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iDrive posts

2010 BMWs boast improved Nuance voice control system

by Donald Melanson posted Sep 13th 2009 at 9:27AM

BMWs aren't exactly lacking for technology these days, but it looks like the new 2010 models come packing a little something extra to make your life even easier. As Nuance Communications is all too happy to announce itself, the new vehicles boast an improved voice control system from the company that promises to allow for a "more conversational dialogue between drivers and BMW navigation and entertainment systems." That, naturally, gets paired with BMW's own iDrive system, and includes some Sync-like abilities to search for music by voice, as well as a new "One-Shot Destination Entry" feature to let folks enter a destination address in one simple voice command. It can even apparently recognize several different language in parallel, letting a French-speaking driver, for instance, search for a German song title or English album title.

IDrive Portable HDD backs your files up locally and online

by Darren Murph posted Feb 5th 2009 at 5:08PM

Look, we feel your pain. There's about a gazillion options when it comes to portable hard drives, but the IDrive Portable actually does differentiate itself from the masses in one particularly useful way. Aside from being the "thinnest and lightest portable USB drive in its class," this 0.3 pound unit houses 320GB of space on a 5,400RPM HDD, and it plays nice with Windows / OS X machines. Predictably, it features a one-click backup option for storing precious data outside of your PC, but unlike the other guys, this one also includes the ability to backup online for yet another layer of protection. Of course, that online bit will run you up to $4.95 per month, but we have to say the interface looks pretty swank. Anywho, the device itself is listed as shipping within one to two days for $119.95, and all the nitty-gritty about the services is tucked away in the read link.

[Thanks, Chris]

Custom Toyota MR2 carputer presents the ultimate distraction for drivers

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Sep 14th 2008 at 4:03PM

This insanely kitted out Toyota MR2 is being put up for sale by its owner somewhere in Germany -- he's a highly motivated seller, provided you have the prerequisite electronics and programming (especially Visual Basic) skills. The standard gauges and indicators in the car have been removed, replaced with touch screens and a console mounted iDrive knob, offering the pilot of this machine control over almost every aspect of its operation: climate control, GPS, fuel consumption, mirrors, radar/laser, wireless transfer of music from a home computer, lights, fog lights... and the all-important VCD playback. Also listed on the original posting is something called the "police button" which "virtually controls the police." This might have been something that Google mistranslated, but we prefer to think otherwise.

[Via Autoblog]

BMW introducing updated, more customizable iDrive system

by Donald Melanson posted Jun 2nd 2008 at 3:49PM

It looks like BMW's sometimes derided iDrive system is about to get another boost in features / complexity, with the automaker now apparently readying a whole slew of features that'll add even more customization options to cars using the system. That will apparently include everything from screen savers and sound effects to tweaks in transmission shift points and engine boost levels, which could be customized to either increase fuel economy or improve overall performance. What's more, those changes will apparently be able to be made from any internet-connected computer in addition to from inside the car itself, and you'll be able to save multiple profiles that'll be automatically activated whenever an individual's key fob is in close proximity. Be sure to hit up the read link below for the long list of new features.

[Via Autoblog]

BMW tests IP networked iDrive car

by Conrad Quilty-Harper posted Dec 3rd 2007 at 1:02AM

BMW has started testing an IP solution for its cars that uses standard ethernet to connect car components to the central computer. The testbed could potentially lower costs: if not due to the physical component cost, then as a result of the IPv6 protocol's future-proof design. BMW even feels satisfied that the IP network can cope with safety features, which may be undermined somewhat by the inevitable attempts at high-speed LAN parties in the back seat.

[Via Autoblog]