Hi there, 

Just picked up my new to me 2016 SE 1.2 TSI and I love him! Smartlink hasn't been activated yet, and there's no DAB radio or CD player. I know if I activate smartlink I can get DAB to play through android auto, and I'll get Google maps on screen. Just wondering how well it all works, can anyone with experience of smartlink and android auto share? Will what'sapp calls come through in addition to regular calls? 

2nd part of my question: had a look at some new systems which have Android built in, Spotify, what's app, GPS, all singing all dancing infotainment. Had thought about just replacing the whole system with a new one rather than getting smartlink activated as it seemed like once in place it might be less of a faff than smart link and have better features. Has anyone replaced their bolero with a non-skoda one? (looking at kenwood) does it affect the cars value? 

I have smart link but hardly ever use it now. The car does have dab and satnav built in though.

In fact at the moment I can’t use it at all as the usb socket is no longer connecting properly in my nearly 2 year old car, so phone doesn’t charge.

I'm the complete opposite to Ken, I always connect my phone and use Android Auto for maps (Waze), streaming music (Google play music) or podcasts (PlayerFM). I have used google maps via AA previously without issue but I prefer the extra info Waze gives.

 

I've never tried streaming DAB radio whilst moving but assuming you have decent signal, I'd expect it to be fine.

 

About the only annoyance I have is that the music doesn't autoplay when I connect so I have to press play. Other than that, everything works as expected including voice commands

Is that with smartlink? Trying to decide whether to pay the 150 for smartlink activation or a bit more for a new infotainment system

Yup, that's using Android Auto via Smartlink. I have the Amundsen but the Smartlink experience should be the same on a Bolero.

 

I'm not sure which Kenwood headunit you're looking at, Skoda specific versions tend to be expensive and the double DIN versions might not integrate with the car properly unless you also buy CAN-bus adaptors and a new facia.

 

Personally, I'd check your phone works with AA on a dealers car and have a play, if you're happy then get Smartlink activated.

 

One last thing to check is that your headunit will support AA after Smartlink is activated:

- 5L0035200 and 5L0035200A only support mirrorlink

- 5L0035200B, 5L0035200C, 5L0035200D, 5L0035200E support Smartlink with AA/CarPlay

 

Pretty sure a 16 plate Yeti will have a one of the newer headunits with AA support

Another satisfied Android Auto user here.  I'm happy with Google Maps for navigation (I've never got on with Waze - Google knows about congestion anyway, and the other features of Waze are highly dependent on input from users, so in my experience can't really be relied upon much outside of high-traffic areas and at peak periods).  I haven't experimented with many other apps.  Can't say whether Whatsapp voice calling would work (although this online article indicates that it does).

 

5 hours ago, langers2k said:

I've never tried streaming DAB radio whilst moving

 

If you're streaming, it's not DAB, since DAB Is a broadcast standard.  You may be listening to a station that's only available on DAB as a broadcast service, but if you're listening via the station's app on a smartphone then it's not DAB, it's streaming - and importantly, it's using up some of your mobile data allowance.

 

Think of it like watching Sky One on a NowTV box: just because you're watching Sky doesn't mean that you have satellite TV, as can be evidenced by the absence of a coax connection from a dish to the NowTV box.    Instead, the box has a connection to your home broadband: it's a streaming service.

 

AFAIK only one smartphone with a DAB tuner has ever reached the market - the LG Stylus 2.  I believe that DAB tuners that connect via the USB port do exist but they need a decent aerial, same as any DAB receiver.  (I rather suspect that the aerial would have been a significant weak point for DAB reception on the LG Stylus 2.)

Edited 30 May, 20197 yr by ejstubbs

I fully understand the difference between DAB radio and streaming audio via an app that's provided from a DAB radio station, I just took a shortcut when typing

 

The OP doesn't have a DAB headunit so assuming their favourite DAB radio station is available through one of many AA compatible 'radio' apps, they should be able to stream the audio from the radio station whilst on the move. Simples!

 

Actual real world experience will depend on data coverage during the journey and how well the app can buffer/cache

I conned the dealer into enabling SmartLink when I bought Zebedee and I have to say that I'd paid the £150 for it I'd be asking for my money back. It's just flaky: in all sorts of ways. For example playing podcasts directly via BlueTooth works are treat and I can control it from the steering wheel. With Android Auto in the way it simply ignores commands half the time.

