Really? How is it made available? I was under the impression that you had a USB connection for reading data (as it was on the drive), or an analog audio for the iPod to push via line-out. I don't have one to fiddle with though, and I couldn't find much in the way of detailed specifics. (TBH I wasn't looking for this functionality though)

The website is particularly ambiguous:
With the exception of the armrest part, that could apply to the 2008 USB connection too. It's only the secret compartment iPod adapter that uses the CD Changer access, the USB port version doesn't have the track limit that the CD changer does.

It won't take long for us to find out for sure though- I'm sure that somebody will be pulling the thing apart once they take delivery, just to see how big of a hard drive they can get tucked in there

Sorry, I wasn't particularly clear; plus I used the non-Apple name, they refer to it as "Disk Mode". Also, it's not available on the iPod Touch. I'm aware that the way MINI's kit is designed audio is delivered via the iPod's analog line out (and posted as much in comment #5 above?) and that the MINI doesn't automatically run disk mode when it's connected to the MINI.

But, in disk mode, the iPod does act the way a thumb drive would. Music stored via iTunes isn't accessible, but this way you do have direct access- as long as the file is in one of the MINI's readable formats it should be playable.

Since the USB end of Y-cable included with the MINI is actually a serial adapter, and not a standard USB cable, you'll probably also need to use a 'normal' USB cable for disk mode to work.

 

I think the confusion is that I was told by my MA that the connection in the armrest would be a dock connection, not just the standard USB connection that exists at the front of the Mini now.

And I know what you mean by Disk Mode, but that defeats the purpose of having the iPod in the first place, since all music would have to be stored twice to be played in both your car and on the iPod itself.

 

And the iPhone doesn't have a disk mode like the iPods do, not without jailbreaking it and adding 3rd party software (which I don't really want to do on mine).

 

As noted iPhones (and iPod touches) don't have a disk mode.

USB specifies several different classes of device. You're obviously familiar with disks, aka "Mass Storage Devices" or "MSC", there's also things like "HID" (human interface device, like keyboard and mice, and much more), also cameras or various descriptions, and audio devices (such as speakers and microphones). Then there's everything which doesn't fit into one of the standard classes, aka "Vendor specific".

iPods and the iPhone have several different modes of operation, you can see that if you have the right tools, you can ask the device what sort of device modes it supports. (Its all in descriptors, anyone with a Mac and the developer kit should check out USB prober for this sort of thing.)

iPods declare themselves as either an MSC device or a HID/Audio device. The iPhone declares itself as either a camera, vendor specific or HID/Audio. Its the HID/Audio configurations which are the interesting ones. The HID interface is used to send the same control commands which are usually sent via the serial control protocol (iAP, iPod Accessory protocol in Apple speak). (This has nothing to do with human interfaces, but that's another story.) The audio interface basically declares the iPod as a stereo microphone. The right USB enabled radio will send commands to control the music playing using the HID/iAP interface, the iPod will then send the music over the Audio interface like it was a microphone.

As its the iPod/iPhone playing the audio, the digital data stream gets sent to the USB interface instead of the DAC (for the headphone/line out) you can play anything over USB that the iPod/iPhone could play over the headphones. That includes playing protected AAC files.

 

Huh, I stand corrected! But still, even knowing that I'm looking for info on HID audio, I'm having a heck of a time finding any solid info on it. I guess I'll check around the Apple dev/knowlege base stuff and see what I can dig up. Thanks!

Hmm, the original cable still uses the dock connector, I dunno that that's proof of a digital connection.

Yeah, I know it's basically worthless if you're interested in using the iPod as it's meant to be used at all, but it's an option for getting the 1's and 0's one step closer to the car before it gets amplified. There's a few people around here that just stuff the iPod in the car permanently, and this could be benefitial to them.

 

@Btwyx - You seem to be reasonably well in the know about it, can you confirm if the direct USB audio requires authentication? I've found a couple posts in Apple mailing lists suggesting that it does, and another which implies licensing is required?

 

It does, and it does require a license from Apple.

 

It does. So if you try to stream audio from the iPod, all you'll get is silence (zeros) untill authentication succeeeds.

 

For the standard stuff have you tried the USB-if http://developers.usb.org all the USB specs are there.

The Apple specs are not generally available, you have to be in the iPod developer ("Made for iPod") program. If you have a proposition that Apple might be interested in try mailing ipoddev@apple.com. Then you'd have to pay something per unit for the authentication chips.

 

Wow, this thread degraded in a hurry...
Ok, keeping it simple; what you get when you pay $100 on top of the comfort usb/ipod price is probably just the movement of the USB jack to the armrest in the form of a standard ipod connector, which will allow your car stereo to play music from the ipod just like any $50 ipod-enabled alarm clock radio you can buy at Target. End of story.

 

I just got my clubbie today and my MA hooked up my iphone and everything works but it doesn't seem to be charging. Is that right? Or is something not working right?

