Google Earth for MMI 3G+

[audimib]

Hello all,
some of you might already noticed as of Dec 2020 Google Earth was disabled for all vehicles older than MY2018.
That left all legacy MMI systems w/o that option.

I'm happy to announce that there is a software solution now that can make GEMMI work again :)
Installations are performed remotely, all you need is empty SD card and active green menu as i will need some details from it.

For MMI3G+ systems min software version required K900, best with K942/P1001 (lowest version tested US: 0566 EU: 0532)
For RNS850 systems min software version required K821 (it might work with older but it was never tested)
For MIB1/2 systems almost all software versions are covered, if update i needed i will guide you thru the process if you are not comfortable doing it by yourself.

Active Connect subscription is not required, but if the system was retrofit i need to know that prior to making the activation pack.
Data connection is required.

MMI 3G+/RNS850 systems -> Price is 75€ one time only.
MIB1/2 systems -> Price is 180€ 150€ one time only.

Because of recent questions from members i will state that here so it's public - No information about location of the car is transmitted back to me when using the software.

As some of you may have concerns about reliability of the service I'm extending the warranty period to 6 months.
What is covered?
If you have MIB1/MIB2 system and service stops before the end of the 6th month since it was activated and I'm not able to restore it in 2 month time then you will get up to 50% refund.

What is not covered?
Unfortunately due to its age MMI3G+ systems are not covered by any warranty period.
End user action that somehow prevented the software from functioning correctly.
Isolated case where only one system is affected (i believe it's clear that is local problem)
Activation that is not made direct from me elsewhere using my files.

Warranty VOID
As expected some will try to reverse the code and/or try other techniques to understand how it works. That is fine for own education but if shared publicly will result in immediate support termination w/o any refund. No new updates will be offered.

Required information for MMI3G+/RNS850:
Screen_0_0-300101_0000_0037.png

IMG_6140.PNG
1. photo of GreenMenu -> Environment screen.
2. VIN or FAZIT. FAZIT can be seen from VCDS -> 5F, Advanced Identification.
3. Version of the software should be at least 900 or newer.
If you dont have green menu activation I will provide script that will do the information extract for you.

Required information for MIB systems:
Untitled-22.jpg
I will provide software package that will do the information extract for you.





Contact for more info.

https://www.audi-mib.bg/audi-google-earth/

The price paid is not for providing the satellite images, they are freely available. It's for the time taken to make it work again.

[Hugh45]

Is that usable in US

[htrdfrk]

Any update on this?

Sent from my SM-F916U using Audizine Forum mobile app

[Slick_B8]

Smells like a scam. New user that just registered a few weeks ago

[kevin#34]

...and street view already ceased years ago, well before than earth…

[audimib]

And what if .. i made it work ;)
But as you say it .. then must be true.
No one pushes you to do anything, so just move on.

[weagle1856]

And what if .. i made it work ;)
But as you say it .. then must be true.
No one pushes you to do anything, so just move on.

If it's real, I'm interested

[audimib]

Too much post edits lol

I dont need to prove anything but ... here it is.
A6 4F is ok ... or its too old ?

[wapster]

It's Audi Q7 with 3g+. Not A4.

[audimib]

A6 4F but as you wish :)

[weagle1856]

Haha yeah sorry bout that, I can get caught up in data security, so I edited based on the more I found out.

Anyways, y'all, I think audimib is legit.
I did some looking and there's another thread on a5oc, and its the same stuff. It's posted with the same video as audimib's tag on it. The account there actually has a history for a few years helping out the community.

I reached out and got the update and it worked very well so far. Installed it today and have had no issues yet.

I can upload a video of what I have working again too which would prove it for a B8.5 with 3G+.

[audimib]

And to make things even better - for members of AZ price just went down (150 -> 75).
Its not a scam but the result of a hard work.
Will it always work i cant tell.
Does it work now - yes it does w/o any issues. The only requirement is the software of the MMI to be version 900+.
If yours is older i can provide update pack free of charge as well as MAP 6.19.1 NAR 2019 also free of charge.
Regards.

[didyouseethat83]

So my car MMI nav Plus without Audi connect. Will I be able to use this or does it not work with my model?


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[audimib]

Send me VIN of the car on PM.
Will check and get back to you.

