[Who?]

any LTE (4g) wifi modem would do the same thing at (probably) the fraction of the price, in a smaller package.

eg:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Telstra-P...#ht_500wt_1156

They all come with a usb cable to charge, so you can just plug it in your car24/7..

[bimmerjph]

Great, more weight.

[stealth.pilot]

I'm hoping this is more than just a hotspot.

What would be nice is if it powers BMW Apps without need for a cellphone, and by providing LTE connectivity to iDrive unlocks additional features (e.g google earth maps at less than 1 mile scale).

[hwelvaar]

Originally Posted by newbmwuser

any LTE (4g) wifi modem would do the same thing at (probably) the fraction of the price, in a smaller package.

So ? Noone should buy BMW sat nav anymore, because you can buy a portable sat nav at your local hardware store ?

And fiddle with the cables/power cord every time you want to use it ?
And then have it stolen and your door window smashed some day ?


Why the cr*p are you all negative about this new option ?
If you don't want it, just don't order it...

[skypx]

Originally Posted by red-sauerkraut

The new iPhone5 has this feature within the phone.

Just have to activate it.

That's what I thought so I'm not sure why it's a must have feature.

[skypx]

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

Great, more weight.

[aussiem3]

I have iphone 5 with 4G (Telstra) and the connection speed is reasonably fast. When you have connection speed through your phone I just can't understand why you want to pay for an additional device. Anyway, tethering not possible with ipads, which I think is the most commonly used portable device, it is a waste of time and money. I am happy with the connection speed of 4G. Even the BMW apps and internet/google are much faster loading through 4G. Why do you have to take out a second broadband plan when you're already paying for one part of the phone package.

[Who?]

Originally Posted by hwelvaar

So ? Noone should buy BMW sat nav anymore, because you can buy a portable sat nav at your local hardware store ?

And fiddle with the cables/power cord every time you want to use it ?
And then have it stolen and your door window smashed some day ?


Why the cr*p are you all negative about this new option ?
If you don't want it, just don't order it...

On your period or something?

It's a fact that wifi hotspots and this option is the same frigging thing. People will steal it? Pfft you can just put it in the glovebox (permanently charged to a USB) just like this 'Option'.

Spend all you like, just don't vent your personal issues on me.

Sheesh..

Edit:
Re read my original post, and nope, wasn't really negative at all

[mdosu]

concept likely won't work here in US unless partnered with existing provider

[CMH75]

Originally Posted by red-sauerkraut

The new iPhone5 has this feature within the phone.

Just have to activate it.

Love it (the BMW hotspot), but isn't it a little too late now that [for most people owning a BMW] a wireless data connection is mostly ubiquitous?

[3s-a-charm]

Why don't they just leave out the whole iDrive and put a dock connector for iPads or similar tablets (something universal. They can do nav, wi-fi hot spots, music, and more. Plus the new nav screens look like iPads now anyways. This way you can also scale your technology as your car ages too.

[hwelvaar]

Originally Posted by 3s-a-charm

Why don't they just leave out the whole iDrive and put a dock connector for iPads or similar tablets (something universal. They can do nav, wi-fi hot spots, music, and more. Plus the new nav screens look like iPads now anyways. This way you can also scale your technology as your car ages too.

Doesn't make any sense at all. Not any company in the world will sell any product for which their customer must then turn to another company (Apple and the likes) to operate the original product.
This is handing out the quality/operability/usability/future of your product to a 3rd party who is totally beyond your own control.
Never gonna happen.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by Jonjt

I've had this as a no-cost option on my cell phone for a while now. And, I live in the states.

I don't like how automakers are trying hard to sell cars by increasing the number of peripheral gadgets they have, much the same way handset manufacturers are. It lends an ephemeral nature to the car that even cell phones shouldn't have. Keep a car for 5 years and it's electronics become dated and are often no longer supported/don't work. The chassis, engine and interior, on the other hand, should be of near-new quality, if the car was taken care of.


A novel feature but, not something I'd ever buy.

Agreed....Just turn on the Hot Spot on the iPhone 5 and go. Lots of huffing and puffing from BMW for redundancy in offerings

[Fryguy29]

I think this is probably redundant for a lot of people. I think there are some potential uses however. If I have a hotspot, I can use my ipod touch and the Wifi connection. This leaves my phone able to stay in my pocket and i don't have to worry about connecting it. It also opens BMW apps to android users, as now you can just hook up an old ipod touch. I imagine this 4G connectivity will be better because it uses the sharkfin which is outside of the car. You will also not have to worry about draining the battery on your phone.
Also, for me, I can't use the hotpot feature on my phone because I have unlimited data and Sprint won't let me.
It might not be necessary for everyone, but it is a technological improvement and will be useful for some people, so why poo-poo it?

[Imola.ZHP]

BMW, the ultimate hotspot machine...

This is stupid, cars are meant for driving, not surfing the web...

Lets cut the crap and quit adding weight to cars, get back to what matters, efficiency and performance...

[mundo74]

I could see the use of this data for services like google maps in the navigation. But they should also give an option to simply tether our phones to supply data to the car. Seems pointless the way they have it ( car supplying the data). Most will have smartphone that could tether with no extra monthly costs.

[sl91]

Does anyone know if this new hotsport support the Bluetooth rSAP protocol in order to use the SIM card installed in a mobile phone ? The previous hotspot device model has this very usefull function.

Best regards.

sl9

[krown]

Originally Posted by Imola.ZHP

BMW, the ultimate hotspot machine...

This is stupid, cars are meant for driving, not surfing the web...

Lets cut the crap and quit adding weight to cars, get back to what matters, efficiency and performance...

How much more weight would it really add?

The middle age man with a disposable income probably doesn't care about the weight of the car, but would love if his BMW was a hotspot

[Imola.ZHP]

Originally Posted by krown

How much more weight would it really add?

The middle age man with a disposable income probably doesn't care about the weight of the car, but would love if his BMW was a hotspot

I meant it as a generalized statement to all the crap they add to cars now, not just the hotspot, but also all of the other gadgets that just take away from the driving experience...

[cartaa100]

That's awesome!! I want!

[jbeene]

Originally Posted by hwelvaar

A smartphone has a 500 mw antenna, has a rather limited battery capacity, and is prone to worse than optimal reception inside a steel/windowed car.

A BMW with this tech uses the roof-mounted 2000 mw antenna, has a rather big battery capacity, and provides the best reception you can get.

If you're happy with your wife and kids watching Internet video's over your Iphone 5 connection, that's fine. But don't say this tech/option from BMW is useless.

Kids: want to stay in the car, and play, while daddy is shopping for just 15 minutes
You: Want to take your cell phone with you, because you want to be reachable.
Kids: now don't have Internet connection anymore...
You: Reflecting "Damn, BMW was right about offering this option after all..."

I've been cross shopping the Allroad with the 328xi touring and this is one of the features that had me leaning towards the A4. I personally would never use it but my kids sure would on the 3 hour trip to the ski cottage. After years of getting soaked for crap in car entertainment systems I'm happy to see that they can all use their iPads, get decent internet service and not have to mess around with remotes, crappy headphones and dvd's all over the car.

So although I'm likely to end up with my 25th or 26th BMW (have never had an Audi), this will reinforce my decision ever so slightly.

Convergence and convenience. It has its place.

[emfo]

Any news on whether this is available in the US?