Smartphone integration?

I've been playing around with the configure on the BMWusa website.
For the 3-series smartphone integration is no longer listed as on option. Is this no longer available? now a standard feature? bundled with bluetooth?

Bundled with BMW Apps option now.

Fail! Why does BMW have to continuously bully its customers into buying crap like this? I couldn't care less about bmw apps. Just encourages more idiots to fiddle with their phones when they are driving. I know its only an extra $100 but still. First it was bundling nav with bluetooth and ipod/usb then adding bmwassist and now this. Since you have to buy all of this together anyway just make it a freaking package and be done with it.

Originally Posted by 3ismagic#

Fail! Why does BMW have to continuously bully its customers into buying crap like this? I couldn't care less about bmw apps. Just encourages more idiots to fiddle with their phones when they are driving. I know its only an extra $100 but still. First it was bundling nav with bluetooth and ipod/usb then adding bmwassist and now this. Since you have to buy all of this together anyway just make it a freaking package and be done with it.

Agreed.

On my F10, in order to get the Premium Sound System, one must get the Premium 2 package which includes a bunch of things I do not want/would rather allocate the funds to other, more desirable options than Satellite Radio (yuck at a $500+ stand alone option on other BMWs) and rear sunshades.

I know its OT but it also burns me that you have to drop $475 for a split folding rear seat, a feature that is standard on every other freaking car known to man.

Originally Posted by 3ismagic#

Fail! Why does BMW have to continuously bully its customers into buying crap like this? I couldn't care less about bmw apps. Just encourages more idiots to fiddle with their phones when they are driving. I know its only an extra $100 but still. First it was bundling nav with bluetooth and ipod/usb then adding bmwassist and now this. Since you have to buy all of this together anyway just make it a freaking package and be done with it.

Agree on the package roulette, disagree on the value of enhanced phone/car integration.

Options like BMW Apps will actually move the display and input to the Nav and iDrive device, which will keep users from trying to stare at a small screen and press tiny buttons. Although it may cause more use of future phone apps in the car, the car can offer a better display device and also uses can use the superior UI of the phone than the car makers crippled version (iPod).

can you imagine someone trying to compose a text message, twitter/facebook post using the idrive input whilst driving?

Originally Posted by 3ismagic#

can you imagine someone trying to compose a text message, twitter/facebook post using the idrive input whilst driving?

That is not what 6NR is for nor provides. The Facebook and Twitter messages sent are pre-canned responses. There is no actual composing while driving being offered.

But, I would rather someone use the Nav screen and iDrive unit to compose and send rather then having to look down at a 3 inch screen and type on tiny soft keys all while looking in their lap which is what happens today.