Previously we’ve talked about , but we haven’t talked much about how to do it with iOS.  Today we’ll cover a brief walkthrough of setting up a Bluetooth connection between an iPhone or iPod Touch and a computer running Windows 7.  There is a handy remote control feature to try out once connected, and even more if you have performed a jailbreak on your device.
Step 1 (from your iPhone or iPod)
Tap the Settings app from your homescreen.  Our end destination is going to be:
Settings & General & Bluetooth
Once in Bluetooth, Tap the switch to set it to on.  Your device should now be discoverable by your computer.
Step 2 (from your Windows computer)
Click the Start menu orb and Type bluetooth into the search box.  From the list of Control Panel results Click Add a Bluetooth device.
A new window should pop-up, and in the middle of the window will be a white box where your iPhone or iPod should appear.  Select your device and then Click Next.
Important:  Before you Click Next make sure that your iPhone’s screen is unlocked (and not in sleep mode).
Now there are two possible scenarios depending upon how your computers Bluetooth software is setup.  I’ve labeled these 1 and 2.
Important: Once you start pairing you have about 25 seconds to complete or the process will time-out and you will have to start over.
Scenario 1 -  You’ll be prompted with 3 different pairing options.  Choose Create a pairing code for me.  The window will then change to display a 6-8 digit pairing code.
An Enter-pin dialog should pop-up on your iPhone.  Just Tap in the code displayed on your computer, and then Press the Pair button.
Scenario 2 -  If the above first scenario didn’t show up for you, then this one will.  Your computer should automatically generate a pin, and then on your iPhone should have a small Push notification alerting you that it is trying to connect.  Just Select Yes and Click Next on your computer. 
At the same time, Tap Pair on your iPhone.
Your computer and your iPhone or iPod Touch should now be paired via Bluetooth.  Now you can use your computer to control or play songs from your device.  If you go to the system tray’s garage, it should now have a little remote control icon for your iPhone or iPod Touch.  With the remote control you can stop or play songs, switch between them, and control volume.
On your iPhone you can select where you want the music to be played.  Just go to a currently playing song or track and Click the down-arrow icon to make source options appear.
Overall the process was pretty simple, and the results are somewhat groovy.  Unfortunately Apple has locked down the device and there isn’t much more you can do over Bluetooth.  But, if you’ve jailbroken your iPhone then there is a whole new bag of features to explore over Bluetooth, even internet tethering.
About Austin Ruthruff
is a groovyPost founding senior editor based in Tampa Bay, FL. Specializing in all things tech, email tips and other ideas to
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Top Deals of the Day!auto connected car news | Why Bluetooth iOS 8-8.1 & iPhone 6-6+ issues persist in cars
The most popular articles on AUTO
News focus on the recent snafu with connections and in-car infotainment systems from either the upgrade to iOS 8.1 or with new iPhone 6 or 6 Plus models.
When we last combed through the massive comments from our readers,
like the 8.1 update helped with a few new model cars. However, there
are still problems reported with BMW, Audi, Acura, MINI, (Chevy, GMC, Cadillac, Buick), Honda, Kia, Toyota, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Mazda, Lexus, Fiat, Hyundai and more.
For those drivers who can’t get their Bluetooth to connect, it has been a nightmare. It is also the first time we’ve seen such rampant hatred for Apple products.
Apple support forums continue to show complaints of
At Telematics West Coast ( ,
, ), I asked almost every delegate who worked on in-car system design as well as car dealers and analysts why the recent snafu occurred. The car makers are as frustrated as the car owners with Apple.
UPDATE 8/19/2015: There are reports of Bluetooth problems with i and fixes in iOS 9.
UPDATE 7/05/2015: There are reports of music problems with iOS 8.4 Bluetooth in cars, while one user stated that he can now play music with his iPhone connected to a USB port.
UPDATE 6/07/2015: There are reports that shutting off “ features helps with Bluetooth connections and iPhones.
UPDATE 5/21/2015: There are now reports that
have Bluetooth issues when in cars.
UPDATE 4/12/2015: It seems like it’s déjà vu all over again with the latest update for iPhone 5-6+ and in-car infotainment systems.
UPDATE 4/09/2015: New problems and fixes have been reported for
Hey Siri functions will change with
AUTO Connected Car News has now over 1,000 comments details the woes of iPhone owners and iOS 8.Xx.
UPDATE 3/10/2015: . It appears to fix some problems with Siri and other USB issues. We have several comments that Siri issues and other Bluetooth issues have been fixed. However, there appear to be new Bluetooth issues. Commenters are saying that you must delete all your devices before reconnecting to Bluetooth again. Now there appears to be an
UPDATE 1/30/2015: Apple issued an update it appears to not have fixed issues with in-car infotainment systems. Mazda Handsfree compatibility websites show that iOS 8 can’t receive incoming calling with Handsfree connections.
UPDATE 1/22/2015: We have scoured Apple Forums to find even more complaints from car owners and unstable Bluetooth Connections.
We have also discovered more information about
UPDATE 1/20/2014: Your votes enabled Apple’s Bluetooth Snafu to win the
Award for Biggest Snafu in Connected Car Technology 2014.
