Comments on: VW iPod adapter: Why won’t it just work the way I want it to? http://blog.digsmarter.com/2008/03/31/why-wont-it-just-work-they-i-want-it-to/ Insights into the user experience Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:36:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: David Kozatch http://blog.digsmarter.com/2008/03/31/why-wont-it-just-work-they-i-want-it-to/#comment-455 David Kozatch Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:36:49 +0000 http://digsmarter.wordpress.com/?p=33#comment-455 Joe, I feel your pain. This is something that my company tries to convince our clients every day: it starts with listening to customers. And, negative experiences can be extremely powerful, especially re: seemingly small aspects of the overall product experience. While VW is most certainly performing in-depth research on every aspect of the their cars' driving features to assess customer satisfaction, they probably don't realize that they may be losing customers because of frustrations with the "radio." Companies that start with understanding the total experience - regardless of where it comes from - will be the ultimate winners. Joe,
I feel your pain. This is something that my company tries to convince our clients every day: it starts with listening to customers. And, negative experiences can be extremely powerful, especially re: seemingly small aspects of the overall product experience. While VW is most certainly performing in-depth research on every aspect of the their cars’ driving features to assess customer satisfaction, they probably don’t realize that they may be losing customers because of frustrations with the “radio.” Companies that start with understanding the total experience – regardless of where it comes from – will be the ultimate winners.

]]> By: Joe http://blog.digsmarter.com/2008/03/31/why-wont-it-just-work-they-i-want-it-to/#comment-454 Joe Wed, 07 Jul 2010 03:45:07 +0000 http://digsmarter.wordpress.com/?p=33#comment-454 This is a great topic, and I am surprised VW have sat on their hands and have done nothing! I called VW and spoken to the dealer directly, and I am treated like an absolute idiot. They say "Many people know this limitation and don't mind". Yeah right. I didn't know that when I paid AUD$350 for an iPod Adaptor, which cost more than the iPod itself! I have asked if they have a software update, and they don't care!?!?!?! Is this how ou treat customers? The reason we have iPods is simple. To be able to listen to thousands of songs via any playlist, artist, whatever. Also, we like to know what is playing, something VW thinks is not important (strangely, the MP3 CD player tells you). Can we receive a refund if we make a complaint to Consumer Affairs? The brochure clearly DOES NOT say anything about its limitations. I have 65GB of music, and I am loathed to burn the whole lot on CDs. We should DEMAND A FIX or REFUND from VW. Clearly, this iPod adaptor is an absolute dud. This is a great topic, and I am surprised VW have sat on their hands and have done nothing!

I called VW and spoken to the dealer directly, and I am treated like an absolute idiot. They say “Many people know this limitation and don’t mind”. Yeah right. I didn’t know that when I paid AUD$350 for an iPod Adaptor, which cost more than the iPod itself!

I have asked if they have a software update, and they don’t care!?!?!?! Is this how ou treat customers?

The reason we have iPods is simple. To be able to listen to thousands of songs via any playlist, artist, whatever. Also, we like to know what is playing, something VW thinks is not important (strangely, the MP3 CD player tells you).

Can we receive a refund if we make a complaint to Consumer Affairs? The brochure clearly DOES NOT say anything about its limitations. I have 65GB of music, and I am loathed to burn the whole lot on CDs.

We should DEMAND A FIX or REFUND from VW. Clearly, this iPod adaptor is an absolute dud.

