New BMWs to Incorporate iPhone Integration?

[MacRumors]

A report on Autospies claims that "reliable sources" are saying that "BMW will be the first to announce full integration of the iPhone features into the next 7-Series.

The story is accompanied by a mockup image which is not meant to represent the actual design.

[Ha ze]

cool concept, but will be better once more then just BMW gets it, just like normal iPod integration.


I wonder if Apple will come up with "package" for auto manufactures that will make the iPod/iPhone connectivity the same package

[wetrix]

I bet Audi will beat BMW to the chase.

[OwlsAndApples]

That is cool...I may be driving when it comes out

[PODshady]

BMW was also the first to offer true iPod intergration to their vehicles back in 2003/2004 starting with Apple's 3rd Generation iPod

[RichP]

Ironically, iDrive is Windows CE based.

Unless Apple gets into some interface partnership, it isnt going to look like that though...

...hmm...what if this new "lite" OSX interface is going to be licensed to other companies where Apple by no means would ever be competing with their hardware (such as cars)

[Belly-laughs]

I wouldn´t mind having Activity Monitor showing me that all engine processes are running OK. And being able to Force Quit the Top Speed Limiter.

I think Apple could do very well within the Auto Industry.

[twoodcc]

seems pretty cool. hopefully i hook it up someway in my truck

[Abercrombieboy]

Actually this system looks awesome...

http://syncmyride.com/
http://autoshows.ford.com/?page_id=49

Ford and Microsoft is teaming up on this. I have no idea what support it will offer for the iPhone, but according to some rumor sites it will be fully compatible.

[bloodycape]

Originally Posted by RichP

Ironically, iDrive is Windows CE based.

Unless Apple gets into some interface partnership, it isnt going to look like that though...

...hmm...what if this new "lite" OSX interface is going to be licensed to other companies where Apple by no means would ever be competing with their hardware (such as cars)

Really is this so? I have used Windows CE it a pretty straight forward system, but from what I have seen with the idrive system, that thing is just really terrible.

[Chupa Chupa]

I'm not sure what there is to integrate.

1) BMW already has a factory installed iPod interface as an option. It allows you to controll your iPod from steering wheel (an iDrive if installed). Song titles show up on the head unit or NAV, depending on which you have.

2) BMW already has a factory installed Bluetooth option. It allows you to voice dial, show your phone book on the NAV screen (some phones don't support this, notibly the Treo).

I suppose BMW could engineer it so that an iPhone interface uses the Google maps, but that would take away revenue from it's own NAV system. BMW isn't going to do that...nor is any other car maker...unless they can sell the phone, which they can't. So I think once again Auto Spies is Auto Lies.

[DMann]

Originally Posted by Abercrombieboy

Actually this system looks awesome...

http://syncmyride.com/
http://autoshows.ford.com/?page_id=49

Ford and Microsoft is teaming up on this. I have no idea what support it will offer for the iPhone, but according to some rumor sites it will be fully compatible.

Very likely a univeral interface.

[DMann]

Originally Posted by wetrix

I bet Audi will beat BMW to the chase.

The let the chase begin

[925AS]

Lets face it iPod integration needs to become standard among all cars, its just the way it is. Can anyone really name more than 2 people under 60 without iPods.

[Karpfish]

Originally Posted by RichP

Ironically, iDrive is Windows CE based.

Unless Apple gets into some interface partnership, it isnt going to look like that though...

...hmm...what if this new "lite" OSX interface is going to be licensed to other companies where Apple by no means would ever be competing with their hardware (such as cars)

BMW will get it first. Wanna know why?
Because Apple is designing the iDrive interface for the next 7-series. Maybe BMW knew about the iPhone also?

[jdechko]

Originally Posted by Karpfish

...Apple is designing the iDrive interface for the next 7-series....

I think this might be a possibility. It's possible that a [true] mobile version of OS X is in the works already. I mean, yeah, the iPhone has OS X Lite, but I can really see some of the functionality being built into the 6th gen iPod. Just add a larger drive to the iPhone, take away the call functions, adjust the price and you've got a great new iPod. But back to the topic, I think that the lite OS X might go through some modifications and find itself in other devices too (perhaps even cars).

[patrick0brien]

Since 1996 and the Apple/BMW partnership dual marketing campaign for the Z3, BMW, if given a choice, has had a soft spot for Apple.

Sure, the current iDrive OS is Windows CE (verrrry loosly) based, but I'm sure that if given a good business case to move, they'll be all over the OS X idea, as I'm sure they are getting a bit tired of the buggyness of the iDrive system, and also would appreciate Apple famous knowledge of ease-of-use too.

[glucker]

ppl, we all know were this is headed: the iDrive XD
followed by the iTruck, iCar mini, iBike

thats right, you heard it here first: apple is entering the auto industry

seriously though, they had better not make this exclusive to BMWs, the iphone is already rogers(for canada) exclusive, if they make it integrate with only BMWs they're knocking out more and more of their market

oh, and lets not forget the iCar shuffle... randomly changes gears & direction