2011 BMW Models to Feature iPhone Integrated Apps

[Wiley John Wright]

At the 2011 New York International Auto Show, BMW recently showed off their latest iPhone integration technology. BMW’s iDrive system was first introduce with the 7-series back in 2001, but is now available across the entire range of BMW models. This latest update brings with it more smartphone-like features and what is being called BMW Apps.

Rob Passaro, Senior Engineer of the BMW Technology Group for North America says, “The big idea behind BMW Apps is how do you get great new smartphone features into your BMW as soon as they’re available?”

Most cars manufactured today include some form of iPod integration, but BMW has taken things to a whole new level. Where BMW differs from other carmakers is the level of features that are available with this new system. You start by launching the free BMW Connected App and plugging your iPhone into the car’s armrest dock. After that the car has access to the iPhone’s 3G signal and can access internet radio stations from around the world. One nice feature is the ability to change the audio quality if bandwidth is an issue.


BMW Apps also lets you access all of your music on the iPhone using the familiar iPod interface that everyone knows and loves. Having used an Alpine car stereo with an iPod interface for years now, the ability to search for music using a normal iPod interface would be a godsend.

Pandora is also coming soon to BMW Apps as well. Another welcomed feature is the ability for the onboard software to update itself whenever updates become available, without the need to bring your car in to the service department. It simply downloads the update wirelessly.

BMW Apps also includes what’s being called “automotive grade” Facebook and Twitter integration. As you drive, the vehicle collects an array of driving data that can then be posted to Facebook and Twitter. To avoid scrolling to find letters to type messages, you can also send preprogramed messages that include real time data as well, such as location and weather conditions wherever you happen to be at the moment.

BMW is also working with host of app developers to bring even more features to the iDrive system. With so much information available on the dashboard nowadays, people may find themselves sitting in parked cars more than driving them. Hopefully, people will also remember to look up once in a while when they’re driving around though.

Source: Cult of Mac

[A3gOwner]

Wow. That's crazy. Knew it was just a matter of time.

[luigimaster24]

This was news back in February!!

[bmxtreme]

Old news man. retrofits with this is already out...

[politicalslug]

These infotainment systems cost nearly as much as my car... the whole car. How about this: get an after market stereo (iPod input for streaming audio)and a separate LCD screen and use displayout (cydia) to output the iPhone screen to the screen. Perfect!

[VaderForce]

Insane, I'm going to buy a BMW!.

[Rob2G]

This was news back in February!!

19 post and already ******** about the topics. Why do people like you even bother to post this crap. If your gonna be a whiney troll go post on geohotz' blog.

[PRKnight]

awesome i cant wait to start using the app (when ever, or if its out already) in my car! Ive been dying for some new features for the navi system and this is going to make it all the better

[2Jaze]

spending $70,000 on a bmw just never seemed to make sense until now [0=

[tdawg3000]

Wow that's really cool, BUT how safe can it be to update your status on Facebook and navigate your iPhone library. Granted I do it now, some times I do have a"close call" due to looking for the artist i want lol!

[Jahooba]

Man, I'm so poor - everything about this article is like talking about a diamond scepter on top of a mountain. On Mars. Ah, the things I will never own...

[steve-z17]

Well now I just need to buy a BMW! Curse you Apple and your slick awesome products that integrate into sweet expensive cars!!

[Melech518]

A constant reminder of why I drive BMWs

[ronfin44]

Not impressed. I've been to a few Auto Shows recently and have seen better setups. They need to start installing devices in these vehicles, no more radios, but a fully functional device that's equivalent to a laptop but also plays music. AM/FM receiver but is 3G/4G capable. You can activate the 3G/4G data portion just like you do when you sign-up for SiriusXM via a subscription. The AM/FM portion would always work regardless, along with the coputer aspect of the car-device, but to enable the data streaming you'd have to call the provider that has the contract with the Dealership. I like the concept of being able to plug in your phone to achieve this, but this is NO different than when you could buy a CD player with a tape cassette adapter to be able to listen to CD's back in the day. Plugging your phone into your car to do all of this will disappear within the next 5 years IMO.

[Colby21]

This has nothing to do with modifying my idevice...Jailbreak The BMW, then write an article about it.

[alexevo]

so let me get this straight. BMW apparently thinks driving is so easy and requires so little attention that they're giving us something else to do while we drive? yeah driving is so boring and mundane I wish I could split my attention between not crashing the car and more "ooh look at that" features to F around with.

[epignosis567]

BMW Apps also includes what’s being called “automotive grade” Facebook and Twitter integration. As you drive, the vehicle collects an array of driving data that can then be posted to Facebook and Twitter. To avoid scrolling to find letters to type messages, you can also send preprogramed messages that include real time data as well, such as location and weather conditions wherever you happen to be at the moment.

Wait a min... Everyone freaks out over "locationgate" but THIS is an innovative good idea? Stupid Americans... everyone is watching out for fires from the window of a burning building.

[ronfin44]

Wait a min... Everyone freaks out over "locationgate" but THIS is an innovative good idea. ******* Americans, everyone is watching out for fires from the window of a burning building.

It's not just Americans you retard, and last time I checked BMW wasn't an American based company.

[epignosis567]

It's not just Americans you retard, and last time I checked BMW wasn't an American based company.

I'm not even talking about the car. The car is stupid as well, but if you read what I said I'm talking about the big ******* deal the American media made over apple tracking you and you guys terming it "locationgate" as if it's on par with a political coup. Americans are the loudest easiest trackable people. And don't call me a retard you mongoloid.

[LGgeek]

outside of US you also get Google maps and a full featured web browser.