BMW gets iPad dock!!

-Chris-

http://gizmodo.com/5642031/bmw-kicks-off-inevitable-in+car-dvd-player-decline-with-oem-ipad-dockser

BMW Kicks Off Inevitable In-Car DVD Player Decline with OEM iPad Docks

BMW didn't waste anytime embracing the iPad as the future of in-car entertainment, did they?

As seen at the Paris Motor Show, these photos depict a very iPad-heavy OEM plan for the Bimmer brand, with no fewer than two Apple-centric factory- installations gracing their cars and SUVs for the upcoming 2011 model year.

No prices were given, but you can imagine these docks will be considerably less than the now obsolete DVD seat installations they are replacing

This (and the iPad in general) opens up amazing in car entertainment & information possibilities.

Is anyone interested in going this "techno" with their cars?

Mr. Manager

-Chris- wrote: »

This (and the iPad in general) opens up amazing in car entertainment & information possibilities.

If you have tonnes of money it does, yeah

I guess though if you're buying a 2011 BMW from a dealer you're not too worried about buying a second iPad for your other child

copacetic

it's could actually be a good value option (depending on how they price it).

Generally 'premium car marques charge 5-10 times a reasonable value for any multimedia items. Eg audi and bmw charging 10 times the price of a bluetooth kit to get one with the car. Or €500 for a usb port/€3000 for sat nav!!

Or 2k for a dvd seatback option that only plays region locked dvds. This would be a similar price for the overall solution and much more powerful..

-Chris-

But even put it in the context of
-sat nav replacement
-in-car entertainment (music & video)
-using Google Street View to see where the parking spots & ticket machines are where you're heading to
-live traffic information from the internet etc. etc.

The technology will become cheaper and more ubiquitous, more cars will offer docks (for charging & improving reception, among other things), there's a hell of a lot of potential to this imho!

Matt Simis

-Chris- wrote: »

But even put it in the context of sat nav replacement, in-car entertainment (music & video), using Google Street View to see where the parking spots & ticket machines are where you're heading to, live traffic information from the internet etc. etc.

The technology will become cheaper and more ubiquitous, more cars will offer docks (for charging & improving reception, among other things), there's a hell of a lot of potential to this imho!

Im not seeing the wow factor with this type of integration.
The iPad does make a good incar head unit, but not mounted in the rear , its just a ridiculously expensive Movie player this way.

Incidentally you can get Android Tablets that are functionally (and physically) identical to an iPad running Android OS vs IOS for about 1/3 the price of an iPad. At their price point they make more sense as an expanded functionality movie player than the iPad does.

-Chris-

Of course, you could also hack your own iPad "dock" for 1/1,000th of the price...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTSDPKktbUk

-Corkie-

How long would that velcro last!!!. Good idea though.

danjo

-Corkie- wrote: »

How long would that velcro last!!!. Good idea though.

A lot longer than the iPad if he uses it like that !

Matt Simis

-Corkie- wrote: »

How long would that velcro last!!!. Good idea though.

Velcro lasts a retarded amount of time, its the adhesive on the back that came come loose, but on a flat surface not likely.

Cookie_Monster

why, heavens why?

what about those of us who don't buy apple rubbish?

Owen

MINI have been ahead with this for a while, they've got MINI Connected. Basically, the TFT screen on your dash is fed directly from the iPhone using an app made by MINI. So when a new version of software for the car comes out with more functionality (Think upgraded Nav/internet radio/friend tracking), all you do is update the app on your iPhone, and your car has the latest functionality. Plus, you have all your music with you, and your handsfree phone too.

Voodoomelon

Anything that isn't built into the car looks naff to me, sure factory gear is many times the price but looks so much better. Seriously, an iPad hanging off the back of a front seat? No thanks!