Official iPhone 5 F30 Integration Thread
tags:
steve jobs iphone5 iphone integration iphone bmw iphone ios6 f30 reviews f30 post f30 news f30 forum bmw news bmw apple bmw apple 2013 3 series
For the last week we've been testing our iPhone 5 with the Bimmerfest project 328i F30 3 series. We're pleased to report that everything is working as it should. Before jumping into our iPhone 5 testing we spent time with our iPhone 4 and the newly released iOS 6 (read article). With the faster speed of the A6 processor in the new phone pairing it to the F30 with Bluetooth or the USB cable for BMW ConnectedDrive seems a bit faster.
The big disappointment with the iPhone 5 in the F30 is the incompatible snap in adapter. The iPhone 5 is about half an inch longer then the 4/4S and uses the new Apple "lighting" connector. As you can see there is no way the old snap in adapter would work, even with an Lighting connection adapter. BMW has been quite about when we will see an iPhone 5 compatible snap in adapter. Tear downs of the Lighting cable show that Apple has embedded an authentication chip in the connector so BMW is probably in the process of licensing the technology from Apple.
Overall the new features of the iPhone 5, which come from iOS6, are a great addition. Having the car read you text messages or emails is a neat feature. The integration is still a little clunky but it is much safer then using your phone while driving. I have a feeling there will be an upgrade for the car software from BMW in the next few months that will make the integration better as they continue to test with the iPhone 5.
Stay tuned for more iPhone 5 testing and updates for the BMW F30 3 series.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BMW's statement on iPhone 5 and iOS 6 Compatibility?
BMW says "It is expected that all app compatibility will continue as will the ability to access one's song library using the BMW and MINI controls and screen. The specific feature, Plug-in, which works through BMW Apps and MINI Connected to replicate the look of the iPhone interface will not be available at launch. The full scope of compatibility between the iPhone 5 and BMW Group vehicles will be known once the validation process is completed."
When will BMW release the iPhone 5 Snap In Adapter?
BMW has not committed to a specific date yet but has been busy testing iOS 6. BMW tends to move slowly on this type of thing so do not expect it anytime soon. I'm thinking spring of 2014
If you're running iOS 6 on the iPhone 4 or 4S add to our iOS6 topic.
Recent BMW News
Latest Forum Discussions
September 21, 2012, 2:56 pm
FYI: iPhone 5 works perfectly with BMW Apps. The biggest improvement that I could see was the inclusion of LTE... connecting to a BMW Apps Web Radio station is so fast now compared with the 4S 3G that it is not even funny.
September 21, 2012, 4:47 pm
Got my iPhone 5 today also but have not had time yet to set it up in my BMW. I can't wait for LTE to come to AT&T in Denver, they announced it will be here before the end of 2012, which is a good thing because I was close to dumping their sorry asses and going to Verizon.
September 21, 2012, 6:09 pm
I cannot get my iPhone 5 to work with apps. BT works fine.
September 21, 2012, 7:01 pm
BJ
September 21, 2012, 7:31 pm
I set mine up in the car and so far everything is working fine. Have not played with apps yet, but the iPod out, BT integration, etc, seems to be working fine.
September 21, 2012, 7:48 pm
BJ
September 22, 2012, 1:52 am
I mean music playback with album artwork and controls. Not "true" ipod out which obviously won't work till a new cradle becomes available sometime in the next year or so.
September 22, 2012, 10:44 am
Does anything about the phone itself seem new, different, or better??
September 22, 2012, 11:03 am
September 22, 2012, 11:41 am
It's noticeably thinner and lighter. Bigger screen helps, its not a hinderance. I'm very happy with it.
BJ
September 22, 2012, 12:13 pm
September 22, 2012, 6:33 pm
September 22, 2012, 7:15 pm
My wife had the 3GS and the iPhone 5 is a massive upgrade from that phone. Less so from a 4 or 4S but still worthy to do so.
September 22, 2012, 11:59 pm
It's noticeably thinner and lighter. Bigger screen helps, its not a hinderance. I'm very happy with it.
BJ
September 23, 2012, 2:41 am
September 23, 2012, 5:53 am
Cycle A: iPhone 3G > 4 > 5
Cycle B: iPhone 3GS > 4S > 5S
It's how it works with AT&T and Verizon in the US. So Apple does a major release every 2 years and a minor release every 1 year, so no matter which of the every-two-years cycle customers are on they always have something new from Apple. I'm an early adopter so I'm on the first cycle, my wife's on the second. My iPhone 5 is fully discounted as my 2 year contract is up, my wife's isn't up for another year.
