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BMW to Support New 'iPod Out' Feature in iOS 4
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Let's get WiFi syncing between iTunes and iPods first! Then we'll branch out into parked cars into garages...
But the point is it's the iPod's UI, not the head manufacturer's UI. I know you don't get the coverflow etc now, but the point is if car manufacturers pick up on this standard then the ball's in Apple's court for future development of the UI. This article isn't about what the UI looks like, the big story is where it's being served from.
Still, it's an Apple GUI in The Ultimate Driving Machine, so pretty cool. Idealy yes you would have Spotify or Pandora support.
Mitsubishi Outlander
I have a fully loaded Mitsubishi Outlander which has built-in GPS navigation and even its own 30 or 40 GB Music Server. However, I prefer to use my iPhone for listening to music since it has an audio-in cable (accessed without any installation via the mid-seat console).
My #1 complaint though is not having the ability to control the iPhone via the Navigation system (which also includes all sorts of extras such as gas mileage, altitude, trip info, temperature, calendar, maintenance history, etc).
Therefore, it sure would be nice to see if Mitsubishi will add this feature to not only their new models, but in the DVD update for backwards compatibility. Right now, I am able to control only the volume from the steering wheel or navigation, but am not able to advance to the next song, etc. It would also be nice to see the iPod (app on iPhone) music list, ... even cooler -- the Cover Flow, etc.
I have a fully loaded Mitsubishi Outlander which has built-in GPS navigation and even its own 30 or 40 GB Music Server. However, I prefer to use my iPhone for listening to music since it has an audio-in cable (accessed without any installation via the mid-seat console).
My #1 complaint though is not having the ability to control the iPhone via the Navigation system (which also includes all sorts of extras such as gas mileage, altitude, trip info, temperature, calendar, maintenance history, etc).
Therefore, it sure would be nice to see if Mitsubishi will add this feature to not only their new models, but in the DVD update for backwards compatibility. Right now, I am able to control only the volume from the steering wheel or navigation, but am not able to advance to the next song, etc. It would also be nice to see the iPod (app on iPhone) music list, ... even cooler -- the Cover Flow, etc.
I'm looking to replace my 10 years old 3-series in the next one or two years, but the amount of electronics in those new cars scares me. I find screens in cars overrated. They try to justify them any way possible. How come you have to use it even to set the temperature when a simple lever used to be enough.. Still, Apple UI simplicity is something I welcome in my car.
But if the connection is only by the audio cable, then there's no way for that to be adapted to be able to actually control the iPod without hardware changes which would involve some major re-wiring of the vehicle and even then would only give you the ability to skip forwards or backwards through tracks like you can with the Apple remote on their headphones. The audio interface is a 'dumb' connection; to properly communicate with the iPod/iPhone the vehicle would need to interface directly with the Apple connector and that needs both software and hardware support in the vehicle.
I would say it would depend on the company making the head unit...obviously they would first have to make the screen touch capable.
After that I don't think the iPhone knows or cares how selections are made...how would it know the input is received via physical buttons or touches? What I wouldn't expect is any multitouch/gesture support. Or things like the rubber band effect and speed sensitive scrolling. But I imagine a manufacturer could implement simple touch to click support.
What about Slacker, Pandora, WunderRadio, etc?
My thoughts exactly. This new BMW-iPod control is slick, but not good enough to use. I spend half my time in my car listening to Slacker Radio (similar to Pandora + Sirius/XM) and WunderRadio (plays real internet stations). I'd rather stick with a headphone jack plug in so I can access all these apps from my iPhone than give up every app but iPod.
My thoughts exactly. This new BMW-iPod control is slick, but not good enough to use. I spend half my time in my car listening to Slacker Radio (similar to Pandora + Sirius/XM) and WunderRadio (plays real internet stations). I'd rather stick with a headphone jack plug in so I can access all these apps from my iPhone than give up every app but iPod.
Audio and Video
The Mitsubishi Outlander has wires for both video (yellow) and audio (red and white). So, the audio comes from iPod into console and perhaps the iOS Out will work via "video" channel as data. DVDs are playable doing this.
The Mitsubishi Outlander has wires for both video (yellow) and audio (red and white). So, the audio comes from iPod into console and perhaps the iOS Out will work via "video" channel as data. DVDs are playable doing this.