More information about Apple CarPlay can be found in our other blog post, and we've also taken a look at retrofitting CarPlay into older BMWs.ĬarPlay is Apple's entry into the infotainment space, and makes it easy to use iOS apps on your BMW's iDrive screen. CarPlay-compatible head units are also available as a retrofit option in older vehicles and those lacking the appropriate hardware, and aftermarket CarPlay units like BimmerTech's offer another way to get CarPlay into your BMW.
It's now being offered as a factory option in an increasing number of cars, including most of the latest BMWs.
BMW IDRIVE7 ANDROID
These factors taken together explain in part why auto manufacturers have been so quick to offer CarPlay and/or Android Auto integration in many of their newer vehicles.Īpple's CarPlay system has been rising in popularity since its launch in 2014. The ubiquitousness of iOS and Android also means that CarPlay and Android Auto have the third-party support (be that hardware compatibility or app availability) that we as smartphone users now take for granted.
These companies are able to draw on their vast experience creating the user interfaces that we interact with every day on our cellphones. BMW has worked hard to improve the iDrive since it was first introduced, but there is still a long way to go to match the expertise of the likes of Apple and Google. Buying a new phone can be more stress than it's worth, when there's no guarantee that the in-car features you rely on will continue to function with your new handset.įinally, not everybody is convinced by the quality of the user experience.
BMW IDRIVE7 SOFTWARE
Your smartphone, the version of iOS or Android it's running and the iDrive software installed in your car can all influence what features will and won't work. And unfortunately, compatibility isn't exactly a given. Secondly, although iDrive can offer mobile office functions, in-car telephony and more, these connected features are generally reliant on your smartphone. Most of us, though, are now used to carrying Google Maps with us wherever we go, and ditching that for iDrive's far more limited navigation offering seems pretty counter-intuitive. With all these features available, why would you even consider another system? Consįirstly, perhaps the most obvious use for an in-car computer is for help finding the way from A to B. It lets you adjust your car settings and check vehicle status, access navigation information and - thanks to mobile phone integration through BMW Apps - enjoy services like Pandora and Spotify, all through the same interface. This makes iDrive the best option if you're looking for an all-in-one solution. What's more, as it was developed specifically for use in BMWs, it's perfectly integrated with your vehicle and all its factory features. The current generation iDrive definitely offers a much smoother experience than it did in the past. Although this initial version was pretty cumbersome to use and wasn't exactly attractive, the system has since come on leaps and bounds. The iDrive interface has been a mainstay in BMWs since it was launched in 2001. There are three main options for BMW owners to choose from: the native iDrive interface developed by BMW Apple's CarPlay system and Android Auto from Google.īut which is the best option? We take a look at each in turn to see exactly what they have to offer. Hot on their heels is a proliferation of third-party hardware and software designed to add new features to your vehicle. The major auto manufacturers have all cottoned on, each developing their own systems in-house and making them available in most of their latest models. A decent infotainment system is a must for any modern car intended for everyday driving.
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