iPod Your BMW Officially Launched 472
chasingporsches writes "Apple today announced the iPod Your BMW campaign on their front page. According to the iPod Your BMW page, 'Connect with music like never before behind the wheel of your BMW 3 Series, and X3 and X5 SAV, Z4 Roadster or MINI. With the installation of an integrated adapter developed by Apple and BMW, you can now control your iPod or iPod mini through the existing audio system and multi-function steering wheel. Which means no loss of power. No loss of sound quality. No loss of control.' There is also a QuickTime TV ad available for streaming. Apparently it only works with 2002 or later BMWs and Minis, and the iPod connects to a cable in the glove compartment."
Car thieves of the world... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Car thieves of the world... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:That is correct. (Score:5, Informative)
Re:That is correct. (Score:5, Insightful)
This translation brought to you by babelfish++.
-fred
Re:That is correct. (Score:4, Funny)
But I paid good $$$ for my sleek and sexy ipod so people could see how trendy I am. Ditto for the Beemer. If people can't even see it, what's the point?
Can I get a sleek and sexy sticker to advertise my trendyness?
Re:That is correct. (Score:3, Insightful)
I love how the iPod just sits in the glove box. (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:I love how the iPod just sits in the glove box. (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:I love how the iPod just sits in the glove box. (Score:5, Funny)
WAIT JUST A MINUTE! It has a $250 ipod in it! Let's steal this shit guys!
Re:I love how the iPod just sits in the glove box. (Score:3, Insightful)
Or is 3.6 ounces too much carry around on a belt clip?
Re:I love how the iPod just sits in the glove box. (Score:5, Funny)
I just don't understand sometimes...
Re:I love how the iPod just sits in the glove box. (Score:5, Informative)
Well, if all the controls are integrated into the existing steering wheel controls, you really don't need the iPod in view; so best keep it in the glovebox for those 0.8+ g corners.
Re:I love how the iPod just sits in the glove box. (Score:5, Insightful)
Also, if they did this right, even if there is a new connector involved it'll just take a cable upgrade from BMW to make it work.
TW
Re:I love how the iPod just sits in the glove box. (Score:5, Funny)
I can see it now:
Brand new IPOD3super+ - $599
New BMW interface Cable - $849
Having more money than you know what to do with - pricele$$
Re:I love how the iPod just sits in the glove box. (Score:5, Interesting)
Thats right, you get your five 'BMW playlists' and thats it - you cannot play anything else; just those five lists. Why not just burn those lists to CD and be done with it...
Doesn't sound impressive to me at all. Maybe I just had my hopes too high with it being 'integrated' - like maybe there would have been a dupe of the iPod display in the dash on the satellite navigation or something, but no, it just pretends to be a CD changer. Sod that.
(not flaming Apple, I love my Powerbook, I love my iPod , I love iTMS, I want to want a BMW and integrate my iPod with it, but this is shite...)
Sounds on wheels (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Sounds on wheels (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Sounds on wheels (Score:3, Informative)
Buy yourself Aiwa car stereo (a brand owned by Sony). Every model they make has a mini-jack line-in socket right on the front panel. Works with an iPod like a charm. If your vintage VW Beetle has a car lighter (some had, some hadn't), buy yourself a Belkin car kit to power the iPod while driving. Finally, buy yourself a ProClip pod to mount your iPod somewhere on the cockpit. All you need now is a stock 2x minijack cable and presto, you have
Re:Sounds on wheels (Score:3, Insightful)
No, what that means is that the stereo was TOO QUIET. What you needed was a more powerful stereo.
Not that I don't like the sound of my rotary engine at 7K RPM....
Not that fortunate (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Not that fortunate (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Not that fortunate (Score:3, Interesting)
They gotta make sure your car is up to handling all that super low bass from the techno mp3s you'll load on the iPod. On the upside, maybe instead of installing the super-loud-and-annoying muffler, you can just download an mp3 of one and play it back?
Re:Not that fortunate (Score:3, Interesting)
Agreed (Score:2)
Re:Agreed (Score:5, Funny)
God I loathe rich people marketing campaigns...
My favourite was a billboard campaign for The Economist magazine I saw in Seven Sisters, a dirt-poor part of Hackney, a dirt-poor London borough: "If you read The Economist, get your chauffeur to honk the horn." Needless to say, my salary was sub-iPod at the time...
Re:Not that fortunate (Score:2)
Identification (Score:5, Funny)
This is definitely... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:This is definitely... (Score:2)
Re:This is definitely... (Score:3, Funny)
"this is definitely the most insensitive iClod...."