 

But my main reason for getting it enabled was so I could use it with Waze. Well that works ... so long as you don't try to listen to any content on your phone at the same time. If you do then Waze audio directions are truncated as it doesn't switch between the audio connections at the right time. All very frustrating.

So would you replace the whole thing instead of enabling smart link? 

3 minutes ago, Chillichill said:

So would you replace the whole thing instead of enabling smart link? 

 

Well, I certainly think you should try smartlink yourself before you decide. Some people here seem to get on with it. I'm sure you can find a local Skoda owner with it enabled.

3 hours ago, paulatthehug said:

I conned the dealer into enabling SmartLink when I bought Zebedee and I have to say that I'd paid the £150 for it I'd be asking for my money back. It's just flaky: in all sorts of ways. For example playing podcasts directly via BlueTooth works are treat and I can control it from the steering wheel. With Android Auto in the way it simply ignores commands half the time.

 

But my main reason for getting it enabled was so I could use it with Waze. Well that works ... so long as you don't try to listen to any content on your phone at the same time. If you do then Waze audio directions are truncated as it doesn't switch between the audio connections at the right time. All very frustrating.

 

The behaviour you've described certainly isn't normal or expected from AA.

 

I've never had issues with the steering controls nor does Waze truncate voice directions. Google Play music dips the music volume and PlayerFM pauses the podcast for the duration of the voice direction and then both continue as normal.

3 hours ago, langers2k said:

The behaviour you've described certainly isn't normal or expected from AA.

 

I've never had issues with the steering controls nor does Waze truncate voice directions. Google Play music dips the music volume and PlayerFM pauses the podcast for the duration of the voice direction and then both continue as normal.

 

That's interesting. I use BeyondPod and, having Googled about, there's at least a suggestion that there might be compatibility issues with AA. I'll give PlayerFM a try.

It might be a phone thing rather than an Android Auto thing.  You could try connecting the phone via bluetooth rather than AA and see what happens when Waze tries to talk over music/audio then.

 

I usually listen to music or podcasts from the SD card.  In that use case, with Google Maps navigating via AA, the music/podcast playback is muted  - but not paused - when the Google Doris is talking.  (And she does like to talk...)

 

EDIT: Googling reveals that there was a bit of a saga with BeyondPod stealing focus from other AA apps, which sounds like exactly what you're describing.  It actually resulted in Google disabling BeyondPod in AA until it was fixed - and some pretty acrimonious postings on the BeyondPod support forum.  However, it was supposed to have been fixed by a release of BeyondPod back in the spring of 2018 so unless you haven't updated it since then it shouldn't be that that's causing the issue you're experiencing.  So in that instance at least it wasn't Android Auto that was at fault, and Google did take action to stop the offending app from interfering with others.

Edited 1 June, 20197 yr by ejstubbs

Having used it extensively in a mk7.5 Golf between Bristol and Worthing (using Waze, WhatsApp, GooglePlay Music, TuneIn) it was excellent. It ran without glitch for around 8 hours a day in all traffics and mobile network conditions.

I'd happily have it in our S2 and PreFL Yeti if I could

On 31/05/2019 at 15:24, paulatthehug said:

I conned the dealer into enabling SmartLink when I bought Zebedee and I have to say that I'd paid the £150 for it I'd be asking for my money back. It's just flaky: in all sorts of ways. For example playing podcasts directly via BlueTooth works are treat and I can control it from the steering wheel. With Android Auto in the way it simply ignores commands half the time.

 

But my main reason for getting it enabled was so I could use it with Waze. Well that works ... so long as you don't try to listen to any content on your phone at the same time. If you do then Waze audio directions are truncated as it doesn't switch between the audio connections at the right time. All very frustrating.

 

That's likely because of your phone, it's not a general Android Auto idiosyncrasy. Works perfectly fine using my OnePlus 6, at least!

On 02/06/2019 at 11:58, Nathanio said:

I'd happily have it in our S2 and PreFL Yeti if I could

 

You can have it in both

 

If you want to keep it Skoda, either a Bolero or Amundsen (MIB STD2 PQ) from a newer Yeti is a good plan. It'll need to be from a MY16 Yeti if I remember correctly and will need component protection removing plus a small adaptor loom from a 40 to 52 pin quadlock. I have one in my '61 plate Octavia which I'm very happy with.

