[Jason]

BMW extends office functions to include incoming e-mail with voice output.

* 24.06.2010
* Press Release

BMW ConnectedDrive enables innovative incorporation of BlackBerry smartphones via Bluetooth - an internationally unique function available for all BMW models from autumn 2010.

Munich . As part of the ongoing expansion of office functions in BMW ConnectedDrive, BMW is now the first automobile manufacturer in the world to enable e-mail messages to be received inside the vehicle enabled by a Bluetooth connection. From autumn 2010, owners of a BlackBerry® smartphone made by the mobile phone manufacturer RIM (Research In Motion) will be able to access the phone's e-mail function via the operating system iDrive. A new Bluetooth interface to integrate the BlackBerry device into the vehicle enables e-mails to be received, displayed on the Control Display and even read out by means of an optional voice output function. With this innovative technology, the premium automobile manufacturer continues to extend its leading role in the integration of entertainment, communication and online functions in vehicles.

The new facilities for e-mail access tie in directly from the BMW ConnectedDrive office functions presented at the beginning of the year. Likewise unique worldwide, these allow not just call and contact lists but also calendar entries, text messages, tasks and memos to be transferred from compatible smartphones to the vehicle via Bluetooth interface. The relevant entries can be selected using the Controller of the iDrive operating system and shown on the Control Display. Even the picture file saved with a contact address on a mobile phone can be shown on the vehicle monitor. In addition, BMW ConnectedDrive also allows the music player functions of smartphones to be conveniently operated using the iDrive system. Incoming e-mail in the vehicle represents yet another milestone in the integration of modern smartphones. The new BlackBerry® Pearl™ 3G is the first smartphone from the BlackBerry smartphone portfolio that supports this functionality.

Like the functions previously introduced, e-mail access via Bluetooth also helps make the use of communication and entertainment options of modern smartphones in the vehicle convenient and safe. The operating system iDrive provides unique facilities for the simple, safe and intuitive control of all functions while causing minimum distraction from the road. For the first time, incoming and saved e-mails from the Bluetooth-integrated smartphone can now be retrieved and shown on the Control Display in just a few standardized operating stages. Relief of the driver is further enhanced with the optional voice output function. It can be activated at a single press of a button, the text of the e-mail is then read out loud.

The new e-mail function is available for all BMW models fitted with the navigation system Professional including mobile phone preparation. It will be offered in Europe and North America from autumn 2010.

[aka_phox]

...they need compatibility for the iPhone too!

[Refujeet]

Originally Posted by aka_phox

...they need compatibility for the iPhone too!

Isn't there an app for that?


Jks...I'm just jealous because the Blackberry App Store is brutal!

[itsbrokeagain]

so thats what we need..people reading/listening to emails while driving...


Texting wasnt bad enough I guess??

[ORIGIN M.]

Nice, the ultimate message machine!

Ummm sorry I hit you, I was just getting a email, as you were entering the roadway...

[ragingclue]

Originally Posted by Matt@Camber-Toe

so thats what we need..people reading/listening to emails while driving...


Texting wasnt bad enough I guess??

Yeah I'm not seeing this as an incredibly practical or safe implementation. The only time you should use it is when you're stopped, in which case you might as well use your smartphone.

Waste of R&D and resources, in this old man's opinion....

[MDLFCS]

That would be nice to have the e-mail viewed in the Heads Up Display!

[newbieman78]

sure its great.....maybe an e-mail from your mistress would pop-up while you are driving your wife, so she can read it too.

[Oulixes]

IMO, BMW should focus on improving reliability of their cars instead of providing diversions and gimmicks.

[MDLFCS]

Originally Posted by Stankia

No one writes emails like that in real life.

Yes, that is so true. We need to be nicer to each other!!

[Gyoung]

you guys really want to read emails while driving M?????????

[TsunamiFury]

BMW electronics integration is going in completely the wrong direction. These services, like internet, email, movies are all far more practically and cheaply handled by existing mobile technology.

I don't know what BMW is thinking, for the price of the internet integration you could have an iphone/blackberry+hotspot and for the price of the back seat entertainment system you could have 5 iPads.

Car tech needs to wake up and realize they are becoming completely outmoded by cellphones.... its not like people buy car-phones anymore -- why they hell would they want car computers?

[///M Rakete]

Sounds like this would violate the anti-texting laws, at least while in motion (if motion is even an essential element).

[buckshizzo]

From the factory you can't watch videos in idrive while driving because it is unsafe, but you can check emails...which is a lot safer. Makes perfect sense BMW.

[hlmiii]

Very difficult for me to believe that this will be available in the US market:
80 mph on city freeways, exit/entrance feeder ramps .2 miles ahead, and - G O N G - time to read the latest Inbox item.
N. O.



I would prefer outright disabling of all mobile device use in automobiles.

[infinitigor]

I think its a rather cool feature if used properly, by properly I mean if the email was read out to you and you weren't reading it from the dam screen while driving. This is by far one of the most dangerous and ridiculous things iv seen. Altough I would still opt to get it if it came as an upgrade as I need to have access to my emails asap, and I would use it professionaly and safely. The same cannot be said for all other drivers, and I really can't see this being legal in the states for there would be far too many accidents and more lawsuits; some of which would be going towards BMWs way.

[chemgeek]

You can already do this with the news via BMW Search...and it is a terrible feature. You can rarely understand the dictated text.

[135iUSN]

is it autumn yet??????

[135iUSN]

Originally Posted by chemgeek

You can already do this with the news via BMW Search...and it is a terrible feature. You can rarely understand the dictated text.

really .. how so?

[135iUSN]

found how today.. it read the news to me.. not as clear...

Also, in comparison to my RAV4 voice command.. I can call out the entire phone number 123-123-1223 and it will dial.. BMW I have to call out 1, pause and it acknowledges " one and next" , 2 pause for it to acknowledge..etc.....