USB data splitter?

[glasgowcyclist]

@oxoman and @Alex321 The Bluetooth connection between phone and car, or any other device is fine.

The obstacle is the hardware design of the infotainment unit. The Niro's infotainment system, which is a Gen5W head unit, lacks the necessary hardware for wireless connectivity, which is only available on certain models with the ccNC head unit, such as the EV9. This was explained to me at the dealership when I picked it up.

Android auto in most Kias is available only via cable, unless you use a 3rd party dongle as I do.

To listen to music on my USB stick currently means unplugging the AA dongle but obviously I then lose my AA functions.

@CXRAndy 4 into 1 type splitters don't work. I bought two that specifically claimed to be compatible for simultaneous AA and media play but sent them back. They would work on a PC but not in the car.

From the further research I've been doing in the meantime, it seems there is no solution which will allow concurrent access of the devices I want to use.

 

[BoldonLad]

Change to an iPhone ? 😊

 

[CXRAndy]

Change to an iPhone ? 😊

I must admit the iPhone car connection seems far better than Android

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Change to an iPhone ? 😊

I must admit the iPhone car connection seems far better than Android

It wouldn't make any difference if I had an iPhone. 🤦‍♂️

The infotainment unit doesn't support wireless AA or CarPlay 👇

The Niro's infotainment system, which is a Gen5W head unit, lacks the necessary hardware for wireless connectivity

 

[oxoman]

@glasgowcyclist, that's forward thinking of kia. NOT. You've surprised me as you'd think Kia would have improved things not made a backwards step. Good luck on finding a solution. Might be worth trying the Kia forum, helped me sort a few niggles when I got mine.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Might be worth trying the Kia forum

Been there and searched. It's a frequent topic with no solution as yet. I think there's one option of a USB hub that takes power from the 12V lighter socket and allows multiple devices to operate via the data port but it costs £100!

I'd have spent up to £30.

 

[BoldonLad]

Been there and searched. It's a frequent topic with no solution as yet. I think there's one option of a USB hub that takes power from the 12V lighter socket and allows multiple devices to operate via the data port but it costs £100!

I'd have spent up to £30.

I dont have a Niro EV, so, cannot check, but, I have one of these USB hubs and it certainly allows two USB SSDs to be used simultaneously. It is a bit "chunky" but not mega expensive:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adapter-MacBook-Output-MicroSD-2-Ports/dp/B077T4FBSP/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?adgrpid=181585007730&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.VCI_fNf3ix1yuiqgt05qGROND9_im3voS3NBIP-Eb8jZ_Gg38zCFi9LbjFcBNzH7JVtgWlSrYE7_nAL9e8CwLFHj8IngRdh3fsR1CAP8wr13wf6WJghvfEc8-AEWrZCne0MJxzl4X3Zlbfiv2JR7ml2XskN8uGCgi__o6rkXsHaphFX2oidnEwKOF6TSCAkXQNRI3_McIbWWKR04r8duuw6avX279eZUQyP25e37TVU.VC7q_pjbxVvZIWTVko2HGkq9N4lVMszQkjDCb5CdbxI&dib_tag=se&gad_source=1&hvadid=779285626717&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9192256&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=2199119149519587905--&hvqmt=b&hvrand=2199119149519587905&hvtargid=kwd-862931789657&hydadcr=18853_2392376_340004&keywords=usb+c+3.2+gen+2+hub&mcid=5649a9b7056e35d0ae25459df4b51a46&qid=1765626118&sr=8-1-spons&aref=xYPkplpaoY&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

 

[glasgowcyclist]

