[Kaitain]

I personally have the cradle since I keep my old iphone 4S loaded in it. It has 64G so I use it as an iPod. I also use my 5S for data if I want to use Pandora on the 4S. So, the cradle is perfect for someone like me. I can stream music/video using either the internal phone memory or via streaming using my 5S that sits on a magnetic Tetrax holder. Best of both worlds and my 5S has a minimal case for protection on it.

[ejj]

Can someone explain the difference between these two adapters?
http://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/26...AP-IN-ADAPTERS

http://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/43...NAP-IN-ADAPTER

[Fronzdan]

Wait, is the only way to watch videos stored on your iPhone, through the snap-in adapter? I can't seem to figure out how to watch iphone videos when using the usb interface.

[Mobster1983]

Originally Posted by ADM

OUCH, That means NO case??????

No case. This is the sole reason I did not get the snap in adapter.

[Newton2001]

Originally Posted by ejj

Can someone explain the difference between these two adapters?
http://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/26...AP-IN-ADAPTERS

http://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/43...NAP-IN-ADAPTER

Hello,

There's 3 different snap-in adapters type for the iPhone 5/5S (part number 84212351308), see doc attached

Since you've got a 4 series, you have to buy the connect version (the most expensive one...)
FYI, I bought mine $219.00 on Ebay (minimainline), listed as mini, but it's a BMW Group accessory.

For me, the main advantage is the fact that it's locked down (no sliding and stuff), very fast charging and doesn't stays in my pocket (I'm thoughtful for my balls... in matters of RF)).

And there's still space for my phone cover in the armrest compartment, so when I need it (like when I give my niece my phone to make photos and stuff, or when I go out with friends...), I can put it on.

[jddssc121]

You also get a nicer media player

[jaffab]

So what happens if you change your phone? I imagine if is an android you need another adaptor as the usb slots move around between phone models.

[Newton2001]

Originally Posted by jaffab

So what happens if you change your phone? I imagine if is an android you need another adaptor as the usb slots move around between phone models.

Yep... That's the deal.... :-/

the good thing is that you can resell those pretty easily if you're changing your phone

[Newton2001]

Originally Posted by jddssc121

You also get a nicer media player

Well I don't think so... I've seen pics with the iPod out interface but never managed to get it on my 435i with the iPhone 5S.

I've got the same interface, with pic album and tracks and everything as I get with the USB cable

[brunhe]

I ordered this adapter when I received my 435i xDrive, it turned out to be not as useful as I expected. The major drawback (IMO) is that you need to remove the iPhone cover, otherwise it does not fit in the adapter. Knowing what I know now, I would not have purchased this adapter.

The same functionality can be accomplished by connecting the iPhone (via lighting cable to the USB connector).

In order to protect the USB connector, I ordered a USB male-female cable that I leave permanently connected to the USB connector, can then plug the iPhone in the cable or the USB drive (Sandisk Fit - 64GB), this works like a charm, have all my music collection and several movies.

As is well known the movies you can only watch when the car is parked (unless you disable this feature), which I would not recommend (better be safer than sorry).

[Fronzdan]

Well after reading the positive comments here I picked up a used snap in for a 4S. Only cost me 40 bucks.

So it's a "Media" version. I can't for the life of me figure out how you would play any videos from the phone though. No, I'm not driving...engine isn't even running. DVD plays. How do you play a video from phone??

Iphone 4S with the latest 7.x OS. '14 F30 with the necessary iDrive options. I read that there's supposed to be a "Video" selection in the side menu, when controlling the external snap in device. I don't see any video selection.

[TSquared]

I am also a little fussy about a clean cockpit and found the "media" version of the adapter for my iPhone 4S for $60 on eBay. I have a couple of thousand iTunes songs on my phone so it's also my primary music player.

Seems to work just fine with searchable music menus, cover art, etc.

[Fronzdan]

For music, cover art, podcasts and audiobooks it works perfectly fine. But I simply do not get a "Video" option, but I have a number of videos on the phone. These are both purchased from iTunes and ripped myself.

Can someone show me where the button is to play videos on the device?

[Fronzdan]

Experienced my first heat related shutdown of iPhone while plugged into the Snap-In Adapter. IT was a warm day yesterday, in the 80s. I'm not one to crank the AC in the car since I sit in a cold AC'd office all day. But it was on and comfortable. iPhone music started cutting out after about 15 min and it showed the iOS overheating message for the first time. Phone was very hot (not too hot to touch, lol). This is the newer snap-in with the little fan.

Here's the problem to be aware of...the snap-in charges the phone at full current, which even under normal room conditions, causes the phone to get pretty warm. In the armrest in a hot car, it gets very hot. Now if the phone wasn't at 40% battery yesterday, I suspect it would be barely warm. So keep that in mind on a hot day. If the phone needs significant charging, might want to keep the armrest open.

[BMWbill]

Good tip. I have noticed too that it gets pretty hot while charging even with that little fan going.

[Sleepwalker]

If a Ipod snap-in adapter have existed, I would have bought it..

[franzli72]

I bought it as well with the new car (435i) but the problem is that when you start the BMW App and you receive a call, if the call is going beyond a certain number of minutes the App stops running and after the call you have to open the everything again and start the application manually. Anyone else is having the same issue?

[gomichaelkgo]

Originally Posted by Fronzdan

For music, cover art, podcasts and audiobooks it works perfectly fine. But I simply do not get a "Video" option, but I have a number of videos on the phone. These are both purchased from iTunes and ripped myself.

Can someone show me where the button is to play videos on the device?

I was able to play videos and route the screen of my iphone to the idrive display in my 2013 CIC based 335i. With my 2014 NBT system and the same phone and cradle, I cannot seem to play any video.

Does BMW still claim video playback for the media cradle on NBT systems?

[Fronzdan]

The BMW claims surrounding ConnectedDrive, Office and anything smartphone related are so muddled and confused, and vary so much between country, it's impossible to ever be sure if what you read from them is actually true or not.

[Kowboi]

Originally Posted by ADM

OUCH, That means NO case??????

I too don't use a case on my iPhone 5. Apple designed a beautiful phone and I want to see and touch the phone not a cheap plastic case. My iPhone 5 is a year and a half old with no damage.

[Kowboi]

Originally Posted by Fronzdan

The BMW claims surrounding ConnectedDrive, Office and anything smartphone related are so muddled and confused, and vary so much between country, it's impossible to ever be sure if what you read from them is actually true or not.

+1

I wish BMW would focus on its current owners, and improve our experiences in our cars. Something as simple as Bluetooth and snap in cradles have been around a long time and have evolved. Just sad that BMW focuses on new cars and it's new to-be customers. I'm on my 3rd BMW, you think they would want to keep repeat customers happy too.

Note: my Bluetooth and media software has not been updated for my car since 2012 via www.bmw.com/update . My production year is 2012.

[audrocks]

I have to agree that the cradle really isn't worth very much (certainly not ~$250) and is a solution in search of a problem.

I bought one with my vehicle and found it so cumbersome to remove the iPhone case and get it into the cradle - then turn and open the console when the phone needs to be touched - that I've stopped using it.
Instead I simply tether to a cable like others have mentioned and avoid all the problems. Using a black, coiled cable enables it to be neatly tucked away in the console when not in use and there is no functionality I lose.

I, too, wish BMW would focus on fixing real problems rather than selling overpriced accessories that cause more problems than they solve. A very inelegant engineering solution to a problem that does not exist.