Apparently a significant upgrade to the visuals on the Mk-IV Navigation system (as well as the systems in the vehicles with iDrive). It is unlikely to include any changes for older systems (ie. Mk-III and below).

According the BMW press release, the visuals will be easier to read and look cleaner. My guess, repeat guess, is:
- anti-aliased streets & text
- colour changes and startup logo changes to be in line with iDrive cars.

I would like to see:
- Perspective view
- Improved map redrawing, particularly in 'direction of travel' view and when zooming (smooth rotation rather than popping view changes)

These are probably unlikely as the limiting factor may well be the processing power of the computer.

I noticed that VDO Dayton has released some new colour DVD based navigation systems recently (www.vdodayton.com) with hardware which appears very similar to their earlier systems (which is what the BMW has - an OEM version of the MS5500). The new MS5700 doesn't look too different...

These new systems show a perspective view... so you never know... it might require nothing more than an OS upgrade...

Paul Martin
Australia