[Berkbon]

I understand we're still waiting on the snap in adapters for the iPhone 4, but has anybody heard anything from BMW about the expected availability of adapters for the iPhone 5?

I'm wondering if we should expect BMW to be 6 months to a year behind phones, or if this is just a case of them getting caught up with accessories for the new X3, and the adapter for the iPhone 5 will be available soon after the phone's release (i.e., this summer).

I take delivery of my X3 next month, and I'm trying to determine which iPhone to get to take advantage of the car's tech capabilities.

[jijioben]

Although I have heard nothing, I can also say that usually Apple does not disclose information to vendors until about 1 week from release, if that. In addition to that, the certification program usually takes a bit longer (to be officially compatible). All this hints at the fact that BMW will be late, though through no fault of their own.

[sfax]

I would say about a year after the iPhone 5 is released. They still haven't got an iPhone 4 media snap in adapter for sale - expected next month. Poor that it takes so long IMO

[acey81]

It's funny how BMW brags about being the only manufacturer that supports the latest technology, full integration of the iPhone, the Apps etc. And still, one year after the release of the iPhone 4 we don't have a reliable snap in adaptor. Less bragging, more work please.

[sfax]

Originally Posted by acey81

It's funny how BMW brags about being the only manufacturer that supports the latest technology, full integration of the iPhone, the Apps etc. And still, one year after the release of the iPhone 4 we don't have a reliable snap in adaptor. Less bragging, more work please.

+1 I really don't understand how it can take so long. The software interfaces for most stuff won't have changed significantly since the 3GS was launched. They launch a new iPhone every year and BMW is a year behind. What use is that?

[kozzi]

I am not a programmer but I doubt it is as easy as everyone thinks it should be. BMW uses their own operating system and navigation (iDrive) and I am positive Apple wishes that were not the case. Mercedes use Apple software…I wonder how long it takes for them to get their stuff up and running?

kozzi

[sfax]

[QUOTE=kozzi;9184567]I am not a programmer but I doubt it is as easy as everyone thinks it should be. BMW uses their own operating system and navigation (iDrive) and I am positive Apple wishes that were not the case. Mercedes use Apple software

[MA78]

It's very likely that the iPhone 5 will look just like the 4. There may be small differences, but it seems very unlikely that they will change the design.

[ksoze]

Originally Posted by MA78

It's very likely that the iPhone 5 will look just like the 4. There may be small differences, but it seems very unlikely that they will change the design.

Each iPhone iteration has had a different form. Although some are less revolutionary in shape and size, there will most likely be some physical difference and even a minor change in the body will unfortunately result in the need for a new, specific cradle.

[thefreeze]

This is the only advantage of the huge lead times for us Europeans.

By the time we get our cars delivered, the snap-in adapter for the iPhone 4 is available :-)

[kozzi]

Originally Posted by ksoze

Each iPhone iteration has had a different form. Although some are less revolutionary in shape and size, there will most likely be some physical difference and even a minor change in the body will unfortunately result in the need for a new, specific cradle.

+1
I opted out of the iphone cradle per my dealer's recommendation as back in Nov 2011, he was unaware of the issues that may come up. Technology changes so fast, I don't see what the hype is all about for these cradles. Thats just me. We have 3 phones paired (iphone and 2 bb's) via bt and an ipod/on-board hard drive for tunes. That works great. Sure there is always room for improvement, but I think BMW is doing just fine.

kozzi

[sfax]

Originally Posted by kozzi

I am not a programmer but I doubt it is as easy as everyone thinks it should be. BMW uses their own operating system and navigation (iDrive) and I am positive Apple wishes that were not the case. Mercedes use Apple software…I wonder how long it takes for them to get their stuff up and running?

kozzi

Take the basic iPhone adaptor for example, I don't see what would have changed other than the shape of the phone from 3G to 3GS to 4? The initial development to get iDrive working with the iPhone would take some time but after that it's child's play. OK, the 6NR stuff will take some more time but even the media snap-in adaptors that play music won't have changed much since 3G. I lost some respect for BMW's developers after they made the music collection play albums in song title alphabetical order. Inexplicable.

[perto]

Originally Posted by sfax

I lost some respect for BMW's developers after they made the music collection play albums in song title alphabetical order. Inexplicable.

