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Apple and BMW?
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nsb3000 said:
I'm sorry, it's obnoxious for people to say it, and I'm far from flawless in this myself, but...grammar. use adverbs.
Ahem, BMWs have Wi-Fi
I'd like to mention that BMW has been working with HP to put Wi-Fi in their cars. Does this give you any ideas?
I'd like to mention that BMW has been working with HP to put Wi-Fi in their cars. Does this give you any ideas?
Well, I'm a fan. Apple, BMW, both produce fabulous looking, high powered products. But the timing seems off, because it seems it would have been a great feature to add to the new 5 series, what with major increases in electronics in the new 7 and 5 series (and the butt ugly rear end).
hmm. Got to be a great partnership, and i know lots will complain that bimmers aren't common enough, but the idea always starts in the high end car, and moves down. This isn't a cross promotion-it's a new devolepment in music listening and car making.
I hope it comes in a little cable free dock like thing, that does both info and power. Better yet, I hope it's fully integrated into the cars electronics, so you don't have to use your ipod's controls while driving, but all the same ones on the dash and steering wheel. You just have a button that toggles between FM, AM, CD, and iPod.
hmm. Got to be a great partnership, and i know lots will complain that bimmers aren't common enough, but the idea always starts in the high end car, and moves down. This isn't a cross promotion-it's a new devolepment in music listening and car making.
I hope it comes in a little cable free dock like thing, that does both info and power. Better yet, I hope it's fully integrated into the cars electronics, so you don't have to use your ipod's controls while driving, but all the same ones on the dash and steering wheel. You just have a button that toggles between FM, AM, CD, and iPod.
This is my first post ever. 
I think that they will Apple will make a new interface for BMW as i have heard that it is really bad. Also when Apple release the new iPod they might have video capabilites so then the people in the back of the car can watch video's when on long jouneys and also listen to music when they are walking on the streets. Also people will be able to preview their photo's/ videos when they put them onto their iPod from their digital video/photo camera. What u think?
I think that they will Apple will make a new interface for BMW as i have heard that it is really bad. Also when Apple release the new iPod they might have video capabilites so then the people in the back of the car can watch video's when on long jouneys and also listen to music when they are walking on the streets. Also people will be able to preview their photo's/ videos when they put them onto their iPod from their digital video/photo camera. What u think?
This isn't necessarily a purely BMW excercise - they may just have first dibs on whatever Apple comes up with. At the very least it could pave the way for some interesting 3rd-party car products...?
Hob
Hob
Jookbox said:
You need friends with better taste then. Personally I wouldn't be caught dead in a VW.
dontmatter said:
Might make more sense to introduce it with the new 3-series that is in design, as an iPod owner and a 3-series owner are probably a little closer demographically. (Don't think of 7 series owners as iPod users...)
Also, BMW is going to introduce the 1-series in the US '05,1-series spy shots and lets not forget that BMW produces the mini, which is absolutely the same demographic as the iPod. Come to think of it, don't both companies make something called the mini
Chupa Chupa said:You need friends with better taste then. Personally I wouldn't be caught dead in a VW.
I agree...your friends must be right out of college..no offense meant, I have plenty of designer friends and I am one as well, and it's all about style and design...it's TT's and Beamer's all around. You want to land a client, show up in style.
And yes, of course, iPods...
Notice the "later this month"...perhaps around the WWD conference...could it be, the new iPod, wireless, which transmits right to a little receptor attachment in your BMW?....how neat would that be?
Corrected
(Don't think of 7 series owners as iPod users...)
I drive a 740il and own an ipod and a 1.5 15" PB...all of this sounds good to me but I've often wondered why they didn't already do this.
(Don't think of 7 series owners as iPod users...)
I drive a 740il and own an ipod and a 1.5 15" PB...all of this sounds good to me but I've often wondered why they didn't already do this.
Wow
I have been using my iPod for a while in my 1984 (yes thats right 1984) FJ60 Land Cruiser without problems. I wired an RCA to mini adapter behind the dash and plugged it into the cd-changer port on the back of my 200$ head unit (I opted for one with XM support and MP3 Playback) and I have perfect sound quality and no hassle (power comes from Belkin adapter).
You can read what I did here: http://andrewloe.com/blog/archives/2004/06/12/stereo/, the whole thing might have cost me 300$. If you own a 3-series BMW I think you can justify this small cost.
I have been using my iPod for a while in my 1984 (yes thats right 1984) FJ60 Land Cruiser without problems. I wired an RCA to mini adapter behind the dash and plugged it into the cd-changer port on the back of my 200$ head unit (I opted for one with XM support and MP3 Playback) and I have perfect sound quality and no hassle (power comes from Belkin adapter).
You can read what I did here: http://andrewloe.com/blog/archives/2004/06/12/stereo/, the whole thing might have cost me 300$. If you own a 3-series BMW I think you can justify this small cost.