BJ
September 23, 2012, 5:58 am
Hey BJ and VOIP, got mine last night, as I pre-ordered a week ago. Had to pick it up at FEDEX as I was not home when it was origninally delivered. I immediafely called a friend to start to set it up, then finished at the Verizon in San Diego about 10 minutes from my House. I am coming from a Blackberry Storm 2, which I grew to hate and Detest. It must have froze on Me Daily. Very Embarrasing when using the VZ Navigator with your Sales Manager and he is sitting with his 4 IPhone. I have no prior experience, and I am thrilled. My wife has a 4s , which she got a year ago. It is so user friendly, I am having a ball just setting up Itunes and the App Store:thumbup Have not worked it with our BMW , as we have not had our PCD yet. Soon, Soon , Soon Cant wait to use it on our cross country adventure back to San Diego from Spartanburg So , how has it been integrating with your new Babies? Any tips or advice when we set up our Iphone 5 , and my wifes 4s ? Thanks in advance. I am so glad to join the Apple Family !!!! I will soon have a company provided IPAD, so its double the pleasure Soon. Enjoy the rest of your weekends.
I am off to see My SD Chargers vs Atlanta Sunday. Season Ticket Holder
I'm not rooting for an AFC win against the NFC, wildcard implications, sorry.
BJ
September 23, 2012, 10:51 am
Cycle A: iPhone 3G > 4 > 5
Cycle B: iPhone 3GS > 4S > 5S
It's how it works with AT&T and Verizon in the US. So Apple does a major release every 2 years and a minor release every 1 year, so no matter which of the every-two-years cycle customers are on they always have something new from Apple. I'm an early adopter so I'm on the first cycle, my wife's on the second. My iPhone 5 is fully discounted as my 2 year contract is up, my wife's isn't up for another year.
BJ
September 23, 2012, 11:33 am
BJ
September 23, 2012, 11:54 am
iOS6 moved all podcasts to the Podcast app and out of the music app. How do i get to podcasts now in iDrrive? I haven't tried it yet, has anyone? I don't have BMW apps integration.
-mike
September 23, 2012, 11:56 am
BJ
But what about your prestige?
September 23, 2012, 12:33 pm
-mike
Go into iTunes and create a new Smart Playlist and set the rule to "type equals Podcast". Then sync that Playlist to your iOS device and see if you can get to it via the iDrive playlists menu.
Podcasts are just another type of mp4 file, should be easy to get to in this manner.
BJ
September 23, 2012, 12:35 pm
But what about your prestige?
BJ
September 23, 2012, 2:00 pm
September 23, 2012, 2:14 pm
September 23, 2012, 2:42 pm
Let's get back to the subject of this thread,,,
September 24, 2012, 11:36 am
Hey BJ and VOIP, got mine last night, as I pre-ordered a week ago. Had to pick it up at FEDEX as I was not home when it was origninally delivered. I immediafely called a friend to start to set it up, then finished at the Verizon in San Diego about 10 minutes from my House. I am coming from a Blackberry Storm 2, which I grew to hate and Detest. It must have froze on Me Daily. Very Embarrasing when using the VZ Navigator with your Sales Manager and he is sitting with his 4 IPhone. I have no prior experience, and I am thrilled. My wife has a 4s , which she got a year ago. It is so user friendly, I am having a ball just setting up Itunes and the App Store
January 13, 2013, 9:38 pm
BJ
January 13, 2013, 9:44 pm
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=660946
January 13, 2013, 10:49 pm
Don't know if this is true. Found this on google.
Car Audio to Finally Get iPhone 5 Video Adapter
A Car audio adapter was sadly omitted from Apple's new selection of video adapters for the* iPhone 5, iPad mini and new iPad 4.* Apple is providing adapters for cameras and TVs, but alas, not for car radios and monitors.* But in January, we will see the first such adapter from an aftermarket company.
iPhone 5 uses a new Lightning dock connector with digital audio and video output
iSimple (Aamp of America) will display at the Consumer Electronics Show, an adapter that is able to extract video from the new Apple devices and send it to a car radio or screen, using the composite video format required by most car AV devices.
Scott Rothstein, Senior Product Manager was mum on the details but said the adapter will work with most car radios and car video monitors.
As CEoutlook readers know, with the iPhone 5 and newest iPads, Apple switched the video output to digital from analog, creating the need for special adapters to work with many existing products.
iSimple is the first company to claim it will offer a composite video solution for car audio equipment. We'll have to wait until CES for more details.
