iPod Your BMW Official

[JGowan]

The Logo has been fixed.

For those who watched the Europe iTunes Keynote, you know that Apple is working on a solution for some of the auto makers. He said:

"A third place is the automobile. Now this is a place where we've we haven't even taken the first step yet. We've got a bunch of contraptions that allow you to hook your ipod in your car. But we're working with several of the automotive companies and later on this year we hope to have some announcements to make it a lot easier to listen to music in your car."

I'm hoping Chrysler is one of 'em! My 300M would really love it!

Honestly, it seems to me that it should be fairly easy for those cars that have the ability to hook up a CD changer to the existing CD player. It might not include track information but to be able to control from your stereo or steering wheel would be great. The alpine thing is still an option I'm hoping to see work well.

:: fingers crossed ::

 

[rendezvouscp]

I can only imagine what kind of contraptions Apple has behind their doors. Ah. (Why am I in love with this company! Someone, help me!)
–Chase

 

[iMeowbot]

Icelink Question: Does the icelink provide for automatic recharging of the iPod?

Yes.

Playlist Question 2: Can you manually select a playlist on the ipod, then control tracks from the steering wheel?

This is how I use the icelink.

Mounting/Visibility: The whole point is to get the ipod out-of-the-way, and just use your bmw stereo console/steering-wheel controls. However, it would be nice to be able to mount it securely *within* the glovebox-- Even the self-recharging flashlight in the bmw-glovebox is nicely mounted; a similar and secure dock-like slot would've been slightly preferable.

That's a point in favor of hiding the iPod, but having the dock visible allows you to glance at the now playing stuff, chose from your full set of playlists, and so on. YOu can still toss the iPod into the console or glovebox when you park; with a nice dock installation it won't be particularly conspicuous.

 

[Dahl]

I knew I should of got a BMW over the Benz.

Apple should have gone with Benz.

 

[sfwalter]

Since they annouced this today (Monday), does this mean something is coming tomorrow (Tuesday) when Apple normally releases new stuff. Give me new displays tomorrow Apple.

 

[JGowan]

I can only imagine what kind of contraptions Apple has behind their doors. Ah. (Why am I in love with this company! Someone, help me!)–Chase

I think he's talking about the "a bunch of contraptions" as a negative. He's talking about the here-&-now contraptions such as "iTrip", "cassette adaptors", "mini-in cables"... nothing that represents a decent solution. I'm assumng that the best we can expect is the same type of solution that they came up with for BMW.

 

[toes]

pah ...

... BMW, Shmee Emm DubbleU ... my 2003 Honda Element (otherwise know as Elephant) has the audio line in and with the Belkin cigarette lighter socket adapter does everything you would need. The iPod can sit anywhere in reach and the controls work (better than with the half-baked radio controls where it won't tell you title or artist etc. (Just joking: BMW are nice cars, but I can't afford one and I have to say: this solution seems a little below BMW standard. Better than FM transmitter or tape adapter is about all I would concede).

 

[Dahl]

The glove box? You want me to hide my iPod in the glovebox?
Wait, let me move the flashlight and the owner's manual to make room...

They should have done something more like this. iPod front and center, glowing apple logo, LEDs just to make it look cool...

Beats the hell out of the glove box.

But you still have to move your hand to change a song.
The true benefit to the BMW iPod is that you control it with your thumb without moving yoour hand!!

I'm sure Apple to continue to work on these things, right now it is probably best for people who wants to use their iPod, but not give up their CD player.
Now, if BMW could design a optional slot under the standard CD player, so you can choose it or not. What probably would work.

 

[ethernet76]

Good enough

Last thing I want is some asshat watching his iPod display instead of the road. There still has to be something better than this.

 

[Dahl]

Actually a better optional control system built in the steering with a built in slot for the ipod in the glove box would probably be ideal.

 

[gothamac]

This site sucks

Something is messed up about this site

 

[rendezvouscp]

Something is messed up about this site

What site? This site? You aren't dissing this site are you?
–Chase

 

[rendezvouscp]

I think he's talking about the "a bunch of contraptions" as a negative. He's talking about the here-&-now contraptions such as "iTrip", "cassette adaptors", "mini-in cables"... nothing that represents a decent solution. I'm assumng that the best we can expect is the same type of solution that they came up with for BMW.

"A third place is the automobile. Now this is a place where we've we haven't even taken the first step yet. We've got a bunch of contraptions that allow you to hook your ipod in your car. But we're working with several of the automotive companies and later on this year we hope to have some announcements to make it a lot easier to listen to music in your car."

Your probably right (what you said makes sense), but what lead me to say that is that he said we in the sense of Apple in the last sentence. We isn't clear in the sentences before, but we is definitely Apple in the last sentence.
–Chase

 

[fatbarstard]

Now the glove-pod??

Ya gotta love the mix -hip US style from Apple meets brutal german efficiency from BMW.

