[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

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

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UPDATE: BMW has contacted Autoblog to clarify its position. The company says it's in close contact with Apple and currently investigating the technical challenges required to integrate iOS in the Car, but since a final decision had not been made, it was not a part of Apple's announcement. Thus, according to BMW, integration of iOS in the Car in its cars has not been ruled out at all.

This past Monday, Apple announced its new iOS7 operating system at its annual WWDC conference. As part of the presentation, Apple announced plans to integrate iOS services into cars. Apple is working with manufacturers on new infotainment systems that could integrate to iOS devices like the iPhone. For example, an iPhone could be plugged into a car and an optimized, redesigned version of iOS Maps will appear on the car’s built-in display instead of a proprietary GPS system found in many cars today.

During the announcement, Apple flashed a slide showing the manufacturers with which it is working for this type of integration, which included Mercedes, Honda, Nissan, Ferrari, Chevrolet, Infiniti, Kia, Hyundai, Volvo, Acura and Jaguar.

Curiously however, BMW did not appear as one of these manufacturers. It turns out BMW would rather not ditch its own infotainment system (ConnectedDrive/iDrive) or alter its dashboard designs in order integrate iOS services.

As a BMW spokesperson said to MacNN: "The upshot is that as we have such an advanced multimedia offer that has been in vehicles in various guises for more than a decade, it would not be that straight forward to start changing all of the architecture of a car as has been implied [by Apple]."

Apple hasn't fully struck out with BMW however, as BMW has recently announced that its 2014 model year vehicles will feature Apple's Siri Eyes Free hands free technology.

[Maz335i]

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[bimmerjph]

Good, touch screen systems suck. I have no problems with i-drive, even its earlier versions.

[Jason]

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

Good, touch screen systems suck. I have no problems with i-drive, even its earlier versions.

That's not how iOS would be integrated into a BMW. If it were integrated into BMWs you would still interact with the infotainment system via the same methods as before. The services would just be powered by iOS.

[Enilder]

Ferrari is in. BMW, you are doing it wrong. This idea is Italian approved.

[luvthestck]

Thank god! Enough of this IOS BS.I like apple but trying to rope in car manufacturers to accommodate their software into the cars[ when there are other major players] is just plain wrong.I would not fault apple,they are just trying to sell their product better,shame on those car manufacturers though.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

Good, touch screen systems suck. I have no problems with i-drive, even its earlier versions.

Err...I think what they meant was they don't plan on integrating "iOS In The Car".

I watched the keynote, and they're weren't telling anything about it but I assume that it was just going to be an adaptor/PNP, something like what BMW Apps does but would actually use iOS? Or did I totally miss something and iOS is actually going to be implemented? I assume that QNX would still be the base and iOS in the Car would be an "app" built on top or used.

[bimmerjph]

Originally Posted by Jason

That's not how iOS would be integrated into a BMW. If it were integrated into BMWs you would still interact with the infotainment system via the same methods as before. The services would just be powered by iOS.

Okay, I am confused. What exactly is Apple putting out? I thought it was saying that it would be a system and layout designed by Apple.

[muskamatt]

Focus on putting the Sirius on demand features as seen on the phone app Sirius has. It's great. All your shows on demand and you simply press play and pause. Awesome feature especially if you are a fan of Howard or Ellis.

[lawgone]

Well this sucks. Lets be honest, manipulating the music on your iOS device via iDrives interface leaves a lot to be desired. Why not at least integrate Apple's interface scheme for music? The user is already accustomed to it and its just better for it, so why not? BMW is going to look really bad if their competitors do it and they don't. Besides, they already decided to make their nav screen look like someone slammed an iPad into the dash. This is either a poor financial decision or arrogance on BMW's part to think they can make an interface better than Apple. That's like Apple thinking they can make a better car than BMW.

[mdosu]

makes sense. Why would BMW do such a thing...iOS may dominate the US market for now, but it won't be the case in 3 years. iOS is already the minority elsewhere in the world. China is the single largest and fastest growing market for autos, and android is just making a killing there. Couple all this with like added costs of a closed platform for development makes little sense for BMW, especially since they already feel their GUI is already superior.

[freshnezzz]

Originally Posted by luvthestck

Thank god! Enough of this IOS BS.I like apple but trying to rope in car manufacturers to accommodate their software into the cars[ when there are other major players] is just plain wrong.I would not fault apple,they are just trying to sell their product better,shame on those car manufacturers though.

i agree. people just need ipod hookup not the OS.

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

Okay, I am confused. What exactly is Apple putting out? I thought it was saying that it would be a system and layout designed by Apple.

The final product would make the idrive interface appear to have a iOS look and feel. So one feature could be if you scroll your new idrive touch wheel, it'll behave exactly like your ipod. Apple will provide the platform for the manufacturers to build upon it. BMW would still spend time and money developing the software.

In PC terms, think of it as putting an iOS "wrapper" over a Windows operating system. That's what Apple wants to BMW to spend money and time on developing. BMW said no thanks, b.c they feel their interface is superior and doesn't think further development adds value over cost. I agree, b/c they spend a lot of time and money developing the next generation idrive touch.

[openwheelracing]

thank God, the last thing I need is iOS on the dashboard.

[AUDI LOL]

Originally Posted by 宝马.e90

Err...I think what they meant was they don't plan on integrating "iOS In The Car".

I watched the keynote, and they're weren't telling anything about it but I assume that it was just going to be an adaptor/PNP, something like what BMW Apps does but would actually use iOS? Or did I totally miss something and iOS is actually going to be implemented? I assume that QNX would still be the base and iOS in the Car would be an "app" built on top or used.

From what I gathered, iOS in the car is meant for lower end cars without nav, voice control, etc. and it basically brings that to the car's screen. If I recall correctly, the Chevy Spark uses siri in it's head unit.

I'm not sure why higher end car manufactures are adopting iOS in the car, they have better nav systems than iOS maps IMO.

[kgroschi]

Thank you BMW. DANKE DANKE DANKE.

I am so glad Munich made this decision. I don't want my beamer to be iOS controlled. First of all Apple is not what it used to be, and 2nd, BMW has the best interface. Why lose that for some 3rd party crap. As long as siri voice is in the car and can maybe read messages I am happy.

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by Jason

That's not how iOS would be integrated into a BMW. If it were integrated into BMWs you would still interact with the infotainment system via the same methods as before. The services would just be powered by iOS.

Official update from BMW:

UPDATE: BMW has contacted Autoblog to clarify its position. The company says it's in close contact with Apple and currently investigating the technical challenges required to integrate iOS in the Car, but since a final decision had not been made, it was not a part of Apple's announcement. Thus, according to BMW, integration of iOS in the Car in its cars has not been ruled out at all.

[Jason]

Thanks, updated.

[VCMpower]

Good, very good.

[bmwdj]

Why not say iOS has no plan to integrate BMW as its vehicles? BMW is just a small company comparing to Apple. If apple decides to make its own car, I would love to see the full head up iDisplay when I am driving.

[fazman]

That will make the difference between going with Infiniti FX 2014 vs BMW SUVs for 2014. But why isn't Tesla on the list???

[bizzyqu]

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