OK, the MMI box thing as I see it is a mod/hack to connect the iPhone to the car's screen using the iDrive controls without any coding - the alternative for my car (2013 F34 with NBT) would have been retrofit the ID6 unit + new screen + coding for 4x the price - might be the way forward if you want the best integration but still not perfect as I was told the car would loose ConnectedDrive services...
Now, back to the MMI box thing, let me try to answer some of your questions, based on what I can see so far with my car :
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Originally Posted by torqueflite
What IS done with the right side of the screen?
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Carplay is not widescreen - the MMI box thing projects Carplay at what seems to be the correct resolution and fills the remaining space with just a picture/text - I have a carplay icon picture there and "carplay" text and other vendors may show a different image there but in the end split screen capability is lost, unfortunately. Carplay would show full screen without the side bat in those cars that have the smaller screen.
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Originally Posted by torqueflite
Will this work via the standard USB port in the center console compartment, or does a new connector need to be installed somewhere in the car?
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The MMI box thing came with all wires needed, the iPhone is connected to a new USB port directly to the MMI box thing.
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Originally Posted by torqueflite
I too would like to know if the windshield-based Heads-Up Display (HUD) optional in some cars interacts with the Carplay MMI unit in any way.
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Haven't got HUD - My NBT normally shows the turn arrows in the instruments cluster, the MMI box thing is not able to show any arrows there , would be interesting to know if the stock carplay can show something to the cluster/HUD.
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Originally Posted by torqueflite
- Is album art displayed anywhere in the Carplay MMI interface when using the Music app?
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This one is apple driven - the Music, spotify or amazon music apps have the same Carplay "skin" interface - just a big play button and back/next arrows. The pocket casts app has 15 secs skip buttons instead of next/back arrows. haven't seen any current song artwork...
Quote:
Originally Posted by torqueflite
- For cars that have backup cameras which automatically display on the iDrive screen and return to whatever was displayed once moving forward, will this functionality be retained?
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I only have front/back sensors - in my case, the car automatically changes to the stock green/red proximity screen only when I go into reverse gear. The screen immediately reverts to carplay when I change to Drive gear - I can still hear the sensors while driving away. When parallel parking I just quit carplay (hold press the Menu button) to make sure I see the green/red proximity screen while going back/forth. I understand that the MMI box thing works fine if you have cameras but I can also install a 3rd party camera to the MMI box thing without any coding - these details best to discuss with your supplier.
The MMI box thing is only a "projector" really - only Apple would be able to develop the Carplay platform as we go - I cant wait to drive with Google maps/waze