BMW iPhone 5 Snap-In Adapter Cradle Now Available

[BV335]

Originally Posted by slammy_daniels

+1

Can you update a deactivated phone like that? I want to get the 5 but use my 4 to play tunes everyday just about. If I can still update playlists with a deactivated 4 that might just do the trick. iPhone 5 for reg use. iPhone 4 for music.

[cartaa100]

i understand every iphone case is different, but how does the snap-in react with cases?

[Kabrich]

In Dealership today and they said still no info on availability for iPhone 5 cradle.

[insane79]

Originally Posted by Kabrich

In Dealership today and they said still no info on availability for iPhone 5 cradle.

they seem to be on the official bmw uk ebay page, check it there..

[Kabrich]

Originally Posted by insane79

they seem to be on the official bmw uk ebay page, check it there..

Yes, but claims they only ship to the UK

[BelgianBM-er]

The new Iphone5 connectors don't support video output either (nor Basic, Connect (which are already available) nor Media (which comes out later)).

I have an 2013 640d (october 2012) with options 6NF,6NR, 609 AND 6NL.
Last march I bought the "prototype" snap in adapter for Iphone5 (84.21-2 338 568-01) which doesn't support video-out and has no fan. Several times, my Iphone5 got very hot and turned off automatically until it cooled down.
Last week I saw the new "connect" (84.21-2 351 308-01) snap-in adapter for Iphone 5 with fan on the internet and asked for it at the dealership. They told me this adapter would only work for newer BMW's with option 6NS. Also they told me that video-out on iPhones would not work in the newer cars with 6NS. I told him I would like to try it anyway, so I picked it up today. I tested it and I can confirm that it doesn't work properly.
It does everything that my old snap in does (apps, controlling Iphone through Idrive, Cover art,...) EXCEPT playing music through the car speakers . Music comes out of the Iphone itself and indeed there's no video out. BMW told me I have to wait for the snap in adapter "music/media" (2 351 309) with fan, but they don't know when it comes out. They don't expect it till november.

So basically:
- I still don't have a snap in adapter for my Iphone5 that works properly
- The "music/media" adapter that comes out later this year (?) solves the overheating problem but doesn't support video out, so this option will not be possible for Iphone5
- Newer cars (since june 2013, with 6NS) don't support video out at all
- You can only use video out on older iPhones in older cars (< june 2013)

[Johndong888]

Originally Posted by BelgianBM-er

The new Iphone5 connectors don't support video output either (nor Basic, Connect (which are already available) nor Media (which comes out later)).

I have an 2013 640d (october 2012) with options 6NF,6NR, 609 AND 6NL.
Last march I bought the "prototype" snap in adapter for Iphone5 (84.21-2 338 568-01) which doesn't support video-out and has no fan. Several times, my Iphone5 got very hot and turned off automatically until it cooled down.
Last week I saw the new "connect" (84.21-2 351 308-01) snap-in adapter for Iphone 5 with fan on the internet and asked for it at the dealership. They told me this adapter would only work for newer BMW's with option 6NS. Also they told me that video-out on iPhones would not work in the newer cars with 6NS. I told him I would like to try it anyway, so I picked it up today. I tested it and I can confirm that it doesn't work properly.
It does everything that my old snap in does (apps, controlling Iphone through Idrive, Cover art,...) EXCEPT playing music through the car speakers . Music comes out of the Iphone itself and indeed there's no video out. BMW told me I have to wait for the snap in adapter "music/media" (2 351 309) with fan, but they don't know when it comes out. They don't expect it till november.

So basically:
- I still don't have a snap in adapter for my Iphone5 that works properly
- The "music/media" adapter that comes out later this year (?) solves the overheating problem but doesn't support video out, so this option will not be possible for Iphone5
- Newer cars (since june 2013, with 6NS) don't support video out at all
- You can only use video out on older iPhones in older cars (< june 2013)

Thanks for taking one for the team. I saw this coming a while back especially with how slow BMW is at updating the stuff for iPhones. I broke down and found out the best solution really is to buy the iphone 4 cradle plus leave your old iphone 4 as a music player. I even use the iphone 4 as a backup when my 5 dies for some reason lol. I found this works out best. This also allows you to leave your case on your iphone 5 if you have one. I have a very slim clear one.

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by ttimbo

I don't think so...there's no aerial signal processing, as far as I can determine. I'm not sure about the IP5, but previous IPs had some aerial attenuation when the Apple ear phones are connected.

All you are getting with this accessory over a cable is "neatness"

This is not true (at least with earlier adapters). The snap in does allow the phone to use the shark fin and significantly improves reception.

[Johndong888]

Originally Posted by doug_999

This is not true (at least with earlier adapters). The snap in does allow the phone to use the shark fin and significantly improves reception.

