Hi Everyone. Glad to be a part of NAM!

If I'm posting this in the wrong place, please let me know. I searched "MINIConnect" and didn't seem to find a specific thread.

I LOVE my MINI. But this recent study about it taking just 2-seconds to get distracted has me concerned about the functionality and UI of the Head Unit.

I'm not being a hater by any means. But, I don't love MiniConnect. I posted a few of my thoughts on Friday and will post more all this week. Please let me know your thoughts as well. Thanks. http://goo.gl/HiOBx

 

Just like your Wife sitting next to you...you let it go in one ear and out the other!!

Sorry I couldn't resist!!

 

I "passed" on MINI Connected with my recent order of my MCS, but not due to the recent emphasis / media frenzy on distracted driving.

I'm so used to changing smartphones every xx months, so I might have either an Android or iPhone platform, and MINI just integrates with iOS (at the moment). That, and I just assume smartphone tech will keep advancing faster than BMW/MINI (and other mfrs) can incorporate new features. Working with it on the dealer's demo, I thought switching between Pandora, MOG, Google Maps, etc. and Connected apps was a little complicated, versus just switching between them on the device itself.

These devices can introduce distractions...on top of the screaming kids, dropped french fries, yelping puppies, errant tobacco embers, and others that already may be present. Plenty of opportunity to lose attention without some focus.

 

totally understand the cell phone thing. i'm pretty much a mac guy so I stick to the iPhone - which integrates pretty well. But...to your point...the system is complicated. Pandora and all these other things are awesome to have...but users have to be able to actually use them. I actually don't even use my nav anymore because it's so cumbersome. it's just easier to have a pin drop on the map on my phone!

I'll be posting another review tonight. if you think trying to use pandora was a pain...you should you try selecting a song as a favorite! it's a cool selling point - create a favorites list and the system will tell you when one of your favorites is playing; what it doesn't tell you is that it's a 15 step process which, by the time you complete it, the song may have ended!

BTW...you like the comfort access? I LOVE mine!

 

Can't really comment on the MINI Connected system as I don't have it. Probably would not order/buy a MINI today with it either. That said, I think a lot of the problem has to be pinned on drivers who just can't say no to their tech when driving whether it is built into the vehicle or separate.

I noticed that California is pushing April as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. As part of that, they have dubbed distracted drivers as "zombies".

 

Thanks for tipping me off to Distracted Driving Month. Now that you mention it, I actually saw one of the commercials - and laughed at it - but didn't realize it was promoting a month long awareness. Thanks!

 

In this THIRD INSTALLMENT, I plug in my iPhone and TRY to review the user flow. Plus, I navigate the traffic JUMP feature.

 

I ordered "Connect" just because I didn't like the look of the gaint speedo.
For me it's just a fancy radio.

 

+1

 

VERY funny. But I agree that I'd rather see the screen than the speedo. Just my personal pref!

 

I mostly ordered Mini Connected because with the packages I ordered it ended up being the same cost as adding the iPod/Bluetooth option. I do also prefer the look of it. As an added bonus I just found out that since I'll have the rear park assist and Mini Connected it displays the radar on the screen instead of just beeping at you. Pretty neat.

As far as it being a distraction I don't think it's worse than any other radio, GPS, phone, etc. Just be smart about it.