[funkahdafi]

Hi,

do I need this feature? What exactly does it provide? All I can read from BMW's description is that it offers some facebook and twitter integration into the car as well as the "plugin" feature to provide iPod style music menus.

What else? Is this essential or just a toy?

Thanks

[ReevesBMW]

Since you are in Germany I don't know how different it is from the version we have here in the US. With the Apps feature you can use some of your iPhone's third party apps through the BMW system via idrive. Facebook, Twitter, Pandora and BMW has their own app called BMW Connected (news, web radio, wiki local, calender, vehicle finder, last mile navigation etc.) which I think is great. I don't think it is essential, but it is nice to have. I use the web radio all the time.

[Rossifumi]

I didn't order Apps since it won't support Spotify which is what most people over here use. But now it got to me that it might be added later on. Do anyone know if it is possible to add it in a software update or am I screwed?

[funkahdafi]

Originally Posted by ReevesBMW

Since you are in Germany I don't know how different it is from the version we have here in the US. With the Apps feature you can use some of your iPhone's third party apps through the BMW system via idrive. Facebook, Twitter, Pandora and BMW has their own app called BMW Connected (news, web radio, wiki local, calender, vehicle finder, last mile navigation etc.) which I think is great. I don't think it is essential, but it is nice to have. I use the web radio all the time.

So it's basically just passing over some content of those apps? And it is restricted to iPhones?

Thanks!

[funkahdafi]

Originally Posted by Rossifumi

I didn't order Apps since it won't support Spotify which is what most people over here use. But now it got to me that it might be added later on. Do anyone know if it is possible to add it in a software update or am I screwed?

You can get Apps from BMW after your car was built but it's not just software. It needs some additional cabeling too. I asked a BMW dealership in Germany and the total cost was around 300 EUR.

It's probably a little cheaper in the US.

[ReevesBMW]

Originally Posted by Rossifumi

I didn't order Apps since it won't support Spotify which is what most people over here use. But now it got to me that it might be added later on. Do anyone know if it is possible to add it in a software update or am I screwed?

I've heard a while back that they might be working on an apps retrofit for the people that didn't order it or possibly bought a used car that didn't have it. To the new car buyers/owners. Remember that it could always be updated to work with new and more popular apps down the road. Thats why I got it.

[ReevesBMW]

Originally Posted by funkahdafi

So it's basically just passing over some content of those apps? And it is restricted to iPhones?

Thanks!

iPhones it is.

[shoptb]

Originally Posted by funkahdafi

So it's basically just passing over some content of those apps? And it is restricted to iPhones?

Thanks!

Yes, it's limited to the Apple iOS (iPhone) applications. Here's some more information:

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/t.../bmw_apps.html

[Rossifumi]

Originally Posted by ReevesBMW

I've heard a while back that they might be working on an apps retrofit for the people that didn't order it or possibly bought a used car that didn't have it. To the new car buyers/owners. Remember that it could always be updated to work with new and more popular apps down the road. Thats why I got it.

Originally Posted by funkahdafi

You can get Apps from BMW after your car was built but it's not just software. It needs some additional cabeling too. I asked a BMW dealership in Germany and the total cost was around 300 EUR.

It's probably a little cheaper in the US.

Thanks!
The only real use for it would be integrated music apps I guess. Do people read twitter on the navigation screen?!

I'll wait and see, it would cost me $400 to add it to my car (not produced yet) and at the moment all it does is to add twitter/Facebook.

[funkahdafi]

Thanks for your feedback guys.

I am not going to use Twitter, Facebook and what not in my car so I'll skip the Apps part. Web Radio is probably very dependant on your reception so I imagine there are a lot of sound skips. I have an 120 GB iPod in the car containing all my music anyways....

Again, thanks for the feedback, much appreciated!

[ReevesBMW]

Originally Posted by Rossifumi

Thanks!
The only real use for it would be integrated music apps I guess. Do people read twitter on the navigation screen?!

I'll wait and see, it would cost me $400 to add it to my car (not produced yet) and at the moment all it does is to add twitter/Facebook.

There is more to it then that. There is Pandora and the BMW app "BMW connected" which adds a bunch of stuff.

[Rossifumi]

Originally Posted by ReevesBMW

There is more to it then that. There is Pandora and the BMW app "BMW connected" which adds a bunch of stuff.

Pandora is USA only.
The connect app is quite nice but not $400 nice.

