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

[djsat21]

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?

[Fredrik76]

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

[LordJohnWhorfin]

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!

[Gravity21]

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.

[LordJohnWhorfin]

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.

[LordJohnWhorfin]

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.

[Gravity21]

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.

[djsat21]

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.

[thishleo]

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..