iPhone 4 cradle/Google integration

Hi! I'm just amazed at the Google integration for maps; astonishing next wave technology that will revolutionize at least how I with my terrible navigation skills am able to, e.g., get updates on where I am going from staff while I'm on the road!

Anybody have any idea what is up with the iPhone 4 cradle? I just don't get it. My dealer is holding off on putting in the smartphone piece for my car, ordered last week, and others have suggested either extension cords, exacto knife solutions, or hard restarts of the iPhone 4 to make it work/fit. None of these are obviously ideal and it is crazy - crazy - that the #1 (for better or worse) phone debut in history is not a fit to a 2011 model of a car that fronts its compatibility with iPhones. Whether you like the iPhone 4 or not, a zillion people have them - or 3GS with the OS4 update - including pretty much anybody who would be fascinated by the new features implicit in this package. SOMEONE needs to speak to BMW before this becomes a joke...or before they decide this is a 2012 feature!

regards,
Glenn McGee
highly anticipatory X5 35D tracker!

BMW is usually 6-12 months behind. I'm sure the cradle will be out in 2011.


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It is absolutely absurd that there is no iPhone 4 cradle. I do not get it. Please post prominently when you learn of it. If this is some dumb trick to avoid spending money on 2011 retrofit, it is obnoxious to anyone who just bought (at a minimum) .

There was a post in another forum that said the iPhone 4 cradle is due out in December.

Historically BMW comes out with the cradle about the same time apple comes out with the next iphone, so cradle comes out early next year, iphone 4+ will be out shortly after - I bought the 3G cradle for my 335, but then got a 3GS like 6 months later, now have the 4, just not worth the money for what they charge for the cradle and how long it is usefull!

I agree! It's really pathetic, given the caliber of car we're dealing with. I ordered my X6 a couple of weeks ago and it's due in during the week of Christmas....I'm praying that the new cradle is available by then. I don't want a gimmy rigged smartphone integration.

iPhone cradles available now are for 3G & 3GS phones and they do not fit the iPhone 4; I tried them all with iPhone 4; BMW is developing one for iPhone 4, may be available in 2011.

iPhone 4 snap in cradle is now available from BMW dealers, cost $210; installation is just easy; remove the dummy place holder and snap in the new cradle. I got it last month and it works great!

Originally Posted by henaleena

iPhone 4 snap in cradle is now available from BMW dealers, cost $210; installation is just easy; remove the dummy place holder and snap in the new cradle. I got it last month and it works great!

Some pictures would be great please! Also, have you tested all of the integration capabilities with this cradle? What are the pros and cons of it? I know that you can't use a bumper/protector while it's in the cradle for example. Does the iPhone get very hot while in the cradle, or does the built-in fan keep it cool? Have you tested the hotspot capability while in the cradle with the armrest closed; if so, does it overheat the iPhone? I would really love to use my macbook's wifi in the car using the iPhone's hotspot capability to access the internet.

Is there anything beside Google, Facebook, and Twitter that you can connect to through the iDrive screen?

I haven't taken any picture of the cradle, but you can view one on eBay where many of them posted for sale by many Internet sellers. iPhone 4 with any case or bumper will not fit; they have to be removed. I just used once and not enough to provide answers to all your concerns.

just in time for the iPhone 5 coming out in Sept.

I tried to order the new cradle at the dealership and they gave me two different ones. One that only works for the phone. The media version only works with X5's after production July 10 (my X5 is Jan 10). Now they are ordering something from Germany. It is killing me. I just want the cradle to work with my music.

Why use a cradle when you can just use a USB cable? Does the cradle offer any value?

I rest my phone where the cradle plugs in and just use a USB cable. I can fully control my music this way.

From what I've heard, the cradle will allow you to interface with the roof-mounted shark fin antenna, which substantially boosts signal strength. It also has a fan to help keep the iPhone relatively cool. But let me know if you notice an increase in your signal strength by just using the USB connection.

Originally Posted by Gator Neil

just in time for the iPhone 5 coming out in Sept.

What what I've read about the iPhone 5, it's supposed to maintain the same external case as the iPhone 4, much like the 3g and 3gs evolution. Only internals are changing on the 5 hopefully.

Originally Posted by marauder73

From what I've heard, the cradle will allow you to interface with the roof-mounted shark fin antenna, which substantially boosts signal strength. It also has a fan to help keep the iPhone relatively cool. But let me know if you notice an increase in your signal strength by just using the USB connection.

If your iPhone is getting hot, and you have rear climate control, set te temperature to low and close the vents... It gets the console pretty cold - cold enough to chill drinks