I'm getting ready to place my order this week and I'm a bit confused...

There seems to be a few threads out there covering this, but after spending a while reading them I was unable to get any definitive answers. I plan to order a Camden, but upgrade the basic bluetooth/USB included in the package to a comfort bluetooth/USB. Here are my questions:

When upgrading to comfort USB does the USB/3.5mm connector in the dash cubbie still remain? If you order the comfort USB WITHOUT smart-phone prep what type of connector is in the armrest? Can you still charge a phone/use the antenna in the armrest without the prep?

Here's my concern - I would like to be able to use my iPod touch from the connector in the cubbie, but keep my blackberry in the armrest and be able to charge it. I don't want to lose the connectivity to use my ipod in the dash while simultaneously charging the phone. Also, I want to make sure I will be able to connect/charge my phone without buying the smartphone prep. I don't need a fancy "sleeve" in the armrest, but I do want to make sure that there is a cable/connection in the armrest that provides power. By the way I read/understand the MINI website this will work. My MA hasn't been very helpful on this aspect. Does anyone have experience with this combination of options?

 

Without a sleeve, I didn't think the armrest had any use. If someone knows about some sort of cable, I'm all ears.

 

And yes, the USB/3.5mm connector in the lower dash stays put.

 

Yep!

The addition of SmartPhone prep adds the capability of a USB connection to a phone in the armrest, but only when used with a compatible arm-rest snap-in.

You'll need an arm-rest snap in to charge the phone, there's no power connection available in the armrest without one. Not all Blackberry phones have one available- you can check the link in my sig for a Google Spreadsheet of all the armrest snap-ins we know about.

All the phone syncing and integration are handled via Bluetooth, so that will work regardless of where you have the phone plugged in.

For what it's worth, the car can only connect to a single USB device at once for music- I don't know if anyone has tested what the priority, but it's been guessed as priority goes to the first one connected. If you did have Smartphone prep with the phone connected in the armrest and an iPod through the USB connector in the console the car could only read music from one.