MF Exclusive: MINI Connect Explained
If you look at the official release on MINI Connected you’d be hard pressed to fully understand the system. So as a follow-up we thought we’d not only take an exclusive look at the system but also talk about the future of the platform.
MINI Connect is a platform that allows optional head units on the Countryman (and soon the rest of the line) to connect to the internet. What we don’t know is if the system connects via an internal sim or via tethering to a drivers phone. We do know that the system can connect to an Apple iPhone for greater convenience. Specifically this means that the iPhone can replicate some of the interface of the system.
The first application within the MINI Connected framework is web radio. As you can see in the image above MINI plans to curate hundreds of different web radio stations for the MINI driver much like iTunes does. However that isn’t the ends to a means. We believe that MINI will use the Connected framework to build other “apps”. We expect to see email, the web and even MINI’s own app store to eventually make it to the market in future models.
<p>I pray for a retrofit that doesn’t cost over $600…</p>
<p>Distracted Driver Syndrome moves ahead one square.</p>
<p>I’m betting the MINI doesn’t really connect to the internet directly, but uses the iPhone to do the actual http requests (no, I’m not talking about tethering). For example, the Web Radio would actually be running on the iPhone and feeding an audio signal back to the MINI. The benenfit would be that you could control it from the MINI.</p>
<p>For an email app you could have the iPhone app do the SMTP requests and send the data back to the MINI using XML over Bluetooth or whatever.</p>
<p>I highly doubt they’re going to put a SIM in the car, nobody’s going to pay $30/mo for internet in their car that only does Internet Radio.</p>
<p>hmm, retrofit a 2009?</p>
<blockquote>I pray for a retrofit that doesn’t cost over $600…</blockquote>
<p>Unfortunately, MINI retrofits are always very expensive (several times more than the price of the factory option). I think a retrofit, if available, will cost several thousand for parts alone. Even a new replacement 1st gen headunit from MINI costs over $600.</p>
<p>so drivers will be checking their email ? great……so basically if I see a countryman on the road, instead of waving, I will be avoiding.</p>
<p>Wow. Lots of crabby old technophobes on MF. Spend a little time with someone under 20 and you will see that when <i>you</i> reach the point of “distraction” they still have plenty of bandwidth remaining.</p>
<p>I’m sure there will be lockouts incorporated into the system. Most OEM systems prevent you from using distractions like web and email unless you’re stopped, so I imagine this will do the same. Not to worry ;)</p>
p>@thatguy…</p
<p>Tell that to my wife who’s been hit by 20 some-things who thought they had enough bandwidth to drive and check messages at the same time. Unfortunately studies show that we believe we have the bandwidth but the reality is that we simply do not. I see this system as yet another distraction for drivers.</p>
p><b>@GaryD</b I said “under 20” 🙂 20-somethings are a bit to old. Brain capacity for multi-tasking is really expanding for kids growing up surrounded by all this technology. Their brains really are better in some ways.</p>
<p>So should we only allow voice-controlled audio systems as well and eliminate any visual/tactile interfaces in cars? What about climate controls? I’m sure there is a healthy subset of accidents caused by people “distracted” when trying to adjust a dual-zone climate control system.</p>
<p>Interestingly, I was driving a 996 911 recently that appeared to have a lock out on the driver’s power seat adjustments. You could not move the seat while the car was moving, only when stopped. Too extreme? I actually thought that was an excellent safety feature and think we should have more such lock outs designed into our vehicles by default. When you are driving, you’re eyes and hands are focused on driving. Period.</p>
<p>It really makes you wonder how this is going to work. True tethering isn’t supported by AT&T on the iPhone in the US market, at least not now. But, if you think about it, the iPod functions of the iPhone are really just an app, and MINI already has a way to control the functions of that app, as well as the phone from the head unit. It seems reasonable to expect MINI to develop a robust app for the iPhone, which, like many apps that already exist, build upon existing functions of the iPhone. In the picture it looks like there is a MINI Connected app on the iPhone.</p>
<p>Everyone is questing for how to do convergance (that implies some openness in integration) and revenue generation (look at the growing plethora of app stores!) These are a bit mutually exclusive and a nightmare for developers. It’s really a transition period for sure, and will be a while before all the dust settles.</p>
<p>Matt</p>
<p>Well I have the answer for you all. Just had training at MINI HQ and Vinnie Kung spoke to us about MINI Connect. It Interfaces with the iPhone and essentially becomes your phone so to speak. The internet radio works through your phones service to achieve this so its just like listeniong to Pandora or whatever with your iPhone connected to your hip with your ear buds in your ears. It will be able operate other apps on your phone as well including the almighty text message. This was as much as we were able to get but helpful nonetheless.</p>
<p>That Windows window is especially disturbing. Is that hiding just beyond the LCD frame in all minis? Scary.</p>
<p>@Josh Wardell Microsoft actually has programming in the MINI as well as a lot of other vehicles already. But, still, seeing it that clearly is a little off-putting. I didn’t see it until you pointed it out.</p>
<p>I strongly believe web radio is the future and who better than MINI to be one of or the first to bring it to consumers as an option in a production vehicle.</p>
<p>I don’t see any “windows” window? Can someone point it out?</p>
<p>Duh, now I see it in the picture with all the parts mounted to the board.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>That Windows window is especially disturbing. Is that hiding just beyond the LCD frame in all minis? Scary.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>That is just for testing. MINI’s DO NOT RUN WINDOWS.</p>
<p>@that.guy: the current research on multitasking actually contradicts your perception.</p>
<p>I’m all for it. This stuff will continue to get cheaper and cheaper, better and more interesting with each iteration.</p>
<p>But, clearly, driver’s education and laws are going to have to keep up with the technology: more training and restrictions on when and when not to use technology in vehicles is requisite.</p>
<p>I knew the texting feature would be used, I said this two months ago, with no one addressing the matter.</p>
<p>My connected Full bluetooth ’04 just transfers some info.
