Still toying with the frustrating ergonomics of my new 2014 JCW with the nav system. I mean, the nav system itself isn't particularly useful, since I usually know where I'm going, and google maps is better/easier anyway. Otherwise, I can't find a screen that displays much useful information. The simplest, most obvious screen would be the radio station and related info. That doesn't seem to be an option. Now, if I go into the presets, and then to an HD radio station, then to display info, I can get a screen that shows the RDS info. Can't figure out an easy way to get there though, and it only seems to be an option to go through the HD stations.

 

Also, does anyone know if mini app connect works with androids? That would make the functionality of the nav system better. There's an app, and threads alluding to it, but I don't know if it works with my '14, if I could get a software update or what.

 

https://download.cnet.com/MINI-Conne...-77700631.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...droid-usb.html

Think its useful and works but does not have the extension of the iphone platform, I would try it and post up. I have an iphone so I cant really help you on the andriod side.
It should work on the Gen3 MINI you have. Its the older MINIs it looks like it does not work on.

 

So it's actually a gen 2 (convertible).
The app works on the phone, but I'm not sure that it's actually doing anything. Or what it's supposed to do. When I try to "add vehicle", I get a "this vehicle cannot be registered to your account" error. Called BMW/mini, who tell me that my car isn't compatible. But the app says 2013+. I think the system is just crappy. It's connected bluetooth, and I can see pandora on the screen, make phone calls, see my messages, etc. Don't know if there's more to it than that. I want the system to be able to play audio (like message alerts, speed traps through google maps, etc) from my phone at all times, even when I'm listening to the radio. The nav system itself is passable, but it's from 2014 and is still a significant step backwards from google maps.

 

"Add a vehicle" only works on a MINI built after March 2018. I believe the reason is that this one feature requires a cellular radio to be built in. Your 2014, like my 2016, was built way before March 2018 and therefore don't work.

On the menu (top left icon), you can see if Activity and Destinations can work at all. But I think you have to be USB wired connected, and not simply Bluetooth connected. This integrates your phone's calendar with the NAV system, allowing it to predict ("time to leave") and automatically be set to guide you to your appointments.

 

Ah, that's what I was wondering about the add vehicle. I have one random location in my activities tab in the connect app, so IDK. Doesn't seem like it would be worth much anyway. The navigation is 5 years old, and it really isn't worth using when I have google on my phone.
2 remaining questions:

1. I listen to the regular radio a lot, especially just driving around town. The system can see the RDS info, and can display it sometimes. I'd like a default screen just to show radio info, and really can't find it. The screen at the 1:10 mark in this video looks promising, but I don't have anything like that.
(EDIT: NVM, looks like that display is just the manual tuning screen)
2. I'd like my phone to be able to "butt in" when I'm listening to the radio, and tell me about turns (if using google maps), email/text alerts, whatever. I haven't had an incoming call while driving, so don't know if that works. Currently, if the source is my phone (and I'm listening to pandora or whatever), all the alerts and whatever else will come through on the phone.

 

Hi Mike. I know everyone has different preferences. My preference is to use Split Screen with Navigation as the main display and Entertainment Details as the Split Screen Content. The RDS info seems to be different depending on the station. For me, the local NPR station shows nothing other than the station frequency and call letters. Some stations also display the format (Q105 in the picture below). Other stations show the format and what is playing. And depending on the format, show a graphic for Pop, Oldies, Blues, etc. I'm not sure if the graphic is coming from the station or the Infotainment system. It doesn't matter if the stations are brought up by presets or just by pressing the forward/back seek buttons.

As far as your other question about the phone butting in, I use the car navigation system rather than the phone's Google maps, so I don't know that part, but certainly if I get a text or phone call, the phone will butt in. When I'm using the in-car Navigation system for directions, I choose the Arrow Display option for the Split Screen Content. The Split Screen shows an arrow in the direction of the next turn, and displays how far until the turn. If coming to a highway exit, it will show a picture of the exit in the Split Screen content window.

 

That is actually just what I'd like to see. But your display looks newer than mine, is that a gen 3?

 

Yes, 2015 base MINI F56 3rd gen. The Navigation system in mine is part of the MINI Wired Pack option package code 7L5. I thought it was the same as the 2014 Nav systems, but if yours is different, maybe they changed something in 2015?

 

I'm still learning, but I think it's a totally different system. But that's the info I want on my screen... If anyone knows if this is possible I'd appreciate it