Drivers Wanted
That VW iPod deal did give you an iPod that said "Drivers Wanted" with a VW logo. See, that's worth it. And you do get a VW Beetle. "Pods Unite".
Now time has passed and we're looking at a BMW with an iPod. Wireless FireWire (as the older iPod was revolutionary with a FireWire port). You have the iPod broadcast wirelessly to the receiver within the BMW (Or any other car for that matter). Several car companies have suggested using BlueTooth rather than wires to connect the various car components to the ECU. Such as windscreen wipers, or hey, that cool tire pressure gage in newer BMWs. Why not in the union of Apple and BMW set the groundwork for Wireless FireWire (one wire needs to be removed, that sounds funny). Flawless, wireless music. For the Ultimate Driving and Listening machine.
As for getting the technology into a Kia. Why not. Apple could sell an iPod with 75% of all car sales. Included or optional. It's a great move either way.
That VW iPod deal did give you an iPod that said "Drivers Wanted" with a VW logo. See, that's worth it. And you do get a VW Beetle. "Pods Unite".
Now time has passed and we're looking at a BMW with an iPod. Wireless FireWire (as the older iPod was revolutionary with a FireWire port). You have the iPod broadcast wirelessly to the receiver within the BMW (Or any other car for that matter). Several car companies have suggested using BlueTooth rather than wires to connect the various car components to the ECU. Such as windscreen wipers, or hey, that cool tire pressure gage in newer BMWs. Why not in the union of Apple and BMW set the groundwork for Wireless FireWire (one wire needs to be removed, that sounds funny). Flawless, wireless music. For the Ultimate Driving and Listening machine.
As for getting the technology into a Kia. Why not. Apple could sell an iPod with 75% of all car sales. Included or optional. It's a great move either way.
Anyone remember the Smart ForTwo iPod special?
http://www.apple.com/uk/hotnews/articles/smart/
It comes with the in car cradle to sit your iPod in, which connects it to the stereo and charges it at the same time, and as the box in the bottom left mentions the cradle will be on sale soon for all Smart ForTwos and Roadsters.
http://www.apple.com/uk/hotnews/articles/smart/
It comes with the in car cradle to sit your iPod in, which connects it to the stereo and charges it at the same time, and as the box in the bottom left mentions the cradle will be on sale soon for all Smart ForTwos and Roadsters.
Guys, settle down about this being BMW-only. Very rarely does the auto manufacturer itself develop and produce the electronics - it is nearly always done by a supplier. While BMW would in this case have exclusive access, it would not have exclusive access to the product for very long.
I used to work for one of the largest automotive electronics suppliers in the world, and this is how it works. All the new technology is done for a specific high-end car, because the prices they charge for them allows them the budget to pay to have it developed. Once they recover their money it will start showing up in lesser cars.
I used to work for one of the largest automotive electronics suppliers in the world, and this is how it works. All the new technology is done for a specific high-end car, because the prices they charge for them allows them the budget to pay to have it developed. Once they recover their money it will start showing up in lesser cars.
EXACTLY. Screw the wires, it's the 22nd century! (It is, right?)Lepton said:
Wasn't that Macworld editor speculating that Apple might be adding Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to the iPod?
You can find Bluetooth currently in Lexusses (Lexi?) and Acuras. Bluetooth would be sweet.
iMeowbot said:
Yep mine is on the way... Im jazzed.
I took out the cupholders, put in a eurotray and will hide all the wires..
I'll post pics asap
- Doc
hughdogg said:
Don't forget also that if you neglect to register Windows CE within the given timeframe, Microsoft renders your BMW inoperable.
jk
Actually, I also wish they'd take these partnership deals farther in terms of selling the iPod's integration, rather than letting it serve simply as a 'gift with purchase'.
An upscale apartment complex in O.C. is offering a free iPod with a 9 month (or longer) lease. Considering the direction Apple appears to be headed in home entertainment, it seems very similar to the way XM is trying market their devices. Same...but different.
You mean I just got the AUX adapter in my Z4 and now I have to buy a totally different system that will display song titles and give me remote ipod control??? ummmm, ok! how much?
Seriously though I wonder if it will still support the AUX input jack or if you have to give that up. Not sure what else I might use it for, but it could be useful to keep it around.
If this new system implements a kind of dock, with line out and remote control and display it will be so sweet. No more quick glances down to my ipod to see whats playing.
-jim
Seriously though I wonder if it will still support the AUX input jack or if you have to give that up. Not sure what else I might use it for, but it could be useful to keep it around.
If this new system implements a kind of dock, with line out and remote control and display it will be so sweet. No more quick glances down to my ipod to see whats playing.
