Hi all.

Thinking about ponying up for an iPhone 6 when I go to the US in January, as my iPod Classic is really starting to show its age now.

I've never used a phone to play music in any of my regions cars, so excuse the ignorance....will the iPhone 6 charge as well as play if it's connected via the standard USB connection cable (not Mitsumi as I know that's not needed with Columbus)?

Also, I take it you can play music via the USB whilst still having Bluetooth enabled for phone calls? what I mean is, by having Bluetooth on, it won't automatically play music via Bluetooth?

Thanks

For the purposes of this answer, I'll assume the iOS 8 Bluetooth issues will be fixed by today's iOS 8.1 update... 

 

Yes, it will charge as well as playback via USB as well as work via Bluetooth for phone... all at the same time.

Thanks mate. And thanks for staying on topic

I've not updated my 5S to any version of ios8 so I can't comment on Bluetooth issues....

My Mrs has an iPhone 6 and Columbus... Works well with USB and Bluetooth, but note the below.

 

It's actually smart enough to realise the phone is connected via bluetooth and USB and chooses to stream your music over USB, and won't actually let you choose the Bluetooth as a source unless you unplug it.

Calls will always work over Bluetooth regardless of the USB status.

 

My only annoyance with the above, is I use Spotify as my music app, which works great over Bluetooth, you get album art etc etc, and you can skip tracks on the steering wheel buttons.

Over USB though, it all works fine, album art n all, except if you skip track, it actually goes to the next track in your iOS Music app, not the next track on Spotify - the car is essentially being too clever and reading your music tracks and sending the command 'play this track', rather than the command 'skip to next track' as it does on Bluetooth (as over BT it has no other option).

My preference would actually to be able to select Bluetooth as the audio source (as phone calls will still work with this as well BTW), and use the USB for charging only. You could achieve this with a 12v USB adaptor of course.

Useful info, thanks!

Sounds perfect for my uses as I only ever play music via USB, and it will all be via iTunes.

Edited 20 October, 201411 yr by lozza

Woo, just updated to iOS 8.1 and Bluetooth now works properly on my 6+.

 

I'm a happy camper once more  :sun:

Sorry to say that it's a case of rubbish in, rubbish out so if you have MP3, then don't expect superb sound quality.

The great thing about the Columbus is it will play uncompressed music so give it a go and buy some decent sized SD cards and stream from there. For me, the difference between MP3 and FLAC with the same tack is significant.

It's like taking cotton wool out of your speakers.....

Steve