Link Macbook Pro to GM Pickup VIA USB

[wigglesworth]

Hi. I am looking if there is a way to possibly link my macbook pro via USB to my 2011 GMC. The truck interfaces with my iphone so I can use the steering wheel controls to change songs, and browse tracks on the nav display. However I currently run my Macbook in a laptop stand to utilize google earth and GPS. therefore I just connect the laptop via the AUX cable and play music that way. the only downside is cops would give me a hefty ticket if they caught me trying to change songs... what I would like to do is be able to link my laptop via the USB port to change songs using the steering wheel controls. I dont want or care to be able to browse files on the Nav or having song info (although song info would be nice). I just would like to be able to change songs. Is there any apps that could accomplish this?

If there is no available apps but someone here thinks they are capable of making something. Please feel free to PM me with an offer. I would be willing to pay for something. just one distracted driving ticket is $200...

This is what the whole setup is used for https://www.facebook.com/BCWaterfalls/

 

[Tarek]

This is probably a dumb suggestion, but can't you just load a USB flash drive with songs and listen to music that way? You'll have full control using the multifunction buttons on your steering wheel.

 

[wigglesworth]

This is probably a dumb suggestion, but can't you just load a USB flash drive with songs and listen to music that way? You'll have full control using the multifunction buttons on your steering wheel.

Not a dumb suggestion. The head unit only has limited equalizer controls. When I use the laptop I reduce the pre-amp and increase the bass while lowering the trebble. With that I can better tune the sound to get it fuller without getting loud. Plus of lesser importance the head unit is hard to navigate to find songs if you want a specific one. At that point I might as well use my iPhone (which I often do).

 

[hwojtek]

No.
Also driving with a laptop instead of a small satnav unit is way beyond reasonable. Of all the things you do in your car, you'd be better off if you focused on actual driving.

 

[wigglesworth]

No.
Also driving with a laptop instead of a small satnav unit is way beyond reasonable. Of all the things you do in your car, you'd be better off if you focused on actual driving.

Says your opinion. I don't use it like a Nav unit because there are no roads when it's used. I am not talking about driving around downtown Vancouver with my Mac telling me when to turn. I use satalite imagery and my gps location to find and navigate cut lines, pipe lines, deactivated roads, any break in the forest I can find to get closer to the locations I photograph. Often 100's of Kilometers from the nearest town. just because you don't see a need, does not mean I have no need.

However the music, and thus this post is a luxury that would be nice to have if possible since the laptop is already there.

 

[Tarek]

Is your head-unit equipped with Bluetooth? I honestly can't think of a way you can utilize the USB to accomplish that yet.

 

[wigglesworth]

Is your head-unit equipped with Bluetooth? I honestly can't think of a way you can utilize the USB to accomplish that yet.

Yes but only for hands free calling, not to stream Audio. If it can't be done I have run with the current set up for 3 years I'm sure I will continue to make do. I have an apple remote so I use it to change songs with the lid down. I would just like to integrate with the truck to make things cleaner.

 

[Tarek]

My head-unit's Bluetooth does not stream music, either, and it's honestly frustrating. I have been thinking about buying a COMBOX in order to enable that, but that is for BMWs so I do not know if such a thing exists for your truck. That would be a pretty far-fetched and costly solution, though.

 

[wigglesworth]

My head-unit's Bluetooth does not stream music, either, and it's honestly frustrating. I have been thinking about buying a COMBOX in order to enable that, but that is for BMWs so I do not know if such a thing exists for your truck. That would be a pretty far-fetched and costly solution, though.

I had a Bluetooth streaming head unit before in a Grand Prix. I was not happy with the quality of the sound. I prefer cables. Maybe I just had a crappy head unit?

 

[Tarek]

AUX and other cables are definitely much better than BT in terms of sound, but I had a premium BT unit in my old SEAT Leon and the quality was very, very good, although I couldn't control the music using the steering wheel's buttons, for some reason.

 

[hwojtek]

Because BT2.0
While I can (more or less) justify the use of the computer in-car (I'd do it with an iPad, but that's just me), there's no way you can hook it up to your stereo with USB, sorry.