BMW group cars to have special iPhone, iPod menus

BMW and its connected Mini label have taken advantage of updates in Apple's iOS 4 to provide an easier way to navigate music on an iPhone or iPod touch. When attached, any iOS 4 device will put out an iPod-like menu on a car's center dash display; anyone in the front cabin can steer playback from the car's own controls rather than distract themselves with the touchscreen. The technique supports normally out-of-reach features like on-device custom playlists and Genius playlists.

The automaker is keen to avoid some of the pitfalls of earlier systems, which could quickly become obsolete when Apple firmware updates brought new features or introduced possible incompatibilities. BMW expects its approach to iPod Out to survive future updates and keep working for more of the life of the car.

BMW would only say that the feature was coming in future cars, but it didn't say through which models or when. iPod Out will be a key feature of the Mini Connected system, though, and should find its way into the Mini Countryman and other 2011 Minis with the same system.

by MacNN Staff