I dont have a Niro EV, so, cannot check, but, I have one of these USB hubs and it certainly allows two USB SSDs to be used simultaneously. It is a bit "chunky" but not mega expensive:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adapter-MacBook-Output-MicroSD-2-Ports/dp/B077T4FBSP/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?adgrpid=181585007730&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.VCI_fNf3ix1yuiqgt05qGROND9_im3voS3NBIP-Eb8jZ_Gg38zCFi9LbjFcBNzH7JVtgWlSrYE7_nAL9e8CwLFHj8IngRdh3fsR1CAP8wr13wf6WJghvfEc8-AEWrZCne0MJxzl4X3Zlbfiv2JR7ml2XskN8uGCgi__o6rkXsHaphFX2oidnEwKOF6TSCAkXQNRI3_McIbWWKR04r8duuw6avX279eZUQyP25e37TVU.VC7q_pjbxVvZIWTVko2HGkq9N4lVMszQkjDCb5CdbxI&dib_tag=se&gad_source=1&hvadid=779285626717&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9192256&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=2199119149519587905--&hvqmt=b&hvrand=2199119149519587905&hvtargid=kwd-862931789657&hydadcr=18853_2392376_340004&keywords=usb+c+3.2+gen+2+hub&mcid=5649a9b7056e35d0ae25459df4b51a46&qid=1765626118&sr=8-1-spons&aref=xYPkplpaoY&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

As I have already highlighted twice in this thread; those work on a PC, not in my car.

 

[lazybloke]

Usb storage for music in the car seems limiting.

An in-law donated a kia which did android auto wirelessly and perfectly reliably, but sadly i need a cable in the vw that replaced the kia, so i bought a wireless adapter (Cuarko).

No need for usb storage any longer, the phone and head unit provide radio, phone, news, audiobooks, travel bulletins, up-to-date maps, plus stored & streamed music. All controllable by steering wheel, dashboard controls, dashboard screen, or voice control.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

@oxoman and @Alex321 The Bluetooth connection between phone and car, or any other device is fine.

The obstacle is the hardware design of the infotainment unit. The Niro's infotainment system, which is a Gen5W head unit, lacks the necessary hardware for wireless connectivity, which is only available on certain models with the ccNC head unit, such as the EV9. This was explained to me at the dealership when I picked it up.

Android auto in most Kias is available only via cable, unless you use a 3rd party dongle as I do.

To listen to music on my USB stick currently means unplugging the AA dongle but obviously I then lose my AA functions.

@CXRAndy 4 into 1 type splitters don't work. I bought two that specifically claimed to be compatible for simultaneous AA and media play but sent them back. They would work on a PC but not in the car.

From the further research I've been doing in the meantime, it seems there is no solution which will allow concurrent access of the devices I want to use.

The car systems are done cheaply - especially in older cars (i.e. not the last few years)

so the USB implementation is not compliant to the proper standards and so doesn't work properly
one of the symptoms of that is that the USB ports are not a proper bus and hence will not extend and recognise extra ports and devices in them


I have heard that a lot of modern ones use Linux and they might be better

 

[Ming the Merciless]

That would need me to handle the phone to change tracks/albums etc.

That means you’ve tried it? My car is 17 years old now and you can change albums / tracks on my phone from the steering wheel. Been a part of Bluetooth spec a long time.

 

[BoldonLad]

As I have already highlighted twice in this thread; those work on a PC, not in my car.

OK, does your "Infotainment system" have an Aux port?

If yes, could you connect your USB device via the Aux port, using a suitable adapter cable, similar to https://ebay.us/m/t4jjDD
the exact cable would depend on which USB Type, and Aux Connector type.

 

[figbat]

I’m not familiar with Android but can you plug the USB device with the music on into the phone, and if so, would this then pass through to the car via the wireless dongle?

 

[glasgowcyclist]

That means you’ve tried it? My car is 17 years old now and you can change albums / tracks on my phone from the steering wheel. Been a part of Bluetooth spec a long time.

Yes.
I am only using the basic Samsung Music app and the only thing I can control from the steering wheel buttons is the volume. I need to start it playing before I set off.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

OK, does your "Infotainment system" have an Aux port?

No.

It has 1 x USB A port (data) and 3 x USB C ports (power only).