I have an '11 MCS with Connected/Nav. I mostly do really short trips so the plugging/unplugging of my phone every time I get in and out of the car is a bit tedious. I was wondering if I bought an iTouch to use in the car, and just leave it there is a valid option? I would like to use it for MINI connected as well as music and just allow my iPhone4 to be a phone and use for bluetooth phone calls. Does anyone know if the system can recognize 2 devices at the same time? Also, is there a monthly fee to have an iTouch if I just want to use it for a few apps like MINI Connected? I'm heading over to an electronics place later but figured the knowledge here was more applicable.

Thanks,

Annette

 

No fees for an iPod Touch after the point of purchase. Except major firmware revisions (X.00 updates), which wasn't even a paid update for iOS 4.0.

Keeping an iPod Touch in the car, in plain sight, might not be the best idea though. People break into cars because there is the dirt ring on the windshield that is caused by a suction cup because that says a GPS was in the car at some point. Leaving a ~$250 electronic sitting in the center console kind of says, "I don't need this, please take it from me."

One other thing to think of, the iPod Touch won't have internet connection, so if you use MINI Connected for the twitter/facebook posting, web radio, google search, or a couple of other features, you won't be able to do it.

 

I am thinking of doing the same thing. Using an iPod Touch to download Mini Connected App too, then plunging it in and just leaving it tucked in under the set of toggles below the dash. I thought this would make the app partially work except for twitter, Facebook, and web radio. However I have read that in order for the Minimialzation, Mission control and dynamic driving portions of the app to work, the damn thing needs to be plugged into the arm rest snap in adapter.

My problem is my ipod's IOS (1.1) is too low for the Radio to recognize it and populate the ipod features in the display. It only works as any other MP3 player and I have to change songs via the ipod itself. I was going to buy a ipod touch too, but now I am rethinking the whole thing and may just get a new nano for the car so all of the ipod functions will just work seamlessly in the large display and otherwise wait until I ever get an Iphone.

 

I was thinking that maybe one of the armrest adaptors would be compatible with the iTouch. Then it could stay there full time.

Annette

 

Dear Annette:

 

Dear Annette:

If you find out that it can work that way, make a post here, because I would like to know. I understand the arm rest cradle costs between $150 - $250 US. I suggest you take the touch to the dealer and try it on the cradle before you make the purchase.

 

Yep, that's my plan.

Annette

 

I don't have connect but I do have the ipod/bluetooth setup and I'm using an iPhone4 and a dedicated ipod touch. I leave the touch in the car (please don't steal it!) and just use the iphone for calls. Works great

 

No worries -- I can't do the time (away from my MINI) so I won't do the crime.

But it would be good to know if you have MINI Connected and if so how well it works with your iPod Touch.

 

And I wonder if using an iPod Touch with an iPhone Personal Hotspot if the MINI Connected app would behave identically to an iPhone running the app?

 

That would work. If you want to pay AT&T the extra charge.

 

I would expect it to work. A good test might be to sit in the car near a WiFi hot spot and turn off Cellular Data in the phone's settings. If everything still works after that then there's a good chance an iPod touch should work too. But you said "would" instead of "should" so perhaps you have knowledge about this already.

My feelings about the extra fee: It's is pure greed and gouging. Once you have a capped data plan how you use your quota aught to be immaterial to the carrier. It's my quota -- I'll use it how I see fit. If the carrier allowed unlimited data plans still I could see the extra charge but they don't.

 

Well, I'm going to pick up a Touch in a bit so will charge it and download MINI Connected later. I'll post when I figure out if it works the way I hope.

Annette

 

Along the same lines....

I haven't received my car yet and was wondering if anyone knows the answer to this? I've got a 120G iPod Classic (most recent version) and was wondering if the Mini Connected Screen will show the album art from the iPod Classic?

Thanks

 

Yes I believe it will show the album art. What is important is the IOS running on the iPod. So long as it is 3.0 or higher it should populate the mini connected screen like you are looking at the iPod. In order for the mini connected app to work IOS 4.2 or higher is required

 

I don't have Mini connect, sorry!

However the combo of the iPhone4+touch has been working great, I use the phone in the car A LOT for work and when not on that I have the ipod on so it gets a lot of use

 

Heck I use my old Iphone 3gs as an Ipod since I got the 4. I've got a 2010 with the smartphone prep. The old 3GS lives in the armrest in airplane mode.

What really sucks is if you plug something like my Sirius Sportster into the front input, you lose the Ipod.

Just another reason I have to buy the Sirius radio package from the dealer... ;-(

 

I still wish for the ipod hookup in the glove box like in my R53. Out of sight, worked with MFSW and stayed charged. I decided the thing to do is just get a Nano and wait for the armrest adapter for the iPhone 4. I rarely use any aspect of MINI Connected so don't really care if I have access to it most of the time. If I do a long trip, then I'll hook up the iPhone, otherwise the Nano should be fine.
My MA told me that they got a notice on the iPhone 4 armrest adapter the other day which means it should be available really soon.

Annette


Annette

 

Just wanted to clear this. So if my ipod touch have internet i can use all the mini connected funtion?

 

Yes, but you'll need a Wi-Fi hotspot (like the app for jailbroken iPhones) for it to do most of the functions.

 

actually, i am using android phone, so tethering is not a problem. just want 2 mke sure it wrk before i invest on a touch, cheers

 

Then you're good to go.

 

I was thinking about doing the same but then I realized that really its just a waste.

The perfect solution it seems is from ProClip so no more having to plug and unplug. I may just buy this ProClip with the pass-through holder. It lets you just drop-in & pull-out your iPhone while you just keep your Y cable plugged to the holder/mount. I just wasn't sure about buying a holder/mount ($118) that may be obsolete in a few months with the iPhone 5 (assuming the exterior design changes).

 

I use an iPod Nano... You can't see it when you look in and it holds days worth of music.