Apple Controls it All
iOS is a closed system.
If you are a car maker and want to know Apple secrets, you
have to pay big time. One delegate who works at a major car maker said, “If we ask for help from Apple the amount of the money we would have to pay would make it impossible to make any car system at all.”
Apple also “bullies” wireless carriers by setting prices and terms for which they can sell Apple products. This system worked fine when it was controlled by Steve Jobs, people trusted him, now the Apple is showing flaws. Apple makes huge profits from people believing that Apple can do nothing wrong and that it offers excellent products.
“I’m sure our engineers are working on the Bluetooth issue right now,” said another HMI designer for a major Asian car maker.
Apple Doesn’t Admit Mistakes
It appears that iOS 8-8.1 has instituted a version of Bluetooth that is not downward compatible. When Apple makes a mistake, they never admit it.
The car makers, generally reverse engineer Apple’s code to figure out what to do. It makes it very difficult for the car makers to fix a mistake if it is inherently wrong the Apple code.
Apple Was Pressured to Make a Larger iPhone Fast
Samsung and other Android smartphone makers were gaining market share by making devices with much larger screens. Stock analysts and investors pressured Apple to make the larger iPhone 6-6+ and added features so that Apple would not lose market share.
The best season to release a phone is the fall to have products ready in time for the busy holiday buying season when many cell phone contracts are up for renewal.
Apple had to release iPhone 6-6+ and iOS 8 in time for the buying season. The due date may have caused it to be released before the code was fully tested and ready.
Car Makers Have Long Life Cycles
The car you buy today, was most likely designed three to four years ago.
Cars are owned for longer times than smartphones.
The development cycle for phones can be as little as a year, if phones are not downward compatible, the car owner suffers.
Car makers are not psychic.
They can’t design systems to work with future phones when the phone makers don’t even know what the phone will be like in a few years.
What Car Owners Can Do
Car owners should not assume if a product is made by Apple it will work with their cars. If your current phone works, don’t upgrade the software before checking that it will work with your in-car system. Unfortunately, if
you already updated to iOS 8.1, you can’t go back to the previous version of iOS.
Pioneer found some problems with
and iOS 8. It warned owners of AppRadio systems not to upgrade.
Most of our friends wait before upgrading and often wait six months before buying a new model smartphone, in order for compatibility glitches to be worked out.
You can keep your old phone and switch out the SIM for in-car use, which is pain for now but will work as a temporary fix.
Depending on how old your car is, you can replace the infotainment system and know for sure that your latest phone will work. Most smartphones are now in the realm of $650-750 or more (an iPhone 6 is $649) . For around the same price as a smartphone, you can get a new infotainment system from or
or Harman.
to make it look like the original.
Installation for a new car system usually around $100.
If you have a low-end system already in your vehicle, Pioneer has low-end units for a little as $100 that offer
when two people are in the car with Bluetooth both pair automatically and the first one to be used, connects.
We also working with a device maker to see if we can find an inexpensive device that will help. See update 1/20/2014.
Apple’s answer to Bluetooth problems is CarPlay that requires a connection with a lightning cable. The only in-car system that works with CarPlay right now is in the new
is expected to have CarPlay ready for the 2015 Sonata. Other car makers have postponed the delivery of CarPlay.
and make aftermarket CarPlay systems. In order for CarPlay to work, the aftermarket system makers have to
Many people don’t like having to plug-in their phones when they enter the car for features to work.
More Bluetooth Blues Tactics
Car owners can continue to complain to Apple.
The people who are the most effective at complaining to Apple are shareholders.
If you know someone who has influence with Apple stock, they are the ones who carry the clout.
Apple has turned into a phone iOS dictatorship, the best way you can combat it is with your money. Many believe that if you are going to pay $650 for a phone, it should work with your $65,000 car.
The only hope on the horizon is that there update is being tested by developer beta testers. Apple does not report what is in the update until it is released. With the last update, the wording stated “Fixes an issue that could prevent connections to Bluetooth hands-free devices.”
We thank our readers who have consistently wrote in the comments what car makes and models have problems with iOS 8.1 or iPhone 6/6+ and Bluetooth, the more people who write comments, the more we can document the problem. When we started the car makers were telling us that they were
New comments indicate that both car makers and Apple are aware of the Bluetooth problems.
We showed the comments and talked with car makers at Telematics West Coast. We will continue to go to bat for our readers at The
Auto Show.
If you have updated to iOS 8.1
or iPhone 6-6+ and it fixed or fried your Bluetooth issues with your in-car infotainment system, please let us know in the comments below, be sure to note your make, model and year of your vehicle as well as the problem you are experiencing.
Reports from reader comments indicate that only some Bluetooth vehicle connection issues have been helped by iOS 8.1. We have comments that indicate Bluetooth connection problems with
and even 2014 model vehicles.
along with the new “audio-only” connection fix. Read the most popular
rated Lexus and Toyota as the most reliable which related to its infotainment systems.
If you would like to be emailed when there is more iOS Bluetooth and car news, please subscribe.
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