RIM converts BMW's iDrive into 'a remote control for your BlackBerry' (video)

If there's one thing business types love more than their BlackBerry, it's their BMW -- or so we're told. It makes all sorts of sense, therefore, that the two companies would partner up to help the things they sell communicate with each other more effortlessly. Using Bluetooth MAP (Message Access Profile), BlackBerry devices can now beam emails and contacts over to BMW's iDrive dash system, where the driver can listen to his messages via a text-to-speech option or make calls using the car's speakerphone. The first supported handset is the newly minted Pearl 3G, and we're told this functionality will come as an integrated part of BlackBerry 6. To see how it works on a 335is, click past the break for the video.

[Thanks, Horatiu]

[kojo87 Posted May 3rd 2010 4:16AM]

the first sentence made me chuckle. pretty nifty though.

[Kurian Posted May 3rd 2010 4:50AM]

BB is a just a feature phone that 'just works' and thus it's users are too technically unsavvy to comprehend how to use these things. If they could, they would be using a real smartphone that runs Symbian or Windows Mobile.

[abrli Posted May 3rd 2010 6:33AM]

@kojo87 NO, they luv AUDI's more... sooo many cockheads in an audi here in britain driving like an absolute maniac. serious contempt for all the s3 drivers!

[FORDY Posted May 3rd 2010 6:59AM]

@Kurian
'A real smartphone that runs Symbian or Windows Mobile'

Really?...

[filjosh Posted May 3rd 2010 9:44AM]

@kojo87 Does this means cops will overlook and will give you ticket for texting and driving? some states have strict laws against texting while driving.

[frog3d Posted May 3rd 2010 4:30AM]

It's true. I much prefer my M5 to my Bold

[larciel Posted May 3rd 2010 4:33AM]

txt to speech isn't too shabby either.

[melissamontelita Posted May 3rd 2010 7:24AM]

@larciel actually idriver has plans to put that feature. Impressions. http://j.mp/idrive-remote-control-real-car

[jellotime91 Posted May 3rd 2010 4:45AM]

Omg! Finally, you can control your media collection that you can't fit on your blackberry! Err.. some movies? Err... Nevermind.

[DTJ Posted May 3rd 2010 4:54AM]

Wow, that looks incredibly safe.

[LazyKid Posted May 3rd 2010 5:05AM]

Wow! Finally something useful for iDrive! The funniest comment about BMW's un-intuitive interface was: You turn the radio station, while iDrive.

[kent99 Posted May 3rd 2010 6:17AM]

@LazyKid The iDrive from BMW is perhaps the single worst UI ever invented. I was recently in the market for a new car and test drove a 5 series with an iDrive. Its incredibly complicated to use while you are driving. Doing something simple like changing the radio station could cause you to crash. They should remove the whole system and go with knobs and buttons or a combination.

[Mark S Posted May 3rd 2010 7:55AM]

@kent99

I have a 5 Series and tbh iDrive always gets a raw deal (mostly from people who havent used it for any length of time) but it is really easy to get used to... just takes a week or so to learn it really. My iDrive has force feedback (which im not sure they do anymore) so I can change radio station, make a call or even set the length of time the lights stay on after i leave the car with just a glance or two at the screen, and even without having to look for using the radio.
I contest that it is actually one of the best in car UIs ever invented.

[Plazmic Flame Posted May 3rd 2010 11:05AM]

@Mark S

Agreed, most people knock the iDrive and even I did when I first tried it out but over time (just like anything else) you learn to use it. It's an advanced UI and it's great.

[willdesignforfood Posted May 3rd 2010 11:50AM]

@LazyKid Actually the new system is pretty easy to use. The old one was a nightmare, but they fixed the UI. It took me 3 months to comfortably use the older UI, but this new one was much more intuitive, adding the shortcut buttons around the scroll wheel also made it much easier to live with.

[pcmike Posted May 3rd 2010 1:26PM]

@kent99 Please just stop driving all together if you're so uncoordinated you can't drive and change the radio station! You obviously didn't spend enough time with iDrive (for whatever reason) and are just talking trash. Those of us who live with it daily find it super easy to navigate. You're nuts man.

[Stevenk Posted May 3rd 2010 7:11AM]

I can put this in my new M3!

[Stevenk Posted May 3rd 2010 7:15AM]

I can put this in my M3!

[Stevenk Posted May 3rd 2010 7:17AM]

I can put this in my M3!

[apU Posted May 3rd 2010 7:42AM]

@Stevenk
we get it. you have an M3
NO ONE CARES

[ljvb Posted May 3rd 2010 8:49AM]

@Stevenk My C63 beats your M3 :P

Other then that, I have nothing to add, other then the fact that if you think the BMW iDrive is a pain.. I am finding I am not a big fan of the Mercedes Comand system, mines an 09, you would think they would include stuff like this.. but apparently not...

[John H Posted May 3rd 2010 9:42AM]

@ljvb

Even ignoring the horrendous looks of the C63 and the fact that it only has an automatic transmission, it seems the C63 will NOT beat an M3:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaZExdTHHjY

[txsurfer Posted May 3rd 2010 8:33AM]

I can put this in my new M6!!

[Mark S Posted May 3rd 2010 10:36AM]

@txsurfer

I can put this in my new sparkly massive red penis!

[Razor1973 Posted May 3rd 2010 10:33AM]

I'm sure you meant 335i, not 335iS, since that model hasn't even come out yet. I'd never fit my iDrive with such contraption.

[Johndong Posted May 4th 2010 12:49AM]

@Razor1973

This is actually INDEED the 335iS model. It's not out here in the US but in the beginning of the video, they mention they were in GERMANY, the origin of Bee Emm Doubles-u. So if anything, they would get the model first. And you can tell by the trim that it's a 335iS.

[Jub Posted May 4th 2010 5:38AM]

@Razor1973 You'd never fit your iDrive with it, because you own a Volvo?

[blueeyesm Posted May 3rd 2010 12:41PM]

I thought this was familiar sounding:

"Tomorrow Never Dies

Mobile Phone
This was a concept phone designed by Ericsson. The phone had a variety of features, including:
...
"Flip-open" remote control for operating his BMW 750iL (Directional steering pad, LCD monitor for the front and rear view, controls to fire rocket launcher and operate the car's other defense mechanisms)"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_James_Bond_gadgets

[DaveHazard Posted May 4th 2010 8:54AM]

i'm ditching my blackberry, and proud to say that my BMW is free of that abomination known as iDrive. freedom from junk like this is priceless. email while you're driving, seriously?