XC70 Adding Apple Car Play

[filbert]

I have a 2008 XC70 with no fancy audio, satnav, etc. My wife has just replaced her Fiesta with a nearly new one that has all sorts of fancy features and I have to admit, I’m a little jealous!

There seems to be a range of aftermarket head units to add Car Play, reverse cameras, etc to older cars but they seem to need a removable DIN type radio unit. This, the XC70 doesn’t have - but some of the Amazon reviews imply that they have been used in similar vehicles.

What options do I have? I’d like CarPlay support, as I have an iPhone, and to be able to add a reversing camera. Not too bothered about DAB.

[Oak]

Options are VERY limited for all Volvo models with a "waterfall" centre console.

There are some Chinese units that can substitute the pop-up satnav if you have one, but generally cheaper Android units.

There is one option from BluePower too - but this has varied reviews, is very expensive and requires a more complex install too. This though CAN give you CarPlay AND still allows the console to display aircon/fan etc...

https://www.bluepower.se/en/product/...ndroid-71.html

You could also add a simple Bluetooth receiver so you can stream to it via AUX. Quick, easy and cheap but no display/CarPlay intergration. I've done this option myself.


Alexa Auto is another option that's do-able but no fancy display!


Final option that most got for is an additional control unit for DAB - these often allow streaming from Bluetooth too - so you get some functions.

[filbert]

Thanks for that. The BluePower looks interesting but I found a review on YouTube that seems to say it takes over 5 hours to install (it was in German and my German is rusty). In any event, I can believe it - there's a lot of cables plus dismantling the console. It also pretty much takes over your glove box, which is already full!

I do already have a Bluetooth receiver attached to the AUX input and that is OK but managing the music from the small phone screen is a pain.

I think I need to think about exactly what I want from any installation. Reversing camera is the main thing, then SatNav (my TomTom has died) and also better access to music ripped from my CD collection for starters.

Maybe an iPad mini, or similar tablet, on a mount above the radio would work. It could talk to the car audio by bluetooth with a wifi reversing camera (assuming they work OK, I'll have to look for some reviews).

[Bashy]

Wonder if the parrot MK9200i i think it is would work for you, this has, USB and Bluetooth streaming, I use it for my Alexa Auto and music streaming from my Note 9 too

[filbert]

Originally Posted by Bashy

Wonder if the parrot MK9200i i think it is would work for you, this has, USB and Bluetooth streaming, I use it for my Alexa Auto and music streaming from my Note 9 too

Thanks for the suggestion but it won't help with a reversing camera. I've ordered a cheap on from eBay to play with and see if it is worth getting in deeper.

[Bashy]

Then you need a head unit that can doo all that you require, I already had the parrot, then installed a reversing camera and screen, the screen is sited, over the light squit on the right side of steering wheel, its out of the way but perfect for viewing along with the OS mirror, and I have alexa auto for dab and amazon music etc, heck, she even starts waze on my phone when I ask for directions lol

[filbert]

Thanks, I'm going to see how well the cheapo wifi reversing camera works with my phone. I've also discovered there's something called CarOS that mimics CarPlay (but without any integration with the vehicle itself, of course) but needs a jailbreak to get full features. I'll look at that and, if it seems worth persevering with, I'll get a second hand older (ie cheaper) iPad Mini and mount that in my car.

[billshoff]

Check out these kits from Dynamic Sounds in London, UK.
https://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/conn...618853271.html

I bought a kit for my '08 V70 and installed it myself. The harness is plug and play but it bypasses the OEM amplifier, if your Volvo has one. I installed a single DIN Kenwood and it has enough power for the OEM speakers.

Delivery to North Carolina in the USA took 2 weeks. Here's a link to my installation. I don't work for the supplier and I don't get any compensation. I'm just sharing info, OK?
https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/a.../#post-7754296

[Oak]

Originally Posted by billshoff

Check out these kits from Dynamic Sounds in London, UK.
https://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/conn...618853271.html

I bought a kit for my '08 V70 and installed it myself. The harness is plug and play but it bypasses the OEM amplifier, if your Volvo has one. I installed a single DIN Kenwood and it has enough power for the OEM speakers.

Delivery to North Carolina in the USA took 2 weeks. Here's a link to my installation. I don't work for the supplier and I don't get any compensation. I'm just sharing info, OK?
https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/a.../#post-7754296

Good to know this exists, but it does mean you loose all the display for parking sensors, HVAC, handsfree, etc?