CapWKidd

Now that the iPod Touch and iPhone can control a PC/Mac or Apple TV directly... this opens new opportunities, does it?

You do not even need to have a display connected to your Mac or AppleTV .... because you will see all you need on the Touch or iPhone... how sweet is that?

MP3Car.com

 

Bugbyte

Well, it makes for a nice remote control of the Mac/PC, but how is that different from running VNC on a smart phone?

I don't think it would be very useful for actually using the computer while driving for the same reason that texting or dialing a phone number while driving isn't very safe. In a car environment, the iPhone or any phone screen is damn small to be looking at while moving.

__________________
Want to:
-Find out about the iBug?
-Stop being a newbie? Take a look at the FAQ Emporium?
-Find out about carPC's in just 5 minutes? View the Car PC 101 video
-Help me kill my car PC
-Watch live video streams from my mobile PC? Check it out here.
-Where is the iBug?

NeonDev

its true that no driver should be using it but it may be useful for some backseat passengers so they don't have to bug you to change the song... but once again its really nothing new that you couldn't do some other way such as the standard apple remote, bluetooth phone, wiimote, etc.

__________________
check us out at: www.neonboombox.com

CapWKidd

The Apple remote only lets you control the device.... not see what is going on.... you would need a monitor... with the iPhone, it is your monitor.... to the functions of iTunes play back at least.... FF/RW, skip, album artwork.... all show up on your phone... I suppose you can use an Apple remote at the same time, and just LOOK at the iPhone

hanzov69

Well, I've gotten my Mini into my MINI..

The monitor mount isn't quite as "professional" looking as I would like, but it's sufficient, I may take it out at a later date to tweak.

However, I do have one (major) issue... I am getting alternator noise

Looks like I will have to try and track down a GLI in town this weekend, hopefully it will clear it up. Otherwise, pictures coming soon! (Although if you look at FireAnts...they are just about the same)

MACR56S

Hey Fireant. Thanks for being a MINI owner and a Geek

I'm working on getting the Mac Mini into my 07 R56 MINI. There has been some great helpfull info on here so I'll keep watch.

I like what you did with the monitor. Wish I could do that with mine but It's look horibble there in an R56..

What did you use for a Front end that you can change the look of the main page? I can seem to find a good front end for mac

hanzov69

Welcome MACR56S!

I just completed my install in an R53, but I was able to take advantage of the same cup-holder "hack" FireAnt used.

A few thoughts for the R56:
Do you have the center nav screen? If so, there has been work done on using that as a display, I believe you can find a ton of info over at NAM.

Another creative option may be to use one of the gloveboxes (you guys get two!) for the Mac Mini, then mount your monitor at an upward angle below the toggle switches.

You might even be able to "hinge" it so it's adjustable (thus leaving the use of the coin-cup holder).

As for the front end, well I am quite partial to Neon BoomBox, which is still under active (heavy) development. You can "customize" the main screen with a MC logo quite easily, in fact, I am including my own version.

To use my graphic, do this:
Save the image
Rename it from Clock.psd to Clock.png
Control-Click "Neon Boombox.app"
Choose "Show Package Contents"
Open "Contents", "Resources"
Drag replacement Clock.png file in.

This image fully supports the shifting palette used in NBB, don't let the Red throw you.

Attached Images

	Clock.psd (206.3 KB, 93 views)

MACR56S

Thanks, This is a great site. lots of great info. I'm on NAM too but not that often. (dragonflyer on NAM)

I've decided the best place for my screen is going to be mounted on to the secret compartment door and tilting it toward me. I want to be able to still keep one eye on the road.

I do like the boombox app. nice set up but I need it for more than just Itunes. I'm having the hardest time geting my movies and vids to load into Itunes. They play fine through QT though. At this point I'm concidering running OpenBook and XP.

Anyway I'll keep messing with it until it's time to put it all in the MINI on Saturday. Going to be some late nights.

MP3Car.com