Ordered our car with the "Wired" package. Does it included the internal HD like I've heard mentioned elsewhere?

If so, I assume I can move MP3 files to it for playback using a Thumb drive with all the songs I want stored and do a transfer to the HD (rather than having to keep the Thumb drive plugged into the USB port to listen to my music). Yes? This is a good thing.

Not an "Apple Guy" (too restrictive for my tastes) is there anything else I need to know specifically about the MINI entertainment center that may be proprietary to Apple and not Android compatible?

Thanks.

 

You get the hard drive if you have the connected xl, which I believe is only available in the wired pack. From what I've gathered, there is only about 20gb usable space on the drive and it's buried behind the center console inside the dash, so upgrading it would be nearly impossible. Reports are that it plays a wide variety of formats, though flac isnt supported.

Android connectivity is supposed to be absolutely horrible. From what I've read (waiting on my mini) we don't get any of the Pandora/Spotify integration, audio is via Bluetooth pass-through only, etc. BMW seems to be neglecting their app and this whole section of the market...

 

Some drivers report their cars play FLAC, it seems to depend on your options. My car with HK and the base radio does not.

 

I've been trying to glean what I can from threads about android connectivity. From what I gather the Android integration in the 2014-15 models is pretty good (again I was hoping for some real "nitty gritty" particulars from our membership that my be using the system w/ an Android device).

The downside w/ Android is with the 5.0 upgrade. People are having problems with crashing on load.

I understand that you must purge any cache you have on your device after the 5.0 upgrade and then it seems to work. Again, the information is pretty sketchy, with little in the way of particulars.

I have been using a 16 GB thumb drive in our Santa Fe and C7 to listen to my music. If the Mini has a 20 GB internal, then 'I'm golden and can keep the USB open for other uses.

I've been wirelessly bluetooth-ing Spotify and TuneIn in our other cars. Hopefully that can continue without issue the MINI.

Keep us informed after you get your car and let us know about all the connectivity positives and negatives. Mine is still awaiting a VIN assignation.

 

Wired does include the XL headunit (yay!) and there is a 20GB hard drive built in for music. Importing is pretty easy - just insert thumb drive (or some portable external HDs work), go into Music Collection and there is an import option. If your music is tagged correctly, you'll get album art and metadata that is searchable.

I have limited experience with an Android phone with the XL headunit (it was an HTC One), but here it goes:
- MINI Connected won't work on HTC Android phones, but should on Samsung. It is pretty useless though - so no Pandora/Spotify/3rd party app integration
- Bluetooth Audio works as it does with iPhones. I got song metadata on the screen, album art and I was able to change songs
- Playing via USB works okay, but it's a little clunky and depends on what you're using as a default music app. BT Audio was easier

Also, FWIW, FLAC audio is definitely supported with the XL headunit, as are MP3s, unprotected AAC, unprotected WMAs, and PCMs. Video is also supported with XL (while parked) and includes MP4 (including H.264), WMV, MOV, Matroska (.mkv), and AVI, but I don't know if videos will play off the hard drive. They do off a thumb drive for sure.

 

Wow, Great info. Thanks. I should be in great shape just having the HD space available (and not having to use the USB to play music).

Phone is a LG - don't have any in car app integration now, so it won't be missed.

BT has always worked great for me, so if it functions in the Mini like my other cars, I'm a happy camper. I'm 95% streaming Spotify playlists and maybe 5% Tunein radio for selected hows (Old Art Bell fan, liking some of the edgy fringe stuff for a change).

Thanks for answering. Very much appreciated.

 

I bought a 32gb USB key a few months ago, they are so small now.