[DrGER]

I'm curious about how this Google Earth work-around is implemented. Poking around the 8R0906961FE (HN+_US_AU3G_K0942_6 release) file system, I find QNX executable binary gemmi_final and related shared object libraries libembeddedearth.so, libmessaging.so, and libthirdparty_icu_3_5.so in the GEMMI directory. The run_gemmi.sh script suggests that when the gemmi_final binary is run, a URL to the GE service is *not* passed from the command line. Rather, strings suggests that the source of map overlay (e.g, GE) data is hard coded in the binary & libraries:

$ strings gemmi_final | grep google.com
root://styleMaps#default_copy0+nicon=http://maps.google.com/mapfiles/kml/paddle/red-circle.png+hicon=http://maps.google.com/mapfiles/kml/paddle/red-circle.png
www.google.com
http://maps.google.com/mapfiles/kml/pushpin/red-pushpin.png
http://cbk0.google.com/cbk?output=tile&panoid=%s&zoom=%u&x=%u&y=%u&cb_client=auto.audi
http://cbk0.google.com/cbk?output=xml&ll=%.6f,%.6f&cb_client=auto.audi
http://cbk0.google.com/cbk?output=xml&panoid=%s&cb_client=auto.audi
<kml xmlns="http://www.opengis.net/kml/2.2" xmlns:gx="http://www.google.com/kml/ext/2.2" xmlns:kml="http://www.opengis.net/kml/2.2">

$ strings libembeddedearth.so | grep google.com
http://kh.google.com/
maps.google.com
<a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=%s&near=%lf,%lf">Click here for google search</a>
http://*doubleclick.net* http://*googlesyndication.com* http://*google.com/aclk* http://*googleadservices.com* */pagead/*
http://mw1.google.com/mw-weather/clouds/root.kmz
geoauth.google.com
http://maps.google.com
http://maps.google.com/maps/api/earth/GeocodeService.Search
kh.google.com
www.google.com
http://maps.google.com/mapfiles/kml/shapes/arrow.png
http://earth.google.com/kml/
http://www.google.com/earth/kml/
http://www.google.com/kml/ext/
http://maps.google.com/mapfiles/kml/
http://maps.google.com/mapfiles/kml/shapes/track.png
http://cbk0.google.com/cbk
http://cbk0.google.com/cbk?output=tile&panoid=%1&zoom=$[level]&x=$[x]&y=$[y]&cb_client=earth
http://cbk0.google.com
http://earth.google.com/

and so on...

Does this update replace the GE binary and shared libraries with equivalents that get image data from the new HERE source or add a new QNX binary (and supporting files) that gets image overlay data from the new service?

[audimib]

Hi,
the google client does not have support for the new HERE maps image type, compression, auth and so on.
As the source of the google client is not publicly available its hard to do anything to on that side.
The solution involves new libraries and a bunch of other components.

The bigger challenge will be how to enable 4G modems for that old units when the time comes.

Regards.

[DrGER]

I can upload a video of what I have working again too which would prove it for a B8.5 with 3G+.

Can you take a screen shot (or two) of this from your MMI 3G+ by pressing (and holding for 3+ sec) [TEL]+[MEDIA] with an SD card in SD Slot 1 and post them here (or in the Telematics forum) ?

Any idea yet about how much 3G data the Maxar overlays consume (compared with the old Google overlays) ?

I'm really interested in seeing how this works -- I don't have the time or resources (e.g, QNX development tools) to attempt this myself, but I'm glad someone has -- Audi could have, though I suspect that they couldn't justify the cost to build a proper MMI 3G+ update package that had very little market...

[weagle1856]

The bigger challenge will be how to enable 4G modems for that old units when the time comes.

This. I'm glad I'm not the only person thinking about it. I don't really want to have to hotspot from my phone when I get in the car (or whatever that other solution is).

[alhutch]

Haha yeah sorry bout that, I can get caught up in data security, so I edited based on the more I found out.

Anyways, y'all, I think audimib is legit.
I did some looking and there's another thread on a5oc, and its the same stuff. It's posted with the same video as audimib's tag on it. The account there actually has a history for a few years helping out the community.

I reached out and got the update and it worked very well so far. Installed it today and have had no issues yet.

I can upload a video of what I have working again too which would prove it for a B8.5 with 3G+.

@weagle1856 I am super interested in this, so a video showing it working would be great!

[weagle1856]

Can you take a screen shot (or two) of this from your MMI 3G+ by pressing (and holding for 3+ sec) [TEL]+[MEDIA] with an SD card in SD Slot 1 and post them here (or in the Telematics forum) ?

Any idea yet about how much 3G data the Maxar overlays consume (compared with the old Google overlays) ?

I'm really interested in seeing how this works -- I don't have the time or resources (e.g, QNX development tools) to attempt this myself, but I'm glad someone has -- Audi could have, though I suspect that they couldn't justify the cost to build a proper MMI 3G+ update package that had very little market...