-jim
Some of the aftermarket head units have an input jack
Why? The better car stereos have a CD frequency response of 5-20,000 Hz. On the other hand you'd be hard pressed to find a stereo with cassette frequency response better than 50-15,000 Hz although they can be found. When I hook up my iPod to my factory JBL car stereo through the cassette, the bass is practically non-existent - quite disappointing.
As Spades said, all car stereos should have an input jack with a frequency response as good as those used for the CDs. It would be great if they put it in the center console area where the cigarette lighter and/or auxiliary 12v power jack are located.
Some of the aftermarket head units have an input jack. This is far superior to the cassette interface.Spades said:
Why? The better car stereos have a CD frequency response of 5-20,000 Hz. On the other hand you'd be hard pressed to find a stereo with cassette frequency response better than 50-15,000 Hz although they can be found. When I hook up my iPod to my factory JBL car stereo through the cassette, the bass is practically non-existent - quite disappointing.
As Spades said, all car stereos should have an input jack with a frequency response as good as those used for the CDs. It would be great if they put it in the center console area where the cigarette lighter and/or auxiliary 12v power jack are located.
Jookbox said:
Wouldn't be caught dead in a Bimmer??? Why? I'm a landscaper, visual designer, as well as a bmw owner (1987 5-series E28) - the bugger has lasted me 260K miles; the transmission is 100K miles older! I'm no rich yuppy dude; in fact I'm the opposite. Of course, I love VW's for thier look, 60's historical mystique, and "green" conscience, but my old trusty BMW machine can still out-gas-milage most cars out there today (not to mention beat their track record for repairs).
Just because Apple is teaming up with BMW doesn't mean these features are out of reach for the average person. People just think they are.
You can find a really great BMW for less $$$ than a brand-x American or Japanese vehicle; you just have to know that they exist, know where to look, and want to be a part of an awesome community of car owners not unlike the community of Mac owners we have here.
In more ways than one, Apple and Bmw are similar, and this is a perfect match-up of companies, ideals, and aesthetic. Hail Apple for bridging the gap of iPod-automobile integration.
Soon you will be able to bluetooth your iPod in your VW, Saturn, Ferrari, or even motorcycle. Welcome it.
jjmaximum said:
No offense intended, I just don't think of a typical 7-series owners as the typical iPod owner from Apple's marketing - read late-20 somethings. But in my book, your atypical, which is a very good thing.
Some background info, source: BWM Demographics
"In addition, BMW's audience demographics read like the Holy Grail of the auto industry.
In the U.S., the mean household income across the BMW line is $163,000, ranging from $140,000 for 3-series buyers to $260,000 on the 7-series. And the automaker has weathered an anti-Yuppie backlash from the 1980s to make it OK for the well-heeled to own BMWs once again.
The mean age of its mostly male buyers is 46 across the line, ranging from about 43 for the 3-series to just 51 for the top-of-the-line 7-series. "
(hughdogg - Carefully making sure about his next wildly offbase generalizations - but I must say, "ROCK-ON all you 51 year old iPod owners, bringing down a quarter mil' a year"! )
Cheers,
hughdogg
It's Siemens not BMW
The company that manufactures all the audio/electronic components for BMW is Siemens VDO. Working with them would allow for a partnership that could allow Siemens to sell the iPodCAR to other manufacturers. Don't forget that Siemens developed the iDrive for BMW.
Look here for some interesting nosh, specifically the section on third party applications for their systems
http://www.siemensvdo.com/com/products_ii_infotainment.asp?strMain=Main23&strSub=Sub3&strSubSub3=34
The company that manufactures all the audio/electronic components for BMW is Siemens VDO. Working with them would allow for a partnership that could allow Siemens to sell the iPodCAR to other manufacturers. Don't forget that Siemens developed the iDrive for BMW.
Look here for some interesting nosh, specifically the section on third party applications for their systems
http://www.siemensvdo.com/com/products_ii_infotainment.asp?strMain=Main23&strSub=Sub3&strSubSub3=34
schewy said:The company that manufactures all the audio/electronic components for BMW is Siemens VDO. Working with them would allow for a partnership that could allow Siemens to sell the iPodCAR to other manufacturers. Don't forget that Siemens developed the iDrive for BMW.
Look here for some interesting nosh, specifically the section on third party applications for their systems
http://www.siemensvdo.com/com/products_ii_infotainment.asp?strMain=Main23&strSub=Sub3&strSubSub3=34
Ha Ha, he said Siemens...
Seriously though, stuff like this always starts in the high end cars and works its way down once it proves successful. Look at things like OnStar. It started off in Cadillacs and other high end GM products. Now the dealers practically trip over themselves to get you to sign up for the service.
Other examples are adaptive cruise, satellite radio, and bluetooth connectivity. Eventually all of these will be common in all cars - or at least an easy option to get.
-- Ben