Yes that also includes a MINI version. As mentioned in Sunday's article the MINI kit retails for $149 (I/F kit, part no. 65 11 0 392 139) and will be released “later in the summer” (the BMW version will be released July 12th).
It looks like all the speculation regarding the unit's functionality was indeed correct. That being said it seems to make a little more sense when you see it in use on the site. You can check it out in use in the new commercial just posted on Apple's site and you can check out a demo at iPodYourBMW.com.
Here's all the official press release from BMW:
Apple and BMW Group today announced the debut of the BMW iPod Adapter, the world's first seamless integration between iPod and a vehicle audio system. The new system developed by Apple and BMW, allows users to incorporate their iPods directly into their car's sound system, enabling them to connect with music in their automobiles like never before. Now, iPod enthusiasts can bring their entire music collections with them, plug directly and effortlessly into a superior sound system while maintaining uncompromised control over their driving experience. The BMW 3 Series, Z4 Roadster, X3 and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and MINI customers will be able to enjoy the new BMW iPod Adapter.
“Apple and BMW have outpaced the industry around the innovation curve,” said Steve Jobs, Apple CEO. “This elegant solution enables auto enthusiasts to carry with them and enjoy their entire music collection everywhere they go, heightening their ultimate driving experience.”
“With Apple, we're bringing the ultimate seamless digital music experience to our customers,” said Tom Purves, Chairman and CEO, BMW (US) Holding Corp. “The BMW iPod Adapter provides our drivers with virtually endless miles of music without their hands ever leaving the steering wheel.”
The seamless integration of iPod makes it effortless for drivers to control their music through their existing audio system and the multifunction steering wheel. The BMW iPod Adapter enables drivers to easily access their entire music library, shuffle songs, skip between tracks and adjust volume — all of this with no loss of sound quality or driving control. Drivers can also create up to five unique “BMW playlists” to listen to while on the road enabling them to enjoy their favorite songs. The BMW iPod Adapter integrates Apple's iPod and iPod mini through a direct connection in the BMW or MINI Cooper glovebox, providing outstanding sound quality and constant power to the iPod while the iPod is protected out of view.
Available in both Mac® and Windows versions, iPod and iPod mini work effortlessly with Apple's iTunes® Music Store*, the world's number one digital music service, and the iTunes digital music jukebox software for seamlessly buying, managing and listening to digital music collections. iPod is available in a 15GB, 20GB model, and a 40GB model that can hold 10,000 songs. iPod and iPod mini use Apple's patent pending Auto-Sync technology that automatically downloads an entire digital music library and keeps it up-to-date whenever either unit is plugged into a Mac® or Windows computer.The new BMW iPod Adapter was developed by engineers at the BMW Technology Office in Palo Alto, CA. Its rollout is being supported with a dedicated website, www.ipodyourbmw.com, as well as a marketing campaign, created by Fallon Worldwide, that includes print, outdoor, online and television advertising and debuts on June 21.
Pricing & Availability
The BMW iPod Adapter is available for the MSRP of $149.00 (US) plus installation cost, and will be officially available for customers to purchase at BMW centers as of July 12, 2004 for 2002, 2003 and 2004 BMW models: X3, X5, Z4 and 3 Series. The MINI Adapters will be available later this summer.
Consumers should check with their BMW or MINI centers for specific application restrictions or log onto www.ipodyourbmw.com. Installation is performed by authorized BMW and MINI centers only. iPod mini and iPod for Mac and Windows is sold separately, and is available in the U.S. through the Apple Store ( www.apple.com ), Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.
Visit iPodYourBMW.com for more information.
Here are some finer points as listed on Apple's site:
Control. Total driving control meets total tune control with your fully integrated BMW iPod adapter. Shift between tracks and up to five BMW playlists and adjust volume without taking your eyes off the road or your ears off the music. Or select “Random” and let the music take you to unexpected places.
Quality. Why settle for anything less than the ultimate sound experience behind the wheel of The Ultimate Driving Machine? The glovebox iPod adapter cable lets you enjoy your iPod music without the loss of sound quality that occurs with existing cassette and FM transmitter solutions.
Experience. Anyone who has driven a BMW, or plugged into an iPod, knows the pleasure that comes from experiencing the perfect marriage of design and technology. Now you can merge your driving and listening pleasures into one seamless sonic experience. What could be better?
