BMW i4 Showcases Fully Integrated Apple CarPlay in Instrument Cluster

[jlc1978]

I rented a car with CarPlay last year for a couple weeks and it was nice but not earth-shattering. I'd pick it as an option on a new car, but if it added a ton of money to the sticker price (or, as with BMW, the ****ers wanted me to rent the feature), I'd be pretty comfortable just skipping it. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I did a 3rd party wried/wireless CarPlay on my wife's Mercedes. It's quite nice, IMHO, as it added a number of nice on screen integrations such as map, caller ID, etc. What I like is instead of TouchScreen you just use the MB Dial or steering wheel controls. It also allowed me to hookup a backup camera. YMMV

all this tech and they can't even install working blinkers...

Those are subscription only after the free 3 month trial...

What's the point of the grill in an electric car? Is this just a design choice as the grill on a BMW is widely recognisable?

Brand recognition. BMW's kidney grills have been a standard design feature as iconic as the blue and white roundel.

I don't think BMW knows what it's doing with their design. Why does the i4 and the iX have huge fake grills even though it's an electric vehicle? I don't mind the big grills that much when it's on an ICE vehicle, because at least it's functional. What the heck does an electric vehicle need those huge kidneys for?

As I replied above, they are an iconic part of BMW's design, although the designers have gone overboard; a design element attributed to the aesthetic qualities preferred in Asia, especially China, which BMW sees as a large growth area and thus wants appealing designs.

 

[Techwatcher]

That interface with CarPlay looks fantastic. The added charge however, is not fantastic.

 

[Mousse]

all this tech and they can't even install working blinkers...

Y'all talking about a PICNIC problem. It's the driver, not the car.

 

[lordofthereef]

I guess I might be in the minority thinking it doesn't really look that bad? I never really felt BMWs were particularly beautiful cars, but this just feels in line with their general design architecture. I imagine they are catering to their existing customers. If I didn't know this was an EV I'd just think its another ICE from BMW.

That giant screen doesn't look bad or good to me either. I do wonder what that looks like with glare during the day and/or reflection off the windshield at night.

 

[Robert.Walter]

BMW's upcoming flagship electric vehicle the "i4" features one of the most integrated Apple CarPlay experiences yet, recent promotional material has shown.

BMW describes the Apple CarPlay experience in the i4 as "even more seamless." The i4 features two curved displays and a heads-up display. All three displays can display information from Apple CarPlay simultaneously.

The BMW i4 features iDrive 8, which supports wireless Apple CarPlay, turn-by-turn Apple Maps prompts in the heads-up display, and Apple Maps and directions in the instrument cluster.



Many recent vehicles with Apple CarPlay already feature limited turn-by-turn directional information fed from Apple Maps on the driver's display, but BMW's full integration of Apple Maps into the instrument cluster is among the first implementations of its kind.

Apple Maps and navigation information is displayed in the middle of the instrument cluster, unifying with BMW iDrive's interface that is laid on top of it.

A look at the BMW i4's CarPlay integration and Apple Maps in the instrument cluster may be seen from 08:40 in the video.​

Turn-by-turn prompts and Apple Maps in the second display have been supported in CarPlay as of iOS 13, but BMW is among the first to have implemented the full view of Apple Maps in the second display instrument cluster. BMW appears to be using a large number of Apple developer features such as independent night mode per H.246 stream to accomplish this close integration.

BMW has been an early adopter of Apple vehicle-related software features, such as Digital Key and Ultra Wideband Digital Key Plus, in recent years, although it only started offering CarPlay in 2016 and came under fire for charging a $80 per year fee for access to it, before reneging on the subscription following negative feedback.

The BMW i4 launches in Europe later this year and in the United States in summer 2022.

Article Link: BMW i4 Showcases Fully Integrated Apple CarPlay in Instrument Cluster

I’ll be amazed if the sharp corner on the upper right of that display doesn’t injure or kill in frontal impacts.

