I drop them but never see the ones I drop on the app. Can I pick up my own pellets that I drop? Do they expire? Anyone else having issues with the pellets?

It would be awesome if many people had this app and dropped pellets. Then we could race to pick them up.

 

What is this?? Nothing seems to happen when I select this option.

 

I don't think you're able to pick up your own power pellets---I tried. When you drop them, the screen says they expire "when picked up".

I agree--the more people who get this app and play with it, the more fun it will be.

My main issue with the program is it uses battery life like crazy, plus it doesn't seem to retain my MINI's real name after I close the program.

I think the Rally Mode is if you get a bunch of your MINI friends together, and decide a certain amount of time to drop 3 pellets ( the max for each day ). Then I think you'd have a starting time to start the program and see how many pellets you can collect in a certain amount of time. I think that sounds like fun, but it will take a while to catch on.

We need to spread the word on this free app, and as more people use it there will be more feedback and I think that will lead to more improvements.

 

Mine has remembered my name. It is a little buggy though. Crashed back to the springboard on occasion.

 

I set mine in the backgrounder as well... Seems to work. Ive only seen 1 other mini in my area pop up 1 time in the 4 times I've tried it since download... But for a group drive I'm sure this will come in handy.

 

Just got the iPhone 3GS, and downloaded the MINI link app, before I entered my VIN I thought I'd check to see if anyone else is using it -- I'm new to the iPhone and didn't know you can't always run multiple apps at the same time. I'll check into that backgrounder, but I can see where battery life would be an issue as I fully charged it last night and already down to 50%.

 

What is "backgrounder"? Is that a jailbreak thing?

 

I believe so. But - iPhone 4.0 OS is reportedly about to blow cover, and allegedly includes enhanced multitasking.

 

Yup... it allows for more than one program to stay running. When you use another program and go back to the original program, it starts off where you left off.

Mark

 

Close, it never 'restarts' when you go back to the original program, as it is constantly running as you are in other programs.

But, on-topic. I picked up my first two power pellets today. I like how your MINI turns into a monster once you grab one of them.

 

I "picked" one up the other day too (although it was kinda cheating, as I had my iPhone app running while I was walking the dogs). I was surprised how you had to be in essentially the exact spot that the pellet was dropped on. I had to cross the street and everything! But anyhow, my MINI icon turned all monster-y and moved around. Was there anything else I was supposed to do? I thought once I picked that one up, it would go away, but as I was walking away I noticed that the exact same one was still there. And besides the icon changing, do we get anything else, like points or anything? And how do I get to see how many points I have? And what good are they? Can we use them for anything besides the thrill of knowing we have them?

And I zoom out on my map and "wave" to everyone who is on, and I try to leave my app running as often as I can. Yet I only have 1 wave back? I've waved to probably around 100 in the last 10 days or so. Someone wave to me!!! Look for Will. Come on, I want some waves!!

 

Tap your own MINI to see how many points you have. And I think the points are pretty worthless overall. Also, maybe there were 2 pellets dropped in the same space, or your map just wasn't updating. When you eat a pellet, it should disappear.

 

Are you required to be on the map screen in order to receive waves?

 

In order to send the waves, I know you need to zoom out far enough to see other MINIs when you "browse." I'm out far enough that I can see all of North America, so I should be on the same map as anyone trying to send them to me.

 

Was at a NorCal MINIs event Saturday, and had asked anyone with an iPhone to use MINI Link. Several had returned emails saying they would. As I headed for the gathering point in Woodside, I turned mine on. Only my silver MINI showed up. When I got there I kept it on and carried it with me.

Saw someone else with an iPhone and went over to him. He could see my MINI and sent me a wave, but no other MINIs showed. There was something that appeared and said something about "Rally Mode".

As we proceeded down 84 to the coast, we must have gone out of service range because the map stopped updating and my MINI was on a white grid.

So, rather disappointing, overall. I'd hoped to be able to see cars arriving at the meeting place, and the string of cars (there were >20 cars I think) going down 84.

 

Anyone having better luck with this since the update? I find that my app is now really slow, though it will save my Mini's name, at least.

Can't seem to get the hang of the Power Pellet thing, either. I've driven RIGHT over the same pellet six days in a row, now, but the app won't "pick it up." I know it isn't a pellet I left, I have the app open, and I know I'm driving right over the spot where it is, but nothing happens.

I think this could really be a lot of fun, but it's so buggy.

 

Better luck? I'd say it is the same.
The Power Pellet thing really needs to be improved. It is crazy how close you have to be to pick one up. The range needs to be MUCH bigger. We have numerous roads around here where there are 2-6 lanes, and if you aren't in the exact lane to pick one up, you're SOL. That is crazy! "Try all 6 lanes, you're bound to get it!" Yeah, right.
I also agree it could be a lot of fun. But the bugs: yikes. And I STILL only have 1 wave, and I keep my app open A LOT!

 

Not sure the app will ever be perfect. The issue of being "right on top" of the power pellet to pick it up is more of an issue with the Iphone GPS vs. the app. The Iphone GPS uses cell phone towers (which is not exact) vs. a true GPS (which uses satelite).

Also consider a car power cord if you use the app a lot. Because it keeps updating with your location, it takes a lot of energy from the battery.

Happy Motoring!!

PS- Even here in Michigan where we just got 7" of snow, she drives great. And it's fun to slide around corners!!

 

[QUOTE=Draps33;2978806]Not sure the app will ever be perfect. The issue of being "right on top" of the power pellet to pick it up is more of an issue with the Iphone GPS vs. the app. The Iphone GPS uses cell phone towers (which is not exact) vs. a true GPS (which uses satelite).

I agree that the issue of picking up Power Pellets might not be perfect now, but there are a few things MINI's app developer could do to "fix" the existing problem.

As far as what MINI's developers could do, the first thing I would advise is to expand the vehicle's "halo" or footprint.

Also, my understanding of the iPhone's (non 2g, btw) "assisted GPS" is that it's quite good. Read more about it here:

http://artoftheiphone.com/2008/06/10...-assisted-gps/

 

I downloaded the ap a month or so ago, and it showed that there were 0 other registered users after zooming out all the way...

 

I can never see another Mini, but someone's dropping "power pellets" all over town.

I think I'll pick a couple up this afternoon.

 

I've dropped so many in my parts of town that it is like a Power Pellet Mine Field!

 

I still want to know how to tell if you are signed on. When I sign on there is never any indication that I have. Or do you have to sign on every time you open up the app?

 

I just downloaded this app (after having just bought a new Mini !!)... and was wondering if anyone else is using it?... I guess it's pretty new, but I haven't seen anyone else here in Hawaii (Oahu).

How about on the mainland - anyone using it?

Just interested in general awareness of this app - looks fun, but doesn't seem useful if I'm the only one using it

 

I'm using it in DFW Texas, but I can't find any there either :(