BMW today announced the debut of a new BMW Interface for iPod that will enable seamless integration of the iPod for the newest generation of BMW models. With the new BMW Interface for iPod this means that seamless iPod connectivity will be available for every current BMW model.
The new BMW Interface for iPod will be available for owners of the new BMW 3 Series Sedans and Sports Wagons as well as the 5, 6, and 7 Series. It will also be available for the new M5 Sedan and M6 Coupe. It will enable audiophiles to bring their entire music collections with them, plug directly and effortlessly into a superior sound system while maintaining uncompromised control over their driving experience. Since the new Interface is compatible with SIRIUS satellite radio as well as the recently introduced HD Radio, owners will be able to enjoy a broad selection of high fidelity broadcast music sources as well. The original BMW iPod Adapter will continue to be available for 2002 and later BMW models: X3, X5, Z4, and previous generation 3 Series.
The original BMW iPod Adapter was the world’s first seamless integration between iPod and a vehicle audio system. The new Interface will also allow users to incorporate their iPods directly into their car’s sound system, but with the newly available capability to sort their music according to their own playlists, as well as by artist, album, genre, podcast, and finally, a random selection of 500 songs from the user library. Artist, album, and song title will appear in the Display Monitor.
The seamless integration of iPod makes it effortless for drivers to control their music through their existing audio system and the multifunction steering wheel. The new BMW Interface for iPod enables drivers to easily access their entire music library, shuffle songs, skip between tracks and adjust volume — all of this with no loss of sound quality or driving control.
The new Interface is compatible with all iPods with a dock connector, including the iPod nano and the fifth generation iPod. The BMW iPod Interfaces integrate the iPod through a direct connection in the BMW glovebox, providing outstanding sound quality and constant power to the iPod all while your iPod remains protected and out of view.
The new BMW iPod Interface will be available for customers to purchase at BMW centers beginning in July 2006. Pricing has not been determined.
Features and operation may vary depending on vehicle model and option content. Consumers should check with their BMW centers for specific application restrictions or visit: http://www.ipodyourbmw.com
In related news, Edsel Aftermarket announced the debut of the Edsel Interface for Dell DJ Ditty that will enable the unique integration of the soon-to-be-discontinued with the long-defunct. Napster subscription sold separately.
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Apple iPod integration the hottest new car option for 2006 – January 13, 2006 (Apple estimates that 40 percent of cars sold in the U.S. this year will offer iPod integration)
I for one have been waiting for a real solution to get my iPod in my 2006 5 Series.
I currently use the ExtremeMac radio adapter and it is fine for podcasts, but music sounds horrible. I am calling my dealer right now… of course they will have no clue what I am talking about seeing as how the BMW website hasn’t even been updated yet. I wish people would coordinate their ads and press releases!
Ha MDN you crack me up!!
“The new Interface will also allow users to incorporate their iPods directly into their car’s sound system, but with the newly available capability to sort their music according to their own playlists, as well as by artist, album, genre, podcast, and finally, a random selection of 500 songs from the user library. Artist, album, and song title will appear in the Display Monitor.”
Geez, my $14K Scion xA’s iPod connection will do all that. Well, except that my library is not limited to only 500 tracks.
Mercedes Benz has had this same thing for a while and I have it in my E Class. It is awesome. The iPod display shows up on the dash and I control the iPod with the steering wheel buttons. I haven’t turned on the radio since I got it. (not even Sirius)
Too bad Jeep dropped the iPod integration in this years models.
You can hook up a via a stereo mini input jack in some basic new Jeep models (no sat. radio), but they seem forgo that option if you get the satellight radio.
So it’s back to FM transmitters. Screw Jeeps, they are for whimps anyway.
Local bar got satellight radio over a iPod because it was maintainence free and the sound volume was all the same (unlike iTMS, ripped music) then the sat radio started to have DJ’s talking and mixing genre’s of music, now they wish they had the iPod back but stuck with the sat. radio contract.
I wish the sound check worked better in iPods, would have solved a lot of problems.
You can’t win sometimes.
Time to trade in my Rollerblades….
