I'll be sure to look for that when I pick mine up. I mean damn we paid how much for the connected system but you can't use it without this cable that costs an extra $100. That's just wrong. Maybe they forgot your. Better call and ask.

 

He'll give you a cable. IMO the MA should have showed you how to connect and use it. I think that the entertainment electronics are the most confusing part. They should show you that. My MA connected my phone to BT in 2007. I'd never done it before.

 

Not true. Mini Connected works with the Apple Lightning cable via the USB slot. At least it does on my car!

 

By the way, I think regular Bluetooth allows calls, while enhanced Bluetooth allows music and other features...?

 

that's my understanding as well. I believe so.

 

Nope, regular bluetooth works with music and everything. And Mini Connected works great with the standard Apple lightning cable by itself, no special cable required.

The snap-in adapter simply gives higher amperage charging and utilizes the outside antenna for better signal while anchoring the phone. That's it.

Source: I picked up my F56 on Monday and have been using it perfectly with my iPhone 5S since then.

 

Yes the iPhone 5 has the FULL capabilities built into the lighting cable
Us poor folks with iPhone 4/S's have to use the 'y' cable to utilize the audio AND usb

But I digress, the wife got the full boat show n tell on her connected system
On mine, 16 months later, they just left the cable in the glove box and didn't ask if I wanted the tour!
Without the cable, except those who use the lighting cable I guess the connected would be kinda useless.
The connected APP runs from the phone into the screen/car/entertainment stuff.
Otherwise if you just click on the web pic in the connect screen, you get just basic stuff.
There's about 12 additional APPs that can be loaded which are compatible with the MINI connected system
Some are audio book APPs which read to you while you drive.

I did hear a guy on day at the dealer ask about his cable and the MA said hd would look for one and got him a new cable for his car.
Sounded like it wasn't there at delivery and he had to ask about it.
I don't have the new F56, but we both have the MINI connected, and maybe some where in your manuals it will talk about the cable, it does in ours.
Hope some of this helps

Oh, and enhanced bluetooth.....maybe better clarity but the music will play thru the normal bluetooth, not sure why you would want to, but there are threads about if in the gen2 areas.
Remember, some things are the same on the cars, and although the NEW MINI connected looks sweet and crisper, it's still the same info/entertainment system.

 

I have a feeling the Y-cable doesn't come with the F56. But then if you have an iPhone 4S you would either have to accept analog USB or buy/get the cable. ?? I have the iPhone 5S so my Lightning cable (with USB connector) would seem to be all I need. However, I still haven't figured out a way to control Pandora through my Connect system. Bubba, do I need to download an app for the phone? Sounds like I need the Connected app to do more with the Connect screen/Entertainment stuff. So confusing! :(

 

@CobraBob
Yes, you must have the "free to download" MINI Connected App from the iTunes Store.
With this app, which you open up, you will get many more features in the on dash screen.
As for the pandora/tunein apps.......I simply turn on the app while the phone is plugged into the car.....'y' cable....usb AND audio jack......wish I had a pic to show you.
Anyway I use tunein most, the wife uses pandora
We open the app, dial the connect screen to the GLOBE picture, and let the app load into the screen.
Sometimes this takes my screen almost a full minute to do.
Then it shows the apps loaded which are on my phone that work with connected.
I click on tunein and it starts.
My favorites are listed
It will auto start from last listening station
I can use the little dial by the shifter to maneuver thru the app and choose different favs
Type in search stations by genre, artist, location, etc.

But you need the apps loaded to fully enjoy the system.
I'm NOT an expert, but I did stay at a holiday inn express last night!
And having this system was a MUST have for the wife, so I have been unseeing and learning it for a year and a half so far.
Mine is only 8 months old now, and I'm starting to use the voice commands big time now, and it works fully with all functions in connected, pretty sweet.

Once again, hope this helps you the new owners of the F56 and completes your happy happy happy journey into MINIdom.

P.S. I just now went to the connected site, which I haven't been to for some time since we have already been enjoying our systems.
It does state, that you can purchase the cable separate, and that is a NEW statement.
As stated I do not have the F56, but I did get the '14 fJCW Clubman.
I'd look and read, but if they are charging for a part that is absolutely needed for operation now, THAT SUCKS!
http://www.mini.com/connectivity/

 

tiny fine print at the bottom of that link...

*Additional extras and accessories are required.

I'm going to pitch a fit when they tell me this at the dealer....so I paid almost $2000 for a package that I can't use unless I buy MORE stuff? talk about a scam


P.S. thanks Bubba for that info! very helpful

 

i'm sure some of you have figured this out but just in case here's some updated info on this....

you don't need the cradle or the special Y cable. just use your apple cord, plug it into the usb in your mini and you can control pandora and other apps (mini connected) while charging your phone.

I found that the cord slides nicely in between my seat and the console, then I just place my phone into the arm rest with Mini connected app turned on. charges it, everything works as advertised, and its out of site so I don't pick it up for incoming text messages.

p.s. I'm using an Iphone 4S. anyone have comments using a different phone (5 series iphone or different brand? I'd like to hear how the 5s works in there because that will be my next upgrade.

Thanks

 

Did you guys read the scary statement in the manual about radiation not escaping and how it is better to use the external antenna? Does the phone hookup if you use the cable supplied? I have an android and I doubt the micro USB plug that it uses will support and external antenna even if I use the armrest connection.

 

Yes I read it, sounds like something required for California people...I ain't skeered LOL

I did not buy the special cable or the cradle, the iphone plug has a USB on one end and it works fine. Of course it is not connected to the external antenna of the car but I've had no problems with anything and I'm at 300 miles so far.

 

Yes but one side of your head twice the size and is thinking advanced calculus while you drive!

 

Any info on how to remove the dummy cradle? It's wrapped with some paper advertising the snap in cradle.

 

Push the button towards the front, it'll pop out, I removed the paper and put the plastic cover back in to protect the terminals underneath.

 

I have an ipod touch 4th generation now connected via the standard apple cable to the usb port and my Galaxy Note II paired via bluetooth. Previously in the R56 I had to use the Y cable for the ipod to work. The Mini connected app on the ipod works fine; however the only thing I ever used it for is now built into the F56. That would be the driving excitement gauges.

I still prefer to use the ipod for music as I find it responds faster (both in my former R56 and as well in the F56). The Bluetooth audio from my phone is more responsive and sounds better in the F56, I still find it lacking though since you are only able to change the track but not the albums through the connected interface.

On a side note I am trying to decide what music I want to set up on the internal HDD in the connected system to free up that space for other stuff on the ipod.

 

Thanks, I may leave mine out and cover the terminals with some gaffer tape.

On the subject of MINI Connected and such I was struggling to figure out how to pause when I finally realized the power button works for that. But there's no on-steering button for that. I just now have to decide if it's worth firing up Stitcher and MC for podcasts or stick with the app I like (Downcast) outside of MC. Time will tell. Do have a Black 6' Lightning cable on order.

 

DW I'm removing the whole armrest and the cable. Not sure how far under the floor I will have to go to get to a connector. Probably just tuck it under there somewhere. You in the film biz. Don;t hear the term Gaffer tape much from regular people!

 

Have been around live music production and the like years ago. Also the stuff comes in handy for photography. Found I can't use it here though due to the shape of the connectors so I just snapped it back in.

 

Do you have a special place where you place your phone while driving (for charging)? Is it the divot in front of the USB and 12V ports?

I have an iOttie cradle in my current ride, but wondering where I'll put the phone when I get my F56. Cup holder?? I have an iPhone5.