We were able to get hands on with a MY04 MINI Cooper S w/ NAV for testing on our Bluetooth system this afternoon and were successful with the results.

Enclosed are some screenshots of the kit in action:









Here is a list of features that will be supported:

Our Bluetooth kits support the following functions:

- Voice Activated Dialing
- Phonebook Synchronization
- SMS Text Message Display (depending on carrier)
- Name Recognition
- Voice Activated Navigation
- Digital Notepad

The Voice Activated Navigation is one of our favorite features. The following commands are supported:

HELP MENU:
say "HELP," the system mentions that there are 3 help commands:

- HELP NAVIGATON
- HELP PHONE
- HELP NOTEPAD

Below is a list of all the commands mentioned by the HELP commands:

Help NAVIGATION:
- Route map
- Navigation
- Scale 400 feet
- Scale 800 feet
- Scale one quarter of a mile
- Scale half a mile
- Scale one mile
- Scale two point five mile
- Scale five mile
- Scale ten mile
- Scale twenty-five miles
- Scale fifty miles
- Hotels at current location
- Parking lot at current location
- Restaurant at current location
- Gas station at current location
- Hotels at destination
- Parking lot at destination
- Restaurant at destination
- Gas station at destination
- Save current position
- New route
- Instruction
- Instruction off

Help PHONE:
- Dial number
- Dial name
- Add name
- Delete name
- Play phonebook
- Clear phonebook
- Redial

Help NOTEPAD:
- Record note
- Play notepad
- Clear notepad

How it Works

Bluetooth is a new technology that allows you to operate and control your Bluetooth-equipped cellular phone using the BMW Steering wheel, radio controls and audio system without having to connect your phone to the vehicle.

BMW's Bluetooth system takes advantage of this functionality to allow you to use your standard Bluetooth enabled phone in your BMW providing safe hands-fee operation while driving, plus some additional features such as voice control of your cellular phone and navigation system (if equipped). BMW snap in adapters are also available for optional charging and the boosting of your cellular phone antenna, but not required for installation.

Dialing a call: The system displays and allows you to scroll through the phonebook of your support Bluetooth cellular phone, on the Navigation display. To dial, you simply select a number by pressing the controls on your steering wheel or NAV Dial and the call is transmitted via the MINI's speakers and microphone.

Voice Control: Using the Voice Control System, you can dial a number simply by speaking the phone number or using a voice tag that you have programmed such as "Home" or "Work". The built-in voice recognition also allows control of the Navigation system (if equipped) with commands such as "Route Map" or "Restaurants at Current Location".

Recieving a Call: You Bluetooth-equipped cellular phone will signal your BMW when there is an incoming call. If the audio system is on, the system will automatically mute the radio and/or CD and the phone will ring through the vehicle speakers. The call can then be answered via the button on the steering wheel, the phone icon on the dashboard, or the pairing button. The incoming caller's voice will be transmitted through the BMW audio system even if your phone is still in your pocket, purse or briefcase. Calls can be transferred in and out of the car, so your conversation is only interrupted for a brief period while the system switches the call to the vehicle (getting into the vehicle) or your personal cell phone (when exiting the vehicle).

Other Features: The system also allows for the voice control of your cellular phone, voice control of your navigation system and notepad (to save a message to yourself for later replay). The system operates just as your BMW factory installed phone would operate with the added benefit of voice recognition and voice control of phone and NAV.

Sign Up Now!

In the meantime, the item has been placed on our website, those wanting to be notified as soon as we are ready to ship can either subscribe to this thread or sign up on our website:

MINI Bluetooth Retrofit Kit for MINI Cooper w/ NAV
http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...roducts_id=657

In the meantime, we are looking for a non-NAV MINI for testing w/ MSFW steering wheel control. Those that wish to participate in the Orange County, CA area, please contact me directly.

Pricing has not been set yet, but will be announced as soon as development is completed. As always, questions are welcomed.

 

Subscribing to thread.
This is amazing.

Now I REALLY want one !

 

You haven't seen anything yet. We have a couple of other NAV-specific items coming as soon as testing is completed.

 

PM Sent Tom.

 

PM replied.

 

I went to your "supported phones list"
If the phone that I want to use is listed under a different carrier is it going to work ?

 

Yes - Bluetooth is a phone feature, not carrier specific.

 

From what I am reading this solution is the one I have been waiting for .
I am definatly interested .

 

Subscribing to thread.

I use a Blackberry 7520 issued by my employer. Will this work?

 

Other Blackberry models are compatible, yours should not be the exception.

 

Are any of your kits going to work with a MCS w/o the phone buttons on the steering wheel? I don't have NAV either!

 

The non-NAV vehicles are going to require a different harness, the phone button is not needed on the wheel.

 

Very nice!!

If my phone is not on the supported phones list, can I still use it for voice dialing and dialing from the navigation system? This is how it works in our X5, so I was wondering if this would be the case with this one.

Looks like a great product!

 

The "Supported Phones" list is not meant to be a tell-all for compatibility, many other Bluetooth phones work with the kits. If your phone does not offer phonebook transfer with your X5, the same behavior would be likely with our kit.

What brand/model/carrier phone are you using?

 

I'm using a Sony Ericsson K790i with T-Mobile.

It's usually not on any of these lists, but it works just fine with the X5's factory bluetooth. As you said, phonebook transfer is not supported, but the main functionality is what I'm looking for.

 

Since showing text messages (which will be carrier related) is not my concern, I guess the kits should be good for us Canadians as well? What about the Map Scales as we use metric (KM) here in Canada, will that function work with metric system?? By the way, what do you mean by phonebook transfer? Can I just send the phone number 1 by 1 thru. bluetooth to your kits?
Cheers
Stephen

 

This is compatible with Metric systems as well.

Phonebook transfer is when your phone contents (name, phone number) are transferred over to the Bluetooth Module. The module is capable of storing 1000 entries, I doubt many people will come close to capacity. A user interface will allow you to see the name, and press the NAV dial once to dial the number.

Another way to make a call would be to speak "Dial [name]" and it will be confirmed with a voice prompt.

 

Subscribing to thread.

Tom,

Do you know how involved will the installation be?

 

We're completing the harness this weekend. Pull the radio, plug in the Bluetooth harness and you're almost complete. Last part will be running the Mic wire to the stock location above the mirror.

ETA on installation will be 45-60 minutes and require no dealer coding.

 

Any details on the non-navigation version?

I would be happy if it lets me use the voice dialing feature on my phone. Just press one of the buttons on the steering wheel, then say the name. A caller ID displayed on the stereo would be nice.

 

We're completing the harness and working on scheduling a non-NAV MINI in about 2 weeks. Of course we will keep the thread updated.

 

Subscribing. Nice product. Looking forward to pricing.

 

Just what I have been waiting for!

Will this work with the iPOD installed as well?

 

Yes, you are able to retain your iPod connection and have Bluetooth all at the same time.

 

Any up-date on time frame for avaliability ?