January 14, 2013, 7:34 am
^^ that ain't gonna help you with the loss of the iPhone5's Video Out for the car's Nav system.
http://www.ceoutlook.com/2013/01/09/...ar-due-summer/
January 14, 2013, 7:39 am
http://www.ceoutlook.com/2013/01/09/...ar-due-summer/
January 14, 2013, 8:14 am
January 14, 2013, 8:45 am
Apple has killed the iPod Out and Video Out functionality from the iPhone 5 via a Lightning adapter. Doesn't mean that the next gen BMW snap-in adapter won't support it, might come back.
BJ
January 14, 2013, 1:18 pm
Apple has killed the iPod Out and Video Out functionality from the iPhone 5 via a Lightning adapter. Doesn't mean that the next gen BMW snap-in adapter won't support it, might come back.
BJ
January 14, 2013, 3:05 pm
iPod Out has more negatives than positives and Video Out only works when the car isn't moving.
The white Apple USB cord works better and is free.
BJ
January 14, 2013, 3:59 pm
iPod Out has more negatives than positives and Video Out only works when the car isn't moving.
The white Apple USB cord works better and is free.
BJ
It's like show an ice-cream to a kid and then don't give it to him.
In short you can live without.
January 14, 2013, 6:23 pm
If you really want to use video out, put an Apple TV in your center console. Run power to it from an inverter. Plug the hdmi out into a onkyo receiver. Plug the composite out from the receiver into your car. AirPlay video from your phone to the Apple TV. Boom problem solved.
January 14, 2013, 6:25 pm
http://techcrunch.com/2010/07/13/ios...hird-party-ui/
January 14, 2013, 6:28 pm
http://techcrunch.com/2010/07/13/ios...hird-party-ui/
January 14, 2013, 6:30 pm
January 14, 2013, 6:31 pm
January 14, 2013, 6:35 pm
January 14, 2013, 6:38 pm
January 14, 2013, 6:39 pm
January 14, 2013, 6:40 pm
January 14, 2013, 6:43 pm
January 14, 2013, 6:43 pm
I'll bring the drinks.
January 14, 2013, 7:09 pm
January 14, 2013, 8:57 pm
Crickets...
January 19, 2013, 9:39 am
What.....just.....happened.....here?
January 19, 2013, 9:40 am
January 21, 2013, 11:35 pm
I have to leave my iPhone unlocked and with the connected drive app up front and running in order to get the integration. The same for Pandora.. it's one or the other, but not both. A little annoying, but not too bad.
January 26, 2013, 7:51 am
The problem is with iPhone. The way the Apps works is you can have your apps running but when you get a call and you talk for more than the time set to lock your phone it will lock. Then you have to unlock your phone to re start the app if you never use lock feature then after your call the app should restart.
January 26, 2013, 8:25 am
When I'm playing music from my iPhone 5 via USB connection, I'm unable to force other audio (i.e. internet radio apps) from my phone to play through the car stereo. I can launch for example the Live365 app, and it will start streaming for about 1 second, then the normal iPod music on my phone overrides and starts to play.
This was not the behavior when I used the Media cradle + iPhone 4 on my 2012 M3 with Nav.
Does anyone know of a workaround that will let me keep my phone connected via USB?
January 26, 2013, 10:48 am
Check if your Bluetooth audio is disabled and try I have notice my Bluetooth audio will take over all the time. After I finish a call my audio from iPod will start on its own.
January 26, 2013, 11:33 am
This was not the behavior when I used the Media cradle + iPhone 4 on my 2012 M3 with Nav.
Does anyone know of a workaround that will let me keep my phone connected via USB?
In general, docking your iPhone to USB is inconvenient in a BMW. The workaround that many of us use is to buy a beater iPod touch and keep that in the armrest all the time. This way, your iPhone can connect over Bluetooth for phone, text, and streaming while your iPod has your MP3's ready to go. An iPod touch can sync to iTunes over Wi-Fi, so you don't even need to bring the iPod into the house to get new content on it or update playlists.
BJ
January 26, 2013, 1:24 pm
Bluetooth for audio is not enabled. That is not the problem. It's an Apple thing.. it wants to force override other music output when you get the Accessory Connected interface.
January 26, 2013, 2:17 pm
I think that your issue is your new 4.2 iDrive/Combox setup. Something must have changed in the way the enhanced USB is implemented with the iPod/iPhone that it does not allow any other audio to pipe thru besides the BMW Apps-approved. Or it is simply a bug at the new Combox section.
