topic Re: No artist/track info in-car when connected to Z1 via Bluetooth in XPERIA archive

No artist/track info in-car when connected to Z1 via Bluetooth

djsat21 — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 09:42:38 GMT

My previous Android (Moto RAZR) would happliy send the details of what music was playing to my VW Golf in-car touchscreen when connected. Dissapointingly, when i connecgted my Z1 all I got was 'Unknown' written on the screen. Is the usual? Is there a setting in the phone tn enable this? If not, can it be rectified?

Re: No artist/track info in-car when connected to Z1 via Bluetooth

btomj — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 12:14:36 GMT

I've got exactly the same problem - New Z1 won't show track-listings on my VW Golf touchscreen - whereas Iphone did this automatically.

It's not a setting on the car - I've been through everything.

Also, took me a while to work out that the Bluetooth wouldn't connect at all while the screen on the Z1 was in sleep mode! Connects as soon as you press the power button. Annoying that you essentially have to take it out of your pocket and turn it on before you get in the car to get it to connect. Again, this wasn't a problem with previous iPhone.

Minor niggles, but I really would like to be able to control all the music I now have, via Google Play, from my car - rather than illegally pawing at my phone while driving!

Re: No artist/track info in-car when connected to Z1 via Bluetooth

djsat21 — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 13:29:12 GMT

Yes my previous two devices (a Moto Android and a Symbian Nokia) both did this with no fuss, it is a minor niggle but one we shouldn'y have to complain about in a 2013 premium device which we've all paid quite a lot for. So if you're listening Sony, get on the case please!

And yes, I also use Google Play Music, i've not tried and am not going to try the Walkman app.

Re: No artist/track info in-car when connected to Z1 via Bluetooth

Gravity21 — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 16:00:21 GMT

Mine is the same but only for pandora. Google play and Walkman display everything for me. Make sure all your tracks are tagged with the correct information and in the correct format. I have been emailing pandora about their issue.

Re: No artist/track info in-car when connected to Z1 via Bluetooth

btomj — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 16:15:24 GMT

SONY - WHAT IS THE POINT IN HAVING A FORUM IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO RESPOND TO QUERIES?

My brand new Xperia Z1 will still not display any track/artisit info via bluetooth when using the Google Play music app and only seems to display a random small selection of my contacts.

Any ideas?

Re: No artist/track info in-car when connected to Z1 via Bluetooth

djsat21 — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 10:05:41 GMT

I've put an offical support request in regarding this so waiting to see what excuses Sony come up with

Re: No artist/track info in-car when connected to Z1 via Bluetooth

djsat21 — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 13:11:12 GMT

This is the rather patronising, corporate "we can't be bothered to even look into your problem" response it got:

Thank you for contacting the Sony Xperia support centre.

Unfortunately Sony Xperia do not test our products with other manufacturer’s devices and so we can not confirm your Sony Xperia Z1 is fully compatible with your device.

The only suggestion we could provide would be to perform a software update on your handset in case the problem is caused by a software glitch. This can be done free of charge using our Sony PC Companion tool via a Windows PC. To carry out the update you will need internet access and a USB cable.

It may be the case that user data is lost during this upgrade. We therefore recommend backing up any data to your SIM card, Memory Stick, or PC before upgrading.

Please follow the steps below to download and install the PC Companion software:

1. Go to www.sonymobile.com
2. Select Support
3. Choose your handset from the drop down list
4. Select "View All Software Updates"
5. Download for PC
6. Check the requirements and then "Download PC Companion"

Once you have installed the Sony PC Companion you will need to launch it. Once it opens connect your phone to your PC in Media Transfer mode and then go into Support Zone > Phone Software Update and then simply follow the instructions that you will see on screen. The update should then begin.