]]> By: David Kozatch http://blog.digsmarter.com/2008/03/31/why-wont-it-just-work-they-i-want-it-to/#comment-403 David Kozatch Thu, 03 Jun 2010 18:21:17 +0000 http://digsmarter.wordpress.com/?p=33#comment-403 It's been two years since I created this post and it doesn't appear that VW has provided any firmware or other "fix" for its customers. Unfortunately, this is the way third party solutions often work (or don't). I won't invest in a new install to replace this unit because the car is on lease. The one saving grace here is that the CD player is also an MP3 player. Put about 100 DRM-free MP3s into an iTunes playlist, drag and drop them into your CD software (e.g., Sonic), burn them to a regular 700mb disk and you've got a mini player. Make multiple disks, and depending on the size of your collection, you can replicate most of your ipod for about 50c a disk. I know this is a step backward (car stereos could play MP3 disks 10 years ago) but it removes the frustration of relying on the iPod interface and requires only a little planning ahead. It’s been two years since I created this post and it doesn’t appear that VW has provided any firmware or other “fix” for its customers. Unfortunately, this is the way third party solutions often work (or don’t). I won’t invest in a new install to replace this unit because the car is on lease. The one saving grace here is that the CD player is also an MP3 player. Put about 100 DRM-free MP3s into an iTunes playlist, drag and drop them into your CD software (e.g., Sonic), burn them to a regular 700mb disk and you’ve got a mini player. Make multiple disks, and depending on the size of your collection, you can replicate most of your ipod for about 50c a disk. I know this is a step backward (car stereos could play MP3 disks 10 years ago) but it removes the frustration of relying on the iPod interface and requires only a little planning ahead.

]]> By: Ben http://blog.digsmarter.com/2008/03/31/why-wont-it-just-work-they-i-want-it-to/#comment-401 Ben Thu, 03 Jun 2010 16:45:36 +0000 http://digsmarter.wordpress.com/?p=33#comment-401 I have a 08 Golf TDI, uses the same ipod dock as in the video, if you want random tracks im sure you just press the mix button on the top left of the deck then skip forward.. i find this useful when i find an album i think i might like to listen to as i can press mix again to turn it off and let the album play though. it would be nice to get onscreen data thou, as i have 70gbs worth of music, podcasts and audiobooks. Cant VW do a firmware update?? they do on the bluakpoint (spelling?) Satnav system on the older GTIs?? I have a 08 Golf TDI, uses the same ipod dock as in the video, if you want random tracks im sure you just press the mix button on the top left of the deck then skip forward.. i find this useful when i find an album i think i might like to listen to as i can press mix again to turn it off and let the album play though.
it would be nice to get onscreen data thou, as i have 70gbs worth of music, podcasts and audiobooks.
Cant VW do a firmware update?? they do on the bluakpoint (spelling?) Satnav system on the older GTIs??

]]> By: Jim http://blog.digsmarter.com/2008/03/31/why-wont-it-just-work-they-i-want-it-to/#comment-372 Jim Tue, 11 May 2010 17:07:49 +0000 http://digsmarter.wordpress.com/?p=33#comment-372 Finally bought the Ipod for the 08 VW... After a lot of curse words the little blank blank still does not play all the songs, or let me choose from a playlist, nothing! If I have to hear that same band all the way home again today, I am going to scream! So, if you happen to see someone in a VW sreaming, blowing the horn and saying profane words about Ipod and VW- it's just me! Finally bought the Ipod for the 08 VW… After a lot of curse words the little blank blank still does not play all the songs, or let me choose from a playlist, nothing! If I have to hear that same band all the way home again today, I am going to scream! So, if you happen to see someone in a VW sreaming, blowing the horn and saying profane words about Ipod and VW- it’s just me!

]]> By: SantaMonicaVWman http://blog.digsmarter.com/2008/03/31/why-wont-it-just-work-they-i-want-it-to/#comment-356 SantaMonicaVWman Thu, 29 Apr 2010 20:37:08 +0000 http://digsmarter.wordpress.com/?p=33#comment-356 Not selling this at all. But could we replace our existing old-school ipod dock, with this one to finally have direct access and info on our head-units? http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/maintenance/how-to-install-an-ipod-dock-to-your-car-2 http://www.pac-audio.com/ Anyone go down this road. The head-units are lovely esp with the premium sound amp...this could be the icing on the cake? Not selling this at all.

But could we replace our existing old-school ipod dock, with this one to finally have direct access and info on our head-units?

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/maintenance/how-to-install-an-ipod-dock-to-your-car-2

http://www.pac-audio.com/

Anyone go down this road. The head-units are lovely esp with the premium sound amp…this could be the icing on the cake?

