BMW Has No Plans to Integrate Apple iOS Into Its Vehicles [Update: For Now]

[shoptb]

I've seen the Honda integrated system, and it's pretty nice, HOWEVER, it relies on a touch-screen interface. I think BMW is rightfully reluctant to jump on the direct iOS integration until they figure out the nuances of how to make it work with an intermediate (iDrive) controller. This will be the difficulty, but it also sticks to BMW's long-held philosophy that drivers shouldn't be distracted from the road by trying to click around on a touch-screen interface.

[Judah]

I have an iphones and ipads and ipods, I'm pretty sure I don't want the os in my BMWs. I think that some of the other companies that intend to use the os are the very same companies that are in desperate need of interface help. I don't see BMW as one of those companies.

I think BMW has made the correct choice. Worse case, they figure out it wasn't a good choice, add it later.

In the mean time BMW, keep your focus on series production carbon fiber chassis' and BMWi series integration...... :-)

[Diver]

Some auto safety people are asking auto manufacturers to hold back on hands free technologies due to fears that it causes excessive distractions for the driver.

[Pentium]

The offer to integrate Apple iOS device into the car will not affect iDrive and Connected Drive Apps, it will be a separated dock or something that will let the choice to you to use it or not....

BMW and Audi has iDrive and MMI and I think they will think deeply before doing anything like this.

[OneRib]

No more apple only integration. I have zero interest in this.

It's bad enough now for android and windows phone users with BMW's lack of apps and support.

Apple is desperate at this point. They no longer innovate to be better. They are stuck in a rut and while there products are still great, they no longer are the default choice of consumers. BMW would be better off spending their time and money on creating better integration with android and apple devices (would add windows and black berry also). I for one would count it as a big negative for BMW and sway future purchase decisions if they continue to ignore the android and other platforms.

BMW should realize at this point I am not going to buy a mobile software platform tho conform to my car but I might buy a car to fit my mobile platform. I see this trend growing with others as well.

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by shoptb

I've seen the Honda integrated system, and it's pretty nice, HOWEVER, it relies on a touch-screen interface. I think BMW is rightfully reluctant to jump on the direct iOS integration until they figure out the nuances of how to make it work with an intermediate (iDrive) controller. This will be the difficulty, but it also sticks to BMW's long-held philosophy that drivers shouldn't be distracted from the road by trying to click around on a touch-screen interface.

yeah exactly. Apple's device interaction concept is completely counter to the BMW iDrive user interaction concept (or any other in-car navigation concept). In-car navigation's main concept is hands free, eyes free, minimum interaction controls. Compared against Apple's user interaction concept of, all eyes, hands, and senses focused on the device and screen.

So why should BMW develop something that goes against all the improvements they made in graphic interface (less sub-menus), touch interface (idrive touch), and voice commands that MINIMIZES physical interaction with the iDrive?

[leetennis]

I think bmw are better off being non-committal to apple, some manufacturers can use the apple brand to piggy back up the brand ranks, but apples future isn't too clear. Why have your design underpinned with a market that is so fiercely competitive. Samsung are emerging have a large segment of the market. Better to have a infotainment that works ok with both than banish one.
Let apple, Samsung, etc complement the idrive not the other way around

[flyga3]

The days of $2000 navigation systems is on borrowed time, BMW. Time to make that margin elsewhere (M products) and start providing and integrating technology we all have already and expect to see in cars of today.

[Teemo Panda]

I was wondering why I didn't see the BMW logo at the WWDC when they were presenting the brands that would use it.

[Peschiera]

BMW's own System is extremely mature in the meantime. And it is more than just a phone OS. In my opinion BMW's ConnectedDrive is the most comprehensive system among the systems of all car manufacturers.

Apple delivers just the OS and the infrastructure, but not really more. The most important Apps on iPhones come from Google and others.
But BMW's ConnectedDrive is a system full of car-related software and services. BMW has the know-how and not Apple.

BMW uses iOS or Android just as one platform to use ConnectedDrive services. For example remote unlocking of the doors existed before the respective App for iPhone. The App is jut a user Interface and not more.

While it is good for Apple to show they are working for car producers, there is no reason for BMW to go for iOS only.

Here in Germany there were enough Android users being angry and waiting a very Long time for the ConnectedDrive App. BMW is aware of that they did a mistake here. It was never confirmed but I personally believe BMW did not deliver the Android App just because they had some kind of exclusive contract with Apple. It was no real reason not to provide the Android App earlier. And I think BMW won't do the same mistake again.

I think BMW was not amused when it was published a few weeks ago that Apple tries to patent remote unlocking and other services. Although the technology to be used is a bit different, the result remains the same. Apple
tries as often to patent other's IP.

If other car manufacturers go for a cooperation with Apple this might be because they don't have such a system as ConnectedDrive and they cannot catch up with it that fast.

