Alright, so I have been toying with this idea for a while, and I think now that I have everything down that I will need to complete the process. This is my first time posting a thread, so bare with me. Install pics will be up in a few weeks once I start and complete everything, I just want to work through it all and get any advice.
So, I like many, have an iPhone. I have probably used my CD player 5 times in the past year, and play all of my music and news off my phone. And it is SUCH a hassle to plug the Aux cable into my phone in every time I get in the car and then unplug it when I have to make a call (sarcasm.) It's an even bigger displeasure that you have that Aux cable floating across the passengers area (double sarcasm.) So I wanted to find a wireless solution. The goal is stealth set up, native usage, and low phone power consumption. Apple's Airplay came to mind.
Quick history, then a run down of how I plan on attempting this. Apple first introduced Airturnes back in 2004. If you had an Apple Airport Express, you could hook up a 3.5mm cable to it, and direct your music to that output from your computer in iTunes. An Airport Express is basically a small wifi router/ ranger extender. Great device for party stereos, range extension, or travel. Now, in 2010 Apple came out with Airplay. Basically the exact same thing, except now it was being made and integrated into all of the hardware (iPhone, iPod, iPad) and 3rd party products. Pioneer just came out with a Receiver that uses Airplay, and there are a few standalone stereos that use it too.
The benefit to Airplay is that whenever your phone detects an airplay device, it prompts a new icon that allows you to wireless play your music through that device without hooking up to it, pairing, turning Bluetooth on, any of that stuff. This saves you from turning on and off bluetooth, saves battery, and saves you from taking the time to plug tour phone in. It also allows you to do all kinds of cool things like have multiple devices submit songs and for one person to DJ. Glad to explain all that later, could be fun on road trips.
THE SETUP:
The goal is a stealth install. The plan is to take a Airport Express (APE from now on), and mount it right behind the dash utilizing the Aux and 12v hook ups. I plan on taking the Aux cable, and splitting it off with a Y, and then reinstalling the Aux port so it looks normal. I will then splice a 12v connector off the 12v socket (behind the dash, leaving the front to look stock) and connecting that to a small power inverter. The APE will then be plugged into the inverter, and the spliced Aux will then be connected into the APE. Seal it all up and SHAZAM, WiFi Airplay.
Supplies:
- 3.5mm 1ft Cable off eBay (3$)
- 3.5mm Y splicer off eBay (4$)
- 12v Splice line I made (5$)
- Socket/ USB Inverter (20$)
(Plan on routing a USB cable to my center console to charge peripherals)
- Airport Express, 2nd Gen, off eBay (45$)
- Zipties
Total: 57$
Notes:
-The WiFi will automatically turn on when you turn the ignition switch (or if you installed a party switch to just run the stereo and 12v ) and will turn off when you turn the car off. No worry at draining the battery.
-You need to use a 2nd or 3rd gen APE with this. This way you can edit the settings of your APE via the Airport Utility App (Like name, password, firmware, settings.) The 1st Gen does not work with the WiFi formatting App. Oh, did a new APE (3rd Gen) just get released? 2nd gen models are flooding eBay? How convenient, I didn't plan that at all........
- What about the fact that your wireless signal will take over as the dominant source of data on your phone, and then you won't be able to get text, stream music, or get email while in your car???
I have researched the crap outta this one, as I didn't see this as an issue until I did some preliminary set ups. Two options here.
1. Connect to the WiFi and write down the IP address and subnet mask your router assigned you. Then, select static tab instead of DHCP and fill in the IP address your DHCP server assigned to your iPhone. Next, fill in the subnet mask but leave the rest of the fields empty. You now have access to your wifi as well as 3G.
or 2. Set up the APE as new with Airport Utility, but click manual setup. Set it on bridge mode. then go to tcp/ip and set it configure to manually, then delete everything but the submask and click save. And ignore any error reports and save.
-Heat should not be an issue, as this is an enclosed device in the first place, and I've never felt one get too hot anyway.
-I know there are a ton of Bluetooth Dongles that will do this with A2DP, like Belkin's Aircast and TuneLink's Potato, you have to turn Bluetooth on and off to use it, or drain your battery running Bluetooth the whole time. I haven't seen one with Bluetooth 4.0, that uses a whole lot less power. The goal again is stealth set up, native usage, and low phone power consumption.
-While there are a TON of other options out there for basically doing the same thing (Harmon Kardon Drive+Play, upcoming Kivic One, recent announcement that Apple will be putting Siri in cars, and several Bluetooth Options) I felt that this was the best for keeping a stock look, keeping the project costs low, and utilizing the lowest power draw on your phone.
A final note is that this is on my to do list, and may take about a month to get done. I wanted to write it all out and trouble shoot it first. I'm studying for the Bar right now, so this is my side project to take my mind of things when I need a break. This is just my place to track the project, get ideas and trouble shoot, and try share a cool mod. Think of it, NO MORE CABLES!
