[LEDZEP]

Please post any legit information, educated speculation, hopes and prayers, etc. here for the new factory installed iPod/USB adaptor, designated as 6FL.

BMW claims this allows the full functionality of the iPod with the car's audio system and steering wheel controls, etc. Also should charge the iPod. This indicates that it will use the iPod dock connection.

I'd love to learn more, as I have this option on my new order. With any luck, this will become a JSpira thread once he gets his hands on the information!

[BzsBimmer]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Please post any legit information, educated speculation, hopes and prayers, etc. here for the new factory installed iPod/USB adaptor, designated as 6FL.

BMW claims this allows the full functionality of the iPod with the car's audio system and steering wheel controls, etc. Also should charge the iPod. This indicates that it will use the iPod dock connection.

I'd love to learn more, as I have this option on my new order. With any luck, this will become a JSpira thread once he gets his hands on the information!

NM

[tirana]

It makes sense since the dealer-installed option does all of that and while the 6FL factory option is cheaper, it would make sense to pass the obvious installation savings onto the customer. The 6FL option seems to go one step further in allowing USB stick access as well. FWIW, the dealer-fitted iPod integration works very well but is expensive so the new option should be a win-win. I just wish there was a way to insulate my iPod from the current frigid temperatures that will kill its Li-ion battery..... I guess I could stick it on the heated seat

[JSpira]

This is all I´ve gotten and it´s for the E87, but it should be the same for other MOST cars.

AS of March 2007 it will be possible to connect external audio sources to the music system on the LCI via the USB socket. The monitor screen will map the functions of the connected devices and display them as permanent drives.

Ipod
One of the devices that can be connected is the iPod. Control is by digital means via USB to-serial cable using the proprietary Apple protocol. The monitor uses the iPod database and maps the functions of the iPod. Integration of iPod, iPod Nano and iPod Video is planned for March 2007. Tracks can be accessed from "Playlist", "Artist", "Album","Genre" and "Song".

USB audio players
It will also be possible to use USB audio players in the E87 LCI from March 2007.Connection is by means of a USB cable using the USB mass storage protocol.

The folder structure on the audio player is displayed on the monitor screen and a database is also constructed by analysing the ID3 tags using M2ULF. Tracks can be accessed both through the folder structureand by means of the database. Tracks on the USB audio player can be accessed from "Playlist", "Artist", "Album", "Genre" and "Song".

[LEDZEP]

Cool. Thanks Jonathan! Keep us posted as you learn more... but without giving away the secret sauce to some future "brand new gee whiz gadget" article you may be working on.

[DrDomer]

Do non-iDrive units have a USB port?

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by DrDomer

Do non-iDrive units have a USB port?

If you order it I suppose.

[calvino]

can we retro fit it ?

[brocken]

Originally Posted by JSpira

If you order it I suppose.

You have to order the USB port? Is it something that plugs into the stock module?
I'd be very interested in this option if it ends up costing less and or easier to install than the specific ipod adapter.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by brocken

You have to order the USB port? I

That´s generally how specifying a car works.

Originally Posted by brocken

Is it something that plugs into the stock module?

No idea what you mean by ,,stock module``

Originally Posted by brocken

I'd be very interested in this option if it ends up costing less and or easier to install than the specific ipod adapter.

It´s not an either or scenario.

[LEDZEP]

Just a hunch... but I think this factory option is essentially the same as the current dealer installed iPod adaptor. There may be some added functionality for other USB players, but I doubt you could DIY this without at least having the dealer update the programming.

As a factory install, it is bound to be significantly cheaper, and might have some better integration. I'm looking forward to the full scoop on it, although JSpira has given us a nice head start.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by calvino

can we retro fit it ?

no

[calvino]

Originally Posted by praecurvo

perhaps a retro if we upgrade the stereo/head and a software update?

update the stereo unit is cheaper to get the ipod kit !!!

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by calvino

update the stereo unit is cheaper to get the ipod kit !!!

+1

The dealer installed kit would be the easy alternative.

