As per above! I have the option of a licence prior to pick up this week. I love the idea of it for getting texts read to me and all the other features. But..... I've yet to read ANYTHING positive about it neither here nor on a SEAT forum I use. Its all negative stories about incompatibility, software crashes, phone reboots etc.

I have an LG G4 running the latest android so I would hope this had the best chance of working.

So is it actually worth getting if all I'm going to have is a technology based headache and further disappointment in my life?? Any help? Do you have a contradictory story? Should I spend the money on a licence plate with VRS in it instead? Arrrgh!!!?!?!

Doesn't Google read our texts? Siri will read my texts aloud while I'm driving and let me dictate a reply.

I'd buy the number plate, or maybe an iPhone

I'd rather put the car through a hedge, with or without full link, than buy an iphone!

The texts was an example.

Does it work or not would be the main question?

I have just got an Alhambra with full link, looks good at first but still trying to find apps that work while you're driving... Only had the car for 2 days so to early for any useful comments

The Bolero radio will read texts to you as standard, works with my Samsung Galaxy S3 connected by bluetooth.

Do you mean a Smartlink licence?

Edited 12 March, 201610 yr by glosrich

The one that mirrors your phone Rich, not the one that lets you see car data. I'm guessing my new VRS will have amundsen? My current Leon doesn't have that functionality.

I'm guessing your phone is compatible with Android Auto, I'm told it's very good, no doubt using google maps with it would be better than the cars Sat Nav.

But there seems to be so many issues LewJo, I like the idea but I'm worried it won't work! Or work sporadically!

The hardware should be pretty solid although getting every android phone to work with every car display is likely to need some software tweaking.

My car I'm picking on Monday will have it and I'll post to give my experience with Car Play, although whether it'll be more or less reliable than Android Auto is hard to say.

It's SmartLink on the Skoda's and the usefulness will depend on what car you have. I don't have a nav on mine so using the Maps is great. The voice control works almost perfectly compared to the cars one, which is an absolute disaster. 

 

Used Android Auto and Car Play and the car play integration is much better in my opinion. Android is a pain to connect as it always flicks between Android Auto and the less useful Mirrorlink. Car Play just auto loads when you plug the iPhone in which is better. Being able to control Spotify, podcasts its from the screen and ask random questions while driving is great. The other positive of either Android Auto or Car Play is that they are always being updated, so the media system in your car will always be up to date with modern tech rather than outdated like most car systems after a few years.

I'd rather put the car through a hedge, with or without full link, than buy an iphone!

The texts was an example.

Does it work or not would be the main question?

I have a G4 and a recent Octy with Smartlink and it like it.

As people have said a great cheap option of SatNav. I sent a text message the other day (while Google Maps was navigating) and it worked well. I figured Google's voice recognition algorithms are going to be much better than anything that VAG will produce. You can even ask Google questions like with Google Now "what time is is in New York" and you get a nicely spoken answer.

Mirrorlink does not work on G4 and it does not seem to be supported as much as Android Auto , which is only going to get much much better. It is early days yet for these systems.

For people who are not getting a good connection, make sure Android Auto is set to the connection preference rather than letting the phone decided. It seems to try connecting with Mirrorlink first.

All I am doing is unlocking my phone, plugging it into the USB and there you go.

Buy it

Thanks for that guys! I think I need to check my facts on the different terms here, I'm getting confused between smartlink, full link, mirror link, airplay, Android auto etc! Will do a bit of reading!

It works fine with my s5 in my Leon I am just massively disappointed with its very limited functionality.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

The one that mirrors your phone Rich, not the one that lets you see car data. I'm guessing my new VRS will have amundsen? My current Leon doesn't have that functionality.

Smartgate is the car data/telemetry function. Seems a bit pointless to me.

Smartlink is the mobile phone connection by usb cable. Includes Android auto, mirrorlink and car play (apple).

Smartlink is factory option or dealer fit approx £150 licence code activation.

Thanks Rich, I'm starting to get my head around it! I may take a pint for 150 quid, just need to let the dealer know!

Depends what you want it for.

The bluetooth phone and sms works well and the bluetooth audio and SD card are good also.

I'd only want it for navigation. As its a lot cheaper than the £500 kenwood sat nav upgrade for my Bolero.

But you've got nav any way on the Vrs with the Amundsen system.

Edited 13 March, 201610 yr by glosrich