Apple/BMW iPod Joint Venture Confirmed

Gabe Jun 16th, 2004 Link

A big thanks to Perre for the heads up!

ChrisW Jun 16th, 2004 Link

Yes! No more adapter cable messes! Please, please let this come to MINI as well. I'm currently using a lame cassette adapter for my iPod in my Passat but would love a factory solution for my upcoming MINI.

Jim Jun 16th, 2004 Link

I hope the adapter will connect to the classic iPods and I wonder how the price will compare to the Ice-Link?

ChrisW Jun 16th, 2004 Link

Looks like MacMinute pulled the story. When Apple Legal gets involved, that's all the confirmation needed. :)

R Jun 16th, 2004 Link

Anybody going to the WWDC2004 in Frisco?

R

Al Jun 16th, 2004 Link

Re: WWDC2004… Would love to, but the company won't fund it since it doesn't directly tie in with what we do at work. (There's no Mac development, although I write all my code using a Powerbook.)

Plan to go next year, though, with or without company reimbursement.

Rocketboy Jun 16th, 2004 Link

I just hope it is a better 'intergration' than the bluetooth system for cell phones…

Steven Diver Jun 16th, 2004 Link

This makes me happy I didn't spring for the AUX adapter, or the ICE-Link. Sometimes patience pays off :). My trusty iTrip will just have to remain in service inside the MINI for a few more months…

When this broke, you kind of had to expect this solution would come to the MINI. Not that BMW owners aren't iPod/Apple freaks, but with the younger demographic that the MINI is aimed at, an iPod/MINI marriage seems to make more sense than a iPod/BMW marriage since traditionally BMW's are aimed at a slightly older demographic. But that is just traditional views of the MINI/BMW demographics, I'm sure there are a lot of both who own iPods… Either way, this is a good thing!!!

Alex SM Jun 16th, 2004 Link

Doesn't the 3-series BMW share the audio setup with the MINI?

Gabe Jun 16th, 2004 Link

Not to take this off topic but believe it or not last year the average age of a MINI buyer was 45… the average age of a BMW owner was 42.

Gabe Jun 16th, 2004 Link

Yes, the architecture is exactly the same.

pud Jun 16th, 2004 Link

Do you think that it will be a sort of aftermarket options that you will be able to put in a 02-04 cooper? asuming that this actually happens.

pud

andrew Jun 16th, 2004 Link

my dealer says that he was able to pull up these part numbers in the BMW database and it has no price, none in any warehouses, and none on order.

thanks for the info gabe, keep us updated! I can't wait to get this as my ice-link keeps breaking.

Sean Bartnik Jun 16th, 2004 Link

Great news! I hope it's retrofit-able to older MINIs and I hope it works with the older iPods as well.

I guess we'll see. Would be nice to not have to mess with ice-link if there is a MINI/Apple solution available.

Gabe Jun 16th, 2004 Link

BTW a big thanks to “foolsdragon' for the part numbers!

Shawn Jun 16th, 2004 Link

When I read the complete story regarding the new I-pod system for BMW I just thought how neat it would be when they add this to the MINI Open. I love the fact that I can control the sound system from my steering wheel on my MINI. YeeeeeHaaaaawwww,from Atlanta,GA.

nfo Jun 16th, 2004 Link

re: Great news! I hope it's retrofit-able to older MINIs and I hope it works with the older iPods as well.

i kinda doubt it will work with anything but the 3G iPod's…
this is very good news regardless! :)

Nick Jun 16th, 2004 Link

:-)

Hurray! It's about time BMW and Apple team up.

Josh Jun 17th, 2004 Link

The story's still there on MacMinute, it hasn't been pulled.

Now, how can you be sure the adapter is referring to a “Mini” car? Maybe it's an adapter for an IPOD MINI!

(After all, the ad does specifically list only the BMW 3 Series, X3 and Z4.)

Patrick Jun 17th, 2004 Link

It would likely be listed as “IPOD MINI” in this case with the other details coming after. but as they put MINI at the very end of the description, its more likely to be the car, not they player thats MINI. we'd have to see the way that they list the other parts to know for sure…

Philip Jun 17th, 2004 Link

Well, well, I'm curious to see what this adapter kit actually is. Maybe it's just the ICE-Link re-branded?

With regards to Mini (car) compability I think this shouldn't be an issue as the Mini shares exactly the same electronics with the 3 Series - only the front end design is different.

R Jun 17th, 2004 Link

Still waiting on my ICE-Link… I wonder if it will be compatible with my '02. I'm sure it will be more $'s than the ICE-Link.

Gabe, Interesting the age thing…I'm 58.

SIDEBAR

Speaking of electronics I was thinking of buying one of GBMINI's auto up window things but I wondered if it may cause trouble with my warranty?
Anybody?…R

Gabe Jun 17th, 2004 Link

R - I'm about to install mine as well. My plan is to just take it out if there's ever any issues that would make them investigate that area.

R Jun 17th, 2004 Link

Gabe, how about a report on how the install went and what you thought about how it actually works?…R

foolsdragon Jun 17th, 2004 Link

The parts are listed in BMW's parts system as being for the MINI, not as BMW parts. There are other part numbers listed for BMW.

squishy Jun 17th, 2004 Link

the description as reported by gizmodo leaves a lot to be desired. controls on the wheel would be nice. but it will only be worthwhile if it is integrated with the display and gives you full navigational access.

i think i'll stick with my set-up of an auxilary input, a belkin charger hidden behind the dash, and a belkin holder that lives in the near cup-holder. one small mod to the holder to affix the belkin connector and it works like a dock where i can just drop it in and have it connect. using it is simple as it is only inches below the radio.

i was hoping for more from such a highly-touted integration.

R Jun 17th, 2004 Link

Steven- Never could get my itrip to work…Had more luck with the clincky irock…tossed 'em both…R

Patrick Jun 17th, 2004 Link

Its kind of hard to believe that Apple would sign off on a product like that, if that is in fact a valid account of its functionality and setup…

Philip Jun 18th, 2004 Link

I've registered long ago with Alpine to receive news about their upcoming headunit. But never heard anything.

Are there any more news or details out there other than that they will come up with something??

andrew watson Jun 20th, 2004 Link

don't you think the MINI in the description of that one part could have meant MINI iPod and not MINI Cooper?

andrew Jun 20th, 2004 Link

andrew.
the ipod mini and the 3rd generation ipod use the same interface and are controlled exactly the same way. the electronics connecting the two to the stereo would not be different. the ice-link works with both. there would be no reason for BMW to sell a different part for the ipod mini.
i am still hoping that they come out with some joint ipod mini / MINI marketing campaign where i can get an indi blue or anthracite ipod mini to match my car.

foolsdragon Jun 20th, 2004 Link

Andrew,

BMW's parts system (part of DCS and the overall vehicle management system) lists parts as being either for BMW or for MINI. The part numbers I listed above ARE FOR MINI, not for the mini ipod. Besides, as the Andrew above this post so ably describes, it doesn't matter anyway, since the connector is the same.

Erik Jun 21st, 2004 Link

Will this work with the Harman.Kardon version?

Tom Jun 30th, 2004 Link

What BMWs dose this ipod really work on and what years.

Gabe Jun 30th, 2004 Link

Tom - '02 and newer cars without iDrive. You can find out more here.