That's pretty much exactly what ttimbo said. LOL he said previous iphones had aerial attenuation but that signal is not present in the lightning connector

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by Johndong888

That's pretty much exactly what ttimbo said. LOL he said previous iphones had aerial attenuation but that signal is not present in the lightning connector

The attenuation was never in the connector.

[insane79]

hmmmn, so if i go for the basic snap in for my ip5, the oly thing will be the charging? no connection to shark antenna? anyone has tried this ?

Thanks..

[atomicdev]

Wow that's pretty expensive. Think I'll just stick with my AUX lead which to be fair sounds pretty good when the bass is near max!

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by insane79

hmmmn, so if i go for the basic snap in for my ip5, the oly thing will be the charging? no connection to shark antenna? anyone has tried this ?

Thanks..

No, what I meant was the attenuation comes from the top of the iphone being in contact with the sensor for the sharkfin. At least with the iPhone 4, the signal is DRAMATICALLY improved in the cradle. You can turn on signal strength (in numbers) and see the difference. I actually did this a while back and it proved that without that snap in adapter, I can't use my AT&T cell service in my own neighborhood. So to me, the snap in adapter is one of the BEST features!

Edit: Here is the thread
http://www.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=696305

[glennQNYC]

What makes me skeptical that the snap-in adaptor makes an iPhone utilize the external antenna is I have never heard of ANY device (car or home) having this functionality. Since we know it there isn't a hard-wired connection to the antenna, the only plausible explanation would be a cellular repeater.... And that wouldn't require you to snap the phone into anything. I chalk it up to marketing BS. I think the marketing dept is recycling bullet points from the days when Motorola Flip Phones had an antenna connector on the back and docks did that kind of thing.

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by glennQNYC

What makes me skeptical that the snap-in adaptor makes an iPhone utilize the external antenna is I have never heard of ANY device (car or home) having this functionality. Since we know it there isn't a hard-wired connection to the antenna, the only plausible explanation would be a cellular repeater.... And that wouldn't require you to snap the phone into anything. I chalk it up to marketing BS. I think the marketing dept is recycling bullet points from the days when Motorola Flip Phones had an antenna connector on the back and docks did that kind of thing.

Well there is this
http://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/32...AP-IN-ADAPTERS
And there is actual testing (done by me)
and if you search hard enough, someone once posted the actual BMW design of it and how it worked.

[fmohajer]

I'm picking one up today for $200 at BMW here in Los Angeles (yes the MEDIA edition). I believe it will allow you to control all the phone features, your music library, as well as use the external antenna of the car for reception (which will be a phenomenal improvement) and a fast rapid charger. All this justifies the $200 spend for me ;-) Nonetheless, they said I can try it out in my car, and if I don't like it I can return it for a full refund… Will post more once I pick it up

[AwB]

Originally Posted by fmohajer

I'm picking one up today for $200 at BMW here in Los Angeles (yes the MEDIA edition). I believe it will allow you to control all the phone features, your music library, as well as use the external antenna of the car for reception (which will be a phenomenal improvement) and a fast rapid charger. All this justifies the $200 spend for me ;-) Nonetheless, they said I can try it out in my car, and if I don't like it I can return it for a full refund… Will post more once I pick it up

Hi - first post here, though as an E70 owner I've strayed from home!

Any update on you acquisition of the media snap-in? Has there been a formal release or is this the "prototype" that has been available from Germany for some time? (IIRC the prototype has no fan, and simply has the apple 30-pin to lightning connector embedded in the base)

Very keen to hear your feedback on functionality. I've been trying to find out when in Jan 2014 this will be released in the UK, but dealerships here are clueless on the matter.

[fmohajer]

AwB: I have purchased the cradle (it came to: $222.36). It's NOT labelled "Media" adapter. It plays music, and I can access my telephone. The telephone connection is via bluetooth, however, the antenna is connected via the shark fin antenna that is located on the roof. Hence, significantly improving cell phone reception. I was able to test/confirm this, as I can now keep a phone call going when I enter underground parking structures. It's pretty great. THe ONLY complaint I have is that I cannot see my text messages.

I've attached a photo of the box the cradle comes in, indicating the part number. If you'd like, I'm happy to get you one and have it shipped to you. Just let me know
Cheers,
Kev.

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by fmohajer

I'm picking one up today for $200 at BMW here in Los Angeles (yes the MEDIA edition). I believe it will allow you to control all the phone features, your music library, as well as use the external antenna of the car for reception (which will be a phenomenal improvement) and a fast rapid charger. All this justifies the $200 spend for me ;-) Nonetheless, they said I can try it out in my car, and if I don't like it I can return it for a full refund… Will post more once I pick it up

you can do all of that with a cable for $5

[ska///235i]

You get a clean oem "snap in" feel for $200

[zibawal]

would it work for my e93 m3 2010?

[fmohajer]

the cable does NOT connect you to the external "shark" antennae located on the roof of the vehicle.