If you are unable to perform the software update on your PC as you do not have the requirements then you may be able to perform this from the handset itself by performing an 'Over the Air' update. This is available by following the steps below:

1. Open the Menu
2. Select Settings
3. Scroll down to About Phone
4. Tap on Software Update > Update Now

We would strongly suggest that you connect to Wi-Fi if you wish to update your handset in this way as this is a more secure connection and means no data charges will occur. Please also ensure you have a full battery when attempting the above.

If after performing the above the problem continues or your handset is already running the latest software available then you will need to perform a repair of the software using PC Companion.

To perform a repair of your handsets software, you will need to open PC Companion and then follow the below steps:

1. Go into Support Zone
2. Press “Start” for Phone Software Update
3. Click on “Repair Phone” from the pop-up box

When following the above steps, your handset must not be connected to the PC as the pop-up box you will receive gives an error saying there is no phone connected and then the option to select “Repair Phone”. If your phone is connected then you will not receive this message.

Once you have selected “Repair Phone” within PC Companion, simply follow the onscreen instructions as you will be asked to connect the phone to your PC at a later stage when it is powered off. Make sure the phone is not connected to the PC until you are asked to do so.

For the latest news, information and product support please visit www.sonymobile.com.

If you require any further assistance then please do not hesitate to contact us again. Please use the below link for all our contact information.

http://www.sonymobile.com/gb/support/contact-us/

Please be aware that should you not respond within 5 days of this email your query will be automatically closed. Any further communications will not reach our support and a new query will need to be raised.

Kind Regards,

Sony Xperia UK Customer Services

Which i find quite unacceptable bearing in mind how much this product costs, so I responded with:

Hi there,

Thanks for your response but this is completely unacceptable. This isn't a request for IT support, i'm reporting a problem with your product which you need to fix!

I've paid a premium price for a product which is 'The best of Sony in a smartphone', yet you can't provide basic functions which have been around for years and a mid-range 3 year old Motorola can provide with no fuss.

Here's a Wiki page for you:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth#AVRCP

AVRCP has been part of the Bluetooth spec for years (2007) i think so should be part of the software you provide in your 'flagship'. So yes, my phone does need a software update but it looks like you need to write the software first ... and it needs to be written properly!

The whole point of the Bluetooth spec and other standards is that if the manufacturer complies to the standard properly (which you obviously haven't done) then no testing should be needed so please don't give me rubbish about not being able to test on other manufacturers products and providing compatibility - if you'd done it right in the first place this wouldn't be needed.

So please, if YOU can't provide a resolution to this then escalate this to your manager or preferably to your software development teams, and PLEASE, do not insult with me such a patronising corporate response like the one you gave me previously. You need to provide a better customer service here.

Thanks.

Re: No artist/track info in-car when connected to Z1 via Bluetooth

Jasca_Ducato2 — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 15:46:18 GMT

I have a Sony branded, bluetooth enabled stereo in my car and it has always refused to show track name/artists. Didn't work with my Xperia S, doesn't work with my Z1.

Re: No artist/track info in-car when connected to Z1 via Bluetooth

mcpondy — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 01:27:43 GMT

I'd like to add to this.

I have an Xperia Z. I have a Ford Focus with a Sony Premium sound system. I previously owned a Sumsung Note 2 and here is what I found - on the note 2, ALL music (cached/streamed/locally stored) (that was tagged appropriately) showed ALL artist/track info on the same car audio system when played via Google Music App.

Since changing to the Xperia Z - Google Music will ONLY display track/artist information of music that is stored locally on the phone(SDCARD) (and tagged appropriately). It will NOT display artist/track information from any music that is streamed - or cached after streaming, it just shows "unknown", or if I have recently played local content, it will keep displaying the artist/track info from the previously played local content.

There is clearly an issue with the firmware on the Xperia phones.

This is the only thing that has dissapointed me with the Xperia - and since I do a lot of driving, it is a feature that I would like. If this cant be fixed, I will keep this in mind when buying my next smart phone.

