X5 iPhone APPS Integration.... or maybe not :(

[brian5]

Originally Posted by FunfDreisig

<<snip>>

* Our 35d with the $400 USB/iPod option, came with the Y adapter cable part# 61-12-0-440-796 that does NOT charge our iPhone. But bigX5er has posted that the Y cable part number 61-12-0-440-812 DOES charge an iPhone 3Gs

I know this is OT but the older part, 61-12-0-440-796, was being supplied in X5's in late 2007. By Feb 2009 (or earlier), dealers were supplying the new part 61-12-0-440-812. So your dealer may have not done it on purpose but you got a part that was over 2 years old....

That being said, the 61-12-0-440-796 cable DOES charge my iPhone 3G without any issues. So not sure why would be having any problems there.

Edit: Corrected part # of newer part (which was pointed out in a later post in this thread).

[FunfDreisig]

Originally Posted by brian5

I know this is OT but the older part, 61-12-0-440-796, was being supplied in X5's in late 2007. By Feb 2009 (or earlier), dealers were supplying the new part 61-12-0-440-796. So your dealer may not done it on purpose but you got a part that was over 2 years old....

That being said, the 61-12-0-440-796 cable DOES charge my iPhone 3G without any issues. So not sure why would be having any problems there.

I assume you meant 61-12-0-440-812 for the new part number. In any case, my CA checked every new BMW (not just X5) that they had on the lot and had the USB/iPod integration option. He claims that they ALL had the 'old' cable. So it wasn't just a quirk on our X5.

I'm glad your iPhone 3G does charge with the older (...796) cable. But it really points out how fragile/flaky the USB/iPod integration kit is when used with an iPhone. Wonder how well it will work with the new iPhone due out this summer

Funf Dreisig

[FunfDreisig]

Originally Posted by apw2607

Connect iphone to BMW using y-cable
In I-drive select USB and make sure iPod music begins to play as normal
Now, hold down the iphone power button until you see the "slide to power off" screen. Release power button
Now press and hold the home button for several seconds. The main iPhone home screen will show and iPod music will stop playing.

You will now be free to launch any app and play audio through the BMW audio system.

Note, if you change audio sources in idrive and return to USB the iPod will return playing. If you select next or previous track on the center console or steering wheel control the iPod will return playing.

If the iPhone is also connected to the BMW audio system via Bluetooth, and the iPhone receives a call, when the call ends, the iPod will return playing.

WOW. How did you discover that procedure ?

I'll give it a try. But if we have to do this to be able to listen to internet radio after every time someone calls us on the iPhone, I'll just get the Kensington cable

FWIW BMW COULD have made this easy. The iDrive screen has both Aux In and iPhone listed as options. But when the X5 recognizes the iPhone as a device that it can control as an iPod, the Aux In option is grayed out.

Funf Dreisig

[brian5]

Originally Posted by FunfDreisig

I assume you meant 61-12-0-440-812 for the new part number. In any case, my CA checked every new BMW (not just X5) that they had on the lot and had the USB/iPod integration option. He claims that they ALL had the 'old' cable. So it wasn't just a quirk on our X5.

I'm glad your iPhone 3G does charge with the older (...796) cable. But it really points out how fragile/flaky the USB/iPod integration kit is when used with an iPhone. Wonder how well it will work with the new iPhone due out this summer

Funf Dreisig

Whoops, you're right. I meant 61-12-0-440-812 for the new part number.
If you can get your dealer to check, the part number is shown on the cable. Mine has "0 440 796" in raised lettering on it (i.e. part # 61-12-0-440-796).

[apw2607]

Originally Posted by FunfDreisig

WOW. How did you discover that procedure ?

I'll give it a try. But if we have to do this to be able to listen to internet radio after every time someone calls us on the iPhone, I'll just get the Kensington cable

FWIW BMW COULD have made this easy. The iDrive screen has both Aux In and iPhone listed as options. But when the X5 recognizes the iPhone as a device that it can control as an iPod, the Aux In option is grayed out.

Funf Dreisig

The interface was designed to control the iPod and that's what it does. We are working outside its intended use paradigm. Expect to see enhanced iPhone integrations with idrive such as pandora control in the future.

[FunfDreisig]

Originally Posted by brian5

Whoops, you're right. I meant 61-12-0-440-812 for the new part number.
If you can get your dealer to check, the part number is shown on the cable. Mine has "0 440 796" in raised lettering on it (i.e. part # 61-12-0-440-796).

OPPS!

After reading your post I checked the part number on the cable that our CA exchanged for us and it is 0 440 796 Remembering back my CA didn't actually say he had found part number 61-12-0-440-812 just that he had found a cable that would charge our iPhone. Which it does.

So now I wonder why the cable that came with our X5 on delivery in a bag labeled 61-12-0-440-796 did NOT charge our iPhone. And whether cable part number 61-12-0-440-812 would work better.

Funf Dreisig

[brian5]

Originally Posted by FunfDreisig

OPPS!

<<snip>>
So now I wonder why the cable that came with our X5 on delivery in a bag labeled 61-12-0-440-796 did NOT charge our iPhone. And whether cable part number 61-12-0-440-812 would work better.

Funf Dreisig

Not sure you why are asking this question I already gave you the answer
61-12-0-440-812 WILL work better.

[FunfDreisig]

Originally Posted by brian5

Not sure you why are asking this question .....

Because "better" is subjective.

For example, if our iPhone was always reduced to just the functionality of an iPod (and a Bluetooth phone) when plugged into 61-12-0-440-812, I would not consider that "better". In fact, I'd consider that "worse".

IMO "Better" would be being able to quickly, easily and reliably switch between using the iPhone as an iPod (controlled via the iDrive) and allowing ANY iPhone app to be heard via the X5's sound system And after making/answering a call via Bluetooth, the X5 would automatically go back to how it was working prior to the call.

Unless 61-12-0-440-812 or some other BMW cable can do that, I'll just get the Kensington cable and write off the $400 BMW USB/iPod integration as a very expense way to get a USB port in the center console.

Funf Dreisig

[FunfDreisig]

Originally Posted by apw2607

The interface was designed to control the iPod and that's what it does. We are working outside its intended use paradigm. ....

Maybe it wasn't obvious. But that was why I started this thread.

In case anyone missed the point. BMW's current $400 USB/iPod Integration turns an iPhone into an iPod which can be controlled via the iDrive and a Bluetooth phone - period. Any other functionality, like using the iPhone for navigation assistance, listening to internet radio, etc. is quirky at best unless you use a 3rd party cable which circumvents the $400 USB/iPod Integration by NOT plugging the iPhone into the USB port.

...Expect to see enhanced iPhone integrations with idrive such as pandora control in the future.

That would be great. But somehow I don't expect it on my current 2009 X5.

Funf Dreisig

[Sea Doom]

Originally Posted by apw2607

The following should work for you.

Connect iphone to BMW using y-cable

In I-drive select USB and make sure iPod music begins to play as normal

Now, hold down the iphone power button until you see the "slide to power off" screen. Release power button

Now press and hold the home button for several seconds. The main iPhone home screen will show and iPod music will stop playing.

You will now be free to launch any app and play audio through the BMW audio system.

Just a head's up for those who want to try this work around. After the last step above, when the iPhone home screen goes blank and the iPod music stops playing, you've only got about 10 seconds (maybe less ~ I didn't specifically time it) to launch the app before the iPod "app" begins to play again.