[Austindrvr]

Despite searching, I can't find much additional detail on BMW Apps, and two different dealers gave me 2 completely different descriptions of what it can do.

I get the part about controlling your music with an Apple-like interface, facebook/twitter, and playing video while stopped but any ideas what other specific functionality it offers or may offer, specifically over the current interface?

My immediate desire would be to stream some of my local radio station's (thru their apps) via my phone, into my car when traveling out of town? Seems like this would be "internet radio" as in the description right? Do I need apps to do this?

The price isnt bad, so I may just get it to protect myself should some really cool feature come out soon after (BMW is almost as bad as Apple on this).

Thanks!

[jopa489]

As far as I'm aware, the apps themselves need to support the BMW Apps system. So I doubt the local radio station apps have that support, at least not yet. If you're ordering a new car and getting iDrive anyway, I would just get the BMW Apps option and see how it expands in the future.

[guyincogntioo]

When I am out of town I just use the aux. input and the headphone jack of my phone to stream online radio. Not the most glamorous solution, but it works. It would be nice if this apps feature would do something like that, but for only $250, I may just get it anyways.

Edit: You probably do that already.

[eekthecat]

Originally Posted by guyincogntioo

When I am out of town I just use the aux. input and the headphone jack of my phone to stream online radio. Not the most glamorous solution, but it works. It would be nice if this apps feature would do something like that, but for only $250, I may just get it anyways.

Edit: You probably do that already.

$250, plus the cost of the snap-in adapter, right? (>$200)

[BSM328xi]

Originally Posted by Austindrvr

Despite searching, I can't find much additional detail on BMW Apps, and two different dealers gave me 2 completely different descriptions of what it can do.

I get the part about controlling your music with an Apple-like interface, facebook/twitter, and playing video while stopped but any ideas what other specific functionality it offers or may offer, specifically over the current interface?

My immediate desire would be to stream some of my local radio station's (thru their apps) via my phone, into my car when traveling out of town? Seems like this would be "internet radio" as in the description right? Do I need apps to do this?

The price isnt bad, so I may just get it to protect myself should some really cool feature come out soon after (BMW is almost as bad as Apple on this).

Thanks!

I have BMW Apps in my E90. You're dead on with the facebook/twitter/iTunes interface (will need iPhone snap-in when it's available).

Web Radio:

I used this today for the first time and it was awesome, especially for the reason you described. I was in PA, listening to radio stations in Galveston, TX. There are thousands of stations including Antartica, Africa, Australia...you get the point.

I travel for work often and it will be awesome to have my local stations while I am away.

Other Features:

Last Mile Navigation- sends the last mile of directions to iPhone. Perfect for parking in the city, not near your destination.

BMW Connected App- 1st screen of app shows you remaining gallons of fuel, miles left in range, etc. Great to know if you have gas when you're not in the car (updates each time you remove phone).

For $250 it is well worth it. Far beyond Facebook.

[guyincogntioo]

Originally Posted by eekthecat

$250, plus the cost of the snap-in adapter, right? (>$200)

Well, officially you can't get it without Nav, Ipod/USB and BMW Assist (or Premium), but yes, you would need the snap in for full functionality.

rhodesman posted a PDF from BMW here.

[Austindrvr]

I used this today for the first time and it was awesome, especially for the reason you described. I was in PA, listening to radio stations in Galveston, TX. There are thousands of stations including Antartica, Africa, Australia...you get the point.

BMW Connected App- 1st screen of app shows you remaining gallons of fuel, miles left in range, etc. Great to know if you have gas when you're not in the car (updates each time you remove phone).

For $250 it is well worth it. Far beyond Facebook.[/QUOTE]

Very cool stuff, definitely getting this. Have you tried the video-out yet? Any thoughts?

[Austindrvr]

Originally Posted by guyincogntioo

Well, officially you can't get it without Nav, Ipod/USB and BMW Assist (or Premium), but yes, you would need the snap in for full functionality.

rhodesman posted a PDF from BMW here.

Thanks for the link, very helpful

[BSM328xi]

Originally Posted by Austindrvr

Thanks for the link, very helpful

Just to clarify rhodesman's post. He means "x" models have it for 4/11 production, not xi.

