convince myself to buy the integration, I wasn't going to do it if I couldn't control spotify and siriusXM app.

Track information display with the MOST iteration on a non iDrive DMW Professional stereo, correct?

jpsimon · 08-09-2011, 09:48 AM

I assume it will work the same way on non-idrive models. Also, this jailbreak app will work with i think 40 other 3rd party apps in the same way (pandora, etc).

JayKay335i · 08-09-2011, 10:24 PM

Interesting......

Wonder how long until throttling your connection kicks in.

Dirty bastard phone companies.

jpsimon · 08-10-2011, 10:42 AM

We shall see. I still have an "unlimited" data plan through ATT. The nice thing about spotify is you can sync 3000+ songs for offline use... so if the throttling gets bad this is always an option

egash · 08-10-2011, 07:44 PM

Thanks for the info. I downloaded Music Controls Pro. However, I can't seem to get Pandora or Tunein Radio to display on drive screen or to change channels via the car controls. I've got it running through the iPod Y-Cable. I must be doing something wrong. Any help is appreciated.

jpsimon · 08-11-2011, 10:32 AM

go in to settings and make sure controls are turned "on" for those apps. I turned everything off except for spotify, that probably isn't necessary but i did it just so I knew there would be no cross-app issues.

Also, one thing that might help: Before you plug the phone in to the car double tap the home button and quit out of whatever audio program you plan on running. Only once you're connected to the car should you open the app. If I didn't do it like that I usually wouldn't gain control of the program

Steveo · 08-11-2011, 06:18 PM

Pics?

egash · 08-11-2011, 08:25 PM

jpsimon - thanks for your suggestions. I ended up rebooting my iPhone 4 and now I get the Pandora data on my iDrive and can select next song. Thanks again for sharing!

cptcrunch · 08-11-2011, 11:13 PM

I'm interested in seeing pictures of the screen

jpsimon · 08-12-2011, 10:09 AM

No point in posting pics. The current playing song just shows up in your "songs" list as if it were an actual song you loaded from iTunes (with the play timer).

Frank2808 · 08-12-2011, 12:52 PM

Thanks for the tip! Tried this out at lunch.. a couple of notes:

When you plug the iPhone into the USB in the armrest you have to open spotify and start playing a playlist on your phone to get the audio to switch over from the iPod to Spotify.

The track name is on the iDrive screen but you cant browse your playlists/songs etc. I suppose that's expected.

Turning off the car and removing the iPhone works as expected. Music pauses when unplugged, resumes when plugged in again. The app did stop working at one point when pluggin/unplugging but just reopened spotify on the phone, hit play again, and it started working again.

e90Luis · 08-12-2011, 06:54 PM

Would this work if I don't have iDrive?

jpsimon · 08-14-2011, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90Luis

Would this work if I don't have iDrive?

I don't see why not

e90Luis · 08-14-2011, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpsimon

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90Luis

Would this work if I don't have iDrive?

I don't see why not

I have my iPod cable coming in this week and I'll give this a try

B33M3R · 08-15-2011, 07:37 PM

Spotify streams over Bluetooth and you are able to change tracks using the steering wheel controls on post 2011 Combox cars. You don't get track names displayed though. Perhaps a future update will allow this

e93black · 08-15-2011, 09:09 PM

I downloaded pandora and the music control pro. Do I need y3 cable or just a regular iPhone white cable is fine?

jpsimon · 08-19-2011, 10:05 AM

hey guys, be careful about updating to the newest version of Spotify. I updated today and when launching a notice pops up "music controls pro doesn't support this version of spotify. Only bla bla bla version is supported." So that being said, steering wheel controls still work... but it doesn't display the playing song.

MCP seems to be pretty good about updating to support latest versions of things, so it's just a matter of time before it's fixed. Just be weary about updating.

lucas.kent · 08-26-2011, 12:17 AM

Man, maybe I should jailbreak my phone. I really hate that spotify didn't show up on my idrive.

B33M3R · 08-30-2011, 12:16 PM

Hi

How about Paul coming on here and seeing if he can write a new app or mod MCP specifically to integrate things like spotify into the idrive just like the iPod does. Eg. Display playlists, album art etc.? I know I'd pay more than $5.00 for an app like that. I'm sure a few others would also?

Untapped market??

