BMW will be upgrading their BMW Assist feature to include search capabilities powered by Google Search. The iDrive interface will be upgraded in the company's 2009 model cars.
BMW has been hinting at its partnership with Google since the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show but has just recently announced all of the details of the implementation of this new media in its cars.
BMW owners and users of BMW Assist Convenience Plan will pay an additional $199 per year. The system will use AT&T's GSM network to connect to Google Search to look up information on and locate restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, pharmacies, and public facilities such as schools, city halls, and court houses. Once these locations are found, for example, the user will be able to navigate to the restaurant or call the restaurant to make reservations and ask questions about the menu and business hours using the system's Bluetooth connectivity. Users will also be able to search for the lowest gas prices wherever they are driving and find out what movies are playing and at what times at the local movie theater. Results for searches of this nature will be viewable on a Google Map.
Basically BMW is offering on-the-go internet access in your car using a wireless connection. This connection will enable drivers and passengers to browse the Web from the dashboard.
BMW Assist will continue to offer the following functions: remote unlock, automatic collision notification, and location of stolen vehicles.
For more information on this new media topic, please visit http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10043591-48.html?tag=mncol;txt.
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