[ron_jeremy]

Originally Posted by OneRib

No more apple only integration. I have zero interest in this.

It's bad enough now for android and windows phone users with BMW's lack of apps and support.

Apple is desperate at this point. They no longer innovate to be better. They are stuck in a rut and while there products are still great, they no longer are the default choice of consumers. BMW would be better off spending their time and money on creating better integration with android and apple devices (would add windows and black berry also). I for one would count it as a big negative for BMW and sway future purchase decisions if they continue to ignore the android and other platforms.

BMW should realize at this point I am not going to buy a mobile software platform tho conform to my car but I might buy a car to fit my mobile platform. I see this trend growing with others as well.

Let me see If i understand you here.
Your telling me, that your rather be buying a 50.000. car that suit your phone, rather than buying a 300.- phone that syncs with your car?!?
Because a phone should suit the car?
Am i missing something here?

[pwafer]

IF BMW did this, wouldn't it just be an addition? I don't see BMW throwing out iDrive and adapting iOS but making it an add on. That being said for all of you who are saying good to no iOS that is like ordering DIRECT-TV and not being offered the additional option of being able to watch your shows on your iPad and saying "Good! Watching on TV is the only way to do it anyways." You aren't going to be forced to use the iOS system it would just be there if you wanted the option.

The fact is no one will benefit if the option isn't there and BMW will fall behind if apple happens to innovate the iOS car system to make it extremely useful. I wouldn't be surprised if they do change the game considering most car gps/entertainment units are pretty pathetic and they are going to be getting a lot of feedback and spending a lot of money on R&D if they are working with every other major car company on the market.

Personally I think it would be amazing if I could see my spotify account on my car screen. Or search a restaurant on yelp through siri and get directions. Even calling people would be much easier than with the current system. All in all I think it would be dumb of BMW not to work with Apple.

[BarlasaM]

Originally Posted by bizzyqu

iDrive is the best in the biz, keep your apple bs out of my car. QNX is the way to go.

+1

[luvthestck]

Originally Posted by dmode

If Apple made a car, you won't have to take it to the dealership every month to replace HPFP

Sure you wont have to ,as long as u pay 100k for a 180hp apple car with glass body.

[luvthestck]

Originally Posted by ron_jeremy

Let me see If i understand you here.
Your telling me, that your rather be buying a 50.000. car that suit your phone, rather than buying a 300.- phone that syncs with your car?!?
Because a phone should suit the car?
Am i missing something here?

People buy a 50k car because the like it ,just as they buy a 300 $ phone as it suits their needs.I don't buy a phone cause my car integrates with it better.I buy a phone which serves my needs better.

I wonder why apple hasn't sued BMW yet.If they search hard enough they might find that they copyrighted every word that starts with i...iphone,ipad,imac.....idrive.

[stealth.pilot]

BMW has quite a bit of room for improvement with iDrive.

However if anyone really needs Apple to help them out it's Mercedes. Their Mbrace2 system was designed by the village idiot.

[dsad1]

I would guess Apple would restrict the car manufacturers from offering alternatives for other mobile operating systems, considering androids current global market share I wouldn't want to be restricted either.

[Frosty]

..I still cant help but think that BMW's recent "floating" nav screens on the dash are a precursor to snapping your iPad into the dash in future iterations .. or perhaps an "iBMWpad of some sort

[buildbright]

Reading this thread makes me shake my head. It's a bad idea to give consumers options? I welcome options and BMW needs the help. It's real fun and safe to switch BMW apps by having to open and close apps on the phone. Makes the idrive controller pointless at that point.

[johnmclaren]

If that would have been integrated into the BMW then it would have been merging of two giants in there respective fields to create a new one in the big picture.

[OneRib]

Originally Posted by ron_jeremy

Let me see If i understand you here.
Your telling me, that your rather be buying a 50.000. car that suit your phone, rather than buying a 300.- phone that syncs with your car?!?
Because a phone should suit the car?
Am i missing something here?

Nope, you aren't missing anything. It's not the phone it's the software platform. Once you have apps, contacts, email, etc setup with android, apple, etc it is difficult to switch and I may not want to switch. Also the OS on each is unique enough that you may develope a strong presence. I have an ipod and its fine but I would never want that OS for my phone. Other people I am sure feel the same way about switching away from apple products. I also use my phone more than my car.

Also I am not saying it would force me to buy another companies car. I saying it would be a reason not to get another BMW. There are many other factors at play.

It's not that strange when you think about it. What if BMW woke up and said we are only offering tan leather in our cars? Don't you think people would jump ship?

[Never Convicted]

I'm just waiting for the 1st speeding ticket to come in the mail, because the NSA sent my info to the local PD. I'm NOT paranoid! Sometimes they really are out to get you.