BMW Playlist Setup. To listen to iPod music in your BMW, you can either create up to five unique BMW playlists within iTunes, or choose to listen to your entire library. Once you've transferred your BMW playlists to your iPod, just plug your iPod into your glovebox adapter cable, select a playlist and you're ready to take your tunes on the road.
<p>Excellent! i can hardly wait.</p>
<p>This is great! Really looking to get one of these for a MINI that I don't even own yet. Does this work if you don't have the MFSW though?</p>
<p>How much for the adaptor and install? I will be buying an I-pod mini now that this is an option.</p>
<p>I think I am going to pass on this item. I do not like the idea that I have to preselect songs and make playlists ahead of time.</p>
<p>I like my setup with the auxillary input, Belkin Auto Kit powersupply w/ dock connector, and ProClipUSA downtube bracket mount and iPod holder.</p>
<p>I like having the ability to select any song at anytime, my song preferences change rather frequently, sometimes from stoplight to stoplight. For those who always listen to the same albums or songs this may be the thing for you.</p>
<p>will the display show the title of tracks?</p>
<p>It says that you can make BMW playlists or listen to your entire library, so it sounds like you would still have the ability to pick any song any time.</p>
<p>The downside for me is that it only works with 3rd-gen iPods or iPod mini so I can't use my 2nd-gen iPod with this system. Oh well, aux input works well enough for me for now.</p>
<p>My understanding is if it's in library mode you can skip through all your tracks. Of course if you have 30-40 gigs on the iPod it's a little difficult to use this feature.</p>
<p>I wonder how to long before I can get this installed at my dealer. I wonder if they have to pull my existing aux jack out? Also I know if I call and ask about this now they will think Im talking about the already existing MP3 aux jack.</p>
<p>According to the BMW site, the adapter will be in demo cars at dealers starting July 1. It doesn't say if they'll be for sale then too but you can probably guess that they'll be available sometime in July.</p>
<p>I see BMWs and an MCS on the apple site. I see all the compaitble BMWs on the BMW site. But no mention of the ipod link on the MINI site. I wonder why that is? or did i miss it? I like the whole concept but is it as seemless as they make it sound? I guess I'll have to try it out at the dealership in July.</p>
<p>From the bmwusa.com site:</p>
<p>“Once you've transferred your BMW playlists to your iPod, just plug it into the iPod connector in your glovebox, select the 'CD' mode and a playlist from your stereo control buttons.”</p>
<p>Does this mean the CD player is gone?</p>
<p>From the BMW press release:</p>
<p>“The BMW iPod Adapter is available for the MSRP of $149.00 (US) plus installation cost, and will be officially available for customers to purchase at BMW centers as of July 12, 2004 for 2002, 2003 and 2004 BMW models: X3, X5, Z4 and 3 Series. The Mini Cooper Adapters will be available later this summer. “</p>
<p>josh:</p>
<p>no. cd player is still present.</p>
<p>two things.
its fair to assume that the steering wheel controls will control the ipod?</p>
<p>also will the audio lin in adapter be obsolete?</p>
<p>three, actually
will it charge the ipod?</p>
<p>After searching through all the info I could find on apple's site, BMW's site, and here, it looks as though you can't search your iPod with the HU the way you can on the iPod itself; you either have to make a 'BMW playlist' or forward through songs you don't want to hear at the moment. I wonder what makes a 'BMW playlist' different from any other type of playlist?</p>
<p>I'll stick with my aux port and keep my iPod sitting nicely under the e-brake, thanks very much. :-)</p>
<blockquote>
<p>its fair to assume that the steering wheel controls will control the ipod?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>YES</p>
<blockquote>
<p>also will the audio lin in adapter be obsolete?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>NO – It will still be available for the time being.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>will it charge the ipod?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>YES</p>
<p>Aaarrrrggghhh! (Sound of knashing teeth) Of course, my 18 month old 2nd generation iPod, one of the last of the pre-dock iPods, will not work with the new setup. It's either laying out big bucks to replace my perfectly good 2G iPod, Helllooo Denison, or stick with my tried and true AUX Input. But I sooo wanted to use my MFSW… Apple strikes again!</p>
