I just ordered my Countryman on Saturday and will be getting it some time in September, so I'm just starting to do my research regarding mods/upgrades for her when she arrives. I'm wondering if anyone knows anything about breaking into the MINI Connected, writing our own apps or if there's any availability like that at all. I thought someone said it was developed on Mac OS so I'm just wondering if there's any customization that's available.

Curious if anyone has tried to do anything of that sort.

 

Most MINI connected users are just trying to get it to do what it is advertised as being able to do. The thought of asking it to do anything more is just too remote to contemplate.

 

I know...I hated to ask, but I thought I would ask...I'm really excited about getting my CM in September, but do have some fears about how well Connected will work! I'm hoping that it being a 2012, there will be some improvements by that point...*sigh* May well be wishful thinking though...

 

So Apple will be releasing iOS5 late summer early fall. Part of that release will be the availability of album art/cover images via bluetooth. Depending if that's directed for the I phone 5 only or also an update for us 4 users, the cradle or need to be connected may become extinct. Of course those looking for mini connected, google, Facebook etc. will still look for that. Once office is up and working...emails and such then I'd have interest. Will be interesting to see what hits the market first... The correct cradle or the operating system?

 

Or maybe a class action lawsuit for false advertising.

Connected has yet to work the way it was billed and to the best of my knowledge you can't do that.

 

Lots of rumors saying no iPhone 5(yet), next release will be a refresh called iPhone 4S in October, with the iPhone 5 not being released till next year, with 4G ability.

 

I wonder if its as simple as being able to downgrade the firmware? Many owners, like myself, have a pre March build date and have no issue with the y cable and getting everything to work, except the sync issue with audio/video on movies.

 

Pre March build here as well... And have had no issues using the provided Y cable.
Just wishing the correct cradle would be available (have tried 3 so far). More importantly wishing items like Office worked, with or without the cradle. Posted earlier after reading in "Engadget" that iOS5 is due out soon, summer/fall. But after searching a bit more,
plus JudgeS comments of more rumor than fact, seems that it may be indeed a longer wait than thought. Sure looks like iOS5 won't be released until the 5 phone is released.
It's almost a sure thing that the 5 phone is a different shape than the existing 4, so what does that do for the cradle from Mini do out soon. SM confirmed will start shipping mid August. I was intrigued by iOS5 because of the Bluetooth cover/album art streaming that will be available. Going on 5000 miles and stilling enjoying my CM as if it were the first day. As the miles add up... Seems to run stronger and better.

 

If that's what you want, then cross your fingers for saab to stay alive. They've been working on an Android based headunit.

 

Just saw the "Snap in Cradle for the I Phone 4" available at minigenuineparts.co.uk
Sent them an email on cost and shipping availability…
Describes everything we have been waiting for

 

I have one of these in the uk.
It doesn't do plugin or video (which is needed for plugin).

Apparently a video one will soon be released....

 

I've been experimenting with different phones regarding Office (lots of phones collected over the years). The Motorola Razr and Slvr, both which support 2-way SMS over bluetooth only provide contacts under Connected/Office. I'm fairly sure that a software upgrade to connected will be required for SMS and email. We'll have to wait and see if IOS 5 will have the bluetooth support for SMS and email, then we'll have to wait for MINI to provide an updated firmware.
I ended up getting the BMW cradle with the fan, the phone gets very hot, I think the cradle electronics are heating up more so than the phone. There is cold air pumped into BMW's, but not the MINI armrest... I would recommend staying away from the BMW media cradle...