Opened up mini connected on my phone ( out of the car) did not realize you needed minimalism selected to get news, twitter, Facebook, google & google send to car.
Just changed the profile from driving excitement to minimalism and see what happens.
Latest mini connected version shows 2.2.0 (8023).

 

I found the Mini Connected Owner's Handbook (PDF file). It is located under the Mini Connected tab at

http://www.mini.com/connectivity/

It is worth reading because there are some limitations on the application combinations. There is also a Mini Press Release somewhere (Motoringfile) explaining this limitation.

Also the last entry in the FAQ (another tab) regarding the PlugIn not available in the Snap-In-Adapter is interesting and I wonder if it is correct?
<LI class=subtopic>What is required for the feature MINI Connected PlugIn?
For PlugIn a MINI with the option SA6NM (MINI Connected) and additionally SA6NE (Bluetooth mobile preparation with USB Audio Interface), the video/audio adapter cable for Apple iPod/iPhone and an iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S or iPod touch (second and third generation) with at least iOS 4.2.1 are required.
PlugIn can only be used via the MINI USB port, not via the Snap-In-Adapter.

 

Very interesting read... Somewhat confusing... Especially plug-in via cable only, no cradle? Makes spending $265 and change even more difficult & pretty much insane Thanks VColi....for the find

 

Not to change topics.... Looks like I'll be dealing with this as well.
http://www.motoringfile.com/2012/01/...fecting-79000/

 

Flyer53, You may want to file your cradle problem in the Support Tab of the Mini Connected Tab at:

http://www.mini.com/connectivity/

Mini might surprize us all and give you a quality response.

I don't know why the Plugin is only supported via the USB/Video cable. It might be interesting if someone with a Cradle/iPhone combination that works can confirm if this is true (No Plugin via crable/Yes Plugin via cable).

I am still new to all of this, but I do not see the value in Plugin anyway. Mini tries to replicate the iPod interface using the joy stick, but it's not the same without a Touch screen and kind of dangerous while driving. Besides you can play Music/display Artwork without the Plugin and you cannot (I believe) use Navigation while in Plugin mode. Also I assume you will receive calls, but I do not beleive you can place calls while in Plugin. There must be a pretty hard mode switch in there somewhere. Maybe Mini has a bigger plan for Plugin and this is just the first step.

Just my opinion.

Vince

 

I actually filed a question/complaint a week or so ago within connected to that regard.
Obviously since then I've determined an issue either with either my cradle and or armrest
wiring, but in both instances "Plug-in not compatible". I've kept files of all the cradles and the issues with them. I'm pretty sure plug-in worked on a few of those, most likely w/o
video and or display art. Of course that was before IOS5!
I appreciate all your thoughts, suggestions and comments! Now if Mini USA/Connected could give us some feedback.....
Think I'll forward this entire thread to my SA. They've found past comments on here interesting, informative and positive.

 

I spent more time with the Plugin mode (with iPod Touch 4/iOS 5 connected through the USB/Video Cable, running the Mini Connected App, 08.11 Production Countryman with Connected/Navigation) and I need to correct some things from my previous post.

It turns out you can use Navigation and Receive/Place Calls while in the Plugin Mode (this is good). I think if you change to Radio or CD/Multimedia it will switch out of the Plugin mode, which is fair.

Also the Mini Joystick does do a good job replicating Home Button on the iPod Touch and the Home and Toggle buttons on your Mini (those buttons next to the Joystick) replicate the Left and Right navigation arrows (context sensitive) on the iPod Touch screen. So Mini did a good job replicating the iPod interface. Also there are some nice enhancements that I am discovering like scrolling through the alphabet if you have many albums.

It would be interesting to know if Plugin is available using an iPhone 4 in the cradle.

Vince

 

So far I can confirm…it's not! Everything else works just marvelously

 

Flyer53, This is great news! In the end, what was the problem with your cradle? Was it a mechanical/connection problem?

Also what works and what does not with the iPhone in the Cradle?

I would not worry too much about Plugin. I think the other path to play streaming music on your phone through CD/Multimedia works just fine. I just felt guilty having knocked it before I really understood how it works.

 

Seems no problem with this cradle…At this point it's the wiring from the base in the armrest which the cradle snaps in to in which the I phone4 sits in. Wires loose, crimped
not sure. Looking to take sometime Saturday and probe around, if nothing then service is aware of it..will take it from there. I have found nothing other than "Plug-in not compatible" issue. I have google, search google, Facebook, rec. and make calls via the phonebook with in the phone. And as you mentioned in the external devices my I phone is clearly noted and connected via USB…not bluetooth. Not sure about your music..but my tunes sound sooooo much better through the phone connected vs via bluetooth.
Shows all album art while in that mode. Have not tried music videos when parked and E brake engaged…not a biggie either way. I'm still waiting for full features of Office…appointments, emails, calendars…etc..hopefully soon. So other than having the armrest in the upmost position..vertical…everythings…if fine.

 

This is great news. Funny that wires are easier to fix than software.

Just to be precise (since there are so many misconceptions) my Plugin testing has been through the USB port. I have never streamed music through Bluetooth. I suspect the quality would be lower and no album covers. Also I am very sure Plugin is not available through Bluetooth (although maybe someone should verify that).

Vince

 

I'm pretty sure it's not a bluetooth feature…only thru phone via the cradle which so far hasn't worked or the thru the provided Y cable…which has been I while since I've used..I'll give it a go later.

 

Flyer53

Is the cradle working now? Any comments regarding functionality vs. the Y cable or Bluetooth?

Is the fan effective or noisy?