Which would not surprise me as I found this "feature" buggy because of the same reason above... audio will pass thru but also metadata. But the metadata will pass only once and will stay there regardless of new metadata, app or display at the iPhone. That happens when Pandora is played in a non-BMW apps USB as well.
I would guess that BMW simply eliminated that with the new iDrive USB... with the audio as well.
January 26, 2013, 2:27 pm
BJ
January 26, 2013, 2:43 pm
I think that your issue is your new 4.2 iDrive/Combox setup. Something must have changed in the way the enhanced USB is implemented with the iPod/iPhone that it does not allow any other audio to pipe thru besides the BMW Apps-approved. Or it is simply a bug at the new Combox section.
Which would not surprise me as I found this "feature" buggy because of the same reason above... audio will pass thru but also metadata. But the metadata will pass only once and will stay there regardless of new metadata, app or display at the iPhone. That happens when Pandora is played in a non-BMW apps USB as well.
I would guess that BMW simply eliminated that with the new iDrive USB... with the audio as well.
Thanks for checking. Like you, I had no problems doing this in my M3. However, I was always using the cradle interface, but could still override and push audio to the system. And, it even showed metadata for other audio apps.
But this is not a BMW problem. I found some other forums for Spotify where users of Jeeps, etc., run into this problem. Anytime the phone recognizes "Accessory Connected", the phone wants to override with iTunes, instead of Spotify, etc.
Can you check to see if when you're playing iTunes music off an iPhone, does the phone lock you out with Accessory Connected? Or can you still select tracks via the phone, not just the iDrive?
I also just tried the "switch USB plugs" in the center console plan. From the normal USB back connector to swap with the cradle connector. I got to the USB/AUX connectors OK, but couldn't remove the cradle base plate from the center console without fear of breaking it. I felt around below the base plate, and I'm not even sure if that connector type to the cradle is the same as what connects to the USB. The back of the USB port connects via a white circular port. That's not what the connection to the underside of the cradle felt like. It seemed more like a flat pin connection.
January 28, 2013, 8:05 pm
I did find a solution to my iPhone-iPod-music-overriding-streaming-streaming-services-while-connected-to-USB problem
There may be other/simpler ways, but this seems to work:
1) Launch Pandora (or could be Mog, or other BMW Apps app) BEFORE you start iPhone/iPod playback
2) Start playback of Pandora via ConnectedDrive/BMW Apps.
3) Press Home button on iPhone, launch your streaming app.
The car still seems to think it's in the ConnectedDrive audio menu, as evidenced by the Entertainment details screen. You can now consistently play back any other audio service via your iPhone without the iPod audio overriding what you're doing. Good times! The only drawback so far is lack of ability to skip tracks via the steering wheel. That is OK in my situation, as I have the iPhone docked just ahead of my iDrive knob, so I can change tracks or navigate while stopped.
This is actually better than what I had in my M3 + cradle. When the iPhone is docked in the cradle, it was really impossible to launch an app, change a Live365 preset, etc.
January 30, 2013, 9:53 am
In general, docking your iPhone to USB is inconvenient in a BMW. The workaround that many of us use is to buy a beater iPod touch and keep that in the armrest all the time. This way, your iPhone can connect over Bluetooth for phone, text, and streaming while your iPod has your MP3's ready to go. An iPod touch can sync to iTunes over Wi-Fi, so you don't even need to bring the iPod into the house to get new content on it or update playlists.
BJ
January 30, 2013, 10:53 am
January 30, 2013, 11:19 am
January 30, 2013, 11:41 am
The best method, with zero consequences, is to connect an iPhone via USB. Use BT for phone/text, of course.
April 4, 2013, 12:34 pm
Bad news for those waiting on the iPhone 5 snap-in adapter. It has been pushed back to Q3 2013 -
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=687428
Tim
April 4, 2013, 1:35 pm
April 4, 2013, 1:46 pm
April 4, 2013, 1:56 pm
I suspect texts come across the USB in some manner because of the Apple message app. While I am among several on this board who have gotten emails to work over bluetooth, I do not think anyone has succeeded in getting emails throught the USB connection.
May 2, 2013, 8:52 pm
Time to move back up to the top...I picked up my new iPhone 5, uploaded the BMW Connect App and my Calender is not connected. The iPhone shows the Calender is not accessible, what do I do? I have removed the App and reloaded, but no avail
Do I have to do something on the iPhone or the car to make it work?