 

[Cuesca]

My car doesn't even have Android Auto or Carplay, and it's a 2021 model year. Not all automakers are adopting this feature. That being said my brand is somewhat niche and I doubt anyone here ever heard of it.

 

[himanshumodi]

My 2012 VW Golf has BLUETOOTH.

I raise you my 2009 hyundai, which has a radio.

 

[twolf2919]

Before I get labeled a Tesla fanboy, let me preface what I'm about to say with "I am a former BMW 330i owner who is now driving a Nissan Leaf Pus SL". Ok, that out of the way: WTF? So BMW wants us to shell out $10-15k more for a car that is much slower and gets much less range than an a similar-size Tesla? While I'm sure the interior build quality of the i4 is probably better than Tesla's, the overall design of the exterior (butt-ugly elephant-sized grille on all modern BMWs) and interior (seats are nice, but the dashboard is just so crowded looking!) leaves Teslas on top.

The only thing this car has going for it is CarPlay integration...and the seats - I miss my 330i's seats a lot.....

 

[nwcs]

I just can’t get over the dashboard… No thanks! Not something that appeals to me. I’m sure others will like it and that’s all good but I prefer dials and such that aren’t distracting. The center console LCD that I use with CarPlay is enough for me.

 

[jlc1978]

I raise you my 2009 hyundai, which has a radio.

I see your Radio and raise you a stick shift

 

[ryanasimov]

Before I get labeled a Tesla fanboy, let me preface what I'm about to say with "I am a former BMW 330i owner who is now driving a Nissan Leaf Pus SL".

I'm not sure that's the right name, but if you in cyst...

 

[himanshumodi]

I see your Radio and raise you a stick shift

bruh, am in UK. Everyone has a stick shift.

 

[icwhatudidthere]

Before I get labeled a Tesla fanboy, let me preface what I'm about to say with "I am a former BMW 330i owner who is now driving a Nissan Leaf Pus SL". Ok, that out of the way: WTF? So BMW wants us to shell out $10-15k more for a car that is much slower and gets much less range than an a similar-size Tesla? While I'm sure the interior build quality of the i4 is probably better than Tesla's, the overall design of the exterior (butt-ugly elephant-sized grille on all modern BMWs) and interior (seats are nice, but the dashboard is just so crowded looking!) leaves Teslas on top.

The only thing this car has going for it is CarPlay integration...and the seats - I miss my 330i's seats a lot.....

The design is identical to the current 440 Gran Coupe. Whether the exterior design is better or worse than a Tesla is probably just down to personal taste. I like the BMW's liftback better and of course the CarPlay integration.

My own disclosure: I had the prior gen 435 Gran Coupe and moved to a Tesla. This i4 is really disappointing. When I got the Tesla, I was always thinking to myself, "If BMW made an electric version of my 435 GC, I'd buy it in a heartbeat." In truth though the BMW comes up short on performance and range.

ETA: oh yeah, I miss those seats too!

 

[bluespark]

My 2019 BMW has these features as well: fully wireless CarPlay, which shows turn-by-turn directions in my heads-up display and a card-type listing of upcoming turns in the driver’s display. In fact, it has something the new i4 doesn’t: programmable buttons that can directly access certain CarPlay features. For example, I have one button set to always bring up my frequent contacts in CarPlay.

 

[bluespark]

CarPlay in my current 540i is free. The Digital Key is quite convenient, one less thing to carry/lose, but I still won't trust is on long trips. What I would really like to see is CarPlay integrated into the Heads-Up Display. My current car is sort of a "hidden" hybrid, I imagine the next version a few years from now will be an i5. Just as long as they don't propagate that ugly grille...

What year is your car? BMW’s CarPlay implementation already integrates with the heads-up display. That said, I prefer BWM’s native turn-by-turn system when driving.

 

[richinaus]

a nice body, 4 wheels, a steering wheel, gears, lights and comfortable seats.

Everything else is superfluous.

 

[LogicalApex]

My car doesn't even have Android Auto or Carplay, and it's a 2021 model year. Not all automakers are adopting this feature. That being said my brand is somewhat niche and I doubt anyone here ever heard of it.