[Hou*E92]

Remember that with Combox (post-Sep 2010 builds) you can stream audio from your phone over Bluetooth, even without BMW Apps. This is how I listen to Pandora.

[BSM328xi]

Originally Posted by bfp

Remember that with Combox (post-Sep 2010 builds) you can stream audio from your phone over Bluetooth, even without BMW Apps. This is how I listen to Pandora.

The only problem with Bluetooth audio is that you cannot control the audio via idrive. With BMW Apps you can.

[335isGuy]

damn i wish this was a option when i ordered my car.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by BSM328xi

The only problem with Bluetooth audio is that you cannot control the audio via idrive. With BMW Apps you can.

OEM Bluetooth Audio is controlled by the iDrive.

[BSM328xi]

Originally Posted by Technic

OEM Bluetooth Audio is controlled by the iDrive.

You can select songs/artists/playlists/etc.? If so, my apologies.

[apw2607]

Originally Posted by BSM328xi

You can select songs/artists/playlists/etc.? If so, my apologies.

No but you can do basic control. Next track etc. Depending on handset track info is also displayed.

When BMW update the Bluetooth stack in the combox it will have the ability to do choose tracks by genre/artist etc over bluetooth audio streaming with a compatible handset.

[BSM328xi]

Originally Posted by apw2607

No but you can do basic control. Next track etc. Depending on handset track info is also displayed.

When BMW update the Bluetooth stack in the combox it will have the ability to do choose tracks by genre/artist etc over bluetooth audio streaming with a compatible handset.

Right, so like I said before, you can't control the audio (WELL) through idrive.

[Madhouse]

Hi everyone.

After getting the runaround from BMW Germany (ordering diplomatic through UK for a Canadian Spec), I found the BMW Canada ordering sheet on a M3 Forum. In Canada it is option code ZOX (still not available on BMW.CA).

It provides:

Ordering Requirements
The following features must be ordered to add package ZOX:

• 609 – Navigation with iDrive
• 639 – BMW Assist
• 6FL – iPod and USB adapter Note: For the X3, option 6NL (BMW Assist with enhanced Bluetooth and USB) is ordered instead of 639 (BMW Assist) and 6FL (iPod and USB adapter)

The following features are included with package ZOX:

• 6NR – Apps
• 6NF – Smartphone Integration

Further, in order to enable all functions (Apps, Plugin, and Video Playback) the Snap-In Adapter must be used.

Hope this helps. Now to see if BMW gets my configuration right...

[sjones0812]

I have it in my 3/11 e93.

iPhone4 cradle will be in next week.

With just a USB cable, I can do BMW apps.

With BMW connected apps I can do:
Facebook
Twitter
Web radio

If I launch pandora, I can control pandora with idrive.

If I chose my ipod, I can control the full ipod functions with idrive.

Waiting for my Nav activation code.... once I have that, I will try last mile Nav.

The office functions don't work yet with iphone.

Will see what other functions I have once I have the snap-in next week.

[iatacs19]

6NR includes 6NF now.

[CEW]

There seem to be two ways to listen to music on your iPhone. There are basic controls available through the iDrive. The basic controls allows you to go to your playlists and select songs from those playlists, but I haven't found a way to shuffle songs within a playlist using the basic interface. I haven't spent much time playing with it though.

The new interface using the BMW Apps "plug-in" feature allows for much more control (looks more like the iPhone controls) and includes the ability to shuffle which I like. What I don't like is when using the plug-in feature, if you go to another screen within the iDrive system (e.g. navigatino) and then come back to the BMW Apps "plug-in" feature it stops playing and you have to restart it. Has anyone else experience this?

I do like BMW Apps though. I think the Pandora interface is great as well.

[sarafil]

When you use just a USB cable to connect the phone, what type are you using? One of the white cables that comes with an iPhone or iPod from Apple, or the black BMW USB/iPod adapter cable? I picked up my car today and tried to use my USB/iPod cable that I took from my MINI, and it wouldn't connect to my phone for BMW Apps. Do I need to use the Apple USB cable? I have the phone sync'ed for bluetooth and was able to use the iPod, but can't figure out how to get BMW Apps running.

[sjones0812]

I was given a crappy cable from BMW (not a BMW cable) and it did not work.

I used my white iPhone cable and all is working.