<p>it's funny on the BMW site they have a section for “See and Hear”. but the “See” portion simply has the stereo head unit displaying “Track 1”, “Track 2” instead of actual song information. i realize that would have been asking a lot for a retrofit but it would be nice.</p>
<p>by the time i'm ready for a new MINI it will be done right!</p>
<p>Hey, we're early adopters! I have a 1G iPod. You know, with the mechanical wheel. It's like the model-T of iPods. You crank it up in the morning. Well, here's my story. I've had no luck with multiple attempts at professional installation of a Dension Ice-Link. The so-called “Classic” is just doomed to not work on anything but a trusty AUX jack. Oh, yeah. I'm an early adopter! I have a 2002 MCS. So that means, yep, the AUX adapter isn't available on 2002 MINIs. Right. So, what's my plan to achieve a harmony between our age's greatest fetish products, iPod and MCS? Well, contrary to popular opinion, I am a huge fan of the glovebox implementation. Here in NYC, you best be <em>not</em> leaving your white candy bar in the cup holder. I was intent on getting my Ice-Link installed that way, all secure in the glovebox, but it didn't work out. So I'll think about instead, leaving an iPod mini in there, you know, for the MINI. Pickup an iPod mini for my MINI. You can only play 5 playlists worth of music reasonably anyway with the new adapator's crippled visual interface. Track numbers only! No text display support! How dissapointing from two brands that claim to own product perfection, and usually do. Yeah, it's great that it's even offered by OEM, and there is third-party competition, ye-haw, Dension. But no one has delivered on the holy grail promise. I see my top 40 stations pumping along in scrolling text on the OEM head unit. Why no scrolling text for song name support on the OEM partnership of partnerships? That is a sadly missed feature. It's part of what makes an iPod an iPod. Well, at least we have MFSW support. It still reminds of the Bluetooth handsfree kit I've plunked down for. Here we have a killer accessory, rushed to market, missing crucial implementation aesthetics that don't fully live up to Bluetooth's potential, like this doesn't fully live up to the iPod's potential, lacking a full dashboard display integration (like Volvo and others). Ah, but to be the early adopter. Off to Gizmodo to see what's next to fuss about…</p>
<p>Wow read this…</p>
<p><a href="http://www.gizmodo.com/archives/gizmodo-exclusive-ipod-your-bmw-secrets-revealed-016383.php">link</a></p>
<p>$235 for installation! Jesus! And doesnt work with NAV systems. Seems like this might be another awesome idea that got botched.</p>
<p>Its Great think that Apple BMW Launched… But it seem like it's not that great for people who own one of the 1st iPods that came out. I was really looking forward to connect my iPod to my mini…. but now i'm really :-(((((((((((</p>
<p>anyway what do u guys think…</p>
<p>@ANTSMINI
are you sure? Hopefully not…</p>
<p>gizmodo:
“any car with optional built-in Navigation system”</p>
<p>This means: also cars with NAV, or nor?</p>
<p>oh wait, I should read texts more thoroughly, sorry… cars with NAV won't work.</p>
<p>what a bummer!</p>
<p>We actually covered that Gizmodo story last Thursday: <a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/16/applebmw_ipod_joint_venture_confirmed">Apple/BMW Join Venture Confirmed</a>. </p>
<p>I would say that $235 at least sounds about right. Having done a similar install when I put in my ICE-Link I can vouch that it does take some time.</p>
<p>I hope that you can just buy the kit. I would rather do the install myself than pay someone $200+ to install it for me.</p>
<p>Yes – if it has a part # you can always just buy it over the counter at a dealership.</p>
<p>“Apple strikes again”? HUH? I think non Apple people are lucky to even have the ipod! I like our proprietary status and wish Jobs had never allowed this to happen. </p>
<p>Old ipod users…all things must pass, get a grip. Your battery will be dead soon anyway…RB</p>
<p>Don't you think there would be some way to hack up a way to use the connector with NAV? I mean, if it's just a matter of the aux audio wiring, why can't we just set up a switch which will switch the wiring control from the nav to the ipod, or better yet, blend the two so that we can still hear both at the same time?</p>
<p>RB,
As I type this on my Powerbook G4 in a room containing three other Macs, I can assure you that I am a veteran Apple user going back to the Apple II C days. It's just that Apple has a knack for introducing a completely new generation of hardware very shortly after I buy the existing one. It happened when I bought my beige PowerMac G3: one month later the completely new B&W G3's came out. My iPod was state of the art for a whole month and a half. Most annoying was Apple coming out with a GREATLY uprated Powerbook G4 literally within one week of my PB G4 500 purchase.</p>