Curious. What car do you have?

What year is your car? BMW’s CarPlay implementation already integrates with the heads-up display. That said, I prefer BWM’s native turn-by-turn system when driving.

Glad I'm not the only one. I also prefer BMW Maps.

 

[interstella]

What's the point of the grill in an electric car? Is this just a design choice as the grill on a BMW is widely recognisable?

Also, I hope CarKey gets rolled out to other car brands soon.

You still need a cooling system, complete with radiator and fan, for the motor and battery but you can get away with not having a grill. My EV doesn't have one.

 

[interstella]

I thought this sort of integration was more or less standard these days. This is what I have on my electric Fiat 500 (don't think you can buy this in the USA yet). I find navigating with Google Maps to be better than Apple Maps or Fiat's own (TomTom) system.

 

[FreekieGeekie]

I love everything about these new Beamers EXCEPT for that damn grill.

 

[twistedpixel8]

Sorry but the Kia K5 looks sexier than this car

The K5 looks absolutely sick. It gives Audi styling a run for its money. Kia are kicking ass these days.

I thought this sort of integration was more or less standard these days. This is what I have on my electric Fiat 500 (don't think you can buy this in the USA yet). I find navigating with Google Maps to be better than Apple Maps or Fiat's own (TomTom) system.

View attachment 1826905

I think the point is that turn by turn directions from CarPlay can be displayed in the driver’s dash. Can you do that in your 500? I don’t mean that in a cheeky way, I’m genuinely asking.

I love everything about these new Beamers EXCEPT for that damn grill.

It’s growing on me. The new m3 and m4 suit it in my opinion.

I could've sworn Apple added support for instrument cluster turn-by-turn directions in iOS 8 or 9 but no one ever implemented it.

That’s because car manufacturers SUCK at software. Look how long they took to even implement CarPlay integration in the first place.

IMO (<= just my opinion guys) The interior looks ... not good. Like 3 raspberry pi screens stitched together or sth. 👎🏻 They forgot the integration of the displays with the rest of the car I think.

This is the trend these days. Mercedes did it with the A class and some other models. I actually think the one in my VW looks nicer because it’s properly integrated into the dash!

Some people like these “iPad glued to the dash” screens though. Not sure why. They’re hideous.

 

[Velli]

I guess I might be in the minority thinking it doesn't really look that bad? I never really felt BMWs were particularly beautiful cars, but this just feels in line with their general design architecture. I imagine they are catering to their existing customers. If I didn't know this was an EV I'd just think its another ICE from BMW.

Interestingly, I didn’t like it when seeing all the photos, but every time I see one on the streets I think it looks great. I accept that we are a minority, but the i4 may very well be my wifes next car. And I’m so happy that there finally is a non-Tesla electric Sedan option. All other EV’s are either minis or SUV’s (I already own a Mini Cooper SE, and I hate SUV’s…)

 

[Pipefish]

I thought this sort of integration was more or less standard these days. This is what I have on my electric Fiat 500 (don't think you can buy this in the USA yet). I find navigating with Google Maps to be better than Apple Maps or Fiat's own (TomTom) system.

View attachment 1826905

Pretty similar to my Peugeot 208, except my screen behind the steering wheel is wider and the middle screen is angled toward the driver. I think it looks a lot better than that BMW.

I think all the major European car makers have CarPlay and Android auto now. I don’t think you can really buy a new car in the UK without it.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I thought this sort of integration was more or less standard these days. This is what I have on my electric Fiat 500 (don't think you can buy this in the USA yet). I find navigating with Google Maps to be better than Apple Maps or Fiat's own (TomTom) system.

View attachment 1826905

I’ve got CarPlay in my Peugeot 3008 but use Waze for navigation. I find it better than Google Maps for live traffic updates.

 

[Taipan]

Wow, they didn‘t even make an effort to integrate the display into the cockpit, they just dropped it on there. Hideous.