BMW to launch ConnectedDrive in-car internet service at Geneva show
02/22/2008, 5:06 PM
By Drew Johnson
BMW has announced that it will launch its new ConnectedDrive technology at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. ConnectedDrive will allow BMW owners to access the entire internet via the car’s iDrive and center mounted LCD screen. Initially, ConnectedDrive will only be available in Europe.
The ConnectedDrive service will be provided by EDGE technology (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution), which is the same service that Apple uses to connect its iPhone to the internet. Transfer speeds are said to be just slower than 3G — which is the speed of most wireless cards.
For safety reasons, ConnectedDrive will only be accessible at speeds slower than 5km/hr. However, vehicles equipped with BMW rear-seat DVD player will allow rear-seat passengers to use the internet at any speed.
Although the technology will not initially be offered in BMW’s U.S. vehicles, the option should make it to our shores in the coming years.
02/22, 5:39 PM
posted by:
Bimmer
Great news for drowsy drivers! Another remedies include playing with Nav system or iDrive settings.
02/22, 5:48 PM
posted by:
LexusSoarer
This sounds like a pretty cool idea. Hopefully the car will have to be stopped before owners can log on to the ‘net haha. I’m sure there is a way to defeat that anyway.
Let’s see how many other automakers follow suit with this, I’m sure GM will be all over this, putting it in Escalades and such.
02/22, 6:00 PM
posted by:
CA36GTP
The rear-seat internet sounds useful for long trips. Wonder how much it’ll cost per month, though.
02/22, 6:04 PM
posted by:
SD650irag
and you thought talking on cell phones and texting while driving were dangerous.
02/22, 6:05 PM
posted by:
Madcapp
Sounds like another feature BMW is certian to charge too much for.
02/22, 7:17 PM
posted by:
F451
I’m all over this! Cannot wait to learn all the details.
02/22, 7:36 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Excellent! Stuck in traffic? Dial up a little spanktravision and unload all that stress from a tough week in the office. Now how does one replace the cup holders to accommodate Kleenex tissues…
02/22, 8:35 PM
posted by:
autonut
johnny, cup holders can accommodate USED Kleenex tissues. Fresh one tent to fly out.
02/22, 9:15 PM
posted by:
RicardoHead
ConnectedDrive????
bull****.
More like DistractedDrive. Fukkin BMW idiots.
02/22, 11:39 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
If my rear seat passengers want internet access, they can use their goddamn laptops.
02/23, 3:59 AM
posted by:
sharpie
iDrive is more like iDon’tDrive!
02/23, 5:39 AM
posted by:
Raven
nice!
02/23, 10:05 AM
posted by:
sunshine1810
BMW needs to bring this technology to North America right away and without any limitations.
02/25, 8:23 AM
posted by:
maximus
I have this already, it’s called a laptop with an aircard.
02/25, 10:38 AM
posted by:
Z06ified
It should be only be active while the car is stopped. Do you know how many people would be using this in stop and go traffic, get distracted and bump into the car in front of them? Thousands!
I think I’ll keep my Suburban so that when the idiot in the BMW behind me is surfing the web in traffic, he’ll do extra damage to his car when his hood goes UNDER my rear bumper and his car is stopped by a GM 10.5″ rear.
02/25, 1:52 PM
posted by:
Scarface03
Rear seat accessibility is where this tech will have its consumer appeal. I, like most people, get into my car because I have to go somewhere…. not to surf the web.
I too am interested in what the fee for this service will be, although odds are that–if the tech is accepted–it’s be wrapped into the option price, further jacking up Bimmer prices.
02/25, 4:33 PM
posted by:
The Stig
Those addicted to the porn industry will go nuts for this. Pardon the pun.