Mini launching iPhone application for roadside assistance

MINI owners who are also iPhone and BlackBerry users can now call for roadside assistance at the click of a button. MINI USA announced that it has a free mobile application that quickly allows users to contact roadside assistance while also automatically sending out information about the vehicle and its exact location. Jim McDowell, Vice President MINI USA, said that MINI owners will welcome the peace of mind that comes from getting fast and easy access to free roadside services provided during the warranty period.

If you’re a MINI owner, what you do is download it to your iPhone or BlackBerry. You will be asked to enter your VIN, name, address and other details, as well as a photo of your MINI. When you need roadside help, you simply launch the application, select the service you require, and press “call.” All your information and vehicle location is sent to a customer service representative.
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SP2Hybrid - 8/23/2009 3:36:54 PM

-4 Boost

That is AWESOME!
Next time I'm in an accident, I'll whip out my iphone, select the respective app, scroll down to "accident", press the button, fill in whatever other info is required and wait for it to upload the data. Then I'm going to sit patiently, assuming all's taken care of.
Screw 911 and 1-800-AAA-WHATEVER, who needs those!

:)

validus00 - 8/23/2009 5:31:16 PM

+4 Boost

Actually you'd probably only press two or three buttons. All of the vin/address information is saved beforehand in the app. When you call, they would already know everything about you. AAA should release their version of this app. Afterall, who wants to call AAA and then scramble to find their membership number after having been a accident?

It doesn't take a genius to read the article to understand how the app works...

validus00 - 8/24/2009 2:13:04 AM

+3 Boost

I guess if you were driving a car that has like 1 star crash rating, then sure, rely on OnStar as much as you want. But for the majority of accidents that occur on a day to day basis, I think pressing a single button for a particular type of roadside assistance is good enough for me. Hell, I think the first person I call after an accident is my insurance company...

And to think that they actually charge you diddly squat for the duration of the maintenance program...

SP2Hybrid - 8/23/2009 6:54:44 PM

-1 Boost

I apologize, I'm not as gifted it would seem.

Sending data out of an iPhone is currently not something one can do during a conversation (Apple intends to develop/release such a feature, see patent application #20090209240); but that is not currently available). As such, you need to use the app, and then call or wait for a call. Having to do both seems a bit superfluous to me. Furthermore, if
you look at the menu, deciding what kind of breakdown you're experiencing is outside the expertise of most stranded motorists.
If this was something tied into a vehicle diagnostic system, a la OnStar, you'd have a point, but it isn't.

I'm not disputing the dork appeal of the application, just its usefulness.