BMW and Apple?

[MacRumors]

Autospies 05-06 BMW 3-series update provides a small rumor about BMW and Apple working on a deal.

The last item in their report notes an unconfirmed rumor:

Audio system will finally have CD/MP3 capable playback and an interface connection to 'ipod-like' devices... we've even hearing rumblings out of Palo Alto Technology office regarding a potential deal in the works with Apple

The blurb warns that this rumor is unconfirmed, but could potentially add to a list of partnerships Apple has forged with many companies over the past few months.

 

[ryanw]

OEM OSX?

Anyone think apple could ever OEM OSX to other vendors ever again? It would be interesting if IBM put out a PPC 970 desktop or Laptop with the option to run PPC Linux or OSX ...

 

[neutrino23]

Need better ways to use iPods in cars

It would be great if they could build in the controls into the steering wheel.

 

[iJon]

this is good news. right now im using a blitzsafe adapter in my jeep for my ipod. but later this summer ill be upgrading to the 7" in dash alpine tv screen deck with the ipod hook up, so then ill be totally set.

iJon

 

[Kagetenshi]

Definitely liking the sound of this. Aggressive marketing is what we need; well, that and aggressive deployment of new products.

~J

 

[iGuy]

One Word

Marketshare....

For those of you not quite awake yet, I'm saying that this is possible because of Apple's influence in the portable music industry (file format and devices) which is a direct result of their marketshare.

This is a good thing and underlines the value of marketshare.

A BMW as an accessory for an iPod. Not bad. Now if only I could buy a BMW for the price of an iPod.

~iGuy

 

[Sped]

Two great companies working together

This is fantastic news. I have a 93 BMW 325i and am going to purchase a new 3-series in 2005. Learning that I might have a little Apple integration with my Bimmer makes it more exciting!

 

[mustang_dvs]

Pshaw!

So what?

My '87 635CSi has iPod integration...

(...that I added on my own initiative.)

And, being an '87 model it has the added benefit of pre-dating Chris Bangle's design influence (read: it looks like a BMW coupe, not a Chrysler Sebring.)

A BMW as an accessory for an iPod. Not bad. Now if only I could buy a BMW for the price of an iPod.

Does this mean I can get an M3 with a developer hardware discount (~20-30%) factored in? (I'd be willing to settle for a 330Ci (PP).)

 

[vpalvarez]

It would be great if they could build in the controls into the steering wheel.

I thought about this myself and its extremely possible. I have friends that are custom car installers, they said that with carefull wiring it could happen. The only problem is the screen. No one could figure out if a heads up display on the windshield was possible. No one wanted to take their iPods apart to test their ideas iether. But I can understand that

 

[tomdavies]

iDrive

BMW already have iDrive as the user interface of their cars. Apple should have sued

The current interface is poor: http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20040315.html -- perhaps Apple could help with more than the audio?

 

[Dahl]

Good link, tomdavies.

A iPod player with a detachable inteface would be nice, not just for BMW's but all cars.

 

[MCCFR]

The sad thing being that BMW's use Windows Automotive for telematics and other things.

Still at least you'll be able to listen to music reliably, whilst your iDrive recovers from BSOD

 

[peterjhill]

I can almost guarantee that the BMW that we will see with an iPod dock will be the Mini. It makes sense. People who buy the Mini are people who would want an iPod. What I would like to see are some iPods that have Mini influenced designs. Racing stripes :-D

 

[daRAT]

The november issue of Car and Driver (I think, or Motor Trend), reviewed the new Ford GT 400, in the article they mentioned a high end "Macintosh" stereo system would be an option when the GT was due out (2005). I did a search for "Macintosh" car stereos, and got no hits.

 

[orion123]

The november issue of Car and Driver (I think, or Motor Trend), reviewed the new Ford GT 400, in the article they mentioned a high end "Macintosh" stereo system would be an option when the GT was due out (2005). I did a search for "Macintosh" car stereos, and got no hits.

They misspelled it. It's a high-end audio brand.

http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/

 

[fixyourthinking]

BMW here in Greenville SC

The BMW plant here in Greenville SC recently got a special section of Apple dedicated to them to get price discounts:

http://store.apple.com/AppleStore/WebObjects/BEPPStore?qprm=125726

My next door neighbor is head of the IT department there - he's asked me several times about iBooks for his work there. BMW recently made a contract with me to "upgrade" to Macs/Powerbooks.

I asked him and he said he thought it's going to be "A 2 Mini Options" promotion. iPod mini inside a BMW mini

http://www.bmwusa.com/About/Manufacturing.htm

 

[whooleytoo]

"Moving pictures. Moving sound. Moving the industry"

A video iPod in a "moving" car?

 

[Vector]

This is good news, but i wish they had just put a simple audio in port on the head unit in earlier cars. I have a 2002 325 and there is no good way to attatch my ipod without going to the back of the unit and having to cut a hole.

 

[Swinny]

... the added benefit of pre-dating Chris Bangle's design influence...

Lets leave Mr. Bangle out of this...he got one design very right indeed!

I've been hoping for the "in-built iPod slot" announcement for a while and makes a lot of sense to go for the high-end of the market...sounds very good to me.

 

[Juventuz]

They misspelled it. It's a high-end audio brand.

http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/

McIntosh makes some GREAT stuff, their designs aren't necessary my cup of tea but it's great stuff. Not to mention I live less than a mile from their labs.

 

[ShermDog]

BMW already has an auxillary audio input that they can install at the dealership. It's available on all BMW cars and Minis. This isn't iPod specific, but can be used with any portable device that uses a minijack. Here's a link (you can find it under the accessories section at bmwusa.com):

http://www.bmwusa.com/BMW2003/Templ...NT=Guest&dNav_loc=_root.c3.c325cicoupe.access

I have a feeling that they will simply add steering wheel control of the audio device, whether it be an iPod or any other portable audio device.

 

[spencecb]

This goes back to a post I had a while ago, and one that another has posted in this forum. I think it would be great if Apple and BMW teamed up...I just wish they would have done it before I bought my MINI this past May...an iPod mini in a MINI Cooper would be awesome. Somewhat like the New Beetle and New iPod promotion. Maybe the minis would be included in the MINI, and the larger capacity iPod's would be included in the BMW's...just a thought

 

[Trimix]

So what?

My '87 635CSi has iPod integration...

(...that I added on my own initiative.)

Nice car dude, good camera angle
Greetings

 

[joemama]

Question is what TYPE of interface for the iPod?

Really all that is needed is a Firewire-in port on the the headunit/dashboard and control buttons there too as well as on the steering wheel.

This would me simply AMAZING!

oh, and USB for those PC users...

 

[Trimix]

I feel that the comments regarding the suitability of the Mini are correct -
Mini and Apple, cult brands, - or how about the VW beetle ?
Anyhow whatever works for Apple is great - now there is a thought
Apple and the Yugo-fanclub