[brocken]

No offence but I think Jspira is making this whole thing more confusing.
The reason for my post was you made it sound like the USB port was part of the stock control module(or "LCI" as you called it). As in, if you had i-drive the control module would have a USB port on it in addition to the fiber optic cable.

I understand there's a USB adapter that will be available which is similar to the ipod adapter we already have access to. I was trying to clarify if there was something other than that USB adapter that you were talking about.

[apw2607]

I think there is a few differences from the existing MOST ipod integration which sound promising.

Since the new interface no longer emulates a CD Changer, the changer can co-exist with the new factory ipod/usb interface. One no longer has to remember what CD1,2,3 stand for. Adding support for USB drives is also a big plus for folks not locked into ipod's. There's potential now for hanging some very large drives off the system. I suspect however that there will be some limit on i-drives ability to build the Artist, Album, etc database for the USB drive however.

Still its good that they are doing this. Not a surprise really, as Audi recently announced its next generation ipod/usb interface.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by brocken

No offence but I think Jspira is making this whole thing more confusing.

How so? Led has asked about the 6FL.

Originally Posted by brocken

The reason for my post was you made it sound like the USB port was part of the stock control module(or "LCI" as you called it).

What does whatever this mysterious ,,stock control module`` you make reference to have to do with an LCI?

Originally Posted by brocken

I understand there's a USB adapter that will be available which is similar to the ipod adapter we already have access to.

It is orderable now. It is similar only in that you can connect an iPod to it and control it through the iDrive system.

Originally Posted by brocken

I was trying to clarify if there was something other than that USB adapter that you were talking about.

Perhaps you meant to, but you didn´t.

[Jean330xi]

Originally Posted by brocken

No offence but I think Jspira is making this whole thing more confusing.
The reason for my post was you made it sound like the USB port was part of the stock control module(or "LCI" as you called it). As in, if you had i-drive the control module would have a USB port on it in addition to the fiber optic cable.

I understand there's a USB adapter that will be available which is similar to the ipod adapter we already have access to. I was trying to clarify if there was something other than that USB adapter that you were talking about.

Neither of your posts here makes any sense, rambling on about stock control modules (which have nothing as everyone knows to do with the LCI of a car) so please do not say JSpira is confusing people when your posts are the ones that make no sense.

[brocken]

Originally Posted by Jean330xi

Neither of your posts here makes any sense, rambling on about stock control modules (which have nothing as everyone knows to do with the LCI of a car) so please do not say JSpira is confusing people when your posts are the ones that make no sense.

Well, I guess everyone but me knows what an LCI is. It sounded like it was an acronym for a control module. Instead of being rude you could have simply clarified.
I wasn't trying to be rude in my post, I didn't understand something and was asking for clarification.

Originally Posted by JSpira

Perhaps you meant to, but you didn´t.

Perhaps you meant to learn manners, but you didn't.

I just noticed both offenders are from Europe...maybe the attitude is a regional thing...

[obLu]

Don't worry about it ... the unofficial leader of this forum gives short answers and has an unhealthy obsession with absolute fact, therefore comes across as rude.

But then you get some hangers-on that like to think they can bully up too. That post was just annoyingly inappropriate.

If the guy doesn't know what he's talking about, school him, but there's no need to be a dick about it.

On another topic, so we've determined that 100% this is a completely different unit that the current ipod module and not a software updated version? Wishful thinking that I could buy just the new module and my current dealer enabling (whatever it was that was done) would allow me to use this too.

[texasturner]

Just curious I have this option on order as well but it is not showing up on the owners circle tracking? Is anyone having luck seeing the option on the order tracking website?

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by brocken

Well, I guess everyone but me knows what an LCI is. It sounded like it was an acronym for a control module. Instead of being rude you could have simply clarified.
I wasn't trying to be rude in my post, I didn't understand something and was asking for clarification.


Perhaps you meant to learn manners, but you didn't.

I just noticed both offenders are from Europe...maybe the attitude is a regional thing...

Dude, better to stay quiet and have people think you are an idiot, than to use your keyboard and remove all doubt. No one has any idea what you're talking about.