[Anneka @ Sytner]

Introducing the BMW station for Apple iPhone™, the product will be available for the 1, current 3, X1 and X3 series (all without monitors) during Q1 2011.

To complement this new product there will also be an iPhone app available as a download from the Apple App Store, named BMW Link. As well as phone and music player functions, the app includes a fully integrated navigation function and selected BMW ConnectedDrive services such as news, weather, roadside assistance and Google Local Search. Expected availability from March 2011.



Also expected during Q1 2011...


- The BMW Car Hotspot
This innovative product will allow your vehicle to have it's own high-speed, secure WLAN hotspot which can be used on the move.


- The Holder for Apple iPad™
A clever, versatile holder for use in the car (see pictures below)




- BMW M Performance Range
As seen at the Paris Motorshow, BMW Performance Accessories for the M3.

[swanseahammer]

Looks interesting. Will the iPhone station work with a 2008 model 3 series (without nav)

[doughboy]

Does the ipad headrest holder have any other features or integration, or it is just a 'holder'?

[Anneka @ Sytner]

Originally Posted by swanseahammer

Looks interesting. Will the iPhone station work with a 2008 model 3 series (without nav)

I think so, seems to tick all the boxes so far. When it is officially launched send me your registration number and I will confirm.

We believe that there will be a different station for each phone so you'll need to know which one you have/want.
Other functions include iPhone charging and connection to the car’s audio system, built-in directional microphone which allows the iPhone to serve as a hands-free unit that mutes the radio during phone calls.
Similarly to the integrated portable navigations, the station fits in seamlessly into the vehicle with no visible leads.

Originally Posted by doughboy

Does the ipad headrest holder have any other features or integration, or it is just a 'holder'?

Just a holder I think, but it's been designed specifically so that it can be used in loads of different positions so that you can use the iPad to watch movies, read, play games etc. It can also be used outside of the car, on a table for instance. (The holder can't be used in cars with integrated seat such as the New 6 Series Convertible).


Going for both products would make quite a nice set up I think in a car that doesn't currently have much by way of entertainment. As it's Apple, we can assume that the BMW Link application will be continually develop to include even more functionality as technology develops.

[swanseahammer]

Thanks Anneka.

In the iPhone station, will it play music from the iPhone through the car stereo ansd also be able to control using the steering wheel controls.

[kaishang]

Having your phone in full view on the centre of the dash and routed through the car audio sounds like a disaster. What happens if your girlfriend rings up when your wife is in the car?

[Boyd1963]

Any idea what this will look like in a 3 Series? That dash looks nothing like mine.

[Anneka @ Sytner]

Unfortuantely I can't confirm if the music playback will work through the speakers, nor if the iPhone device will be controlled through the steering wheel controls yet.

No other pictures at the moment, sorry.

[M3-FAST]

Originally Posted by kaishang

Having your phone in full view on the centre of the dash and routed through the car audio sounds like a disaster. What happens if your girlfriend rings up when your wife is in the car?

[m@rk]

Is it only me that thinks both of those look like something you can get from china off eBay for about a fiver.

Looks really really cheap and after market.

[hmi1750]

Would be good to get phone integration like that for the E90, give me an aftermarket iDrive (without the control on the car, unless they write that into the software!)

[m@rk]

Originally Posted by hmi1750

Would be good to get phone integration like that for the E90, give me an aftermarket iDrive (without the control on the car, unless they write that into the software!)

It would be nice but seeing that all modern BMWs run on Windows, I suspect this would be easier said than done.

[Carrera RSR]

Originally Posted by m@rk

It would be nice but seeing that all modern BMWs run on Windows, I suspect this would be easier said than done.

At a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the
computer industry with the auto industry and stated, "If GM had kept up
with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving
$25.00 cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon."

In response to Bill's comments, General Motors issued a press release
stating: If GM had developed technology like Microsoft, we would all be
driving cars with the following characteristics (and I just love this
part):


1. For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash twice a day.

2. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to
buy a new car.

3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason. You
would have to pull to the side of the road, close all of the windows,
shut off the car, restart it, and reopen the windows before you could
continue. For some reason you would simply accept this.

4. Occasionally, executing a manoeuvre such as a left turn would cause
your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would
have to reinstall the engine.

5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable,
five times as fast and twice as easy to drive - but would run on only
five percent of the roads.

6. The oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights would all
be replaced by a single "This Car Has Performed An Illegal Operation"
warning light.

7. The airbag system would ask, "Are you sure?" before deploying.

8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out
and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door
handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.

9. Every time a new car was introduced car buyers would have to learn
how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate
in the same manner as the old car.

10. You'd have to press the "Start" button to turn the engine off.

[Cafe.Racer]

Originally Posted by Carrera RSR

10. You'd have to press the "Start" button to turn the engine off.

Some truth in it then?

[RagingKileak]

I was born with an iPad holder - my hands. Esp for the lazy fucker in the back. Merchandise gimmick garbage imho.

