Current owners - just curious what is new in 2014 MINI connected over the previous version? Thanks!

 

The two systems are very similar, the main difference IMO being that everything seems a bit more flushed out in the 3rd gen version. For example the details available when going into the vehicle menu are more detailed. The menus themselves are slightly more refined. Also with the addition of more functions with the car itself there are many more menus to dig through and adjust little things (this is where most of the differences are and this really isn't a change in the software, it just has more to do now. The new controller makes a big difference for interfacing with the system, it makes it much easier to jump around the system without really referring to the screen.

The Driving Excitement function (additional gauges) and MINIMALISM ANALYZER which were only available via the app on an ios device are now built into the car.

The system is also clearly running off of more powerful hardware (CPU) as the system is much faster (not that the 2cnd gen was slow mind you).

The Navigation system is better now too I think as far as info it displays on screen such as gas stations and the like. Also I like the new color system for displaying traffic info (similar to Google Maps) than the older "arrow" system the 2cnd gen had.

 

Android finally supported, and the silly Y connector is no longer used for iPhone.

 

I just wish more apps were supported. MOG is shutting down before I had a chance to try them. :-)

If they'd partner with Downcast (iOS only though) I'd be a happy man as that's 90% of what I use in the car. I am not quite ready to switch to Stitcher for podcasts.

 

Thanks for the replies guys, that helps.

Wait, so gen 2 connected you cannot use it if you don't have an iphone?! I was under the impression it supported iphone and android now?

 

Correct. Only iPhone can be used with gen 2 MINI Connected. BMW Connected (the equivalent system on BMW) didn't start supporting Android until 2013 model year. That system is now in the F56.

 

Oh crap, I didn't know that! So it's basically useless without iphone then? No software update or anything to make it work with android? Is it the whole thing that won't work or just certain features? I wanted to get a new 2013 but if i can't even use connected, i may have to get an F56 or just buy out my non-connected lease and wait then as that's a biggie!!

 

No, Android cannot use gen 2 MINI Connected at all. Android support requires the new Connected hardware that is in 2013 BMW or F56 MINI.

Before you decide that MINI Connected is so important, consider that even iOS users haven't found MINI Connected to be all that useful, and iOS is better supported than Android.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ected.mini.usa
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...nected.bmw.usa
They are rated at 1.4 and 1.7 stars!

However, there are some advantages to just having the display screen that comes with MINI Connected. The screen provides a better interface to many car functions (unrelated to MINI Connected itself).

 

Oh wow, ok thanks for the heads up! Yeah I mostly just wanted the screen as I prefer the way it looks. So really it's just certain functions you can't do. I think I just misunderstood what the 'connected' part of it was. Guess that means you can't stream pandora or anything?

 

Wanted to add, can anyone provide a list of features then that WON'T work due to Android incompatibility? I don't really know everything it can do. Thanks!

 

Ok, I keep getting conflicting info. on this. My MA said both iPhone and Android are compatible, but there isn't an Andoid app. So how is this different to the gen 2? I know both platforms work for bluetooth, etc. but unless you have an iPhone, you cannot access any connected stuff on both gen 2 AND gen 3 right?

 

Gen 2 can only access the connected app via iOS devices (iphone, ipod touch)

Gen 3 can access the connected app via iOS and Android devices. The app is currently a bit more flushed out on the iOS version however the android one is being updated to get it to the same level.

 

Thank you for clearing that up! So I CAN download the MINI Connected app to my Android right? My MA seems to think otherwise and I can't find it in the store...

 

Sure can (assuming your android device supports it which most do) but as mentioned only good for the F56.

Here is a link to the play store for the connected app

 

Crap! It says my device isn't compatible with this version!

I have a Samsung Galaxy II, so figured it would work. Maybe it's because I have Virgin Mobile?

 

Probably more related to what version of Android is on running on your galaxy 2. The app requires Android 4.2 according to the play store.

 

Ahh, that might be it...

 

I should provide some background. The fundamental concept of BMW/MINI Connected is very simple. A Connected-enabled app running on the phone can use the car console as its user interface.

Support for Connected can be retrofitted into an existing app, which is what Pandora, TuneIn and others have done for their apps. On a phone, you normally interface with an app using the phone’s touchscreen. When control transfers to MINI Connected, you’ll use the console screen and **** controller and buttons instead. The app’s functionality will be simplified and reduced from the phone’s touchscreen interface, but the idea is that you can operate the app from the car console without looking at the phone.

The number of apps that have Connected integration is quite small, and there are more for iPhone than Android. BMW also created their own apps that are built into their Connected app, including e-mail, Twitter, Facebook, etc.

 

I doubt they've done anything about my biggest complaint in the Gen 2 Mini Connected.

IMHO, the radio presets section should display channel/song for satellite radio (and for FM when available) like it does on the satellite radio section.

Pushing to the right on the channel, then selecting "Get Info" just doesn't make sense. Especially when it will disappear if you hit an FM or AM station.

I'm probably the only one annoyed by this.