Yeah I can do that later this week when I get back home.

I'll check how much is used when I drive around town too.

[audimib]

Data usage will be a bit higher than before but that is only if the city you are is covered by maxar 2021 image data.
If not will use the old ones from Airbus or the rest of the older sat images.
Newer are higher resolution so it does use a bit more but i have not compared for MMI systems only for MIB and there is around 4 times more on yearly bases.

As for Audi and software - well for the old models they will not make it as they are "out of support" for them.
They even have MY18 models that at the moment are not covered by any service action.
The latest A6/7 MY17 are also left in the dark :(

Regards.

[Gunnark100]

And what if .. i made it work ;)
But as you say it .. then must be true.
No one pushes you to do anything, so just move on.

My google works without any issue for past "4" weeks. Good job as always

[DrGER]

The bigger challenge will be how to enable 4G modems for that old units when the time comes.

Agreed. This will be both a hardware & software problem when AT&T sunsets their 3G service by Feb 2022.

Replacing the hardware modem is not too difficult, if one can be found & sourced, as described in a 2016 TSB (https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...95084-0699.pdf) and documented by @alhutch here: https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...S-on-2013-B8-5 (note here his challenge in finding the UMTS driver software).

Does a 4G LTE data modem module even exist for our pre-MIB MMI systems ?

[audimib]

Unfortunately no LTE for MMI.
Im looking in two directions:
1. USB LTE modem
2. WiFi client software

As you can imagine both are hard as the system is designed ... 2005 :)

But i have not yet explored all possible options so we will see, i hope that here is option.

In EU we already started switching off 3G so they can make space for the 5G.
In most of the cities there is 4G avail, and there is also full 2G coverage so provider position is - "We will still be able to deliver the service in the best quality ... possible".

[weagle1856]

Can you take a screen shot (or two) of this from your MMI 3G+ by pressing (and holding for 3+ sec) [TEL]+[MEDIA] with an SD card in SD Slot 1 and post them here (or in the Telematics forum) ?

Any idea yet about how much 3G data the Maxar overlays consume (compared with the old Google overlays) ?

For the data, the car is reporting that I've used around 400MB, (46 sent, 369 received). It hasn't moved, I can check more when I drive more to see if it goes up any. It didn't increase much today when I ran some errands this morning.

[weagle1856]

Unfortunately no LTE for MMI.
Im looking in two directions:
1. USB LTE modem
2. WiFi client software

As you can imagine both are hard as the system is designed ... 2005 :)

But i have not yet explored all possible options so we will see, i hope that here is option.

In EU we already started switching off 3G so they can make space for the 5G.
In most of the cities there is 4G avail, and there is also full 2G coverage so provider position is - "We will still be able to deliver the service in the best quality ... possible".

Why bother with LTE? Probably would just be a better effort to put that effort towards 5G instead. 3G is still around for now and 2G is the same in the US. Are you already having issues connecting in EU?

[DrGER]

For the data, the car is reporting that I've used around 400MB, (46 sent, 369 received). It hasn't moved, I can check more when I drive more to see if it goes up any. It didn't increase much today when I ran some errands this morning.

Wow, these are more than acceptable for our old 3G+ systems !

@weagle1856, did you say what car this in?

I'm planning a road trip to check in on family in WNY in a few weeks (weather permitting), and would like to have this running by then in our '14 A4q MMI 3G+.

Regarding the data usage: is the 400 MB for the new overlay data ? When did you reset the usage counters last (Tel > Settings > Data connection > Data usage info). What SIM are you using to provision your 3G data ?

[DrGER]

Why bother with LTE? Probably would just be a better effort to put that effort towards 5G instead. 3G is still around for now and 2G is the same in the US. Are you already having issues connecting in EU?

I've read that the data throughput limit (i.e., time it takes to complete an Audi connect on-destination search) isn't determined by the speed of the data connection (3G or 4G), but rather the back-end service. If someone (audimib) figures out how to make a USB data modem work on our pre-MIB MMI systems, it seems reasonable to start with 4G LTE (and not limited to only AT&T), since 4G will be around for a while yet. And who knows, 5G USB modems may be commonplace in a couple more years...

[weagle1856]

Wow, these are more than acceptable for our old 3G+ systems !

@weagle1856, did you say what car this in?

I'm planning a road trip to check in on family in WNY in a few weeks (weather permitting), and would like to have this running by then in our '14 A4q MMI 3G+.