Matt

[Mackle]

I might be interested in the iStation (or whatever it's called) when it comes out, if it places the iPhone in a position where the screen is easily visible from the drivers seat and gives USB connectivity so that music can be played through it.

Hopefully the BMW Bluetooth can be used with this too.

[r1chy]

Quote:
Originally Posted by m@rk
It would be nice but seeing that all modern BMWs run on Windows, I suspect this would be easier said than done.

At a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the
computer industry with the auto industry and stated, "If GM had kept up
with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving
$25.00 cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon."

In response to Bill's comments, General Motors issued a press release
stating: If GM had developed technology like Microsoft, we would all be
driving cars with the following characteristics (and I just love this
part):


1. For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash twice a day.

2. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to
buy a new car.

3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason. You
would have to pull to the side of the road, close all of the windows,
shut off the car, restart it, and reopen the windows before you could
continue. For some reason you would simply accept this.

4. Occasionally, executing a manoeuvre such as a left turn would cause
your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would
have to reinstall the engine.

5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable,
five times as fast and twice as easy to drive - but would run on only
five percent of the roads.

6. The oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights would all
be replaced by a single "This Car Has Performed An Illegal Operation"
warning light.

7. The airbag system would ask, "Are you sure?" before deploying.

8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out
and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door
handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.

9. Every time a new car was introduced car buyers would have to learn
how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate
in the same manner as the old car.

10. You'd have to press the "Start" button to turn the engine off.

Awesome!

[Anneka @ Sytner]

Option 6NR

Availalable from March 2011 (on BMW 1 Series) this new option provides preparation for a vehicle to use iPhone applications in the vehicle Control Display, in combination with a compatible iPhone.
A new iPhone application 'BMW Connected', will be available free of charge via iTunes from the AppStore at the end of December. The new application is for use in conjunction with option 6NR.

BMW Connected application features:

Web radio
The user can receive and listen to internet radio stations from all over the world. Different search functions such as by genre, country or top stations, make finding a suitable radio station user friendly. When the iPhone is connected to the vehicle, Web radio appears in the Radio menu in iDrive.

Twitter / Facebook
The latest Twitter and Facebook status updates are displayed in the vehicle. The user can post pre-defined texts from the vehicle Control Display.

Audio Playback
Control of music playback using the Apple iPhone user interface on the vehicle Control Display.

Availability and pricing:
The first models to receive the new option will be E82/E88, as announced in the Product News bulletin ''The new BMW 1 Series Coupé and Convertible (E82 and E88) – March 2011' (PN-10-1-14277). The option price for E82/E88 is £130.00 including VAT.

iPhone connectivity:
Option 6NR is compatible with the iPhone 3GS and the iPhone 4. The iPhone requires a broadband connection (3G). Functionality could be impared when mobile network conditions are poor, or if the user has reached their data download limit (as per their phone contract). Any costs incurred through the connection are part of the users contract with the network operator.

The following optional equipment is also required to enable the ordering of option 6NR:
− Navigation system – BMW Professional Multimedia (option
609).
− Bluetooth telephone preparation with telematics (option 633).
− USB audio interface (option 6FL).
− Telephone USB audio interface (option 6NF).
− iPhone and the snap-in adaptor are not part of option 6NR.

[BeeEmmDubleYuu]

I would be interested if BMW had applications for Windows Mobile. Apple is of no interest to me (Sorry Apple fans). Are there any future plans to introduce applications?

[Anneka @ Sytner]

Not entirely sure to be honest, I wouldn't completely rule it out as if one smart phone is being integrated it will make sense that the technology exists to integrate other brands.

[giotecno]

BeeEmmDubleYuu, Unfortunately if you are refering to the new Windows Phone 7 platform, it's still in its infancy, I have a Omnia 7 on the new OS and its great, but few developers are on board on this, Being an IT professional, I can assure you it will take a few years for a Mobile OS to become widespread for manufacturers/programmers to take notice although Microsoft are pushing hard to get this rolling, when Apple Iphone IOS was first launched there was hardly any apps on there but look at it now its. Its not even an Operating system but has soo many apps for it. Enjoy.

[BeeEmmDubleYuu]

Originally Posted by giotecno

BeeEmmDubleYuu, Unfortunately if you are refering to the new Windows Phone 7 platform, it's still in its infancy, I have a Omnia 7 on the new OS and its great, but few developers are on board on this, Being an IT professional, I can assure you it will take a few years for a Mobile OS to become widespread for manufacturers/programmers to take notice although Microsoft are pushing hard to get this rolling, when Apple Iphone IOS was first launched there was hardly any apps on there but look at it now its. Its not even an Operating system but has soo many apps for it. Enjoy.

Thanks, i understand what your saying. Im a developer and we have invested in creating some applications for WP7 (not car related), i know it will take a while for everyone to jump in but if the option was there we could just develop certain apps in our spare time