Purpose of This Thread

I apologize for such a general title to this thread, but frankly the MiNi Connected thread seems all over the place, recently focusing on hardware compatibility issues with the newer iPhones. I'm sort of hoping we can start a thread that will serve as a general repository of information on MiNi Connected-compatible apps, specifically in terms of what is worth installing (reviews) and especially which ones are app-switcher compatible. I'm hoping people might share what tweaks they may have done to effect app-switcher compatibility (if there are such tweaks) as well. For example, I still am unclear that while an app may not be app-switch compatible from one regional app store, changing to another region might provide a version that is.

Definition of App Switcher

It seems a good idea to define terms, first. App switcher, as I understand it, allows the user to browse to the app entirely using the MiNi Connected interface by selecting Additional Apps (often listed at the end of all the default MiNi Apps). App Switcher is not a multi-tasker. It shuts down MiNi Connected and opens the app; one cannot run both. For example, one cannot listen to Stitcher Radio and at the same time be running Driving Excitement. But the big advantage of App Switcher is that it allows access to the app without having to go directly to the device (iPhone/iPod). That means less fumbling in the car and less distractions (one of the things I actually LIKE about the joystick interface vs a touch screen is that I can glance down quickly and then put my eyes back on the road while I count clicks and press "real" buttons).

Finding MiNi Compatible Apps

The easiest way to find MiNi-compatible apps as I understand it is to simply go to the Information tab at the bottom of the MiNi Connected app on the device. The top choice is labeled "MiNi Connected Ready." Selecting this shows both available and installed apps, as well as the option to select the app store region. Unfortunately (at least the US venue) it does not indicate which app is app-switcher compatible. Apparently the user must download, install and configure before seeing if it even shows up in the app switcher. That is the main thing that encouraged me to start this thread. For example, I am loving Stitcher. But it does not show in my App Switcher. Then the questions start - did I do something wrong in the setup somewhere, do I need to affiliate it with Facebook to get that functionality, do I need to download it from another regional app store, do others also have this issue, too?

App Information

Can I suggest a 4-asterisk rating system with perhaps a comment, an indication if it works with the app switcher, and the regional app store from it was obtained? Here's mine so far:

Audible
No stars - have not yet bought any books. Unfortunately there are no freebies
App-Switchable
US App Store

Glympse
No stars - just downloaded and will rate later.
App-Switchable
US App Store

Pandora Radio
*** Would be four stars if App-Switchable
NOT App-Switchable
US App Store

Stitcher Radio
** Would be 3 stars if App-switchable; still learning capabilities so rating may change based on that, too
NOT App-Switcable
US App Store

 

Something I just discovered is that Stitcher seems to be half-compatible with AppSwitcher. While I cannot launch Stitcher from MiNi Connected, I can switch back into MiNi Connected from Stitcher since Additional Apps is enabled. So the AppSwitcher seems partially implemented with Stitcher. I cannot say the same about Pandora, which must be not only invoked directly from the device (iPhone/iPod) but once invoked, there is no way to get back to MiNi Connected without first killing Pandora and starting Connected again from the device.