Comments on: MINI USA Officially Announces Roadside Assistance Smartphone Application

By: Jason

Jason — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 15:24:00 +0000

Found my answer in the legal stuff!

By: Jason

Jason — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 14:19:19 +0000

Is roadside assistance free for those with MINI’s not under warrenty anymore, I can’t remember?

By: alpinamike

alpinamike — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:54:36 +0000

"No VIN match for me. Wonder if thatâ€™s because Iâ€™m FAR out of warranty (03 MCS with $106K miles). Oh well, Iâ€™ll try again later."

It says for 2004-2012 MINI's in the legal junk at the end.

By: Haemish Edgerton

Haemish Edgerton — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:46:29 +0000

Mike - you can get it to load by browsing to the link (this one), choosing the iPhone, and hitting "GET THE FREE APP". That will take you to the app's page in the App Store.

However, if you REALLY must go directly to it from the App Store, a search for "road assist" works for me too... or "Allstate Enterprises"

By: Kevin Stephenson

Kevin Stephenson — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:31:52 +0000

That is so weird that is only on AT&T. Since its just using data and GPS, I don’t see why it would be carrier specific unless AT&T is paying to be exclusive.

By: Hunter99

Hunter99 — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:17:57 +0000

Allstate Roadside and you’ll get responses. You want Allstate Enterprises. Tap that and there is the App.

By: Mike Roberts

Mike Roberts — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 19:51:04 +0000

I can’t seem to find it in the app store. Any ideas on what to search for? I tried MINI USA. I tried Roadside Assistance. Road side. Assistance. Lot’s of things.

By: Christian L.

Christian L. — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:25:38 +0000

I do hope they release one for the Android phones out there.

By: Jon E

Jon E — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:54:31 +0000

Unfortunately it is not availble to Verizon customers. I am currently using a BlackBerry Storm and would load this application if it were available. Too bad.

By: blitzcat

blitzcat — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:10:25 +0000

@Jeff Westbrook: Only 04 and newer cars supported. Per the info page.

By: Jeff Westbrook

Jeff Westbrook — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:56:44 +0000

No VIN match for me. Wonder if that’s because I’m FAR out of warranty (03 MCS with $106K miles). Oh well, I’ll try again later.

By: Fritz

Fritz — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:06:24 +0000

Why no Verizon version!!!???

By: Nathaniel Salzman

Nathaniel Salzman — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:26:33 +0000

I just downloaded this to my iPhone 3Gs and it's pretty good. It's a great idea, if not a superb app. I've got a couple of suggestions for MINI, if that could be helpful.

I was hoping that the "My MINI" section would have more actual, useful information like service records, or key owner's manual info like oil capacities and warning light information. As is, I'm not really sure what the point is other than a reference point for my VIN#. Making use of the phone's location features for actual roadside assistance is great, as is being able to say what type of assistance I need â€” I just hope towing companies can usefully interpret this information.

The app could also benefit from embracing more of the UI conventions that people are used to with iPhone apps (specifically an upper left corner "back" button convention). I'm guessing they made a one-app-fits-all for several platforms â€” but it would be a lot more intuitive if it followed more closely to iPhone app UI standards IMO â€” then again, I haven't experienced it on other smartphone platforms.

But overall, well done MINI. If this grew into an owner's lounge app where I could make a payment and do the one or two other things the OL is good for, then I think they'd really have a winner!