Re:This is definitely... (Score:2)
iPod your Slashdot! (Score:5, Funny)
The iPod doesn't even have a fancy cradle or slot to slide into. They just want you to lay it in your glove box. I suppose that BMW owners might be different than me but I don't have any room in my glove box after all the paperwork for the car, the manual, and the road maps (GPS is great, I use it all the time, but it doesn't solve ALL problems), I don't have room for that.
Re:iPod your Slashdot! (Score:2)
Re:iPod your Slashdot! (Score:3, Informative)
It gets worse (Score:3, Informative)
The adapter frees your car from messy wires
So the wire connecting the adapter to the stereo is neat and clean?
On another note, it's interesting how much they're hyping the supposedly excellent "sound quality" of the iPod. I love my iPod, but sound quality here is almost entirely a factor of the encoding of the music rather than the iPod. When it comes down to it, the iPod is just a hard drive with headphones. It stores the music and hopefully doesn't introduce too much
Re:It gets worse (Score:3, Interesting)
And that, I believe.
This is old news. (Score:5, Informative)
My fear now is that this company is getting ripped off of all their work by this venture with Apple and BMW.
I opted for Sirius over buying an iPod for hopes of having a greater selection in diffrent generes, but
Justin
Re:This is old news. (Score:5, Informative)
Multi-function steering wheel? (Score:2)
Re:Multi-function steering wheel? (Score:3, Funny)
arg (Score:5, Insightful)
Really, is it so hard to make an in-dash stereo have a slot-loading ipod?
Just slide your ipod into your stereo like an 8-track tape.
Plus, that way you don't need to buy a BMW to use it.
Re:arg (Score:2)
Which reminds me of something my brother used to do. He was too cheap to buy a lint brush, so he had a handy roll of duct tape to remove excess lint/cat hair/etc from his clothes (just wrap a strip around hand sticky side up and pat clothes). Brilliant!
Re:better yet (Score:4, Interesting)
(And no, I'm not hating on cool iPod stuff. I have an iPod. But I still don't want a slot-loading iPod incase my next mp3 player is not an iPod or incase Apple changes the size/shape of the iPod yet again (they will - WWDC is coming soon). )
Match made in Heaven (Score:2, Insightful)
I miss the old Apple days (before they became a fashion statement)
Re:Match made in Heaven (Score:5, Funny)
Yeah, the Apple ][ was one heck of a computer.
Re:Match made in Heaven (Score:5, Interesting)
Ever driven a BMW? Then you know why it's a great product that's worth the money.
1995 M3 -- best car I've ever driven in my life. Sad I had to sell it after 3 years, 40,000 miles, zero problems; happy about the good resale value.
I can't say every person who buys an Apple product is 100% pleased with it, nor can I say every BMW purchase is a happy one. But both companies are shining examples of how, with a little bit of extra attention to detail and engineering, a superior product can usually be produced. And yes, it will cost you a little bit more.
About the only thing dumber than assuming that more expensive == better, is assuming that more expensive == worse. Sure, there are plenty who buy iPods and Bimmers as status symbols, but don't discount those of us who have actually have taste. Do you listen to crappy music nobody's ever heard of, and then the day they get airplay claim they've "sold out" and then refuse to listen to them? Same principle, pal.
Oh, and this would not have worked in my 95 M3, nor would it work with my 1st gen 5gb iPod (still chugging away on original battery after almost 3 years!)
But I'll be buying a new iPod this year to have bigger capacity, and will be buying another (if not new-new) BMW in a year or so.
Worst thing about this new system, to me, is that you have to set up special BMW playlists, and then only access by track number. How hard would it have been to actually show track names, christ. Aftermarket companies have figured out how to integrate Valentine 1 alerts into the 5-series computer, which is a much bigger technical feat than hacking the cd changer into assigning track numbers to iPod playlists.. I think the Alpine system coming out soon will be better.
(By the way, if you wanted the status symbol thing to hold true, it should have been Mercedes of maybe Lexus. Sure Mercedes used to make decent cars, but not any longer -- Mercedes is the ultimate status symbol, not a driver's car. Tell me, how big is the Mercedes club's track or club racing program? Yeah, nowhere near as large as BMW, which is probably second biggest behind Porsche in the nation).
Re:Match made in Heaven (Score:3, Informative)
I'm also use Apple products professionaly.
What I'm sad about is the perception that Apple is cultivating for itself.
