[Jason]

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Details and Videos: BMW Apps (6NR) - Extended iPhone Connectivity

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** The BMW Apps (6NR) option will be available on BMW models beginning with March 2011 production.

BMW offers new interface for extended iPhone connectivity.The special option Apps.

* 23.02.2011
* Press Release

Munich. For the first time following the launch of MINI Connected, the BMW Group is now also offering select iPhone applications for integrated use in a BMW. This capability sees the already extensive range of BMW ConnectedDrive features enhanced by a function hitherto unmatched by the competition. With this offer, BMW is once again underlining its leadership role in the field of in-car integration technology. The new option is designed to improve the integration of the Apple iPhone in the car and will be available from March 2011. The special option will cost €150.

BMW Connected app: listen to web radio, send and receive Facebook and Twitter posts.

With the BMW Connected app, functions such as web radio, Facebook and Twitter can be shown on the car’s display and be operated by means of the iDrive Controller. In addition to the new special option Apps, the requirements for this function are Bluetooth connectivity and the Navigation system Professional (both special options), as well as an iPhone with the BMW Connected app, which can be downloaded free of charge in the Apple App Store. If the iPhone is connected to the car via the USB socket or snap-in adapter, the content of the BMW Connected app appears on the display, which is ideally positioned in the driver’s line of vision. This means drivers can leave their iPhone in the holder and keep up with personal Facebook or Twitter posts in comfort and safety via the large vehicle display. Using preformulated text modules, which can be individually defined and stored in the iPhone app, the app can also be used to call up vehicle information such as current speed, outside temperature or navigation destination, enabling the driver to reply to new posts and messages from the car at any time.

As with Facebook and Twitter, the web radio feature can also be operated via the Navigation display using the iDrive Controller. It means that vehicle occupants have access to thousands of internet radio stations around the world, irrespective of the car’s location. As with the iPhone, music station searches can be carried out via a wide range of search parameters such as genre, country or local stations. Stored favourite stations can also be called up.

Whereas Facebook and Twitter can only be accessed inside the vehicle, the web radio feature of the BMW Connected App is also available on the iPhone beyond the confines of the car.

In addition to allowing the use of the BMW Connected app, this interface also opens up the possibility of using future applications in the vehicle which have been adapted in collaboration with BMW. As such the Apps interface only marks the beginning of extended iPhone integration through BMW ConnectedDrive. Further functions and apps will follow at regular intervals and will be available for download from the App Store to customers who have opted for the special option Apps and the related interface.

PlugIn: simple operation of the iPhone’s iPod function in the car.

As well as permitting the integration of apps, the new interface offers a further in-car entertainment function known as PlugIn. This allows the operation of functions via the familiar Apple iPod user interface that appears in the car’s display. Since the PlugIn feature gives the car direct access to the iPod functions of the iPhone, BMW owners can also avail themselves of all the extended options in the car. These include, for example, Genius playlists that allow the driver to automatically generate mixes of similar tracks from the music catalogue. All stored playlists are shown with their original album cover art – just as they would be on an iPhone or iPod. Here, once again, BMW is affirming its leadership role in the field of infotainment.

As the software for the various BMW ConnectedDrive options is in the user’s iPhone, regular updates can extend and adapt these functions, thereby guaranteeing the long-term use of current and future iPhone functions. It marks a new era in the integration of consumer electronics in the car. The requirement for this comprehensive integration is a snap-in adapter.

Video playback: vodcasts in the car as well.

Last but not least, the new Apps interface also allows video podcasts from the iPhone’s iPod function to be played and watched on the in-car display – when the vehicle is stationary.


UPDATE:
Thorough demonstration by the senior engineer of the BMW Technology Group of the newest ConnectedDrive feature BMW Apps, featuring integrated Web Radio, Facebook, Twitter, iPod, Pandora functions.

And here is a video demonstration by Damon Lavrinc at Autoblog, showing off the Pandora and Web Radio functions. His comments follow the video below.

Originally Posted by Damon Lavrinc

via http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/20/v...onnecteddrive/

Anyone familiar with an iPod will instantly recognize the music control screen, which comes complete with album art, playlist, artist and genre searches, all accessed through an easy-to-use interface controlled through the iDrive knob. Interestingly, all the rendering is done on the iPhone, with the screen simply acting as an external display.

The Pandora integration is just as trick, allowing you to scroll through and select a channel, give tracks the thumbs up or down, save a song to your favorites, skip a track or create a new channel by searching for an artist or genre. Again, all of this is powered directly through the iPhone, using the data connection to pull in the tracks. And if you're hankering to listen to your old college radio station that's 2,000 miles away, the web radio app allows you to stream the station no matter where you are on the planet.