Brenzo · 12-24-2011, 11:51 PM

It's still not compatible with Spotify and wondering if that is going to happen in any time in the future? Anyone know anything?

08-08-2011, 07:33 PM	#1
jpsimon Team Zissou 3151 Rep 10,200 Posts Drives: 2022 AWD M3 Comp - SMB Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: CT iTrader: (7)	SPOTIFY: steering wheel controls + iDrive interface As you may or may not know Spotify is awesome. What's even more awesome is using your steering wheel controls to switch between songs, and even display the current playing song on your iDrive screen. I have a 2008 335xi coupe, with iDrive and the iPod cable. You can do this is 3 easy steps: - sign up for spotify premium and download the free iPhone app - jailbreak your iPhone - on cydia, buy Music Controls Pro ($5.99) Next/Previous steering wheel buttons work, and the current playing song displays as if it's a real song on your device.
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08-08-2011, 08:42 PM	#2
Elliott@DetailAddict Brigadier General 306 Rep 4,443 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Clara, CA iTrader: (0)	sweet info! Wish i had an ipod integration from the factory
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08-08-2011, 10:27 PM	#3
r3t1cal Private First Class 98 Rep 178 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Petaluma, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW X3 M40i [0.00]	Thank You! Now I can convince myself to buy the integration, I wasn't going to do it if I couldn't control spotify and siriusXM app. Track information display with the MOST iteration on a non iDrive DMW Professional stereo, correct?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-09-2011, 09:48 AM	#4
jpsimon Team Zissou 3151 Rep 10,200 Posts Drives: 2022 AWD M3 Comp - SMB Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: CT iTrader: (7)	I assume it will work the same way on non-idrive models. Also, this jailbreak app will work with i think 40 other 3rd party apps in the same way (pandora, etc).
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-09-2011, 10:24 PM	#5
JayKay335i Banned 198 Rep 5,046 Posts Drives: ///M323 DCT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: North Dakota; its best DUHHHHHH iTrader: (1)	Interesting...... Wonder how long until throttling your connection kicks in. Dirty bastard phone companies.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-10-2011, 10:42 AM	#6
jpsimon Team Zissou 3151 Rep 10,200 Posts Drives: 2022 AWD M3 Comp - SMB Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: CT iTrader: (7)	We shall see. I still have an "unlimited" data plan through ATT. The nice thing about spotify is you can sync 3000+ songs for offline use... so if the throttling gets bad this is always an option
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-10-2011, 07:44 PM	#7
egash Not a New Member 3 Rep 37 Posts Drives: 09 328I Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Dayton, OH iTrader: (2)	Thanks for the info. I downloaded Music Controls Pro. However, I can't seem to get Pandora or Tunein Radio to display on drive screen or to change channels via the car controls. I've got it running through the iPod Y-Cable. I must be doing something wrong. Any help is appreciated.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-11-2011, 10:32 AM	#8
jpsimon Team Zissou 3151 Rep 10,200 Posts Drives: 2022 AWD M3 Comp - SMB Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: CT iTrader: (7)	go in to settings and make sure controls are turned "on" for those apps. I turned everything off except for spotify, that probably isn't necessary but i did it just so I knew there would be no cross-app issues. Also, one thing that might help: Before you plug the phone in to the car double tap the home button and quit out of whatever audio program you plan on running. Only once you're connected to the car should you open the app. If I didn't do it like that I usually wouldn't gain control of the program
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-11-2011, 06:18 PM	#9
Steveo Captain 164 Rep 715 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	Pics?
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08-11-2011, 08:25 PM	#10
egash Not a New Member 3 Rep 37 Posts Drives: 09 328I Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Dayton, OH iTrader: (2)	jpsimon - thanks for your suggestions. I ended up rebooting my iPhone 4 and now I get the Pandora data on my iDrive and can select next song. Thanks again for sharing!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-11-2011, 11:13 PM	#11
cptcrunch Captain Crunch 169 Rep 547 Posts Drives: 2016 340i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Cincinnati iTrader: (0)	I'm interested in seeing pictures of the screen __________________ On Order (in transit): BMW iX 50, Oxide Grey Retired: BMW Welt Delivery 4/14/16: European Delivery - 2016 340i EBII/Saddle - ZMP \| ZCW \| ZDA \| ZLP \| ZTP \| M Adaptive \| Rear Shades \| MPPSK Before and After Dyno Retired: 2011 335D Space Grey/Black - ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| 6FL \| Sat Radio \| Nav \| $600 Base Audio Upgrade