These days, when I think of Apple I think: elite, expensive, fashionable, trendy, Hollywood
Re:Match made in Heaven (Score:3, Insightful)
These days, when I think of Apple I think: elite, expensive, fashionable, trendy, Hollywood
Well, those perceptions usually end up selling more units to average image conscious consumers.
This Is For (Score:5, Funny)
Re:This Is For (Score:2)
Re:This Is For (Score:3, Funny)
All I want to know is, will this work with my 2003 M3 (they don't have the M's listed)? If so, I'm getting an iPod, baby!
Elite? I'd be so offended ... (Score:5, Funny)
Backwards... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Backwards... (Score:2)
It was a joke; attack yourself.
Re:Backwards... (Score:2)
Drive. Smile. Enjoy.
BMW makes great cars that feel good to drive. Assholes don't buy BMW's to become assholes, they buy BMW's because their lives are so stressful otherwise they need som
Re:Backwards... (Score:2)
Not as dumb as you'd think... In Europe, a subsidiary of Mercedez-Benz marketed the Smart, which has interchangeable colored panels, so that if you get tired of the color, you can go to the dealership and have them changed in half an hour.
It's arguably one of the main selling point of those cars (and its smallest diesel engine on the car market, which sips very little gas; and it's so small you can park it perpendicular in a para
holy crap. (Score:5, Funny)
My boss wants one... (Score:5, Interesting)
My boss, with this announcement, is suddenly *really* interested in purchasing a BMW. He'd never talked about BMW before this... it's exactly the type of thing that luxury car owners use to decide which car to buy. BMW knows their market.
It's about time... (Score:5, Interesting)
Peace
Re:It's about time... (Score:3, Informative)
"3. See/Hear - View and control up to five unique BMW playlists and virtually endless miles of music. Your iPod adapter simulates the CD changer function in your audio system, allowing you to move between and view track numbers in up to five BMW playlists."
And specific playlists are required as well, from the description on the Apple page it seems to be a hack of the CD changer, as somebody already pointed out this has already been done by a 3rd party product, rather than new
Great (Score:2, Insightful)
is this the Alpine ipod ready kit in disguise? (Score:5, Informative)
read about it here [alpine-usa.com]
it will allow the same thing this article talks about on alpine receivers. i can't wait for it!
Re:is this the Alpine ipod ready kit in disguise? (Score:2, Informative)
i want, and i hope the Alpine adapter provides, full control and full display on the head unit.
i like apple a lot, but this is really pretty worthless. since you can only control 5 playlists and the random mode, you'll have to go into your glove box to switch CDs. I think i like mine better in the tray under my parking brake, where it is now. unfortunately in a honda
Re:is this the Alpine ipod ready kit in disguise? (Score:4, Interesting)
Whoops... (Score:5, Funny)
A CABLE!!!??? UGH (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:A CABLE!!!??? UGH (Score:4, Informative)
THIS? [apple.com]
A DOCK?!?!? HA HA HA (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:A DOCK?!?!? HA HA HA (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:A DOCK?!?!? HA HA HA (Score:3, Interesting)
that's the hardcore solution to incar music and more.
but if you just want music for your commute and use the same iPod while at work or in the gym or mowing the lawn or whatever then it makes sense to take it with you. if you drive to the movies, you do not need to take the iPod with you, or a restaurant or food shopping or something like that.
i used to play the game with a tape adapter and power line going to a portable Cd player (or MD p
it's about stealth (Score:3, Interesting)
same way people sometimes put things in the trunk of the car as opposed to laying out on the back seat.
also somebody else pointed out that if you use valet parking or park in a garage you give them the "valet key" that does not allow them access to the glovebox or the trunk.... so it would be secure while you go out, but there when you get back.
for other cars check ICELink (Score:5, Informative)
BMW only (Score:2)
Better job already posted (Score:5, Funny)
**ducks**
Cool stuff, can't wait for the mini-mini (Score:5, Insightful)
Sadly, I know 2 people with BMWs who just miss the cut; one has a 2001 3-series, and the other has a 2003 M3.
More to the point, this will allow the driver to control the iPod form the steering-wheel controls (is the steering wheel the scroll wheel--eeks!), with a dock cable running into the glove compartment. I imagine you could install a holder for the iPod elsewhere in the car too.
Re:Cool stuff, can't wait for the mini-mini (Score:4, Funny)
i feel really terrible for your friends. send them my condolences
I WANT! (rant) (Score:5, Interesting)
It's ironic that a "retro-tech" tape-cassette car stereo would afford me better sound than my CD player which has no external line inputs. (It has internal ones at the back but they want about as much money as my iPod for an adapter!)
