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  #1  
Old 10-23-2009, 03:38 PM
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Smartphone Integration - Best option EVER..

Like I was, I'm sure a lot of you are probably wondering about the Smartphone Integration. Thought I would take a minute to tell you all about it.

1) It only takes up 1/2 the center console
2) Besides the purchase of the option for $150, you only have to buy another additional piece from BMW for the cost of $136.

So your probably wondering, for $286 dollars, what does this fantastic invention do?

Well, it gives you Bluetooth. Wait a minute, wait a minute you're probably asking, don't I have Bluetooth without the module? This I will answer later in the post.

Its also is a charging station. Wait a minute, wait a minute, you're probably asking, don't I have a charging station that comes with the Ipod and USB adaptor as part of the premium sound package? This I will also answer shortly.

But lets summarize, it gives you a charging station, gives you Bluetooth functionality and reportedly even gives you access to your music library.

So the next logical question is, doesn't the USB cable do all that already? The short answer is, Yes, it does, but it's not "integrated"..

Which leads to, what does "integrated" really mean? What integrated really means is, it's hard, fixed, and in your storage area. More importantly though, it's perfectly sized for your iphone.
- But wait, what if my iphone has a case on it? Sorry, you have to take the case off before installing your phone in your center console. Even if it's a small case that is form fitted and fits in every other iphone charging station like clock radios or home stereo base stations.

Then your next question is most likely, how does the Iphone music access work? Unfortunately I can't answer this question for you as mine still hasn't worked through the integrated module even though it works amazingly well through the USB ipod cable.

By now your probably scratching your head thinking.. This piece of garbage costs $286, does the same thing as the USB cable which is included for free in the premium sound package, (though the USB cable gives immediate access to music library, also charges the phone and does not require you to take off your iphone case.) And the Smartphone Integration takes up half the center console ???!!!???

But what you would be forgetting to equate in all this is, BMW gives you the word "integration" so by definition it must be better. And it's expensive.

More importantly, the real reason to get this option is simple. If I paid for it, so should you. I mean really, I've been a member of this forum for like 27 years, have 19,000 posts and am on my sixth BMW X5. And if my stuck with this piece of garbage, then so too should you. And I don't want to hear any whining, "I don't need it, the USB cable is better" or "I don't want to lose half my storage compartment" or "I don't want to have to take my case off every time I get in and out of the car." or "My music access doesn't work and the Bluetooth gets confused if I don't immediately snap it in or take it out."

Cause those are all complaints that only a sissy whines about. Man up. It's only $286
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Last edited by B-Line; 10-23-2009 at 03:45 PM.
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Old 10-23-2009, 04:01 PM
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I didn't order it. I wonder if I can cancel and have a new X6 built so I can have one too.

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Old 10-23-2009, 04:09 PM
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I got it too and at first the music did not work for me either....the trick is you have to unplug the usb cable in the armrest console....it does not work with both plugged in
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Old 10-23-2009, 04:12 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cmyX5go View Post
I didn't order it. I wonder if I can cancel and have a new X6 built so I can have one too.

Best option EVER..
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Old 10-23-2009, 04:13 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rbaror View Post
I got it too and at first the music did not work for me either....the trick is you have to unplug the usb cable in the armrest console....it does not work with both plugged in
I tried that.. No joy. It just says AUX.
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Old 10-23-2009, 04:21 PM
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Well that sucks, sorry you are having those problems, mine seems to work ok... but I have to admit that while the interface for accessing the music is usable, its not ideal...I dont know why they couldnt just mimic the ipod interface. as an aside, do you have anything plugged into the mini-jack connector? cause I disconnected that too
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Old 10-23-2009, 04:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rbaror View Post
Well that sucks, sorry you are having those problems, mine seems to work ok... but I have to admit that while the interface for accessing the music is usable, its not ideal...I dont know why they couldnt just mimic the ipod interface. as an aside, do you have anything plugged into the mini-jack connector? cause I disconnected that too
Nope, I pulled the whole USB mini-jack cable. Turned the car off then on again and it still didn't work.. I'm sure there's a relative simple answer to making it work but my point is, why should I bother?

It really seems like the USB cable is the better choice. Doesn't take up space, charges, gives you the music library, doesn't need to have the iphone out of the case and it's free.

The integration for the iphone is kind of stupid.

I guess it may be useful on a really long drive but it seems to create more problems than solutions.
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Old 10-23-2009, 04:29 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by B-Line View Post
But wait, what if my iphone has a case on it? Sorry, you have to take the case off before installing your phone in your center console. Even if it's a small case that is form fitted and fits in every other iphone charging station like clock radios or home stereo base stations.
The main reason why I did NOT get this option, plus I have about 95GB of music on my iPod and rarely use the iPhone for music unless I'm on a plane.

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Old 10-23-2009, 04:29 PM
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I guess I agree with you, but since I did not have idrive in my previous car, and they dont really explain it to you ahead of time, I did not know what the "integration" really gave you so of course I bought it too. If one were to not order it, do you still get to control ipods/iphones through the stereo?
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Old 10-23-2009, 04:35 PM
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Let me be very clear about this.

You can 100% control, charge and also make phone calls, through the BMW system using nothing more than just the USB cable.

In other words, if you hook your phone up to the USB cable, you get full access to your music library through the idrive. You get your playlists, artist search, song search, etc.

You do not need to even touch your iphone or your ipod if you are hooked up to just the USB cable that comes with the premium sound package.
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