Awesome - many thanks ELMEL. I just updated to the 02.02.51 firmware - that's what was on the download site.

I now have customizable disk functions - it's not documented, but it's obvious how it works. There are 5 new menu items on disk 6, which allow you to customize disks 1-5. Just hold down >> to switch any of the disks to the next item in the list of possible selections. The new ones are "Composer", "Audiobooks", and "Podcasts".

I have replaced "Albums" on disk 3 with "Podcasts" which is exactly what I wanted. Folders are the podcast channels, songs within the folders are the individual dated programs. Display of podcast names is perfect. A great improvement to be able to browse podcasts through the PCM.

I haven't noticed any other changes, though the interface feels slightly more responsive (maybe my imagination). It still takes 10 seconds or so to remove 99 items, and another 10 seconds to add the next set of 99.

I also noticed mObridge has preannounced both Bluetooth and XM Radio versions of the iPod adaptor, for release in March 2008. For an extra $200 ($799 vs $599) you can get ipod and bluetooth telephone.

I already installed the NAV-TV Tooki which works fine (though it did have a hardware failure due to a faulty component which needed a replacement), but if I'd waited I could probably have got everything from mObridge. It looks like very similar functionality to the Tooki (i.e. it emulates a factory phone, so everything works as you would expect) rather than the Denison/DICE (all through the audio adaptor - very counterintuitive).

Looks like mObridge will be the way to go for a fully integrated solution once that comes out, assuming that everything works as promised.

 

ELMEL and SFGuy
Can you provide contact information for a Bay Area mObridge Ipod adapter dealer/installer?

 

PM sent.

 

Thanks ELMEL. Got your PM and ordered to part. (I'm still a newbie, I can't send PMs yet).

 

i jsut order mine from mobrdige directly. They ship to you. Easy install

 

i just sent mobridge an email regarding the availabilty of the mObridge Bluetooth Handsfree and iPod interface. $799 sounds like a great deal.

 

I am a newbie to 6speedoline. Thanks for all the information and insight into the mObridge solutions for Porsche. I have tried contacting their sales service by both e-mail and phone as listed on their USA sight. I have been waiting three-four days for any type of response. Does anyone have any other contact information than exists on their web pages? Are they still around?

Thanks for your help.

 

this is the response email i got form them about a month ago.

mObridge Audio
---------------
The mObridge Audio product now supports all BMW vehicles from the early 2002
7 series vehicles through to the latest MINI. All idrive, non-idrive and
non-mp3 (early 7,5, 6 series vehicles) are supported. The BMW idrive
products allows the user to browse multiple folders. I.e.
Genre->Artists->Albums->Songs as well as providing the standard Aux input.
The non-idrive supported vehicles also support multi folder levels.
We have also now added SAAB 9-3 vehicles from 2002->2006 utilizing the ICM2
and ICM3 screens.
Volvo vehicles will be the next vehicle range to be added and we expect this
to occur by mid year.
We are also currently working on a software update that adds a few extra
features. Stay tuned as we expect this software to be released in 3-4
weeks.
The website contains a list of all compatible vehicles and supported head
units.
mObridge Bluetooth
-------------------
The mObridge Bluetooth product incorporates the iPod functionality from the
Audio product as standard but builds upon this with Parrot Bluetooth
technology. This product now incorporates A2DP Bluetooth streaming through
the audio system of the vehicle allowing playing of MP3 files from your
phone.
This product has completed Beta testing for Audi and Porsche vehicles.
Units are currently being packaged in manufacturing and will be ready for
final shipment from the 14th April onwards to customers in limited quantity.
All A8, A6, Q7, A5 and the recently released A4 are supported. For Porsche
vehicles your vehicle must contain the PCM navigation system and internal
SIM card to take advantage of the phone functionality on MOST. For all
other Porsche systems we will be looking a solution for CDR23/24 systems
shortly. All model years are supported.
Mercedes vehicles will be completing testing in the next 3-4 weeks. Due to
the extensive range of head units that require testing this is a very time
consuming exercise but is nearing the end. BMW vehicle testing is also
nearing completion with only the 7 series vehicle to undergo testing at this
stage. All other vehicles including the MINI have completed testing. Units
for Mercedes and BMW will begin shipping around the end of April.
For those valued customers who purchased the mObridge iPod kit previously
and are now looking for an upgrade to the Bluetooth - we expect to roll this
program out in May. Now that the Bluetooth product is being released - this
program will not be available to new customers, but only those existing
customers.

 

I got a response from Scott Nelson (head of the US operation, and in southern CA) a couple of days ago about my email requesting new firmware. Scott is snelson@mobridge-usa.com - I've usually found him pretty responsive to email, often late at night.

2.2.51 has a new bug over the shipped 2.2.27 that prevents the unit resuming from where you left off - a real pain on a 160GB ipod with the slow PCM-induced menu scrolling. I now have 2.2.64, which is not quite a public release yet, but seems to fix this problem - I haven't tried it enough yet to be sure, but it looks great so far.

 

scott is pretty fast on responding to email. Great guy to deal with. Yeah ever sincei upgraded to 2.2.51 it no longer resume correctly at all. Wonder if he has the 2.2.27 version still lying around.

 

I'm using a 160GB iPod with 2.2.51 and it's working fine. Any other cool features in 2.2.64?

 

I asked Scott for either a new firmware or a reversion to 2.2.27 to fix the resume issue, and he sent me 2.2.64 (current beta).

I just tried it briefly today, and it didn't go back to where I left off from yesterday. So it seems to stick for short periods with 2.2.64, which it wouldn't with 2.2.51, but did with 2.2.27. Also, folder selections were incorrect this morning (i.e. it went into a different folder from the one I chose from the menu), which was fixed by pulling the ipod from the connector and re-plugging it in.

I'll have to investigate more when I get some time.

 

Thanks Daytonaviolet, sfguy, and scuzy for the updates. I have sent my queries to Scott as you suggested.

 

I am having difficulty getting my mobridge for ipod operating correctly. The first unit they sent was completely dead: it wouldn't pass the fiber optic signal or power the ipod. A new unit arrived today and is now installed. The MOST bus now works but I get two error messages wrt the CD changer. When I first start the car the PCM gives me a message that there is no CD changer in the car. Later when I hit the CD button it tells me that no CD's are available. I have tried leaving mulitple voice-mails at mobridge today but have had no response.

Anyone have any ideas?

My car is a 2006 997. I have removed the CD changer and installed the mobridge unit in that location. I have a factory Nav system, which was just installed a month ago and the Bose sound system.

Thanks for all feedback.

 

A few thoughts:

* Your PCM is coded for a CD changer as you had that before. The 'No CD changer' on startup implies the mobridge is not being found. This is confirmed by the 'no CDs' message on trying to select it.

* If everything else is working (and you said the MOST ring is working), the mobridge must be getting power to complete the fibre loop

Two things I can think of:

1. Does the mobridge have constant 12v power? It must not be connected to a switched 12v power otherwise it might not boot up correctly on MOST initialization

2. Is the mobridge MOST bypass switch in the 'bypass' position (or if not connected, are the two wires for MOST bypass completing a circuit?