“Good news, Apple fans. BMW has turned up the level of smart phone integration in its vehicles in a big way. The company will be showing off its new ConnectedDrive system at the 2010 Paris Motor Show,” Zach Bowman reports for Autoblog.
“The German manufacturer is also introducing something it calls iPod Out that’s designed to make the most of using Apple music players in the vehicle,” Bowman reports.
“There’s even a handy docking system for the iPad in the back seats,” Bowman reports. “What’s more, BMW will offer a mobile hotspot system with ConnectedDrive so that passengers can surf the web without burning up their data plans.”
Full article here.
In the words of the late-great Harry Caray, “Heilige Kuh!”
But you can’t use your official BMW driving gloves with this!!!
@ Cubert:
I don’t think you’ll be driving from the back seat. Then again, you can drive your car with an iPhone . . . .
That’s cool and all, but I wouldn’t want to do a face-plant into that iPad if the brakes were suddenly applied. Or would that be the FaceTime 2.0 experience?
@Cubert
Is there nothing that does not get attacked on this forum? You don’t like a BMW stay with your Kia.
@coolfactor, that’s what seatbelts are for…
Actually, you CAN drive from the back seat. My mother-in-law does that all the time…
@ Cubert –
I hear the sarcasm, don’t worry!
That’s all fine and dandy, but try configuring a car on their website using Safari on your mac (get some error telling me I should use Firefox). Or try it on your iPad where you’re informed that you need to install java?!
And really, I guess I should replace the word ‘your’ with ‘my’ as I haven’t really tested on any other equipment.
Hahaha!
That looks like they modded the coat hanger device that they sell that hooks to the driver’s seat headrest posts.
I would really like Apple to place a 2nd 30 pin connector on the long edge of the iPad so that it can be docked in the landscape position. I think it would work better for viewing movies and photos especially in an application like this.
“… BMW will offer a mobile hotspot system with ConnectedDrive so that passengers can surf the web without burning up their data plans. Welcome to the brave new world.”
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/20/bmw-introducing-ipad-docks-for-back-seats-iphone-4-integration/
Did Apple not just get a patent for something like this? Apple it is time for the Mobile AirPort. Steve Jobs, are you a follower or a leader still!
“BMW will offer a mobile hotspot system with ConnectedDrive so that passengers can surf the web without burning up their data plans.”
What kind of BS is this?
The internet connection is not for free just because its BMW. Either you will have to contract another data plan or you will have to burn up your original one with a dual SIM.
RE: Moka.s-Uncle
“The internet connection is not for free just because its BMW.”
It is free over here in the UK… ConnectedDrive connects to google ect and it connects through BMW not your phone…
Oh Yes! Time to buy a new car. The old one (also BMW) has to go
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Does it pivot to landscape for movies?
This almost makes me willing to spring the extra bucks for a BMW. Almost…