Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Australia Forum

Technical => 939 Series (159, Brera and Brera Spider) => Topic started by: Bretton Woods on November 15, 2013, 08:30:36 PM

Title: Blue and Me Bluetooth Audio Streaming - Working!
Post by: Bretton Woods on November 15, 2013, 08:30:36 PM
Ok gents, the title may have been slightly misleading, but allow me to explain.

Blue and Me does not support the A2DP protocol, which is what allows music to be streamed over Bluetooth to the car stereo. it only permits the use of the stereo as a headset during calls. I've found an app the spoofs the bluetooth protocol so that it uses the bluetooth headset protocol to stream whatever sound output the phone makes. It spoofs the Blue and Me system into believing a phone call is taking place and routing the audio that way.

This is not a perfect solution. The audio quality is significantly degraded over the A2DP protocol and will not suit everyone. I, however, primarily listen to podcasts, so the degradation in audio quality is not a significant issue - the quality wasn't there to begin with.

Unfortunately it's for Android. It won't help the iOS users.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.AngelOfMors.BTHeadSet&hl=en (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.AngelOfMors.BTHeadSet&hl=en)

I hope this helps.
Title: Re: Blue and Me Bluetooth Audio Streaming - Working!
Post by: shiny_car on November 15, 2013, 11:03:55 PM
Does your car have the USB port in the glovebox?

:)
Title: Re: Blue and Me Bluetooth Audio Streaming - Working!
Post by: Bretton Woods on November 16, 2013, 12:20:36 AM
It does, but this means I can download updates on the fly and if I don't finish a podcast I can resume where I left off when I enter or leave the car all via Bluetooth.
Title: Re: Blue and Me Bluetooth Audio Streaming - Working!
Post by: alfagtv58 on November 16, 2013, 10:54:38 AM
I was wrapped when I read that, right up to the point where you said not suitable for iOS users!!!  I have given up with the USB and have been listening to podcasts with headphones...at least then I can pick up where I left it last when not listening in the car.
Title: Re: Blue and Me Bluetooth Audio Streaming - Working!
Post by: Bretton Woods on November 16, 2013, 12:46:22 PM
Apple lock down their devices, so I don't think you'll be able to do this. A jailbroken device may be able to.
Title: Re: Blue and Me Bluetooth Audio Streaming - Working!
Post by: shiny_car on November 16, 2013, 06:47:45 PM
The 159s have the Gen 1 B&M. As such, you need to use an adaptor/dongle to make iPods and iPhones work via the USB. Not that cheap either (keep an eye out for secondhand ones).

New (it will be ex-VAT too):
http://www.partsworld-uk.com/product/BlueMe_adapter_for_iPod_and_iPhone_71805430

My wife's been using her iPhone 5, so it seems compatible.

:)
Title: Re: Blue and Me Bluetooth Audio Streaming - Working!
Post by: kaleuclint on November 23, 2013, 11:50:52 AM
Shiny, am I right that with the adaptor you can stream music via Bluetooth, and you can also plug a USB stick with music files into the other end of the adaptor to play via Media Player?
Title: Re: Blue and Me Bluetooth Audio Streaming - Working!
Post by: Bretton Woods on November 24, 2013, 03:26:45 AM
I'm not using an adaptor to stream from my phone, so I keep a usb full of music plugged in.