Regarding the data usage: is the 400 MB for the new overlay data ? When did you reset the usage counters last (Tel > Settings > Data connection > Data usage info). What SIM are you using to provision your 3G data ?

Yeah the quality looks the same or better to me so far!
This is in a 13 A4 with 3G+

I used to reset it every month, but I guess I haven't done this in a little while. The car hadn't been driven much since the beginning of the year.
I just checked my Google Fi app and it's reporting the usage to be much lower.

Screenshot_20210221-081742~2.jpg

[weagle1856]

I've read that the data throughput limit (i.e., time it takes to complete an Audi connect on-destination search) isn't determined by the speed of the data connection (3G or 4G), but rather the back-end service. If someone (audimib) figures out how to make a USB data modem work on our pre-MIB MMI systems, it seems reasonable to start with 4G LTE (and not limited to only AT&T), since 4G will be around for a while yet. And who knows, 5G USB modems may be commonplace in a couple more years...

I wasn't really worried about the throughput, more so just future proofing since 5G will be around for a very long time.

Shoot I'd be ok with 2G tbh, but I read that's even going to be sunsetting in the next couple years.

[Helobubba]

Sent audimib a PM about four days ago but haven't hear back yet. Would love to give him my money for this. Hopefully he'll find time to reach out to those interested in his project.

[audimib]

Your system is not mmi3g+ hence why I have not yet answered.
You have MIB system which is not yet ready for remote install.
As in the topic , this listing is for MMI3G+ only.

[Helobubba]

You have MIB system which is not yet ready for remote install.

I had no idea; thank you for clarifying.

Please let me know when MIB is ready for remote install.

I appreciate your hard work.

Cheers,
Erich

[DrGER]

The last time GE overlay worked in our '14 A4 MMI 3G+ was mid December. The copyright date here looks promising (screenshot taken earlier today):


And the same location from Apr 2020 when Audi was providing the GE service:


Update 6 Mar 2021:
Just returned from a 700+ mile trip from NW Ohio to WNY (and back) mainly along I-90 and had maps running the whole time with auto-zoom enabled.

Total 3G data used by the work-around: sent: 3.2 MB; received: 54.7 MB. Cache used increased from 1.03 GB to 1.12 GB (from the Green Menu).
This appears to be more efficient (i.e., less total 3G data consumed) than previous trips with Google Earth imagery. Not bad.

[ASheppard]

Does it track your car as you drive??

[RodyAudi]

No, it doesn’t track or locate your car.


Verzonden vanaf mijn iPhone met Tapatalk

[audimib]

MIB2 work completed
User friendly installation like a software update w/o need to access shell.
You will only need one SD card.
Flexible pricing.

[Helobubba]

I can verify this works for MIB1. Google Earth overlay is back! Thank you, audimib!

[audimib]

As some of you may have concerns about reliability of the service I'm extending the warranty period to 6 months.
What is covered?
If you have MIB1/MIB2 system and service stops before the end of the 6th month since it was activated and I'm not able to restore it in 2 month time then you will get 50% refund.

What is not covered?
End user action that somehow prevented the software from functioning correctly.
Isolated case where only one system is affected (i believe it's clear that is local problem)
Violation of the rules for sharing resulted disabling the service.
Activation that is not made direct from me elsewhere using my files.

Just for information - expected lifetime of the service is above 3 years. Any speculations that it will stop in a week or two are nonsense's by people that have absolutely no idea how this thing actually works.

Regards.

[jsilas]

I have a USDM 2016 (C7.5) S6. I would be interested in pursuing your solution and would like to ask the following questions:

First, I'd like to understand precisely what I can expect in terms of functionality. Does this essentially "invisibly" restore the Google Earth map overlays that the car originally came with (and which were subsequently removed around December of '20)? This would mean inclusion of full map overlay support for the Navigation screen as well as the small display between the tach/speedo gauges.
Second, I have both VAGCOM and OBD11 but have not found a way to enable the green menu on the C7.5 facelift model. Do you have a method for me to obtain the necessary information as you mention in your OP?
Third, would the changes you make to the vehicle interrupt or override any other modifications already in place? For example, I have VIM enabled on my car and I would not want to lose that functionality.

Finally, a clarifying question. Your profile states you're in SF (which I infer to mean San Fransisco) yet you're evidently setting pricing in euros. What is the reason for this?

Assuming your answers to the above make sense, I'd be happy to proceed with this and will report back on my experience as an AZ member for a number of years.

Please provide your responses to the above questions in the thread for the edification of others, and if we choose to proceed we can move to PM.

Cheers,
jsilas