Next Generation BMW Personal iDrive Settings To Be Controlled From The Web

Why sit in your BMW for an hour trying to customize the settings on your iDrive when sources say the next generation settings will all be customizable from a personal BMW webpage ala a MyYahoo or iGoogle account.

Bimmerfile.com has a long laundry list of what new features and choices will be available when it gets announced at the 2010 BMW 7-Series launch, this October in Paris.

One thing they DON'T have in their list, is that future software updates to the system will all be done through BMW Assist, similar to the way your PC does an automatic OS update.

We also hear it will be called 'BMW Updater'.

Not really, but it sounds cool!

Full list of new features here

Do you think its a good thing it will become more full featured and PC-like or are they over complicating something that is already over complicated?

ghosthunter - 6/2/2008 1:03:18 AM

0 Boost

all they need is a good voice recognize system, you know, one that Acura uses that can recognize 5 thousand sentence with response time in less than 2 second.

EnnNorak - 6/2/2008 5:06:16 AM

-3 Boost

No. All they need is to admit that the whole concept of i-Drive is a colossal mistake and dump it altogether. BMW has taken the fun out of driving by computerization of information and functions that should be handled by stand-alone displays.

SpicyMikey - 6/2/2008 10:51:22 AM

+1 Boost

Agree. Acura's VR is teh best in the business. If car manufacturers would put more priority in that then we wouldn't need to worry about button positions and menus. Not sure why everyone doesn't spend more money on that technology

AdHominem - 6/2/2008 1:27:13 PM

+2 Boost

EnnNorak, so you think the interior should be littered with buttons for secondary settings and we should just skip getting information like our phone books, iPod playlists, and Sirius channels? I'm not giving up the quick and easy access to those things. And having access to that info only helps the driving experience because the interior is a calm and purposeful place to enjoy driving, not a walmart boom box like the brands from the east. Stop blindly hating iDrive and spend ten minutes learning it. It's easier than a BlackBerry (which is pretty damn easy).

Agent001 - 6/2/2008 1:06:02 AM

+4 Boost

The other thing they don't mention on Bimmerfile.com is they will be using a much more reliable and faster in-car fiber optic network...

001

EnnNorak - 6/2/2008 5:12:46 AM

0 Boost

BMW must have hired a bunch of kids who can't afford a 7-series but spend half their time playing video games. I wish they would offer instead a proper on-board diagnostic system that displays a trouble code that the customer can look up in a more comprehensive owner's manual.

AdHominem - 6/2/2008 1:30:24 PM

+3 Boost

EnnNorak, the iDrive display tells you in complete language exactly what may need attention. Why go backwards and force you to look in a book. That’s absurd.

Bored - 6/2/2008 1:30:09 AM

0 Boost

My biggest concern is a hacker corrupting BMW's network with a virus...OK, that might be a little out there on my part -- I'm just sick of I-Drive.

CLK63BlackSeries - 6/2/2008 2:36:10 AM

+5 Boost

Have you had a car with iDrive?

xlr8 - 6/2/2008 3:51:20 AM

-1 Boost

why even have idrive...I find mine bloody annoying.

FactsRule - 6/2/2008 6:25:00 AM

+4 Boost

You guys are so lame... idrive is so simple to use. Mine took all of 5 minutes to master and now I never have to take my eyes off of the road to locate some 500 buttons to control everything.

BMW deserves so much credit for being at the forefront of automotive technology.

Maverick2020 - 6/2/2008 9:48:49 AM

+4 Boost

I wouldn't have a problem customizing my vehicle through the Internet. Why not? It makes a lot of sense.

EL34 - 6/2/2008 11:46:13 AM

+1 Boost

:-?

nsmatt - 6/2/2008 11:54:11 AM

+3 Boost

As long as pc integration is not required to use basic things such as gps and the radio it should be great.

enthusiastx11 - 6/2/2008 12:00:57 PM

+2 Boost

i like the idea of being able to adjust tons of settings from a pc rather than in the car.

and re: all the whining about idrive being too complex, i don't really feel the same. admittedly, it took several days to learn the features. but like any technology, once you learn it, it's pretty easy. are people that resistant to doing anything that requires the brainpower of a person older than 5?

MeanVulcan - 6/2/2008 12:27:42 PM

+1 Boost

Who would want a system that can be hacked online? Last thing I would want is for someone to take over my system while I'm driving or someone to obtain my whereabouts.

Crappy Idea.

So far, the Audi Phone you carry as an "iPhone" is the best idea I've heard about new command systems. The only risk there is if someone steals your phone, but then again, that is the same existing risk as someone stealing your car keys.

AdHominem - 6/2/2008 1:35:25 PM

-1 Boost

The ideas that you are calling crappy, MeanVulcan are your own. No where are there any facts in your complaint just your imagined issues. Obtain your whereabouts? Where did you come up with that nonsense?

