So with the whole Apple maps fiasco I decided to try Google Maps (per Apple CEO Tim Cook's recommendation, hahaha) on my iPhone 4 and was pleasantly surprised to find that the voice navigation directions came over the speakers. Pretty neat little discovery. Works just like taking a phone call: iPhone connects to the car via the blue tooth module, should an iPod be playing it is automatically paused, voice directions come over the speaker, and then the iPod resumes.

The only hang up is (pun intended) is that to "initialize" the iPhone, google maps, Mini Cooper link, I have to place a phone call through the car. Otherwise, the voice directions come through the phone speakers only.

Anyone else have experience using the same setup?

iPhone 4 with iOS6, 2009 MCS with Bluetooth convenience package

 

Yes, my iphone does this as well now with the factory bluetooth. The difference between the Apple maps and the Google maps app is the audio is sent through the Bluetooth Headset Profile versus the Bluetooth A2DP Stereo streaming profile that the Apple maps uses. The MINI doesn't have that profile enabled (at least in the pre-LCI R56 vehicles, I think the newer connected system does).

You should check your pairing, because a phone call should not be necessary. I do not have to do that. It should pair automatically when you get in the car. Basically the Google Maps is pretending to be a phone call with the headset profile. Delete the pairing on both your iPhone and MINI and re-set it up. That may help.

I was VERY happy to discover this feature as well!!!!

 

Brilliant! Deleted and re-paired the phone and Google maps works like a charm ... No phone call to set things up needed.

Thanks for the tip!

 

Been doing this on Blackberry since 2008

 

What's a Blackberry?

 

It's a raspberry that's been plasti dipped.