[Jason]

As reported on Bimmerpost Homepage.

Munich, 14.09.2009 - These days, the success of any mobile phone is determined not least of all by the availability and range of "apps", or applications. It is primarily these numerous little extra programs, which can be subsequently downloaded, that provide the greatest use. BMW is presenting its Concept BMW Application Store at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA). It is the world's first carmaker to demonstrate the fundamental possibility of downloading and storing individual applications either from the car at any time on the move or from your PC at home. It means that, as with a mobile phone, the car can be adapted to the needs and interests of its occupants for the first time, thus benefiting from almost limitless personalisation. The Concept BMW Application Store is a further innovative highlight of BMW ConnectedDrive.





At the touch of a navigation system button.

Conceivable examples of this are - as in the showcase -multimedia travel guides from MERIAN, Geowiki, games, web radio, podcasts, Facebook®, XING and Twitter®. In addition to this scope for individualisation, another stand-out feature of the visionary Concept BMW Application Store is the ability to transfer contact data such as addresses or telephone numbers to the navigation system or mobile phone at the touch of a button. The information is displayed in suitable adapted form by the vehicle's HMI (Human Machine Interface), i.e. its operating logic. In practical terms, this means that, via the menu path "BMW Services", "Application Store", "On the road", customers can download digital travel information and tips from MERIAN (as audio guides in audio book quality or in picture and text form) on points of interest, hotels, restaurants and leisure/nightlife options, manage contacts on "social networks", and receive and compose tweets - all without leaving the car. Plus, the menu item "Entertainment" leads the user to options including podcasts and a "guess the origin of the licence plate" quiz.





Applications draw on car-related data.

Applications from the Concept BMW Application Store of BMW ConnectedDrive draw on information from the vehicle. With the BMW applications for XING and Twitter®, for example, the car's position is taken from the navigation system and, if the system is actively guiding the car to a destination, information about the destination time and location are used. Beyond that, the future use of numerous other vehicle data for BMW applications is conceivable, e.g. acceleration or braking data.

Always at the cutting edge of development.

In the future, vehicle occupants could be supplied with a constant stream of new and interesting applications to download from the visionary Concept BMW Application Store. It may also be possible to download software to the car at any time while on the move. In this way the vehicle would be kept up-to-date with the latest developments throughout its service life and costumers would continue to benefit from the BMW Group's latest technical innovations after buying their car.





About BMW ConnectedDrive.

Under the overall concept of BMW ConnectedDrive, BMW assembles a unique portfolio of innovations which enhance comfort, allow infotainment to be experienced at a new level and significantly improve safety in a BMW. Here BMW ConnectedDrive stands for the exchange of information between the driver, the vehicle and the environment. Whether it's the latest traffic reports, e-mails, emergency call function, Night Vision with pedestrian recognition, BMW Routes, the Internet or telephone information services - the comfort, infotainment and safety systems on board a BMW provide the driver with as much information and as many services as are needed and desired at any time. That's because BMW ConnectedDrive bundles all the functions available to the driver that make Sheer Driving Pleasure an even more comfortable, safe and intensive experience. Further information is avalaible on the Internet at www.bmw.com/connecteddrive.

[keanu1]

i dont know if this is a very good idee!! I think it wont take long for hackers to make a virus for this!!!

[BMWI6]

Pretty cool!!!!

[Jason]

Originally Posted by keanu1

i dont know if this is a very good idee!! I think it wont take long for hackers to make a virus for this!!!

I doubt that will be an issue. There's no indication that BMW will accept applications developed by 3rd party developers. And even if they did, I'm sure the app would go under severe review by BMW before they put the app up for download.


I'm more worried about drivers twittering and facebooking while driving I can see someone twittering about something cool they just saw on the road, followed by a tweet a few minutes later saying they got into an accident while tweeting the previous update

But, this is overall a very cool development for the future of iDrive!

[NJ135]

this would be sickkk.

[NJ135]

and why would somebody want to hack a bimmer -_-

[iatacs19]

And it won't be available in the US?

If you think about it, do we need to be so connected 24/7?

Cool to have nonetheless.

[datbimmerdoe]

So awesome!

[GreenPlease]

That's just

[alq80]

if you have alot of stop n go traffic it would be cool..

[Blubaron79]

Originally Posted by keanu1

i dont know if this is a very good idee!! I think it wont take long for hackers to make a virus for this!!!

How many people have hacked your cell phone? Please relax.... I just don't think people should be using facebook while they are driving.

[rg87]

looks like an awesome idea, but i'm not so sure if its a good idea to mix all that with driving.

plus if you had to type, wouldn't it be hard to type with the stupid wheel knob? they should come up with touch screen!

[jkp1187]

A neat toy...but ultimately pretty pointless, and not something I'd pay extra for on a BMW. Plenty of car manufacturers out there make Camryesque driving appliances with these sorts of things and include them in an inexpensive package (the Ford SYNC leaps to mind.) When I buy a BMW, it's because I want to drive.

[NeoE46]

Something like this would be cool for real time identification of police radar similar to the trapster application. You drive by and see a cop or radar installation and press a button (temp or permanent) which uses current GPS coordinates to update a real time database. That would be awesome...especially for cops with laser speed detection.

[DASHOCKER]

Wow! True multi-media behind the wheel.. I would love to have this once available..

[Pierre]

Originally Posted by NJ135

and why would somebody want to hack a bimmer -_-

Mercedes?
Lol, but seriously, OT; This seems truly innovating and at the same time pretty easy both in setup and user-friendliness.
Other than that, I believe this could make up for some serious economic value, especially in terms of efficiency. Representatives or board-members on the road alike could benefit alot. Altho, initially it doesn't look all that professional, either focusing strictly on connectivity.
Anyways, it's got alot of potential IMO.

[roller]

This is just a natural progression of in-car entertainment. I'm glad BMW is taking initiative this time.

[DEVN335]

games! lol
doesnt really feel to safe either...

[Optherion]

sweeet I might justh ave to make a twitter now for my M3.

Maybe it will tweet updates automatically. Using the GPS, it would know when its at the track

It will be happy. lol