So Apple will be releasing iOS5 late summer early fall. Part of that release will be the availability of album art/cover images via bluetooth. Depending if that's directed for the I phone 5 only or also an update for us 4 users, the cradle or need to be connected may become extinct. Of course those looking for mini connected, google, Facebook etc. will still look for that. Once office is up and working...emails and such then I'd have interest. Will be interesting to see what hits the market first... The correct cradle or the operating system?

 

Any word on when office will be available?

 

No, none at all. But I hope soon as I look forward to it!

 

Rumor is no iPhone 5 this year, the release in October will be an iPhone 4S, minor refresh like the 3GS. iPhone 5 will be out next year complete redesign, with 4G ability.

 

iOS 5 will work on the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPod touch 3rd and 4th gen, and iPad 1 and 2.

 

The jury is still out regarding the iPhone 5 release. Pundits are all over the map with their speculation and Apple haven't tipped their hat, so I think forecasting a release date is a crapshoot.

However, we know iOS 5 is coming soon and will work on the 4 and the 3GS, so the remaining concern would seem to be the phone chassis and it's compatibility with snap in devices (not that working versions of these are actually available, mind you).

I suppose we'll be in the same boat after the iPhone 5 releases: works with the y-adapter but not the snap in cradle!

 

Agreed. Pundits don't have a clear picture yet on whether Apple is coming out with one phone or two. Recent signs do point to October although they may still announce in September. iOS 5 will be released round about the same time, although I'm interested to see if there are any bugs for auto integration (iOS4 did have some initially). Since iOS5 beta has been out for a while, I'd think someone would have said something if auto integration was a problem.

As for album art over bluetooth, it's a nice feature but if MINI Connect isn't expecting it (without a software update), then it's kinda moot. Does it already work with other platforms (Android)?

 

I'm running iOS5 beta 2 on my iPhone 4. I have MINI Connected and so far, so good. No bugs with the MINI Connected App, Pandora or streaming the iPhone music and videos. I can't wait for the official release!

 

That's nice. How's Dynamic Music, Mission Control, Minialism, and Local Search working for you? Also - are you Cradle, Cable, and/or pre-March?

Sealy - Who wants all the details.

 

By your sig, it looks like your production was post-March. Please let us know your connection method and how the features are working that Sealy has mentioned.

Thanks

 

Some interesting speculation from DigiTimes and Boy Genius Report:

iPhone5/4S Speculation


Interesting to me are the last 8 words of the article: "packed in the same case as the iPhone 4".

 

Right now, I don't have the armrest dock. And yes, I am post-March.

My iPhone is connected to the obtrusive cradle that sits under the parking brake. So, I haven't been able to test out the Mission Control or Minimalism because it still requires the dock in the armrest. Dynamic Music works great!

What I've been using so far:
- Google Send To Car (works great!)
- Google Search (again, works as intended)
- Newsfeed (Works great! Reads the headlines for me while I'm driving)
- Facebook (Works perfectly! I even see the photos of my Facebook friends...)
- Twitter (Works great! I need to customize my tweets...)
- Pandora (It's a good option, but I have the free Sirius XM for a year, so I tend not to use it.)
- Video playback works well! Though there's a lag in loading the titles when I access the iPhone Playlists.
- Music Playlists show the correct Album cover art.
- Office. I'm able to access and edit my contacts from my phone.

So, I'm just missing Minimalism and Mission Control. I don't really mind at all considering I have to add a $200 dock to access two features I don't intend on using.

The iPhone 4 running iOS5 works brilliantly! I was considering purchase of the iPhone 5, but I don't need it now knowing that the 4 w/iOS5 is feature-friendly with the MINI Connected System. I'm guessing that the next beta will come out in early August, so I'm hoping all the iOS5 features will be active at that point... (Right now, FaceTime is disabled last I checked...)

One last thing that I find very cool: with the implementation of the iCloud service, I'm able to re-download all my purchased music easily. So, if I'm on a road trip and was craving for the Verve's Bittersweet Symphony. I just re-download it and it's playing on my MINI... My whole music library available at a push of a button! Totally worth it!