Crap now I have to go buy a BMW as the ultimate accessory for my iPod…
The Microsoft integration for their device will require that you actually use the steering wheel to navigate and control their ‘iPod Killer’.
Shortly thereafter many Microsoft “iPod Killer” users will slam their cars into telephone poles, bridge abutments, and oncoming cars in an attempt to turn the volume down on their devices.
For those not lucky enough to own a car from a company that makes an iPod connection available as an option, you should check out Dension USA’s products: http://www.densionusa.com/ They have products for almost every make/model of factory or after market car audio deck.
I got an IceLink Plus for my 2005 Mazda 3 Sport, and it works great! I can control the iPod through the factory deck and steering wheel audio controls. I installed it myself with the iPod in the glove box like the BMW option. I just leave my iPod in the glove box all the time so it’s always there when I want to listen to music in the car.
I only take it out in the Winter and extremely hot summer days to spare it from extreme temperatures.
The interface looks really poor to me. I would want to have the same interface as on the ipod itself – not simply to be able to use 5 playlists.
What they need is an LCD display that can replicate the ipod display.
I’m really surprised that the car manufacturers don’t get this.
Great! Now if Nissan would make this available for my ’05 Altima w/ Bose I would be all set.
To people not lucky enough to be able to go out and buy a new BMW – or any other car with iPod connectivity – check out the following options…
Dension’s ICELink – as mentioned by Andy C earlier
Monster Cable’s iDrive.
Harman/Kardon Drive/Play
Any number of aftermarket stereos from the likes of Alpine, Clarion, Pioneer, etc.
My MD has recently installed a Pioneer stereo in his Evo VI with the iPod connection kit, and it works brilliantly; now if only he had any musical taste that would be fabulous.
I hope that photo wasn’t taken on the Autobahn.
Now, hopefully there will be a patch to allow the Honda solution to work the same, seamless way.
my iPod connecer to my X5 works fine but i am sure the newer one are better.
mine it doesn’t show the song name and you can’t forward within a song or an audio book(this bugs me the most)
My 2006 SCION tC (bought last Dec) has this and it’s awesome.
Welcome to the show, BMW.
SB
. . . enough to have a 1938 Packard. I have a symphony orchestra in the back seat. They’re tough to start on cold mornings, though.
Bummer, I have only 20,000Kms on my beemer.
Typical BMW, overpriced and underperforming.
Toyota and Scion have better setups.
What about video ?
They say the new integration system uses all of the iPod’s functionality
We’ve got to be able to play movies on the car’s screen(s)…like a DVD.
Remember – if you’re a BMW owner and want to upgrade to a NEW ipod, you can trade in your old one (and get CASH) at http://www.nextworth.com/ipod. They even pay for your shipping to send your old one in.
Hey Jay….If you like nextworth I bet you’d LOVE giopod. They offer much higher payouts than nextworth and even let you upgrade to a newer iPod! GioPod’s iPod Trade-In Upgrade
Check it out at GioPod.com!
Hi Beamer-Rob (a.k.a. GioPod employee), I have three words: NO THANK YOU. I submitted a form for Giopod to send me their postage paid box and NEVER GOT ONE (it’s been a month.) PLEASE NOTE: Giopod has NO history with the better business bureau, NO mailing address, and NO PHONE NUMBER. GIOPOD IS A SCAM – BEWARE!
I signed up with Giopod and never got the “Free, Postage Paid box” they were bragging about. It’s been over a month!
Also – GioPod has no phone number and no mailing/physical address.
Also – Giopod is run by a couple college students out of their dorm room in California! Read:
http://horus.vcsa.uci.edu/article.php?id=4658
Anyway, I used NextWorth (their BBB report, which, for you interested, is here:
http://www.bosbbb.org/reports/reliab…p?FirmId=12415
They quickly sent me a check for my iPod and made the process easy. I also got $10 off on a bargain-priced new one they had.
In short: Nextworth=Legit / Giopod=who knows????
The BMW iPod Interface is a must-have iPod hook-up made exclusively for your vehicle. Once connected, you will be able to control your iPod; adjusting the track selection as well as the fast forward and rewind controls, directly from your radio. really a great technology. used car Pennsylvania