BMW calls its Facebook and Twitter integration "Automotive Grade," which is a nice way of saying "minimalist." And as it should be. The primary function is less about reading status messages and updates, and more about sending a quick, pre-programmed post on the go. The system can pull in hundreds of data points from the vehicle and navigation system, allowing you to update your status with location information, weather and a host of other data. Want to let your friends know when you'll be at the restaurant? The app can pull in your location and destination from the sat-nav and post an update saying you'll be there in 15 minutes. And if the pre-packaged responses aren't up to snuff, once you unhook the phone from the cradle, you can create your own canned responses and updates directly in the app, which also keeps track of vehicle mileage, service data and a handful of other useful bits of information.

When asked about future apps and possible partners, BMW says it's in talks with several other companies, many of whom have approached the automaker to port their programs into the system. That could mean that apps like OpenTable (restaurant reservations) and Fandango (movie times and ticketing) are just around the corner, and with Mini recently bringing MOG music streaming to its customers, integration with BMWs should be coming soon.

Some screenshots:

[Crimson92]

missed the 6nr option by a month apparently.

i wonder if it could be added in through software upgrade

[ksoze]

No retro fit according to BMW NA (read last highlighted sentence):

[scott@bmwhn]

BMW apps seems pretty cool but I look forward to seeing what 3rd party apps come to market in the future.

Originally Posted by Crimson92

missed the 6nr option by a month apparently.

i wonder if it could be added in through software upgrade

According BMW this can't be retrofitted. (of course they say the same about CIC and Combox)

[Greenkirby21]

what ever happened to that shell where you can place your iphone in it and it becomes a mini idrive with nav

[Windjammer]

Originally Posted by ksoze

No retro fit according to BMW NA (read last highlighted sentence):

That PDF brochure says "March 2010" and "April 2010." Are those mistakes? and should say "... 2011?"

...or are they saying that my car, built in June 2010, and doesn't have the "Office" capability will work with 6NR?

[BKMK5]

I missed it by 2 weeks. My M is supposedly in production now. I am awaiting a call from my CA today.

[kdiz]

I can't help but think this will end up like when they had phones in cars years ago. 5 years from now I could see new iphone versions coming out that wont even be supported....

Either way won't be a problem in the UK as almost every used e92 for sale doesn't have iPod connectivity. I don't think iv seen a single e92 with it out of about 40 cars lol.

[wmo168]

It is USELESS if it does not support Multi-Language on the display for the iphone Music, Album, Twitter, Facebook contents.

Can anyone clarify from BMW?

It is sad that the current iDrive does not display Album Names in uni-code..

See screen shot

[PKL]

Just took delivery of my car and I seem to be in the minority of people who could care less about this feature. I use Facebook and twitter often but don't need them on my nav screen. And I could care less about Pandora, I have an iPod.

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Don't have an iPhone. Worthless for me.

[nusevad]

facebook and twitter on idrive, wow great new ways to be even more distracted while driving.

[Remonster]

Originally Posted by FifthStreetz

facebook and twitter on idrive, wow great new ways to be even more distracted while driving.

trying to control your music through iDrive is already more distracting and slower than just using the iPhone itself. We have iDrive with iPod on our F10 and I always use the 3.5mm headphone jack instead. Glad I didn't spend the extra money on my E82 for iDrive or iPod but I'm glad they're working to improve the features and hopefully the speed of the system.

I had an Alpine head unit in my E36 with "full speed" iPod connectivity and even that was laggier than using the iPod itself with a headphone jack.

[grandmoff]

I only want Pandora integrated. Could not care less about the Social Media apps. If they didn't plan ahead such that they could retrofit this that is pretty lame. Assuming they charge for these 'apps' + the upgrade they are missing out on revenue. I am happy with my current setup though so, whatever. I am just going to pick up a short cable so I can play Pandora through the Aux.

[Professor///M]

I just wanted coverflow...

Oh well. Just another electrical problem to potentially go wrong.

[ferrari6891]

wow thats not dangerous at all or anything...nothing we need more than teenage girls tweeting about their new bmw from their bmw

[Crazy Bimmer]

Hey BMW, improve driving dynamics first!

[BMWPower06]

They better be working on an Android app...I for one refuse to buy any apple products

[bmwdinamo]

Originally Posted by BMWPower06

They better be working on an Android app...I for one refuse to buy any apple products

New iPad and MacBook in 9 days!

[Diver]

Looks like it only works with Nav.

[GGPlena]

Originally Posted by BMWPower06

They better be working on an Android app...I for one refuse to buy any apple products

x2 I hope that BMWs solution is not dependent on iPhone/Apple. I don't care so much about Facebook/Twitter etc. But the possibilities this type of integration opens up is fabulous.

The problem here is that BMW has identified the Apple/iPhone brand (and rightly so) of being high-end market leader (as BMW consider them self to be).

Android is great and fun but the devices don't carry that solid look and feel of the iPhone/iPad plus the segment is to fragmented for a company like BMW to keep phase with.

If I have to I'll buy an iPhone and leave it in the car (and do some magic SIM/Telco) to switch between my Android or WP7 device (which is uber cool).

Apple is pure evil...

[.:bHd:.]

cool check your twitter while driving. Nothing wrong with that