 

Looks like the iOS 5 release is on-target for September. And now, AT&T seem to be getting prepared for the next iPhone device to hit consumers on October 4th.

More Speculation.

 

Interesting…I have been following the same read. Perhaps Mini and it's cradle development is waiting for # 5 as it will be a different style/fit for sure. All of this..just proves that there needs to be some type of universal cradle (if that's possible).
Mini should of worked on a better cable arrangement…longer and perhaps a plugin at the lower toggles and away from the rail area and not entice us with a cradle/armrest option….or was that not an option ? It's been soooo long since that cold November day.

 

Randym…in Office…editing contacts works as mentioned…I think it's still missing the availability of reading emails, appointments, etc. Not sure if thats a cradle issue or just an update through the I phone, Mini or both but it sure would be nice to see it working.

 

That will be an update through Apple... the Bluetooth Stack needs to support the transfer of SMS and mail.
I'm doubtful Apple will provide that in the next release, but you never know....
I'm a huge Apple fan, but they frustrate me with their 'we know what you need more that you know what you need' attitude... actually Apple should get along well with MINI & BMW in that respect

 

I agree, but funny because Mini/BMW opted to work with Apple more than any other Manufacturer.

 

FWIW, talking about IOS5 is violation of NDA. But though your Beta 2 works, the latest developer seed kills Pandora and mini Connected through the armrest insert. It used to work. It is now useless. I am sure the good folks at BMW know this and are working on it. I am also hoping they provide FW updates for the connected and the armrest cradle, as there is reliability issues, even with my wife's iPhone 4, and 4.3.x IOS release.

 

jeffmc…i'm using the mini supplied Y cable. Not much of a Facebook user..but I did try to log on..is there a catch ? I have the Facebook app and all I do is open that and I'm connected. But to use it through mini connected..it asks me to log on using my device, when I go to safari and try to log on..then it kicks me out of mini connected and visa versa. Any pointers ?
Thanks,
Fred

 

I don't understand. Why are you using the Facbook app? The only two apps that talk to Mini Connected are Pandora and Mini Connect. The Facebook app doesn't.

Jeff

P.S. I hear the MOG app is going to, have no insight as to when.

 

One thing these threads have not fully told me..... Is MINI connected worth it or not? I AM A MAJOR APPLE AND GADGET FREAK! (yes I meant that in caps) so MINI connected has been on my radar since announced but with the CM I am in the process of ordering I just can't decide if it is worth ordering since I am an iphone 4 user who will most likely be an iphone 5 user when it is available. Oh and one complaint I have about this whole connected thing is the armrest connector, what if I want to use my iPad 3g?


Michael

 

pyrrhusmj - I think whether or not mini connected is worth it is very much up to the individual user. I too am an apple geek, and I love connected. That being said, I rarely use everything that it provides. The facebook and twitter integration is very neat, but I only use it in the rare situation that I'm sitting in the car waiting for someone, like if my wife runs into the store for something. The web radio is very cool, as you can listen to radio stations from around the world in your car. Pandora integration is also very slick and easy to use. But my absolute favorite part of connect, and the whole reason that I wanted it, is that the Connect "Plugin" feature supports iOS's iPod out function, which allows you to access your iPod via an iPod classic-type interface on the screen. I find this much easier to use than the standard iPod interface.

So I guess the best way to answer your question would be to go to the dealer, find a car with connect and hook up your iPhone or iPad and see how you like it. You can download the Connected app for free from the app store. By the way, the car comes with a (proprietary) Y-cable dock adapter that can be used to hook up the iPad.

 

Well stated punkrockdoc.....
Jeffmc... I have not used facebook...just wanted to try it out. It's not supported ?
Seems like several have posted working & using it. When connected...it asks you to log on and I understand you have to leave mini connected login to FB, but then re-connect to connected? Just looking for the sequence from those that are using.....

 

I've used it but forget the sequence, I'll have to check next time I'm in the car and have some time. I don't remember it being difficult at all though.

 

Ok..thanks Judge. It's not a priority for sure..and not something for daily use..like Office..wish that would get updated. Curiosity got the best of me I guess.
I did notice that there was a app update on my I phone yesterday..but for the Mini Link..not Connected.