BMW iPhone 5 Snap-In Adapter Cradle Now Available

[fmohajer]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

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

INCORRECT my friend… It won't connect to the external "shark" antennae that's located on the roof of the car.

[insane79]

i want this snap in adaptor really bad but scared it will scratch my black & slate iPhone 5

Thanks..

[immx]

Originally Posted by insane79

i want this snap in adaptor really bad but scared it will scratch my black & slate iPhone 5

Thanks..

I have used the snap in adapter since september. All I can tell you is I have the white iPhone and if you look closely, there are a number of very small marks around the bezel. How may of these are fom the adapter and how many because I can't use a case with the adapter, therefore I don't use a case at all I don't know.

[mscottc]

I've got to wonder why someone can't figure out how to take advantage of the connections that are in the compartment already and create a cable to plug into that area and then go directly to the iPhone picking up the antenna connection... I'd use that in a heartbeat if A) it was less expensive, and B) didn't force me to go without a case.

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by mscottc

I've got to wonder why someone can't figure out how to take advantage of the connections that are in the compartment already and create a cable to plug into that area and then go directly to the iPhone picking up the antenna connection... I'd use that in a heartbeat if A) it was less expensive, and B) didn't force me to go without a case.

The iPhone does not support an external antenna via a connection unfortunately. BMW uses an induction type antenna to basically "boost" the existing antenna on the iPhone. So no matter what, you have to wrap around the phone where then antenna is.

[insane79]

Originally Posted by immx

I have used the snap in adapter since september. All I can tell you is I have the white iPhone and if you look closely, there are a number of very small marks around the bezel. How may of these are fom the adapter and how many because I can't use a case with the adapter, therefore I don't use a case at all I don't know.

well i m sure the adaptor contributed a few, plus i love my carbon fiber element case on my iPhone, sucks we have to remove the cover every time to use the dock.

[insane79]

Originally Posted by doug_999

The iPhone does not support an external antenna via a connection unfortunately. BMW uses an induction type antenna to basically "boost" the existing antenna on the iPhone. So no matter what, you have to wrap around the phone where then antenna is.

so does this induction antenna also work when the iPhone is not connected in the snap in adaptor? sorry didn't follow what your trying to say

Thanks..

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by insane79

so does this induction antenna also work when the iPhone is not connected in the snap in adaptor? sorry didn't follow what your trying to say

Thanks..

No. That's the point -when it is in the cradle, the iPhone antenna (internal) is touching the induction point of the cradle/snap-in adapter. Let me know if that does not make sense - I can probably post a picture if it helps.

[mscottc]

So besides the antenna issue the BMW webpage discussing this product also says "For vehicles with Smart Phone Integration, this adapter not only charges the phone, but allows access to any music or MP3 files stored on the phone. In addition, it provides a connection to the roof mounted telephone antenna on your car for improved cellular reception. For vehicles with BMW APPS, this adapter is required to fully utilize all features of this option."

So what other connectivity is this providing, and why could I not just do this with some form of cable rather than cradle?

[Jammy335i]

Whats the point?

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by Jammy335i

Whats the point?

The point is to collect 400 euros from people who can't be bothered to use a cable

[matt]

So I just use the standard apple USB cable?

[Radders123]

Sorry for the noob question but getting my first BMW tomorrow a late 2009 E92.
When I looked at the car I don't think I saw a USB port in the armrest but I did see an aux port and I think a snap in thing. It's not got an I drive unit but does have USB.

My question is if they do fix the adaptor will this let me control the iPhone with the steering wheel controls? I'd really like to do this but if the car doesn't have a USB port I can't see another way other than an expensive +++ retrofit. How would I find out?

Thanks

[insane79]

Originally Posted by Radders123

Sorry for the noob question but getting my first BMW tomorrow a late 2009 E92.
When I looked at the car I don't think I saw a USB port in the armrest but I did see an aux port and I think a snap in thing. It's not got an I drive unit but does have USB.

My question is if they do fix the adaptor will this let me control the iPhone with the steering wheel controls? I'd really like to do this but if the car doesn't have a USB port I can't see another way other than an expensive +++ retrofit. How would I find out?

Thanks

the usb port in the arm rest is covered my a plastic thingie that u have to slide, its right next to the Aux plug, re check it again.

[Radders123]

Ok thanks. Picking it up tomorrow and will be sad if it doesn't have this.