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08-12-2011, 10:09 AM	#12
jpsimon Team Zissou 3151 Rep 10,200 Posts Drives: 2022 AWD M3 Comp - SMB Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: CT iTrader: (7)	No point in posting pics. The current playing song just shows up in your "songs" list as if it were an actual song you loaded from iTunes (with the play timer).
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-12-2011, 12:52 PM	#13
Frank2808 Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 207 Posts Drives: 2011 335is Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cleveland iTrader: (2)	Thanks for the tip! Tried this out at lunch.. a couple of notes: When you plug the iPhone into the USB in the armrest you have to open spotify and start playing a playlist on your phone to get the audio to switch over from the iPod to Spotify. The track name is on the iDrive screen but you cant browse your playlists/songs etc. I suppose that's expected. Turning off the car and removing the iPhone works as expected. Music pauses when unplugged, resumes when plugged in again. The app did stop working at one point when pluggin/unplugging but just reopened spotify on the phone, hit play again, and it started working again.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-12-2011, 06:54 PM	#14
e90Luis Private First Class 71 Rep 193 Posts Drives: F97 2020 X3MC Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (1)	Would this work if I don't have iDrive?
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08-15-2011, 07:37 PM	#17
B33M3R Captain 97 Rep 831 Posts Drives: F31 335d XD M Sport Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Cambridgeshire iTrader: (0)	Spotify streams over Bluetooth and you are able to change tracks using the steering wheel controls on post 2011 Combox cars. You don't get track names displayed though. Perhaps a future update will allow this __________________ F31 335d M Sport XD - Mineral Grey - Coral Red - 19" 442M - HK Audio - M Sport Plus Pack - Heated Seats Check out my E90stereo install guide - http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=540954
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08-15-2011, 09:09 PM	#18
e93black Private First Class 9 Rep 173 Posts Drives: e93 335i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: GTA iTrader: (1) Garage List E93 BMW 335i [6.34]	I downloaded pandora and the music control pro. Do I need y3 cable or just a regular iPhone white cable is fine? __________________ E93 335i BSM - BMW Performance Exhaust / H&R Sport / 19" OEM 230 / Front Aero Lip / M3 Side Skirt / Mtech Rear / Painted Reflector / M3 Spoiler / Lux H8 V3 / 6000K D1S / Rdash LED Licence / Painted Reflectors / L7 / Comfort Access / Navi iDrive / USB iPod / BT / PDC / M-Sport Suspension / CF Wrap Trim / Sport / Premium / Cold / M3 Tri-Stitched Steering w/DCT / Coded
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08-19-2011, 10:05 AM	#19
jpsimon Team Zissou 3151 Rep 10,200 Posts Drives: 2022 AWD M3 Comp - SMB Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: CT iTrader: (7)	hey guys, be careful about updating to the newest version of Spotify. I updated today and when launching a notice pops up "music controls pro doesn't support this version of spotify. Only bla bla bla version is supported." So that being said, steering wheel controls still work... but it doesn't display the playing song. MCP seems to be pretty good about updating to support latest versions of things, so it's just a matter of time before it's fixed. Just be weary about updating.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-26-2011, 12:17 AM	#20
lucas.kent Major 150 Rep 1,173 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: AZ iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 BMW M3 [0.00]	Man, maybe I should jailbreak my phone. I really hate that spotify didn't show up on my idrive.
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08-30-2011, 12:16 PM	#21
B33M3R Captain 97 Rep 831 Posts Drives: F31 335d XD M Sport Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Cambridgeshire iTrader: (0)	Hi How about Paul coming on here and seeing if he can write a new app or mod MCP specifically to integrate things like spotify into the idrive just like the iPod does. Eg. Display playlists, album art etc.? I know I'd pay more than $5.00 for an app like that. I'm sure a few others would also? Untapped market?? __________________ F31 335d M Sport XD - Mineral Grey - Coral Red - 19" 442M - HK Audio - M Sport Plus Pack - Heated Seats Check out my E90stereo install guide - http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=540954
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-24-2011, 11:51 PM	#22
Brenzo Private First Class 10 Rep 123 Posts Drives: 2015 M235i xDrive Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	Update to App? It's still not compatible with Spotify and wondering if that is going to happen in any time in the future? Anyone know anything?
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