I can tell with the bmw ulf from visteon has some features to fully connect the iphone to more applications, but it was never done, as I heard through the grapevine bmw ag hurried to get the 04′ system in.</p>
<p>Regardless of its age, the brain, like a computer, can act on only one instruction at a time.</p>
<p>With perception feeding it a maelstrom of realtime data, the brain’s gatekeeper decides which sensory inputs become instructions, which to pay attention to and act on, while ignoring or shutting out innumerable sensory inputs that it deems less important. This involves constant judgment, shifting of priorities and resulting actions. We hope that everyone’s gatekeeper chooses wisely.</p>
<p>Younger brains seem to process faster, with a sense of invincibility mediating, somewhere in the gatekeeper. Older brains seem to process more slowly, but with a more experienced gatekeeper.</p>
<p>Consequently, any device in a car must be limited in regard to how numerous and demanding are its distractions to the driver. (Passengers and Bluetooth earpieces may be included as distracting devices, especially during a heated exchange.)</p>
<p>It would be nice if invincible young people could test their multi-tasking abilities in the University of Iowa’s driving simulator. Tests there have demonstrated that drivers’ confidence far exceeds their multi-tasking abilities.</p>
p>@thatguy</p
<p>Actually, climate control knobs with poor placement is a distraction. On my previous vehicle they were highly placed barely requiring a glance to adjust them. However on the MINI they are much lower on the center column requiring a much longer (by comparison) time looking away from the road and down towards the buttons instead.</p>
<p>I don’t doubt that the kids are growing up more multitasking however from the studies I’ve seen, while the appearance of being busier and/or more productive is there, the reality is that they really are the same or even less productive than a non multitasker.</p>
<p>Interesting implementation, that you mention, of the adjustment lockout unless the car is in park. I was trying to get the GPS working on one of our company vehicles a few months ago and discovered that it could only be changed when the car was in park AND the parking brake was engaged. Otherwise almost all options were disabled. You would think the mobile phone manufacturers could make it so the phones don’t work when moving more than 10 mph or some other restriction but then the commuters on buses and trains and passengers in the cars would not like this. Sad but, to me, it appears to be a trade off between entertainment/money and safety.</p>
<p>i’m 10000% in for a retrofit! i’ve had my iphone forever and add that to my current nav system, how could you lose!!!!</p>
<p>Is it actually very likely that there will be any kind of retrofit? It seems to me that pulling that off might be rather difficult technically?</p>
<p>What is the relationship between MINI Connect and the Navigation option? Does Nav automatically include MINI Connect, or do you have to buy it separately on top of the Nav option? If MINI Connect is purchased separately, is there a configuration with just the screen and MINI Connect but without the GPS navigation system?</p>
<p>@that.guy – I am far from an old technophobe. Im 34 and have been using a computer of some sort since i got an Atari for xmas in third grade. I am also experienced enough to have learned the downfalls of distracted driving the hard way. My only accident occured because I was fiddling with the tape deck in my, at the time, new to me very low mileage 73 Volvo. One quick glace down to flip the tape and bang! No more Volvo and two injured senior citizens, despite the fact that i was cruising at a speed < 20 MPH.</p>
<p>I still get tempted to text message while driving the MINI but I now know better. A system like this, which is no doubt much more complicated than flipping a tape, in the hands of someone who dosent realize the potential for danger and driving a car with considerable pick up and power, is gonna cause accidents.</p>
<p>Bottom line – there is no need to check your email or text while behind the wheel. Driving requires a fully engaged mind, regardless if you are 18, 80, or anywhere inbetween. MINI should be focused on things like performance, handling, saftey, reliability and gas mileage more so than turning the drivers seat into a virtual office.</p>
<p>Give me a reason you need to check your Gmail account while cruising the interstate and I will show you the lives of the people you are sharing the road with who I am certain will all agree, your SPAM can wait till you arrive at your destination.</p>
<p>Has anyone figured out how to play movies from an ipod on the mini connect display while driving. I do understand that is not good for the driver but that is perfect for a wife you want to distract while you are driving on a long trip.</p>