<p>Don't tell me that they can't make the older iPod work. Denison does it. It's just Apple wants you to go out an buy a new one.</p>
<p>As for the battery issue, they do sell replacements that you can replace yourself you know. I'm not going to trash a $500 piece of hardware just because of a weak or dead battery. If anyone is going to throw away their dead iPods, PLEASE send them to me ;-)</p>
<p>It's not just Apple who does this, Tom. Every good tech company refreshes its product line on a frequent basis. I don't understand this must-have-the-latest-and-greatest mentality. What happened to “good enough?” Maybe that sounds Amish. But it lets me worry about more important things, like getting my work done.</p>
<p>Let's think this through for a second. I think it's safe to assume that Apple and BMW want to sell as many of these as possible. Naturally, the best way to do this would be to make it as backward-compatible as possible. The simplest explanation for the kit not supporting older iPods is that it would make it too expensive.</p>
<p>Of course, if you want to be cynical, you could go the other way and see it as a ploy to get people to buy new iPods.</p>
<p>Or maybe it's a little of both.</p>
<p>Tom/Matt…</p>
<p>Good points all…</p>
<p>I started with the classic, myself. My point, we have no control..at all…So whinning is only therapeutic for ones soul…so rave on…RB</p>
<p>bah… great idea, good execution, poor pricing. $150+ just to not have to reach over and push the buttons on mipod? no thanks!</p>
<p>Alright…
We all have iPods. We all have Minis. We want to listen to our iPod in the Mini. It's supposed to be very pleasant.</p>
<p>Options:</p>
<p>1- AUX Cable:
(+) cheap, works with all iPods, put it where you want it
(-) no MFSW support, no battery charging</p>
<p>2- ICE-Link:
(+) MFSW support (2G & 3G iPod), battery charging, slip in dock (3G)
(-) expensive, no selectable playlists</p>
<p>3- Apple-BMW
(+) MFSW support (3G iPod), playlists, battery charging, dealer supported
(-) expensive, no dock, works with 3G iPod only, not yet available</p>
<p>What we (at least me) really want:
MFSW support, battery charging, dock, full interface integration: (play, pause, [auto-]stop, fwd, rwd, scroll, select, radio displays song titles and options (altough I'd be fine with looking at my iPod on a holder in the center console area)</p>
<p>… my guess is it'll all come. But we'll probably have to wait another 6 months.</p>
<p>As to why it won't work with the Nav or the CD changer and even satelite radio- I believe there's only one plug on the back of the OEM head unit to accept an accessory, so you have to choose what you plug into it. I saw this from install instructions for the aux plug I believe. Let me know if I'm wrong.</p>
<p>It's kind of a cool thing, but does suck that there's no more info than track number displayed on the unit- especially since you get all the info for the radio stations and satelite radio… heck we don't even get the the track time displayed.</p>
<p>I dont understand though..I have NAV and the dealer was able to put the AUX jack in, why not this? It runs off the same port I think..</p>
<p>I am going to install it like the ICE-Link. Put the iPod in the cupholder and run the wire from underneath the radio. The connecter looks just like the new IceLink anyway and its cheaper.</p>
<p>I am planning to get a Mini Cooper '05. Which one would you recommend? An Ice Link or this iPod adapter?</p>
<p>I still can't believe that it won't display song titles!!!</p>
<p>The point is to make things simpler, not to muddle up where you're looking. As it stands right now, you can control your iPod with the MFSW, but you still have to take your eyes off the road to look at your small iPod display…wherever that may be!</p>
<p>Actually BMW's thinking here is that you will know what's on those 5 playlists – especially since your iPod will be in the glove box. With this system you won't have to ever do anything more than use the buttons on the radio or the MFSW.</p>
<p>Yes it leaves something to be desired but and it may not the ultimate solution – but it's version 1.0. There will be improvement in the years to come.</p>
<p>Why wouldn't BMW have the iPod adapter in all of their vehicles, like the M3, 6 series, 7 series, 5 series…?</p>
<p>It does work in the M3. However the 5, 6, and 7 series use a very different system. I'd expect something eventually for those cars that's even cooler – possibly using the built-in LCD screen.</p>
<p>It does work in the M3. However the 5, 6, and 7 series use a very different electrical system. I'd expect something eventually for those cars that's even cooler – possibly using the built-in LCD screen and iDrive.</p>