Let me know what you think!
So, I like many, have an iPhone. I have probably used my CD player 5 times in the past year, and play all of my music and news off my phone. And it is SUCH a hassle to plug the Aux cable into my phone in every time I get in the car and then unplug it when I have to make a call (sarcasm.) It's an even bigger displeasure that you have that Aux cable floating across the passengers area (double sarcasm.) So I wanted to find a wireless solution. The goal is stealth set up, native usage, and low phone power consumption. Apple's Airplay came to mind.
Quick history, then a run down of how I plan on attempting this. Apple first introduced Airturnes back in 2004. If you had an Apple Airport Express, you could hook up a 3.5mm cable to it, and direct your music to that output from your computer in iTunes. An Airport Express is basically a small wifi router/ ranger extender. Great device for party stereos, range extension, or travel. Now, in 2010 Apple came out with Airplay. Basically the exact same thing, except now it was being made and integrated into all of the hardware (iPhone, iPod, iPad) and 3rd party products. Pioneer just came out with a Receiver that uses Airplay, and there are a few standalone stereos that use it too.
The benefit to Airplay is that whenever your phone detects an airplay device, it prompts a new icon that allows you to wireless play your music through that device without hooking up to it, pairing, turning Bluetooth on, any of that stuff. This saves you from turning on and off bluetooth, saves battery, and saves you from taking the time to plug tour phone in. It also allows you to do all kinds of cool things like have multiple devices submit songs and for one person to DJ. Glad to explain all that later, could be fun on road trips.
THE SETUP:
The goal is a stealth install. The plan is to take a Airport Express (APE from now on), and mount it right behind the dash utilizing the Aux and 12v hook ups. I plan on taking the Aux cable, and splitting it off with a Y, and then reinstalling the Aux port so it looks normal. I will then splice a 12v connector off the 12v socket (behind the dash, leaving the front to look stock) and connecting that to a small power inverter. The APE will then be plugged into the inverter, and the spliced Aux will then be connected into the APE. Seal it all up and SHAZAM, WiFi Airplay.
Supplies:
- 3.5mm 1ft Cable off eBay (3$)
- 3.5mm Y splicer off eBay (4$)
- 12v Splice line I made (5$)
- Socket/ USB Inverter (20$)
(Plan on routing a USB cable to my center console to charge peripherals)
- Airport Express, 2nd Gen, off eBay (45$)
- Zipties
Total: 57$
Notes:
-The WiFi will automatically turn on when you turn the ignition switch (or if you installed a party switch to just run the stereo and 12v ) and will turn off when you turn the car off. No worry at draining the battery.
-You need to use a 2nd or 3rd gen APE with this. This way you can edit the settings of your APE via the Airport Utility App (Like name, password, firmware, settings.) The 1st Gen does not work with the WiFi formatting App. Oh, did a new APE (3rd Gen) just get released? 2nd gen models are flooding eBay? How convenient, I didn't plan that at all........
- What about the fact that your wireless signal will take over as the dominant source of data on your phone, and then you won't be able to get text, stream music, or get email while in your car???
I have researched the crap outta this one, as I didn't see this as an issue until I did some preliminary set ups. Two options here.
1. Connect to the WiFi and write down the IP address and subnet mask your router assigned you. Then, select static tab instead of DHCP and fill in the IP address your DHCP server assigned to your iPhone. Next, fill in the subnet mask but leave the rest of the fields empty. You now have access to your wifi as well as 3G.
or 2. Set up the APE as new with Airport Utility, but click manual setup. Set it on bridge mode. then go to tcp/ip and set it configure to manually, then delete everything but the submask and click save. And ignore any error reports and save.
-Heat should not be an issue, as this is an enclosed device in the first place, and I've never felt one get too hot anyway.
-I know there are a ton of Bluetooth Dongles that will do this with A2DP, like Belkin's Aircast and TuneLink's Potato, you have to turn Bluetooth on and off to use it, or drain your battery running Bluetooth the whole time. I haven't seen one with Bluetooth 4.0, that uses a whole lot less power. The goal again is stealth set up, native usage, and low phone power consumption.
-While there are a TON of other options out there for basically doing the same thing (Harmon Kardon Drive+Play, upcoming Kivic One, recent announcement that Apple will be putting Siri in cars, and several Bluetooth Options) I felt that this was the best for keeping a stock look, keeping the project costs low, and utilizing the lowest power draw on your phone.
A final note is that this is on my to do list, and may take about a month to get done. I wanted to write it all out and trouble shoot it first. I'm studying for the Bar right now, so this is my side project to take my mind of things when I need a break. This is just my place to track the project, get ideas and trouble shoot, and try share a cool mod. Think of it, NO MORE CABLES!
Let me know what you think!