 

Otherwise, there are plenty of double DIN headunits that support AA and CarPlay but you'll need a facia kit and possibly a CAN-bus adaptor.

 

Finally, there is also the DNX516DABS or DNX518VDABS from Kenwood. Both are 'designed for Skoda' so will fit perfectly in a facia designed for the Amundsen, Amundsen + or Columbus.

Thanks for the info all. 

Clearly enabling smartlink is the cheapest and easiest option but how does Spotify, dab radio apps, WhatsApp, messaging, etc look and work? 

The radio menu does not change and you have it already. My phone works better when connected via bluetooth than it does via smartlink, if you can't get it to respond to spoken commands properly.

Doesn't like my voice!

Spotify may work, but I don't have it. I did try amazon prime music as I have it but don't bother now as it uses data.

Whats app is something I don't think you should use when driving, is it even available?

If the phone is plugged into the usb, messaging comes up when one comes in and you can read it, but should you when you are driving? - personally I find it distracting telling me I have a message when I don't want to read it then.

 

Having paid for smartlink I only think it worth the money if you like to stream music, or you don't have a built in sat nav. Sat nav via the phone is ok, but the built in version is better in some ways if you have it.

6 minutes ago, kenfowler3966 said:

Whats app is something I don't think you should use when driving, is it even available?

 

You can make calls with Whatsapp (on the phone) although AFAIK it does use data.  Not sure whether it's actually available through AA.  The AA web site should say.

 

Making calls using voice commands to AA works well for me, as does Google Maps navigation by voice command.  (Google is generally regarded as having the best voice recognition algorithms in the industry at the moment - to the extent that Amazon has been known to suggest using Google for the voice recognition elements of its Connect automated call centre cloud product.)

 

Unless I'm very much mistaken (which isn't unknown) AA will read your text messages (and possibly e-mails?) to you if you ask it to.

Also, AA Google Maps only responds to voice nav destinations as opposed to typing when the vehicle is moving so that's a safety plus point.

Edited 6 June, 20197 yr by john999boy
Added extra info.

48 minutes ago, kenfowler3966 said:

 

Whats app is something I don't think you should use when driving, is it even available?

If the phone is plugged into the usb, messaging comes up when one comes in and you can read it, but should you when you are driving? - personally I find it distracting telling me I have a message when I don't want to read it then.

 

Having paid for smartlink I only think it worth the money if you like to stream music, or you don't have a built in sat nav. Sat nav via the phone is ok, but the built in version is better in some ways if you have it.

 

WhatsApp isn't available thru AA.

 

If you press the little "play" icon next to the incoming message, it's read out loud rather than you having to read it. Or you can do the same by voice command.

 

I have built in satnav - the Amundsen MIB2 - and I find Waze superior to it in every way. From finding/entering addresses thru choosing a route to estimating arrival times and speed camera warnings along the way.

 

Best thing about the Waze speed camera warnings - it shows all cameras at all times, but only sounds an audio alert if you're actually exceeding the speed limit.

Does Waze cost anything? Does it use the vehicle actual speed for speed warnings or the speed the car says it is doing?

3 minutes ago, kenfowler3966 said:

Does Waze cost anything? Does it use the vehicle actual speed for speed warnings or the speed the car says it is doing?

 

Waze is free apart from the data use. It uses the GPS in the phone to for speed

On 05/06/2019 at 20:18, langers2k said:

 

You can have it in both

 

If you want to keep it Skoda, either a Bolero or Amundsen (MIB STD2 PQ) from a newer Yeti is a good plan. It'll need to be from a MY16 Yeti if I remember correctly and will need component protection removing plus a small adaptor loom from a 40 to 52 pin quadlock. I have one in my '61 plate Octavia which I'm very happy with.

 

Otherwise, there are plenty of double DIN headunits that support AA and CarPlay but you'll need a facia kit and possibly a CAN-bus adaptor.

 

Finally, there is also the DNX516DABS or DNX518VDABS from Kenwood. Both are 'designed for Skoda' so will fit perfectly in a facia designed for the Amundsen, Amundsen + or Columbus.

 

 

Don't tell me that! Must resist.....