New iDrive controller & infotainment system(with hard drive) for X5 and X6

[mtech8]

I found this LONG article from bimmerfile.com (http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/05/31...able/#more-288)

I tried to copy & paste it over. But the formatting got all screwed up. So just click the link to read it.

It's about the new features of the new iDrive (though some of the features mentioned in the article don't have definite release date). It really makes me want to wait till March 2009! It's gonna make the current iDrive feel inferior.

On the bright side though, I was walking by a MB ML today in a parking lot. Glanced in and saw the OLD command system. Comparing the current iDrive to it makes me feel much better. iDrive still offers much more to a tech-oriented person like myself. The OLD command is so sorry. This is probably my #1 reason for chosing the X5 over the ML. (Obviously the X5 has a lot of other great attributes over the ML. But the ML is less expensive for a comparable equipped vehicle. I can live with the ML's poorer handling abilities. It still out classes a lot of other vehicles).

[LeMansX5]

The Japanese iDrive systems are better and more intuitive. BMW uses Siemens while Japs I believe use Alpine and some other brand.

[tim-atl]

Originally Posted by mtech8

I found this LONG article from bimmerfile.com (http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/05/31...able/#more-288)

There's some exciting stuff in that article:

Radio Driver enters ZIP code and finds all local radio stations. Driver may select by station frequency, ID, genre (jazz, pop, talk, etc.), or signal strength, and assign to presets on dash or on touch display.

Interior Lighting Effects Select the color and intensity of dial/dash backlighting.

Systems & Controls Customize the function of “function buttons” to control selected functions of any system in the car. In cars with touch screen LCDs, select from among the components of the systems to be displayed and/or controlled from the LCD.

Vehicle Tracking Using GPS or mobile phone, create a log of where the car has been, when and for how long. Also track how hard the car was driven. Set up real-time tracking of the vehicle

Contacts In case of emergency or accident, list numbers to contact to speak to hands-free or with a pre-entered voice synthesized call. In event of airbag deployment, selected contact name and number to flash on LCD to assist rescue personnel in case of driver incapacitation.

and lots more.

This isn't going to be cheap but if BMW can pull it off, the competition will be in serious catch up mode!

Tim

[bimmer_buachaill]

Most of the items in the bimmerfile list are just of recent patents. There is no direct correlation between that and the latest iDrive. It's typical for companies like BMW to patent things if they think there's even a small chance of using something (or to prevent a competitor from doing it). We will not see most of these features on the next iDrive.

That said, the general direction is exciting and I could see myself using many of these new features if they were offered. I'm a big Tivo fan and have often thought how nice it would be to have Tivo like control over the radio built into the car. I hate it when I catch the same show in the morning & evening on NPR!

[LeMansX5]

BMW ditching navigation DVDs for 2009

[DEETZ]

looks very cool and simple! thanks for sharing this information.

"Eyeing on the new M3"

[LeMansX5]

More info on new iDrive / infotainment system

Sources indicate that the menus look more like the Audi MMI interface in the design of the lists and manner in which selections are highlighted. With the increase in screen resolution the fonts and maps are much cleaner looking and are also more visually appealing. The submenus will function more like bookmarks within the interface and include links to other menus.

The controller will still require to be moved to access the other side of the split screen (when active). Unlike the current system in which both windows in the split screen have flat sides and are highlighted when selected the new system will add an oval like curve to the selected window. We have heard that the navigation map can now take up the entire display if so desired, something that was lacking in the past.
Radio and CD are now two separate menus and can be quickly accessed via the new shortcut buttons. Within the CD menu the current track will be displayed in a top “frame” while in the bottom will be the list of songs which you can then scroll through with the controller or steering wheel controls.

A welcome change to the phonebook is multiple numbers listed for one named contact. The current system would require additional entries in the phonebook for each number.

The date, time and radio station bar at bottom of the current screen has been removed. It will now find its home within the gauge cluster.
The new system will require some transition to those familiar with the current system because of variations in the menu structure and the location of certain features may not be the same as in the past.
The system in general is faster and appears to be stable. The new shortcut buttons (cd, radio, navigation, telephone, menu, back, option) around the controller work well and are placed in very accessible locations making the system easier to use.

We have not had first hand access to the system yet so this information is based on the experience of others and may or may not accurate or be based on the final product. However we believe this information to be reliable and at the very least a peek at some of the possibilities.

Some pics from new 7-series hard drive based nav.

[tim-atl]

I think I have a woody.

Tim

[JGQ]

Is there a chance this will be offered on the 2009 X5 or X6 at the begining of production or is still a March build date?

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by tim-atl

I think I have a woody.

Tim

Originally Posted by JGQ

Is there a chance this will be offered on the 2009 X5 or X6 at the begining of production or is still a March build date?

Spring 2009