I thought some preps have an aux but no USB

[Radders123]

Originally Posted by Radders123

It's not got an I drive unit but does have USB

Sorry that was a mistake. It doesn't have iDrive but does have Bluetooth. I have no idea from the specs i've read if it has USB. Still I'll look for the USB when I pick it up.
So If it doesn't have a USB port will the snap in do the same thing?

[Johndong888]

Originally Posted by Radders123

Sorry that was a mistake. It doesn't have iDrive but does have Bluetooth. I have no idea from the specs i've read if it has USB. Still I'll look for the USB when I pick it up.
So If it doesn't have a USB port will the snap in do the same thing?

I wasn't aware they made snap-in standard back in 2009 and especially since you dont' have I-drive, snap-in seems like it would be a waste for BMW to make standard. But if you do happen to have the snap-in, you can get a media edition cradle and just put in your iphone that way.

In earlier production vehicles, the USB in the armrest has a slider cover to it so it could be there. If not, I think there's a retrofit out, wasn't too bad pricewise.

[MattBianco]

The cradle thing is so cute I am going to value everything in terms of cradles.

EUR 400 for a piece of molded plastic with a connector to existing wiring.

I just paid $74k for well optioned X5d. For the same money I could have bought 135 of this snap in adapters. All that metal, wiring, assembly, paint, wheels, leather, wood, espressos at the dealer.....is worth 135 cradles.

Try surprising your wife by giving her 140 cradles -5 more- and see how much joy you will bring into her life.

10 cradles gets you an intl biz class seat.

4 cradles gets you a very nice mountain bike.

1 cradle gets you a descent suite in many hotels

1 cradle drive my car for 3,400 miles -it buys 130 gallons of diesel, which was easily lifted out of the ground in a hostile country, shipped 1000s of miles, refined, trucked to a station and sold.

1 cradle is the per annum income for many people around the globe

3 cradles gets you an LED TV that is at least 42"

1 cradle buys you a fridge that is good enough for a rental apt.

.....

These cradles are really valuable.

[tmdals0213]

i had no idea this --> "BIMMERPOST Universal Forums > General BMW News and Cars Discussion > BMW iPhone 5 Snap-In Adapter Cradle Now Available "

existed WOAH

different world of e90post

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by MattBianco

These cradles are really valuable.

The cradles can be had for about $200 USD (check ebay and other dealers). I believe they list at about $250.

Now you may wish to save your pennies and get the "Ceramic Controls" at $650 or how about the Leather Dashboard at $1,200? Or heck, throw a HVAC controller in back for the kids at $500.

None of these "cost" what BMW charges for them. However, based on demand, number sold, inventory allocation, etc etc etc - the price goes up to what it is per BMW. The good news is we can choose to buy or not. So if the cradle is worth $200 to you - go for it! But it is not 400 EUD.

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by Johndong888

I wasn't aware they made snap-in standard back in 2009 and especially since you dont' have I-drive, snap-in seems like it would be a waste for BMW to make standard. But if you do happen to have the snap-in, you can get a media edition cradle and just put in your iphone that way.

In earlier production vehicles, the USB in the armrest has a slider cover to it so it could be there. If not, I think there's a retrofit out, wasn't too bad pricewise.

I believe I had one in my 2006 550

You did need an option however for this (I think it was the iPod and USB adapter).

[MattBianco]

Originally Posted by doug_999

The cradles can be had for about $200 USD (check ebay and other dealers). I believe they list at about $250

Now you may wish to save your pennies and get the "Ceramic Controls" at $650 or how about the Leather Dashboard at $1,200? ......

None of these "cost" what BMW charges for them. However, based on demand, number sold, inventory allocation, etc etc etc - the price goes up to what it is per BMW. The good news is we can choose to buy or not. So if the cradle is worth $200 to you - go for it! But it is not 400 EUD.

I have the leather. $20k cars do not have it and can't order it. But they handles iPhone integration a lot better, it seems.

I understand a new version of the adapter is to be released shortly that does marginally more, and it will be a lot more expensive to offer what $20k cars offer, perhaps.

My two disappointments with the car I took delivery of last week are incomplete delivery of tech promises (menu placeholders that do nothing) and that the dealer by mistake took my storage space away and had the factory install the spare kit. The latter is not BMWs fault.

From everything I've read my '14 x5 won't be compatible with CarPlay. Id love to hear otherwise.