Mini connected

[iamjase]

Has anyone heard any more information on when it will be available to Australia?

Currently I cannot see it in the App store and last I spoke to the dealer where I am buying my car, they said it might not ever make it here!

[drewbles]

my dealer said it's likely to never make it to Australia and they were actually thinking of canning the entire thing world wide.

Shame, seems like a really neat function, even if for the web radio option alone!

(note that having the Mini Connected App on your iPhone isn't enough, you also need the software in your car).

[nazmulla]

I recently contacted MINI Australia about this issue as I really like the whole concept - as do friends of mine overseas who are happily using the feature in their MINI's. Unfortunately, Australia won't get mini connected because, as MINI Australia said to me -

"after considerable investigation in recent months, it has been determined that MINI Australia will not be able to offer MINI Connected in Australia in its current form. This is due to technical reasons which prohibit certain functionalities of MINI Connected being turned off while the car is in motion. As a consequence, it does not meet Australian Design Regulations and as such we are not permitted to offer this locally (similar to in dash TV not being allowed to show whilst vehicle is in motion etc). Should the functionality change in future to allow the introduction of MINI Connected into Australia we’ll be bringing it in so our market can enjoy the extended MINI connectivity."

As for it being canned worldwide, I think that speculation is false as the feature is proving popular in the markets in which it is available.

[drewbles]

Well that's great to get an official word back from them. Not so great that it'll be a) severely cut back and b) not out for who knows how long.

I'll blame the government, as i'm sure its their doing

[azenis]

Well that sucks. Time to jailbreak the Mini then. (actually, I need to buy one first)

[nazmulla]

Since it is just a software upgrade to a visual boost system, I wonder if some innovative hacker will come us with a 'jailbreak'! Mmmmmm - great suggestion, azenis!

I think it might be worthwhile petitioning the regulatory body to allow the feature into our MINI's. However, since we're such a small market, I doubt we would get enough signatories to make it worthwhile. These government regulations are sometimes just a little out of date.

[drewbles]

Quote: Originally Posted by azenis (original)

Well that sucks. Time to jailbreak the Mini then. (actually, I need to buy one first)

Have been thinking about this! It's just a software update via USB to the mini, then an App from the iTunes App store (only available with a US based account, but they're easy to get anywhere; I already have one).

Perhaps you just need to get friendly with the right people in Mini/BMW to get the software, then use the US based App

It doesn't hurt to dream I suppose!

[dsakko]

I think the eScooter concept is a sign of what's to come....

When you buy a car it comes with an adapter for iPhone x / iPad x / Win Phone 7 etc, and that's your full ICE display. Hooks into the CD player / stacker / speakers, and the hidden mic for hands free phone calls, and the car enables / disables features while in motion. Download the free app for the car and it integrates with all the onboard features etc.

I can honestly see this as the way its going. Especially as smart phones can pretty much do everything. Play video / music, make phone calls, run various apps, GPS etc.

[azenis]

Quote: Originally Posted by dsakko (original)

I think the eScooter concept is a sign of what's to come....

When you buy a car it comes with an adapter for iPhone x / iPad x / Win Phone 7 etc, and that's your full ICE display. Hooks into the CD player / stacker / speakers, and the hidden mic for hands free phone calls, and the car enables / disables features while in motion. Download the free app for the car and it integrates with all the onboard features etc.

VW did something not unlike this with iPads in the VW Bulli concept a few months back. (And I don't care what they say, it is not a Kombi!

[mjnewham]

Quote: Originally Posted by drewbles (original)

Have been thinking about this! It's just a software update via USB to the mini, then an App from the iTunes App store (only available with a US based account, but they're easy to get anywhere; I already have one).

Perhaps you just need to get friendly with the right people in Mini/BMW to get the software, then use the US based App

It doesn't hurt to dream I suppose!

Just having Mini Onnected retro-fitted today, you have to pay a deposit as the option they download from the BMW server is keyed to your chasis.

[mjnewham]

Good news!

.. George has been upgraded with Mini Connected, a successfully retro-fit ! Took about 2~3hrs to complete, maybe because it was their first one? But I know that firmware for multimedia and telephone needed to be upgraded prior to installing Connected.

.. I think the part # for Mini Connected is M65.90.2.219.124

.. any questions, just let me know!