Attachment 374470
May 2, 2013, 9:17 pm
Do I have to do something on the iPhone or the car to make it work?
BJ
May 2, 2013, 9:52 pm
Has anyone had some experience with the new NBT iDrive (the one in the AH3 and F31)? Is the iDevice integration any better?
May 2, 2013, 11:02 pm
Do I have to do something on the iPhone or the car to make it work?
Attachment 374470
May 3, 2013, 12:47 am
Do I have to do something on the iPhone or the car to make it work?
iDrive is lousy for displaying texts, email, and calendar. It's not worth it. First off, it only reads what's sent, it can't reply. The information is buried in menu's and submenu's so it takes forever to bring it up. Once an email is on screen, you hit a button to have it read to you. But it truncates after a few lines of text, making it worthless for a medium or large email. I can't say anything positive about it at all. It is straight out of 1995, its more distracting than just picking up the iPhone.
....but there is good news....
Just use Siri which is already integrated in the car. By just pressing and holding the Home button, she comes alive over the iDrive speaker/microphone system. "What's my calendar look like today?" You ask. "You have four appointments, the first one is with Acme Enterprises at 9 AM." She replies. "Would you like me to read the rest?" Siri can read and respond to texts, compose and send email, give you sports scores, stock quotes, contact information, make appointments, play a Playlist, give movie times, find a restaurant, it goes on and on. When done, hit the phone button on the steering wheel and back to the music you go.
If half the people in this forum focused on Siri proficiency, no one would need to bother with the iDrive version which is practically useless and amazingly frustrating. "Did I get that right, Siri?" "Yes BJ, you did."
BJ
May 3, 2013, 11:18 am
Yes, email integration into iDrive could be much better, but it is not worthless to me. The ability to see if an important email has come in without having to constantly check my iPhone while driving is a huge plus for me. A little envelope shows up on the iDrive screen to tell me somethig has come in, and I have button 8 set up to take me straight to the inboxes, so it is easy to check what emails have arrived.
I do not really expect to interact with emails via the car very much. If I see an email of import, I can take appropriate action (e.g., call somebody, pull of to respond).
I have found that even though the text of the emails are truncated, the voice readout will read the entire email. She sometimes takes long awkward pauses that I find myself thinking that she has finished, but she picks back up and reads the rest fo the email.
I also find being able to check my Calendar helpful, again only to remind me of something I am doing today, not to schedule additional meetings, calls, etc.
May 3, 2013, 1:49 pm
iDrive is lousy for displaying texts, email, and calendar. It's not worth it. First off, it only reads what's sent, it can't reply. The information is buried in menu's and submenu's so it takes forever to bring it up. Once an email is on screen, you hit a button to have it read to you. But it truncates after a few lines of text, making it worthless for a medium or large email. I can't say anything positive about it at all. It is straight out of 1995, its more distracting than just picking up the iPhone.
....but there is good news....
Just use Siri which is already integrated in the car. By just pressing and holding the Home button, she comes alive over the iDrive speaker/microphone system. "What's my calendar look like today?" You ask. "You have four appointments, the first one is with Acme Enterprises at 9 AM." She replies. "Would you like me to read the rest?" Siri can read and respond to texts, compose and send email, give you sports scores, stock quotes, contact information, make appointments, play a Playlist, give movie times, find a restaurant, it goes on and on. When done, hit the phone button on the steering wheel and back to the music you go.
If half the people in this forum focused on Siri proficiency, no one would need to bother with the iDrive version which is practically useless and amazingly frustrating. "Did I get that right, Siri?" "Yes BJ, you did."
BJ
May 3, 2013, 3:55 pm
Also, Siri takes your voice, makes it a file, and ups it to a server in order to do the translation and execute the action. Where I live I get AT&T 4G LTE so Siri thrives in that environment. If you have a weak data connection your experience would be different.
BJ
May 3, 2013, 4:34 pm
Also, Siri takes your voice, makes it a file, and ups it to a server in order to do the translation and execute the action. Where I live I get AT&T 4G LTE so Siri thrives in that environment. If you have a weak data connection your experience would be different.
BJ
May 5, 2013, 9:52 pm
does anybody knows if, when the iphone5 is connected trough usb it wii access the car antenna, just like an iphone4s when docked in the cradle! is this the advantage off the craddle or is there any thing else that only the cradle enables?
thanks
May 5, 2013, 10:18 pm
thanks