BMW announced on Wednesday that it will support iOS 4 iPod Out feature on future vehicles. iPod Out allows a connected iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, or iPod Touch (second or third generation) with iOS 4 to output and display an iPod interface on a connected device’s external screen. That device, in this case, would be a BMW or Mini vehicle. Rather than displaying BMW or Mini’s iPod interface, the connected vehicle would display Apple’s own interface, which will be controllable with the BMW’s iDrive controller.
Users will be able to control the iPod’s music playback and browse their music catalog, playlists, podcasts, and Genius mixes. By utilizing iPod Out, BMW doesn’t have to develop its own iPod interface on iDrive system anymore. It will use Apple’s interface already built in iOS 4. In addition it will not have to worry about new iPod features coming later on iOS as they will all support iPod Out and the feature will be available on the vehicle immediately. A demonstration video can be found below.
