New Mini Connected app 03 | 11 | 2016
MINI HAS LAUNCHED the latest generation of its Connected app which, the company says, takes the intelligent link-up between the vehicle and driver beyond in-car infotainment functions which are already familiar to many Mini drivers. (Related: Mini reveals 2017 Countryman)
Based on a flexible platform – the Open Mobility Cloud – the upgraded Mini Connected technology now includes a personal mobility assistant which can help with journey planning and traffic alerts on the driver’s Apple iPhone. Android-based smartphone compatibility is in development for the future.
Mini Connected, which is available as a free download from the Apple App Store, maintains a seamless connection between the driver’s Mini and their iPhone, via either a Bluetooth or USB connection, making it easy, convenient and safe to enjoy stress free driving.
The new app, which has been launched alongside the unveiling of the new Mini Countryman, sees the personal mobility assistant performing a variety of new tasks.
As with BMW Connected, Mini Connected can now automatically access addresses and appointments which the driver has 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.
The app 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 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 which, in addition to the battery charge and fuel tank level, also displays the range available on electric power alone and the overall range of the car.
Related: Mini launches first plug-in hybrid
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Jim McGill