<p>Hmmm, maybe we can convince Ian to make his doohickey here…<a href="http://www.gbmini.net/mtblog/archive/000406.shtml" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.gbmini.net/mtblog/archive/000406.shtml</a></p>
<p>lots cheaper and if you don't get track info anyway, what the heck!</p>
<p>what happened to the mini on the apple homepage? hehehe</p>
<p>ipodyourvw.de</p>
<p>Does anyone know why this only works with 2002 and up? Does anyone know if it's in the works for 2001 3-series?</p>
<p>It will not. I have a 2000 3 series and I'm in the same boat unfortunately.</p>
<p>Thanks Gabe. From reading your other comments, you seem to have extensive knowledge of BMW's. This isn't ipod related, but I just picked up a 2001 330CI, and the owner's manual says I can disable the auto lock feature that locks all doors 1 minute after I start driving. It also says I can make the alarm chirp to confirm it's locked/armed (right now it is silent). It doesn't say how exactly to do this. Do you know?</p>
<p>I believe you have to have all of that programmed by the dealer actually.</p>
<p>Well…i better thank my lucky stars that my MINI is the 2004 model…phew….but it costs USD150 to get the ipod adapter….Well…another marketing gimmick and us being all sucked into it….sigh</p>
<p>A couple of things with the installation…</p>
<p>1) A software upgrade is done at the install for the integration</p>
<p>2) It does not include track info…yet. A future code release with have this functionality.</p>
<p>3) It won't work with NAV or CD changers because of conflicts on the BMW bus in the auto. Only the newest cars have the new BMW bus infrastructure.</p>
<p>4) Although people are disappointed with inability to retro-fit older BMWs and iPods, the software doesn't have the capability for the functionality. Apple would be opening a huge can of worms trying to support all platforms.</p>
<p>I test drove a car with the functionality and my iPod mini. I didn't bother me that I only saw “Track 1”, but I can see why people would want this. This is coming soon, or so I was told. </p>
<p>All song movement can be done thru the steering wheel, like on a CD. Very nice and sound quality was fantastic.</p>
<p>I have mine on order.</p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>
<p>I have an early 2002 320i and have been told by BMW Australia that the adaptor will suit 09 month 2002 onwards. </p>
<p>What is the difference with that model. a wiring diagram should be able to put this question to rest, but how do you get one?</p>
<p>Just purchased a New 325i with the new ipod adapter and it works great. The sound quality is awesome but would really like to see the tracks dispayed. Does anyone know when this will be available? I also am a little botheres by the fact you have to leave it your glove box. Does anyone know of an extension cord so I can mount my i pod next to the dash and also any good i pod holders to mount it by my dash?</p>
<p>thanks…</p>
<p>can anyone that owns a 4th gen ipod let me know if they have used in in the bmw 325i 2004. I have one and it just aint workin </p>
<p>email thanared@yahoo,.c0m</p>
<p>yes they work… I used one in a friends 3 series.</p>
<p>Can this Ice Link be installed in BMW X5 2001 with Tape player/Navigation and wireing in the left side of the trunk for cd changer.I want to plug it in the cd changer wireing that is in the trunk and leave the ipod right there in the trunk.I should be able to use the MFSW to change the tracks.
It seems to me it should be piece of cake ????</p>
<p>Somebody had the kit retail part num for using in a BMW serie 5?</p>
<p>It is scandalous that we can’t see the track names on the head unit display whilst using the iPod adapter. An absolute tragedy. Shame on MINI for teasing us. I expect a remedy immediately or all hope is lost.</p>
<p>anyone knows if this adapter works on 2001 bmw 540i?</p>
<p>i got an 2004 X5 with Navigation and casseste and no cd box. want to install ipod but told there is no adaptor for this. please help.</p>
<p>Can you use the ipod adapter on the Ipod Shuffle?</p>
<p>Unfortuantely no. You can however use the AUX port.</p>
<p>just got my ipod linked to my X3 with BMW interface kit..it works great and I can still listen to my CDs from factory single deck. I gues I just need to download more songs to my ipod.. I don’t know why some of you keep complaining about not being able to see the song titles on the audio display.. it’s not like our CD changers did..only thing negative is now my CD changer is useless..i strongly recommend this kit, took about couple hours and cost me about USD200 including the labour charge. sound quality awesome too.</p>