 

It won't charge the iPhone 3G because Apple made a change to the dock pins that will power the unit.

 

Thanks. Hmmm. I have the original iPhone so its not the 3G. I will do some more problem solving.

 

Weird. I jiggled the usb and mini plug and now she's charging. Hope it doesn't happen over and over. Good for now I guess!

 

If it keeps happening be sure to bring it to the dealer - it really shouldn't be doing that.

 

anyone know if the regular ipod integration will charge the iphone 3g?

 

I've read every thread and my head is still spinning... Take pity on me, I'm a computer dummy and I'm confused. I've never used Bluetooth and never had a car that had anykind of ipod/phone connection other than the charger plug! This is what I want to do, can anybody help?

I've got an '08 Clubman on order. Will have the MFSW and Comfort Bluetooth option that is available for the 08 (ie NOT the smartphone prep $100 add on option). I have an original iphone that I use for music/podcasts (ie NO separate ipod), though when on trips together, my husband/copilot will also be bringing along his ipod and his Razr.
1. When my car comes in, will I have to buy something extra in order to charge the phone in the armrest?
2. When the phone is in the armrest will it be able to play podcasts/music from the iphone through the stereo and use the MFSW?
3. If the answer to #2 is "yes" then will it cut out of music when a phone call comes in, let you talk via Bluetooth and then go back to music when you hang up when in the armrest?
4. If the answer to #3 is no then will the phone do #3 when it is hooked up via the Y adapter connection?
5. I've got a feeling that I shouldn't have bothered ordering Comfort Bluetooth..... what is the advantage?
6. Am I wrong in thinking that I need to broaden my horizons and that I need to start listening to my podcasts and music via an ipod or some sort of usb thingy ... if that's true, any preference for one or the other?
Thanks!

 

I have yet to receive a definitive answer on items 1 and 2, but I was told by my MA that the answer is yes to both - you'd have to buy the iPhone smart phone prep in order for the right connection to be there.

3 is yes - that's just a feature of the phone itself and has nothing to do with the car. 4 is yes as well.

5 - as opposed to what? The "Comfort" bluetooth option just adds the MFSW and center armrest.

6 - Yes, you are wrong. Your iPhone is just fine for podcasts and music.

 

[QUOTE=thejokell;2416266]
5 - as opposed to what? The "Comfort" bluetooth option just adds the MFSW and center armrest.

This is what I meant in question 5.... the MFSW came with the premium package already. Did I spend 1,000 for a center armrest that could have been added separately for $250? Or have I gotten something else too?

From what I read on the smartphone prep posts here, it doesn't seem that you can retrofit that 09 option onto the 08 and that is the only way to both charge and listen to music and take calls through the armrest...... am I wrong?

 

[quote=gbsim;2416312]The Comfort Bluetooth prep would be necessary for you to take calls through the MINI and also adds the possibility of charging the phone through the armrest with a separately sold armrest snap-in. There's other bits that come along with the comfort option, like rain sensing wipers, the keyless fobs, auto lights and more... The $250 armrest is an empty one- there's electronic bits in the one included with the Bluetooth prep that make it work with the snap-ins.

I don't know if there's a definative answer on whether there will be a USB-in-the-armrest retrofit, but the $100 SmartPhone Prep is required for music access in the armrest without any modification. (There has been people that have extended their USB port with a cable to the armrest- extra work and a bit of a hack, but it can be done)

 

Hey everyone,
My first post...
I'll be ordering an 09 clubman as soon as I get all the options figured out.
Could someone help here? I have a new iphone and have never used bluetooth in a car or otherwise. Here's what I'm looking for.

I want to play music/podcasts from my iphone through the radio via bluetooth? i.e. so I don't have to plug it in.
What option do I need to order to do this? (I don't want the iphone to charge in the car).
Is it better audio quality to use the mini-plug, I could just use a cable into the aux jack, but like the idea of it playing without plugging it in.

Obviously, I want to integrate the phone in the car for phone calls via bluetooth as well.

Thanks alot for your help. Forgive me if I'm repeating stuff that's already been answered. The mini site is not really clear on this.

 

[QUOTE=nicknbecka;2417854]That stuff is part of the standard convenience package, though. The only difference between standard convenience with bluetooth and the convenience package with the comfort bluetooth are the MFSW and center armrest.

Edit to add that the MFSW is what allows you to make and receive bluetooth calls, correct? So what good is the bluetooth without the comfort bluetooth option?

 

You cannot play music/podcasts from your iPhone via bluetooth. The only way to go wireless from your phone to the radio is an FM adapter, and those pretty much suck. You'll have to either use the USB/Aux In on the front or the smart phone adapter in the armrest.

 

Does the smartphone adapter also charge the phone?

 

Like I said, I'm getting mixed results in finding out about that kind of stuff. But my MA says that the smartphone adapter will charge and play music from the iPhone right from the armrest. Other people have disagreed.