Glove box is the idea location for an iPod because ya don't want to lose the damn thing under the seats. And I'm sure the controls on the steering wheel will improve if this product/idea takes off - of course you don't want some wally playing with his play lists while booting down the autobahn at 100 mph do you....

Now to see how quickly other car manufacturers start talking to Apple and how fast 3rd party developers start producing 'ipod in your bomb' kits for the rest of us... of course we could just use a Belkin FM transmitter and get what we want anyway... my 94 toyota doesn't have steering column radio controls... but it does have air!!

 

[mattmack]

In addition

Ya gotta love the mix -hip US style from Apple meets brutal german efficiency from BMW.

Glove box is the idea location for an iPod because ya don't want to lose the damn thing under the seats. And I'm sure the controls on the steering wheel will improve if this product/idea takes off - of course you don't want some wally playing with his play lists while booting down the autobahn at 100 mph do you....

I am not sure BMW would like putting any other logo front and center on the console. BMW's are known for their interior design and I don't think they will ever allow some other corporation to intrude on that design

 

[iChan]

I knew I should of got a BMW over the Benz.

man, apple must be doint things the VERY VERY right way when their iPod can almost dictate what car you buy!

 

[virividox]

i was expecting a dock of some sort not just a cable

 

[Sunrunner]

its a good thing, but.....

I think that its cool BMW is makig this option avaliable, but I think throwing your iPod in the glovebox sounds a little "low-rent". They should have done up a dock or something a bit more stylish at least....

 

[Chaszmyr]

Doesn't work with cars equipped with the navigation system.. that is totally stupid

 

[SWC]

This is really not an adequate solution, one has to reach over to plug the ipod in. Then it is not properly secured in. Once in, the user has no real control of the iPod, 5 playlists? What about all the other 40 GB+ music? A vague stab without the expected apple touch. Shame

If you had read the site you would see it said playlists or your ENTIRE library so theres your 40 GB+ of music. If you dont like it in your glove box run the cable somewhere more suitable for you its not required to be in there.

 

[Captain Canuck]

Way better than a CD changer!

I agree having the artist and song title be displayed on the head unit would be nice but really, do you need to see the info? I for one know what's on my iPod and even if you can't remember which playlist (1-5) you programed your i.e. Dick Dale Collection the first 30 seconds of the song should give you a clue.

Current BMW units don't display CD Text or play MP3 CDs now so this isn't much of a change. And, unless you've installed a non-factory CD changer, you can't play MP3 CDs in the changer either. Using an iPod as a CD changer lets you have way more tunes onboard and you can still use the single in-dash CD in conjuction with the iPod and control everything from the steering wheel. Pretty nice! As for compliants about it being in the glove box well...better than having it stuck in the trunk like the CD changer.

So for now this is a pretty good solution for the exsiting hardware. It would be nice to see something that's a little more thought out but I think that's still down the road.

 

[SWC]

Apple should have gone with Benz.

Speaking from a completely stereotypical point of view i would say a large portion of Apple users drive BMW/Audi/VW/MINI over benz or lexus or most other luxury cars. Like much else there are exceptions to the rule but from a quantity point of view i think bmw is a better solution.

 

[rendezvouscp]

While not neccessary for the average user, it would be nice if Apple made an extension cord for the iPod. Then it wouldn't have to be in the glovebox (but I think that is a good idea).
–Chase

 

[Zoboomafoo]

This is really not an adequate solution, one has to reach over to plug the ipod in. Then it is not properly secured in. Once in, the user has no real control of the iPod, 5 playlists? What about all the other 40 GB+ music? A vague stab without the expected apple touch. Shame

i disagree. i think this is the perfect place for it. i'm not a car designer (tho i have started to develop an interest), but i think apple/bmw did the right thing here. and it IS in tune with apple's design tastes in particular.

cars are in most ways very busy. so many buttons all over the place. this is totally out of the way. ipod in the glove box is very much a "set it and forget it" solution.

why should you have the ipod out in the open when you're running it from the wheel? seems like senseless redundancy and that's not what apple's about.

yea, would be nice to keep it 'secured' but that's not apples doing. (and we can't say for sure from one pic if that IS the case)

i've wanted a mini for a long time. just makes me that more interested.

 

[geeman]

Couldn't agree more

Doesn't work with cars equipped with the navigation system.. that is totally stupid

My 3 series has the 16:9 TV navigation system, Harmon Kardon speaker upgrade...and I can't fit this adaptor? That's crazy.

Looks like my (inelegant) solution is BMW's $40 "auxillary input" (3.5mm socket) that they fix in the glovebox, plus that $50 Infra red remote control that you can buy from
here

At $90 or so all-in, that works out cheaper than the "iPod Your BMW" solution. However, does anyone know whether adding the "auxillary sound input" keeps the CD changer working? I was under the impression that it was simply an additional sound input. But if that was the case, why doesn't the BMW/iPod thing work in the same way???