Re: No artist/track info in-car when connected to Z1 via Bluetooth

Gravity21 — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 18:07:30 GMT

I have constacted Sony by phone, chat, email and Google+. Nobody will escalate the issue to someone higher for testing. They dont want to believe that this is a Sony software problem that is not compatible with Pandora. If every other Adnroid 4.2.2 device I have used that also has Bluetooth 4.0 works in my car, why can't the Z1?! Sony Read and Understand that this needs to be fixed. It is so annoying to listen to Pandora while I drive and have to look down and away from the road to see what song is on.

Re: No artist/track info in-car when connected to Z1 via Bluetooth

Fredrik76 — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 19:56:42 GMT

I have the same problem when connecting my Z1 with my VW Passat -13. It worked better with my old X10 Mini Pro!

Re: No artist/track info in-car when connected to Z1 via Bluetooth

LordJohnWhorfin — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 21:37:28 GMT

This is a known problem with the new Bluetooth stack that Google introduced in Android 4.2. The problem is not unique to Sony and impacts pretty much all manufacturers. The stack uses AVRCP 1.0 and you need AVRCP 1.3 to get track info support.

Frankly, I'm done with Android. Usability is beyond awful. Love my new iPhone 5s!

Re: No artist/track info in-car when connected to Z1 via Bluetooth

Gravity21 — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 21:40:32 GMT

That is not true at all. Moto X which has all the same that the Sony does works just fine. Same thing for the Samsung GS4. Good Luck with your Apple products.

Re: No artist/track info in-car when connected to Z1 via Bluetooth

LordJohnWhorfin — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 21:55:51 GMT

Because Moto and Samsung replaced the stack (i.e. they cared about their customers). But the default stack that comes with Android 4.2 uses AVRCP 1.0. Before the Z I had a GS3 and it worked OK with stock Samsung firmware, but not with any CyanogenMod build of 4.2 for that specific reason. It was discussed at length on the Cyanogenmod forums.

Believe me, I'm over the moon with my Apple phone. Everything works exactly the way it's supposed to, it's fast, responsive and the user interface is a dream.

Re: No artist/track info in-car when connected to Z1 via Bluetooth

LordJohnWhorfin — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 22:09:27 GMT

Oh yeah, one more thing: on my 2013 model Pioneer car radio, if I plug in my iPhone into the USB port using the charging cable, I get full control of the music and not just track info but also album art (I only get track info over bluetooth for music, although album art is displayed for Pandora over bluetooth). If I plug in my Z or a GS3, I get the "unsupported device" message. Yai Android.

Re: No artist/track info in-car when connected to Z1 via Bluetooth

Gravity21 — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 13:55:15 GMT

Alright, Sony fixed it with the release of 4.3. My Z1 works in my car with Pandora and my other streaming music apps. Why they couldn't release info that they were fixing it, I don't know. But should be good now. I knew it wasn't a Bluetooth issue.

Re: No artist/track info in-car when connected to Z1 via Bluetooth

djsat21 — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 17:02:44 GMT

From what i researched, Sony didnt actually fix it at all, the 'fix' came from an update to the Bluetooth profiles supported in Android, so the fix actually came from the android dev team not Sony. Until 4.3, certain profiles (AVCRP) for this transfer of info weren't supported properly by android, some manufacturers had found a way round it by adding the profiles themselves but it would seem Sony didn't.

Re: No artist/track info in-car when connected to Z1 via Bluetooth

thishleo — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 13:54:58 GMT

This is the problem with Sony and by far it has the customer service in the world. Yes, you pay a premium price for their goods and then you get treated like . The respons is somewhat rather like :hey, its your own fault for buying buying our product, if it doesnt work, run pc companion and itll fix it and if that doesnt do it, you now have a $800 paper stand (talking about my xperia z1)".

Yes, been a loyal Sony Consumer and you everything I have is sony but now I am begining to regret it all because they absolutely dont give a once youve made the purchase.

The are too busy losing their valuable customers too fast too soon..