[pcbrew]

FYI, you need BMW Assist (6NL) to be able to get BMW Apps (6NR).

• 6NL gives you the hardware combox and enhanced BT and USB required.
• It also gives you a wireless connection and GPS for accident reporting, stolen vehicle tracking, and ability to send addresses via email to the Nav
• In US it is $650 and includes 4 year subscription to the Safety plan.
• $199/year after that.
• MyBMW Remote features, below, are contingent on active subscriotion / wireless connection
• With 6NL you can use the MyBMW remote app to
  • do Google searches & send addresses to the Nav (via the wireless connection)
  • Remote healight flash & horn
  • Remote unlock
  • in EU, you can start a remote pre-condition cycle to ventilate a car in the summer
• 6NR (Apps) is just a software option on top of this.
  • BMW Connected Drive App, Pandora, etc. control and UI via iDrive.

[funkahdafi]

Originally Posted by pcbrew

FYI, you need BMW Assist (6NL) to be able to get BMW Apps (6NR).

• 6NL gives you the hardware combox and enhanced BT and USB required.
• It also gives you a wireless connection and GPS for accident reporting, stolen vehicle tracking, and ability to send addresses via email to the Nav
• In US it is $650 and includes 4 year subscription to the Safety plan.
• $199/year after that.
• MyBMW Remote features, below, are contingent on active subscriotion / wireless connection
• With 6NL you can use the MyBMW remote app to
  • do Google searches & send addresses to the Nav (via the wireless connection)
  • Remote healight flash & horn
  • Remote unlock
  • in EU, you can start a remote pre-condition cycle to ventilate a car in the summer
• 6NR (Apps) is just a software option on top of this.
  • BMW Connected Drive App, Pandora, etc. control and UI via iDrive.

So in other words, 6NL is essential, 6NR is useless

[CESIUM]

Originally Posted by pcbrew

FYI, you need BMW Assist (6NL) to be able to get BMW Apps (6NR).

• 6NL gives you the hardware combox and enhanced BT and USB required.
• It also gives you a wireless connection and GPS for accident reporting, stolen vehicle tracking, and ability to send addresses via email to the Nav
• In US it is $650 and includes 4 year subscription to the Safety plan.
• $199/year after that.
• MyBMW Remote features, below, are contingent on active subscriotion / wireless connection
• With 6NL you can use the MyBMW remote app to
  • do Google searches & send addresses to the Nav (via the wireless connection)
  • Remote healight flash & horn
  • Remote unlock
  • in EU, you can start a remote pre-condition cycle to ventilate a car in the summer
• 6NR (Apps) is just a software option on top of this.
  • BMW Connected Drive App, Pandora, etc. control and UI via iDrive.

Possible to add afterwards in Canada?

[pcbrew]

Originally Posted by CESIUM

Possible to add afterwards in Canada?

I believe Apps can be retrofitted in SW by dealer.

Assist adds a combox with Enhanced BT/USB, GPS, and cellular radio so don't think it can be retrofitted.

[CESIUM]

Originally Posted by pcbrew

I believe Apps can be retrofitted in SW by dealer.

Assist adds a combox with Enhanced BT/USB, GPS, and cellular radio so don't think it can be retrofitted.

Thanks. It seems like that "connected" app while maybe not the most useful now will potentially be more valuable, especially with ios6.

[funkahdafi]

Combox can be retrofitted too. Not officially though, so you have to get the parts and do it yourself.

[Foreigner]

Originally Posted by Rossifumi

I didn't order Apps since it won't support Spotify which is what most people over here use. But now it got to me that it might be added later on. Do anyone know if it is possible to add it in a software update or am I screwed?

Even though spotify is not supported "natively" it should work through the Plugin mode, i.e. you get a to see a iPhone generated UI on the CID and control it with the iDrive. Pretty much like the iPod UI in the Plugin (definitely works for Pandora (has native integration which is better, though) but haven´t seen it with Spotify myself yet)

[Rossifumi]

Originally Posted by Foreigner

Even though spotify is not supported "natively" it should work through the Plugin mode, i.e. you get a to see a iPhone generated UI on the CID and control it with the iDrive. Pretty much like the iPod UI in the Plugin (definitely works for Pandora (has native integration which is better, though) but haven´t seen it with Spotify myself yet)

Would be super if that is true. I actually called my dealer and added Apps just in case Spotify comes up with a native application. And also because the snap-in module comes for free then and it can always come in handy.

Until someone with Spotify chimes in I can only wait until week 36.