BMW's MINI is about to become more connected

BMW has launched a new version of its MINI Connected app that seeks to move beyond in-car infotainment functions.

Based on a platform called the Open Mobility Cloud, the upgraded MINI Connected technology now includes a personal mobility assistant that can help with journey planning and traffic alerts on the driver’s Apple iPhone. (Android-based smartphone compatibility is under development.)

MINI Connected, which is available as a free download from the Apple App Store, maintains a connection between the driver’s MINI and their iPhone via either a Bluetooth or USB connection.

As with the BMW Connected service, MINI Connected users can now automatically access addresses and appointments that they have stored in their iPhone calendar and uses this information to plan journeys.

MINI Connected takes the current location and pre-set destination, and factors in real-time traffic information on the traffic situation to determine the ideal time to leave – and sends users a timely alert in the form of a notification on their smartphone.

Inside the car, as soon as the connection between the car and the user’s device has been established, calendar entries are automatically synced and the navigation system starts. Route guidance can therefore begin straightaway and without the user having to enter the destination all over again.

The new MINI Connected also offers the option of carrying over places and points of interest from other apps and transfer them to the car as destinations for the navigation system.

MINI Connected can store locations the user has driven to several times as favourite destinations and can recognise trips made regularly. For example, once MINI Connected learns the driver’s daily route between home and work, it can alert the driver to any unusual traffic delays along their route, and advise that they should leave early to get to work on time.

Intelligent vehicle status information accessed via the new MINI Connected app also assists with journey planning. For example, the driver can use MINI Connected on their device to check the amount of fuel and estimated driving range, allowing the driver to plan ahead any necessary fuel stops.

For the MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4, a hybrid-specific function has been added that displays the range available on electric power alone and the overall range of the car.

The new app was launched alongside the new MINI Countryman.