A lot of ABBA then

[sfax]

Originally Posted by perto

A lot of ABBA then

No, if it was albums in alphabetical order that would be OK. It's much worse than that. It takes ABBA's Arrival album

When I Kissed The Teacher
Dancing Queen
My Love, My Life
Dum Dum Diddle
Knowing Me, Knowing You
Money, Money, Money
That's Me
Why Did It Have To Be Me?
Tiger
Arrival
Fernando
Happy Hawaii


And plays it in this order

Arrival
Dancing Queen
Dum Dum Diddle
Fernando
Happy Hawaii
Knowing Me, Knowing You
Money, Money, Money
My Love, My Life
That's Me
Tiger
When I Kissed The Teacher
Why Did It Have To Be Me?



And there is nothing you can do to change it (other than rename every song title in your mp3 collection so that it starts 01, 02, which I have done)

It's probably the only MP3 in the world that does this but that is not something to be proud of

[MA78]

Originally Posted by ksoze

Each iPhone iteration has had a different form. Although some are less revolutionary in shape and size, there will most likely be some physical difference and even a minor change in the body will unfortunately result in the need for a new, specific cradle.

Except for the 3g and 3gs.

[ksoze]

Originally Posted by MA78

Except for the 3g and 3gs.

Correct, except I would not use that data as evidence to assume that the iPhone 5 will have the exact same form factor as the iPhone 4.

I have no idea what it will look like, but I would assume it will be different, in many ways due to the fact the phone competition has tightened up since Andriod.

I also bet the third party companies pray for a physical change so they can replenish their case, screen saver, etc business each round.

[MA78]

Originally Posted by ksoze

Correct, except I would not use that data as evidence to assume that the iPhone 5 will have the exact same form factor as the iPhone 4.

I have no idea what it will look like, but I would assume it will be different, in many ways due to the fact the phone competition has tightened up since Andriod.

I also bet the third party companies pray for a physical change so they can replenish their case, screen saver, etc business each round.

Fair enough. But I'm going to guess that the dimensions of the phone will be the same. Form what I've read, the new phone will have a new processor and 4g capability and that's it.

[jijioben]

I'm just hoping they'll expand the Bluetooth capabilities so that album art can be sent. I'd also like them to fully implement the remote control protocol, and if they really wanted this to be good for iPhone users they could implement A/V airplay. Now that would not need any BMW extra app...

[kozzi]

Originally Posted by sfax

Take the basic iPhone adaptor for example, I don't see what would have changed other than the shape of the phone from 3G to 3GS to 4? The initial development to get iDrive working with the iPhone would take some time but after that it's child's play. OK, the 6NR stuff will take some more time but even the media snap-in adaptors that play music won't have changed much since 3G. I lost some respect for BMW's developers after they made the music collection play albums in song title alphabetical order. Inexplicable.

I feel the pain...and the alphabetical ordered song titles are a joke. Top 50 anyone?

kozzi

[Mako]

Originally Posted by MA78

Fair enough. But I'm going to guess that the dimensions of the phone will be the same. Form what I've read, the new phone will have a new processor and 4g capability and that's it.

So it might just be called the 4GS

I mean they went 3G, then 3GS, so this one might add 4G data and a faster processor, 4GS would make sense, same size, hopefully BMW will have an adapter quickly if that is the case, or the iphone 4 adapter will work!

So if I get the smartphone and BMW app options for $400 but they don't have a cradle yet for my phone, I can't use them? I am planning on getting the new iphone this summer when my 2 year contract is up, that would suck if the X3 can't use it for 6-12 months after the fact and you pay BMW $400 for it.

[sfax]

Even if it's the same size, don't assume it will work in the old cradle. The iDrive will reject an iPhone 4 even if you modify an 3G cradle so that it fits (I think ksoze posted this). That said, there is only one cradle for the 3G and 3GS so if it's a 4GS rather than a 5.....

My wife and I are both due new phones in a couple of weeks and I have decided to go for iPhone 4s so that they are compatible with the cradle we have already bought. I think you'll be waiting until 2012 at the earliest for an iPhone 5 cradle.

[MA78]

Originally Posted by sfax

Even if it's the same size, don't assume it will work in the old cradle. The iDrive will reject an iPhone 4 even if you modify an 3G cradle so that it fits (I think ksoze posted this). That said, there is only one cradle for the 3G and 3GS so if it's a 4GS rather than a 5.....

My wife and I are both due new phones in a couple of weeks and I have decided to go for iPhone 4s so that they are compatible with the cradle we have already bought. I think you'll be waiting until 2012 at the earliest for an iPhone 5 cradle.

And by then, you'll be ready to upgrade to an iPhone 6. Or maybe a 6gs or something...