Connected Drive

BeamerDreamer · 08-11-2008, 03:04 PM

I've seen some videos online of BMW's Connected Drive that allows you to search Google from your iDrive system. There was also a video of a user on his computer using Google Maps and being able to send a destination from his computer to his car.

This is the first I heard of such an option. I assume it's not available in the US market since I hadn't heard of it till now. Does anyone have any information about it? Do you think it might be available on the 2009 model 1 series?

And yes, I did try to search before making a post.

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Red135 · 08-11-2008, 03:40 PM

It will not be available in North America because BMW has stated N.A. does not have the necessary internet infrastructure in support it. And it is debuting in Europe on the 7-series.

BeamerDreamer · 08-11-2008, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red135

It will not be available in North America because BMW has stated N.A. does not have the necessary internet infrastructure in support it. And it is debuting in Europe on the 7-series.

According to everything that I have read about it, it runs on the EDGE network which has been around for years and covers 95% of the US. I could understand if it ran on the faster 3G network since it's relatively new in the US and only covers large metro areas. Unless I am wrong about it running on EDGE, it's a bit of a fallacy to say that the US internet infrastructure can't support it.

EmeraldRx · 08-11-2008, 05:09 PM

I thought that was part of the upgrades for 09

Red135 · 08-11-2008, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmeraldRx

I thought that was part of the upgrades for 09

No. ConnectedDrive is not part of the upgraded and revised iDrive.

BeamerDreamer · 08-11-2008, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red135

No. ConnectedDrive is not part of the upgraded and revised iDrive.

I guess it's more of a novelty item anyway. It probably wouldn't be all that useful and there is also that yearly flat fee for some yet undetermined amount.

Red135 · 08-11-2008, 05:40 PM

It will be good without the ConnectedDrive, the new iDrive has a gorgeous display.

blue-coupe · 08-12-2008, 12:00 PM

I read somewhere that this was going to be available on the '09s in the US as part of the BMW Assist package.

I think it would be useful if it integrates traffic updates into the nav system.

BeamerDreamer · 08-12-2008, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue-coupe

I read somewhere that this was going to be available on the '09s in the US as part of the BMW Assist package.

I think it would be useful if it integrates traffic updates into the nav system.

I hope you're right. Even though surfing the internet from your car would be fairly useless, traffic and weather updates for the navigation system would be extremely useful. It's about time that BMW update the iDrive system. To be honest, the current system is far behind what the Japanese automakers have been offering for years. If the new hard drive based navigation/iDrive system includes Connected Drive, I think BMW may be able to leapfrog the Japanese automakers in this area. That's my 2 cents.

08-11-2008, 03:04 PM	#1
BeamerDreamer Village Idiot 14 Rep 120 Posts Drives: 435i Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Francisco Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Connected Drive I've seen some videos online of BMW's Connected Drive that allows you to search Google from your iDrive system. There was also a video of a user on his computer using Google Maps and being able to send a destination from his computer to his car. This is the first I heard of such an option. I assume it's not available in the US market since I hadn't heard of it till now. Does anyone have any information about it? Do you think it might be available on the 2009 model 1 series? And yes, I did try to search before making a post. :
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08-11-2008, 03:40 PM	#2
Red135 La Flama Blanca 27 Rep 1,545 Posts Drives: 1-series Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Abq, NM iTrader: (1)	It will not be available in North America because BMW has stated N.A. does not have the necessary internet infrastructure in support it. And it is debuting in Europe on the 7-series. __________________ AMS, Berk Technology, aFe, ER
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08-11-2008, 05:09 PM	#4
EmeraldRx Private First Class 10 Rep 165 Posts Drives: Join Date: May 2008 iTrader: (0)	I thought that was part of the upgrades for 09 __________________ 135 Convertible 6MT Cashmere Silver/Terra Interior/Black Top/All Options(except Active Steering and HD radio)[/COLOR][/FONT] 1987 Corvette Convertible-29k mi 1989 Bronco Eddie Bauer 2008 Nissan Armada (wifes)
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08-11-2008, 05:40 PM	#7
Red135 La Flama Blanca 27 Rep 1,545 Posts Drives: 1-series Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Abq, NM iTrader: (1)	It will be good without the ConnectedDrive, the new iDrive has a gorgeous display. __________________ AMS, Berk Technology, aFe, ER
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08-12-2008, 12:00 PM	#8
blue-coupe Second Lieutenant 115 Rep 253 Posts Drives: 1999 Z3 Coupe Join Date: May 2008 Location: Dallas TX iTrader: (0)	I read somewhere that this was going to be available on the '09s in the US as part of the BMW Assist package. I think it would be useful if it integrates traffic updates into the nav system.
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