 

I have an appointment a week from today for service to look at the armrest issue.
So far nothing in stock or on the lot that has same set up as mine. Recently have had 2 separate loaners, both 2012's w/o armrests. Other than the need to keep my armrest up/vertical for I phone & cradle to be functional. It does allow me to keep a movable cup holder on the rail and when the armrest is up, it accommodates my java cup much better than those mounted in the center concole.
The only thing noticeable between the plugin with Y cable vs getting the "not compatible" message when the cradle is snapped in, is your always connected. In certain modes while pluged-in with Y cable you would loose that connection when going to Bluetooth or visa Vera. Don't remember the exact sequence but you get a message on the screen stating something about needing to reset your bluetooth audio. So if that happens, and you unplug from your Y cable, leave your vehicle, return and opt not to connect to the Y cable you have to go to the phone screen, find your I phone and recheck audio before you can stream music via Bluetooth. This does not happen when using the cradle. It's not a big deal but when you get back in your vehicle and opt not to use the Y cable for what ever reason, you do have to re-set up your blutooth on your phone prior to listening to music via your I phone/I pod. Music via bluetooth is good, but connected I find it more defined at least in the H/K setup. Have had no issues as far as over heating or heat at all. The fan noise is unnoticeable, might be due to the armrest being vertical. My I phone is wrapped in a shield guard (filmed front,back and sides) and the only thing I noticed is when the phone is snapped in the cradle, there is a button (size of an erase head) that gets depressed as the phone snaps in, must activate the fan. That has left a slight mark... In the film not the phone. I do see more signal strength when in the cradle as well

 

That's interesting. I know that there are no pins on the iPhone connector for an external antenna connection, so perhaps it is because it is up higher in the cockpit???

 

Possible…I have pretty good service either way…but sure does add another bar to the stack...

 

So it looks like there are two minor product limitations i the cradle:
1. The handoff between the Y Cable and Bluetooth for streaming music requires the phone to be reset (but not between the Cradle and Bluetooth).
2. Pugin (the last section in the Mini Connected menu) is only available via the Y Cable and not available via the Cradle or Bluetooth. Streaming music with cover artwork is available via the Other Input Choice in the CD/Multimedia (then select USB, Cradle, or Bluetooth). In fairness this is consistent with Mini documentation.

Of course Office is currently not available in any form.

Regarding the antenna, both Mini and BMW marketing materials for the iPhone cradle say ‘The cradle allows … to take advantage of the full might of the vehicles antenna.” This statement and the roof antenna make me think they found a way.

Most (all?)) 3G phones no longer have the external antenna jacks as was common in cell phones >3 years ago. Also the Dock connector cannot support a coaxial cable, required for an antenna (note the connector in your armrest has two coaxial connectors). But there are two other options:
1. A Repeater -- Essentially create a mini cell tower site inside of your car which receives and rebroadcasts your iPhone transmissions/receptions at the full legal power. This is a common setup for homes and businesses in which you get poor cellphone reception.
2. Patch Antenna – Kind of like the old back window-mounted cellphone antenna in which the signal passes through glass. In this case there would be a passive connection (the Patch Antenna) between your phone and the wire leading to the roof antenna.

My guess is Mini uses the 2nd approach in which a Patch Antenna is designed into the cradle. I read the stainless steel band running around the iPhone 4/4s are the antennas. The right and top/bottom sections of the trim is the cellular antenna and the left section is the WiFi/Bluetooth/GPS antenna, but the back of the iPhone is plastic. The Patch Antenna (essentially in the cradle) could make a passive connection to your iPhone through the back and capture most (70%) of the radiated signal.

Then again I could be completely wrong. Any comments/corrections are welcome.

 

VColi, Quick question..When releasing the I phone from it's cradle…. Pressing the silver
tab on top of cradle..does yours actually release/pop up ? Mine does not and at times is inconvenient to hold that tab down and work the I Phone out. Mine is going to service later this week for the Armrest issue. I may have them swap it out for another cradle..if in deed pressing the tab releases yours as well as pops it up. I know with out the I Phone in the cradle..pushing that tab releases the cradle itself from the base in the armrest.
Thanks in advance..Fred

 

Fred,

I don't have the Cradle yet. One of the vendors on this site said he wants to run a special. So I wanted to wait a bit and see.

Regarding your question, do you have a film or some kind of skin on your phone? A slgiht change in dimension could cause something like this.

I am sure there are others out these who could comment.

Vince

 

Actually, I do (Armor Ghost) excellent product!. And I did think of that as well. Was hoping someone w/o any protectant film could comment before tearing it off.
Thanks…When you do get one..let me know how it works out for you.

 

Picked up my Countryman this evening…everything I was concerned with was corrected and then some. Turned out it was not the cradle as fisrt thought, then with the armrest with base and wiring. Overnighted a new armrest, replaced it free of charge and it now works no matter what position the armrest is in, as it should. While in service they did replace front pads and sensors, performed the Water Pump recall. I also asked them to look into the hesitation/stumble I get at times especially when cold, not as bad as some others have posted but enough to get irritated at times. They did perform a software update and now she runs sweet…Maybe I gain a little in MPG as some have mentioned after their updates. Happy Mini Motorer…again

 

I had mine in for the water pump and front brake check this past Saturday. I didn't notice anything about a software update. Did you request this, or did they include it with the routine vehicle inspection?

 

I heard there was a correction out in regards to the stumble/hesitation.
I asked them to look into it and they called, confirmed and did the update.
When they do updates, it's specific to that bulletin but i believe it effects all software in the vehicle as it took several hours. I can get you that bulletin later if you'd like, it's at the office.

 

Can you please post the service bulletin?

Dr

 

Here you go: Bulletin - SI M12 02 11