[ajaypjayaraj]

Originally Posted by karan561

But at the end of the day who'd want to use Facebook or tweet when your behind the wheel of a BMW

OT, but that line from Rosenthal's review is what convinced me to go for the 320d sportline when it was launched back in 2012, the higher version of idrive was available only in luxury plus and 328i sportline. Later, much after I bought my car, they launched the sportline 320d too with the advanced version of idrive. I love the petrol and was inclined towards it but sadly in my place it is considered a crime to buy a petrol motor But that's okay, I could live with a sub 8 secs oil burner in lieu for the time.

Coming back to the topic, to think about it, that line is really true. I rarely even turn on the stereo in the beemer. My screen is normally set on the TPMS indicator and left at that. Yeah but it is always nice to have those add ons in any case. If not the driver, the passenger could always use it.

[karan561]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

You will need to have a workaround to fool SPOTIFY that you are in some developed part of world ( not yet in India - try tunnelbear to have VPN on iphone ) and to listen music offline need to have a Premium account ..

^ Interesting, shall try it out shortly.

Originally Posted by pamiboy

Most of these features on luxury such as idrive / M'brace/ Audi connect etc are basically useless in day to day life. They do not offer any superiority / ease of use compared to a hand held computer (aka smartphone).

^ I agree, but sometimes the car integration is much required right from Bluetooth for phone calls where you can make calls via HUD & steering controls & no need to look at the phone. Also Web Radio is another feature which would be there in phone but without having to connect with the car the audio would be sounding useless via the cell speakers. On the other hand features like FB & Twitter dont make much sense and best to be used via cell phone.

Originally Posted by dj78

Nice overview. What about connectivity with the OEM. Does it feature Over The Air software upgrades as well? How about remote diagnostics?

That all is already incorporated in the idrive in the "Vehicle Status" options.

Also i dont think there is any Air software upgrade available.

Originally Posted by ajaypjayaraj

OT, but that line from Rosenthal's review is what convinced me to go for the 320d sportline when it was launched back in 2012, the higher version of idrive was available only in luxury plus and 328i sportline.

Good to see you remember that review, as that video did make quite an impact in my buy decision too

[ajaypjayaraj]

Originally Posted by karan561

^ I agree, but sometimes the car integration is much required right from Bluetooth for phone calls where you can make calls via HUD & steering controls & no need to look at the phone. Also Web Radio is another feature which would be there in phone but without having to connect with the car the audio would be sounding useless via the cell speakers. On the other hand features like FB & Twitter dont make much sense and best to be used via cell

Oh yeah totally agree with you. I was talking about the Rosenthal's line which mentions I guess, FB and twitter only. I am all for the rest of driver assisting aids. Probably the reason why I don't use my F30z iDrive much is because it misses out on many such features. My current project car is Yeti. When I start my projects on F30 in future, I would do the needful for all kinda upgrades and integration possible on it, I mean the OE way itself. Hopefully to an advanced version of iDrive available for F30 at the time of upgrade. But there is still time for that. I am in the process of slowly digging the possibilities.

[karan561]

Latest news on the i-Drive;

It seems the future i-Drive will be touch screen as well as gesture sensitive.

^ What are your views on the above ?

I feel these features as add ons are good, till they retain the i-Drive controller knob

[karan561]

^ In reference to my earlier post, it seems the above news was TRUE

The upcoming 7 Series' iDrive will have;

Touchscreen;



Gesture Recognition;



Image Source

[quickdraw]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

Yes I use this very often , have lots of downloaded stuff which comes handy when 3G is not available .



You will need to have a workaround to fool SPOTIFY that you are in some developed part of world ( not yet in India - try tunnelbear to have VPN on iphone ) and to listen music offline need to have a Premium account ..

They also have some religious channels on Internet radio which also includes Live Kirtan from Harmindar Sahib

I had used Spotify in my car when I went to inspect it initially, can you confirm if you see the album art and spotify interface on iDrive? Is there anything specific that needs to be done?

[Turbanator]

if you see the album art and spotify interface on iDrive?

yes , always . How are you connecting this via BMW Connected or Bluetooth ? I believe if you are trying to play song on your mobile & listen via bluetooth you won't get interface on screen in Car but when you connect through BMW connected app - you can go further into BMW apps where you will see Spotify besides other apps and internet radio

[quickdraw]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

yes , always . How are you connecting this via BMW Connected or Bluetooth ? I believe if you are trying to play song on your mobile & listen via bluetooth you won't get interface on screen in Car but when you connect through BMW connected app - you can go further into BMW apps where you will see Spotify besides other apps and internet radio

I did indeed try via Bluetooth. Will keep the cable handy once I get the car. Do you have to launch the app or just connect it and keep it in the armrest?

[Turbanator]

Will keep the cable handy once I get the car. Do you have to launch the app or just connect it and keep it in the armrest?

need to launch connected drive from mobile

[noelravin]

Does anyone know an intelligent plug and play way of getting navigation included in the stock 2015 520d.

[karan561]

Originally Posted by noelravin

Does anyone know an intelligent plug and play way of getting navigation included in the stock 2015 520d.

Hi noel,

There are some retrofits available on ebay, check this link out;

http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nk...p2047675.m4099

Also here's a video which will also help you in the install if you plan a DIY;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWmZ3fP6UVQ

Also you may want to get in touch with BIMMER CODING INDIA as they may also be having a solution

[abhi182]

bumping an old post
The connected app on my iphone refuses to find any other apps beyond the default set (calendar/radio etc)
It just throws an error stating "App store currently not available, please try again later"
Anyone has had any luck with this?
Would have loved mail access if at all possible

[abhi182]

If in case anyone is interested, I managed to activate office and enhanced BT on my F34 LCI by building a ENET patch cable and programming the FA

[meconi]

Bumping an old post again. Just got my BMW 320d and have been wondering on how best to use the connected car app on my iPhone with it.
Can you let us newbies know?
Abhi saw the post. How do you enable this?

[neeravnaik]

Just Checking if anayone has been able to update the iDrive software. I am interested in getting the Apple Car Play working on my 2016 model 3 series