Current model iPod Nano w/Bose system?

[twyrick]

I just won a brand new 16GB iPod Nano (8th. generation) as a door prize at a training session for my work.

I'm just now getting some of my music library synced onto it and charging it up. But what I wondered is if anyone else can confirm whether or not the Bose head unit in a "Tech" version of our 370Z will control it/talk to it properly when attached to the USB port in the center compartment?

I just assumed it would, but now I'm reading some stories about these newer versions of iPod Nanos not communicating anymore with a lot of car stereos ... at least not where it can fully control it, playing from custom playlists you created on the iPod, playing based on genre, artist, etc. ?

[370zHawaii]

You can Bluetooth it as you would headphones and the controls will work, play, ff, rw, etc etc. you can still have it plugged in via USB, I have found that it works better with it on Bluetooth while being charged via USB. USB has not been consistent with audio playback and favors the music app, I use pandora one and it seems to be the app that has issues with control as connecting via USB however no problems with the music app so you may not have issues if you are using the music app via USB. Good luck and let me know how it works out for you

[twyrick]

Not sure we're talking about the same thing? I have an iPhone 7 that can run apps like Pandora -- but I'm talking about the little iPod Nano that doesn't do anything besides playing music or podcasts synced into it.

In any case? I tried hooking it up today and didn't have good results, at least via the USB to Lightning cable. What happened is the iPod Nano recognized it was attached to the stereo and changed its screen to one telling me it was attached in "accessory mode" and was "ok to disconnect". The Z's stereo seemed to be aware an iPod was attached to but whenever I made iPod the audio source, I got nothing ... just a blank screen like it was trying to communicate and not yet receiving any song data. Pressing arrow buttons on the steering wheel or control pad below the Z's screen did nothing.

I also have a circa 2016 Alpine stereo in my Jeep Wrangler so I tried the Nano in it too. It works just fine on the Alpine, letting me play music by genre, artist, album or song, shuffle play, and everything else, controlled by the radio itself.

So it looks to me like this is just a case of needing newer firmware in the Bose stereo in the Z for compatibility with these newer iPods -- and not sure such a thing even exists? (The owners' manual, even for a 2017 370z, doesn't list any of the newer iPods or iOS versions as compatible. Looks like they never even tried to update the initial compatibility list they put together years ago?)

Originally Posted by 370zHawaii

You can Bluetooth it as you would headphones and the controls will work, play, ff, rw, etc etc. you can still have it plugged in via USB, I have found that it works better with it on Bluetooth while being charged via USB. USB has not been consistent with audio playback and favors the music app, I use pandora one and it seems to be the app that has issues with control as connecting via USB however no problems with the music app so you may not have issues if you are using the music app via USB. Good luck and let me know how it works out for you

[Fountainhead]

Hey Twyrick,
Try using a pass through 5V power adapter to power up the iDevice from an accessory line as soon as the car is turned on, that way the radio/entertainment unit can "see" the device immediately. If the device has to acknowledge the DC source, then recognize the USB port, then send it's HID to the USB port's micro, then finally be registered, you've already lost the opportunity to get connected.
Screwy I know, but that's been my experience. On my 2009 Navi unit I have to "Pre-Power" the iDevice before the stereo (with tap into accessory power line) then it sees the iDevice every time.