Okay, ultimately what I want is a universal and OPEN dock connector so we can all have car stereos that will handle all of our Minidisc, MP3 or XM or whatever portable sound system players we have in the future. The connectors should handle hardware connections as well as provide a standardized software interface (uPNP maybe?) to display and select the track/album information inside.
(And it should handle cellphones too!)
(I think I'm going to switch to decaf for the rest of the afternoon now...)
Uhh This is Cute. (Score:4, Informative)
Only available for model year 2002, 2003 and 2004 BMW3 Series; Z4 Roadster; X3 and X5 SAV; and MINI models. Not available on vehicles with navigation system, CD changer, DSP cassette player or satellite radio. Installation performed by authorized BMW and BMW SAV centers only. Third-generation iPod (software 2.2 or later) or iPod mini (software 1.1 or later)
Yes... How many BMW owners don't opt for the CD Changer?
Please make a Clarion CeNET component (Score:2)
It should be easy for a company to make an iPod CeNET adapter that lets you browse your collection while showing track and album names too (the Clarion stuff supports that).
The biggest problem is that every car audio company (like Pioneer and Eclipse) have their own proprietary network system,
Smart iPod (Score:2)
http://www.smart.com/-snm-0135155096-1087392676
BMW's been there and done that (Score:2)
It's a damned fun little bike, just so you know. It's fuel injected, agile, torquey, gets around 60MPG, can run 80MPH all day long, and is one of the cheapest, li
ARGGGGHHH!!! (Score:2)
Dealers are clueless... (Score:2, Troll)
I called my dealer today and he hasn't heard of this yet. He thought I was crazy
Pat
It's really not that much better than my solution. (Score:2, Informative)
Integrated controls are nice and all, but my solution was less than $200, and will work with any car with a single-DIN stereo.
My real question is why it's harder and harder to find stereos with front-panel auxiliary plugs these days. Aiwa offers them in cheap-ass stereos, and JVC in a couple models, but that's it. It could be a much cheaper solution for the masses.
icelink does this too (Score:3, Informative)
these are essentially hacks to existing car stereos.... just give it some time and there will be more options to integrate better with MP3 players.
Let me check.... (Score:5, Funny)
BMW...nope
Guess this means nothing to me
Great... (Score:4, Funny)
I'd be happy with a flipping CD player.
sigh (Score:3, Interesting)
In related news... (Score:5, Funny)
No Z8? Bah! (Score:4, Funny)
Better example (Score:5, Informative)
Although I must admit that I'd still prefer a BMW over Smart anytime.
Denison ICELink (Score:3, Informative)
If, like me, you have a Sony with a multi-changer control you can have both an iPod and a CD changer hooked up.
I highly recommend it [densionusa.com]
Sad Little Me... (Score:4, Funny)
Oh, well, after I blow my SCO money I still have my Enron, Worldcom, Martha Stewart Enterprises and Bre-X investments to fall back on. Tonight I'd better check to see how they're doing, maybe I *CAN* afford both after all!
P.S. I saved a BUNDLE by choosing my own investments and not paying an "expert" to do it for me.
Missing... (Score:3, Interesting)
This is an overpriced hack (Score:3, Informative)
You will not be able to see the song name or artist on the radio's display. Nor will you be able to access any of the other iPod functions or features, such as browsing by name/artist/genre etc. You will only be able to FF and RW one of five playlists.
Apple and BMW should go back to the drawing board.
Comment removed (Score:3, Informative)
It's just a trick to get you to upgrade... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:iDrive (Score:3, Informative)
looking at this, though, it just seems like a hack of the radio, with the iPod's connection being in the glove compartment. ??? so now you have to lean over the passenger's seat (and maybe the passenger) to plug in the iPod if you took it o
Re:Why just iPods? (Score:3, Informative)
unfortunately i don't see a standard coming. icelink [densionusa.com] has existed for iPods for a while now and works like this BMW adapter. there is also an Alpine one. it's possible there is something like this for non-iPods.
i know the back of my head unit has RCA inputs then a weird Sony
Re:Ugh (Score:4, Interesting)
Don't get too excited about Nissan, if you kept up with CR as religiously as we would think, you would know that the Sentra now has a 'poor' reliability mark.
When Nissan can't even make a reliable econo-box, it's a sad statement that Renault has influenced them instead of the other way around.