Well, after much testing and talking to the Apple engineers I have an update for you all.

1. all iPhones with OS3 work completely with the Pioneer F series

2. all iPhones (including the 3GS) will charge when connected ****caveats below

a. iPhone 3GS REQUIRES currently available Apple branded AV cables (PIONEER cables are NOT compatible with charging the 3GS)

b. using an additional USB extender cable KILLS charging capability (for the 3GS)

I found upon testing that adding a USB extender cable (Belkin, GE, and others) somehow kills the charging capability of the iPhone 3GS, but not the first generation or the 3G. This was tested at the headunit itself. However if you plug the AV cable directly into the headunit (without extender) the iPhone 3GS charges fine. This however is NOT the case with the Pioneer branded cable - it will not charge the iPhone 3GS at all in any configuration.

All other current iPods and iPhones including the 3G do CHARGE and operate correctly regardless of the iPhone OS.

in case you are wondering I have tested this myself in "real world" conditions and have conferred with Apple regarding this issue.

I have noticed on some F series decks that a reset on the headunit is required after the OS3 update for the iPhone and iPod. This is a random, unduplicateable issue.

Please feel free to PM me with any questions or comments......

Clark

Sooo, I just got my new iPhone 3GS, and have been afraid to plug it in to my 500bt before consulting avic411. But your saying I need a special cable from apple in order to safely connect the two? Do you know the model number or a place I can find this cable?

I was very concerned the 3GS wouldn't work with the 500bt, but now I have hope!

Thanks,

Nick

Well, I must be lucky then because my 3GS works completely (including charging) with my Pioneer A/V cable. I'm just using the cable that came with my F90BT. No extenders or anything.

Well I just plugged my iPhone 3gs into my pioneer cord from my 500bt, and everything seems to fine. I still get the airplane mode message but I guess that's normal? My only concentrate is that it's killing my battery?

My new 3G works just fine when plugged in, charging and all. I did have a minor issue where it wouldn't show up as an iPod once, but turning the stereo off and on fixed that.