GermanNut - 6/2/2008 12:59:29 PM

-3 Boost

Look at Audi simplifying BMW's convoluted iDrive concept with its brilliant and user-friendly MMI.

BMW should know that when they come up with a new concept, the competition will copy it and make it better.

After all, BMW is guilty of copying Audi's DSG transmission more than 3 years after the Audi A3 debuted with the DSG. I guess BMW had no choice because its SMG was the biggest joke in town.

bimmer - 6/2/2008 1:15:30 PM

+2 Boost

How can BMW be guilty of copying AUDI's DSG since BMW doesn't build gear boxes (ZFs). And I am sure AUDI doesn't either (Getrag)...

bimmer - 6/2/2008 1:20:38 PM

+1 Boost

Funny thing is both ZF AG and Getrag are german companies.

AdHominem - 6/2/2008 1:41:45 PM

0 Boost

The MMI is brilliant. To select one the of the buttons that all feel alike and are not close to the control knob, you have to look all the way down to the center console. A HUGE step backward in ergonomics. The iDrive may take a couple of minutes to learn since there are no buttons, but the benefit is that your eyes stay up.

theoptimisticpessimist - 6/2/2008 5:12:15 PM

+1 Boost

I love this BMW is guilty of copy a DSG transmission but Audi copies the I Drive and get kudos.

GermanNut- do you even bother reading what you post!

FactsRule - 6/2/2008 5:28:23 PM

+1 Boost

Simplified MMI over idrive my ass. I have driven them both and know for a fact that idrive is easier to use, especially when "DRIVING"...

S4cabriofoxone - 6/4/2008 1:50:16 AM

+1 Boost

I have iDrive in the X5 and had an A6 loaner yesterday, driven quite a few Audis with MMI.

Basically, MMI is more intuitive and will be easier to use at the beginning of your ownership. However, in the long run as you get used to iDrive one won't be better than the other.

Audi4Life - 6/2/2008 2:17:34 PM

+1 Boost

'why sit in your bmw for an hour' - so ur telling me its better to sit at home changing the settings of ur bimmer thats parked outside your house and begs for you to finally drive it???!

AdHominem - 6/2/2008 2:45:59 PM

+4 Boost

A PC has a full keyboard, a large screen, and mouse and is perfectly suited to setting up customizations that you don't change often. The cabin of the car can then be optimized for driving and accessing info that you need when on the road. It is an elegant solution for creating a great driving environment (simple and straight forward cabin) and having a fully customizable experience. It offers the best of both worlds.

Htay7500 - 6/2/2008 2:25:44 PM

+2 Boost

idrive isn't hard, but when you want to get to navigation, music, etc. it takes time to load it.

BJS470 - 6/2/2008 6:37:41 PM

-2 Boost

well the idrive is garbage anyway to control it from in the car

enthusiastx11 - 6/2/2008 7:54:45 PM

+2 Boost

how many cars do you have with idrive? have you even used it?

azrockit - 6/2/2008 6:40:13 PM

+2 Boost

iDrive is not easy nor intuitive. Depending on where you are at any given moment in the audio screens, it can take as many as NINE inputs to change from listening to satelite radio to am or fm. NINE inputs. that is absurd. None of us can speak to what is the "best", since none of us own and live with every vehicle, but I also own an infinity and that interface rocks. You can talk, you can touch the screen, you can use up/down physical buttons, OR use a wheel. It's so vastly superior to the one in my M6 that it's not even funny. If BMW had web based settings, it MIGHT make it better, ...but redesigning from scratch would be best.

FactsRule - 6/2/2008 7:18:57 PM

+2 Boost

Do you know how to use "voice command"???? I say a simple command to the idrive unit and it complies.. Kinda like the "Borg"!!!

azrockit - 6/2/2008 7:27:15 PM

0 Boost

I've had mixed results with my voice command. When it works/hears me correctly, it is quicker. It just doesn't always listen to what I say.

enthusiastx11 - 6/2/2008 7:56:01 PM

+2 Boost

i'm with you on voice recognition....it doesn't seem to work very well.

A8German - 6/2/2008 8:47:15 PM

+2 Boost

I think the discussion about this new online interface, proves why this is such a good idea. It seems that a majority of BMW owners enjoy the system, and use it without any issues. However, it also seems that some do not like the system, hence the ability to bypass the "annoying wheel" and just use your computer. It provides a worthy alternative to people who really are too lazy to use iDrive, and offers new functions for those who have perfected it (address lists, trip tracking and audio playlists).

I applaud the idea, although it isn't out yet, so people will debate it until succeeds or fails (or is caught in an endless debate for almost a decade like the original iDrive).