]]> By: Shay Simoni http://blog.digsmarter.com/2008/03/31/why-wont-it-just-work-they-i-want-it-to/#comment-305 Shay Simoni Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:20:41 +0000 http://digsmarter.wordpress.com/?p=33#comment-305 I'll gear this review to 2 types of people: current Zune owners who are considering an upgrade, and people trying to decide between a Zune and an iPod. (There are other players worth considering out there, like the Sony Walkman X, but I hope this gives you enough info to make an informed decision of the Zune vs players other than the iPod line as well.)Have you tried the ipad? you can get one free at FreshGiftCard.com I’ll gear this review to 2 types of people: current Zune owners who are considering an upgrade, and people trying to decide between a Zune and an iPod. (There are other players worth considering out there, like the Sony Walkman X, but I hope this gives you enough info to make an informed decision of the Zune vs players other than the iPod line as well.)Have you tried the ipad? you can get one free at FreshGiftCard.com

]]> By: Shamus http://blog.digsmarter.com/2008/03/31/why-wont-it-just-work-they-i-want-it-to/#comment-303 Shamus Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:16:58 +0000 http://digsmarter.wordpress.com/?p=33#comment-303 Hey, I have a passat 2.0 cc with an aux input in the centre console, I have tried a plain phono lead, connecting from the headphone jack of the I phone 3gs to the aux in, yet I cannot select the aux option on the touchscreen multiple media interface, I guess that the mmi doesn't recognise the device any idea what I need to connect the I phone into the mmi to listen to the audio files, I know this will work off the I phone battery any help would be great cheers Hey,
I have a passat 2.0 cc with an aux input in the centre console, I have tried a plain phono lead, connecting from the headphone jack of the I phone 3gs to the aux in, yet I cannot select the aux option on the touchscreen multiple media interface, I guess that the mmi doesn’t recognise the device

any idea what I need to connect the I phone into the mmi to listen to the audio files, I know this will work off the I phone battery

any help would be great

cheers

]]> By: SJ http://blog.digsmarter.com/2008/03/31/why-wont-it-just-work-they-i-want-it-to/#comment-271 SJ Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:56:46 +0000 http://digsmarter.wordpress.com/?p=33#comment-271 I have just bought the latest iPod nano, to use in my 18mo Golf2.0TDI.... BUT, the VW cable now won't charge the iPOD, making it virtually useless! Help!! I have just bought the latest iPod nano, to use in my 18mo Golf2.0TDI…. BUT, the VW cable now won’t charge the iPOD, making it virtually useless! Help!!

]]> By: CJ http://blog.digsmarter.com/2008/03/31/why-wont-it-just-work-they-i-want-it-to/#comment-270 CJ Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:03:29 +0000 http://digsmarter.wordpress.com/?p=33#comment-270 I am glad to know I am not alone in my VW-iPod grief, but I have a problem no one has mentioned yet. I am on my third VW adaptor. Each has burned out in 5 months. The last time they replaced it (both replacements free) they suggested that 1) I not leave the iPod connected when the car isn't on and 2) my old iPod was causing a power surge and frying the connections - get a new iPod. The Mac store is conveniently near my VW dealer, so off I went. It's been working fine (I've learned to live with the interface as Footy says above) and I've removed it most of the time. A week ago, it started to fail - if I turned the system off, moved backwards in a podcast, whatever, the connection would be lost. Anyone else have this problem or have a solution? I am glad to know I am not alone in my VW-iPod grief, but I have a problem no one has mentioned yet. I am on my third VW adaptor. Each has burned out in 5 months. The last time they replaced it (both replacements free) they suggested that 1) I not leave the iPod connected when the car isn’t on and 2) my old iPod was causing a power surge and frying the connections – get a new iPod. The Mac store is conveniently near my VW dealer, so off I went. It’s been working fine (I’ve learned to live with the interface as Footy says above) and I’ve removed it most of the time. A week ago, it started to fail – if I turned the system off, moved backwards in a podcast, whatever, the connection would be lost. Anyone else have this problem or have a solution?

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