I noticed there was an update for the MINI Connected app. Looks like "Driving Excitement" is the big change - digital gauges for horsepower and torque (or engine speed). I can see this being the start of a series of digital gauges in the vein of the GT-R's Polyphony Digital type display.

Just plugged it in to see the display. I haven't taken it for a drive to see it in action. I'll report back tomorrow...

 

Did a quick snap for the digital meters and oil temp and G Force

 

Ya its pretty neat to play with. Kind of wish it had a boost gauge but I guess they put in a HP gauge instead.

 

Thanks for snapping! I noticed this morning that the force meter "fades" after a while so the peaks aren't persistent...

 

Where do you download this? Does the iPhone app update the car's app?

 

app store on your phone should have the update available to download.

 

Yes, and T.G.I.F. (thank God it's FREE).

 

Looks like its making its way around the net:
http://www.motoringfile.com/2011/12/...ini-connected/


The most useful part of this new feature is the temp gauge. Finally a temp gauge in the car without the need for a aftermarket tool!!

 

Chibi-Mini and Bentycc: what iOS are you running, and are you using the armrest phone cradle? I was "excited" to notice "Driving Excitement" in my Connected app, but it didn't show up in my car when I plugged in this morning (at least with Mission Control and the like, I get a message saying I need the cradle connection).

I'm not yet on iOS5 (corp. phone, long story) and I only use the Y-cable. Is this why I'm not seeing it?

 

rcsmrk I am running iOS 5.0.1 on my iPhone 4 and using the usb connection under the toggles. Also update the MINI Connected app to the latest version.

Of course you know you need to launch the app on your phone and have it running when you get your car into the Connected menu.

 

@rcsmrk

using ios5 on a 4s with docking station

You have to drill down to a couple of different menus to activate - Note this must be done disconnected from the car from within the MINI connected app on your iphone

First go to MINI apps (last tab on lower right) click on Driving excitement and on top selection slide to turn on

Next step back up a menu to main mini apps screen, click on the car icon on the top right and select driving profile "excitement" You have two choice for audio, neither effect ability to see gauges

Now when you go to the main MINI apps screen you should see that the driving excitement is active and all the other (news , twitter, google...ect) are disabled/crossed out shown by a little screen symbol

Sorry if my reply is to simplified - It took me a few tries before I figured out what to do so I am assuming others might also struggle a bit to turn this on

I think its really daft that this feature disables other useful apps, and that you can not activate/select form MINI connected using the joystick - I use google send to car a lot and now will have to pre select what I am going to do before docking or yank it out whilst on the move - Kind of defeats the purpose of the docking station if I have to pull it out to change apps

 

Thanks. Yep, I can see most of the other apps in my car when I connect (Google, Plug-In, Facebook, Twitter, etc.), but not Driving Excitement. I wonder if it's an iOS thing...

 

spaner - thanks for the details! Followed what insructions I could from the office here and will get to my car when I can to see if it all works. Much-appreciated!

 

I wonder how accurate the Power/Torque readings are?

I have only played with mine a little but saw 192 ft/lbs on a WOT run up the street

It would be neat if you can use it as your own personal dyno when assessing bolt on goodies

 

There was talk of developing software and apps for blackberry. Anyone know anything?

 

Just an FYI for anyone else who doesn't have an iPhone...I use an iPod touch in my car, and the new Driving Excitement works just fine with it and the y-cable.

 

Tom...someone else will probably know more than I do...but it blows my mind that they dont have Droid and Blackberry versions!

 

Hmmm IPOD Touch for me maybe. Just for Mini stuff.

Myself and my wife both have Black Berrys and I agree that they should have apps for them as well.

But I did watch a cool documentary on a flight I took about BMW. They didn't exactly come out and say it but they refered to "Apple" quite a bit, so I think there might be some sort of agreement between them.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. Works great with my iPod Touch on my Countryman!

Vince

 

I am able to drill down to the app on mine with the joystick in MINI Connected.

 

What's everyone seeing for Hp and torque

I get a maximum of 211 Hp 192 ft/lbs torque but is seems to saturat at these numbers

Anyone with a jcw Msc an connected get different numbers?

 

rcsmark - I'm using an iPhone 4 with iOS 5.0.1. No cradle, just the Y-cable.

 

It's one or the other - you have to choose in the app before plugging in.

1) Driving Excitement - includes Driving Excitement & Web Sounds or Car Sounds

2) MINIMALISM & Infortainment - includes Web Sounds or Car Sounds, RSS, Twitter, Facebook, Google Send to Car, Google Local Search, MINIMALISM Analyser

Start the app, hit the "MINI apps" button on the bottom of the screen, then hit the car icon on the top right corner of the screen.

 

Thanks again for the replies and the details. I followed spaner's instructions on Friday and took it for a spin at lunch - fun stuff! There's actually a quasi-roundabout near my office, so I got to try out the force meter. Showed it to the kids this weekend and they had fun seeing it (and feeling it) in action!

 

Cool

Still curious what others are seeing for peak Hp and torque