BMW News

BMW has just announced that by Spring of 2015, U.S. customers will be able to purchase selected ConnectedDrive services, intelligent services, and apps from a store in their cars—while they’re driving.

It’s called the ConnectedDrive Store and it’s designed to provide drivers with useful information and entertainment while traveling. The services that drivers may purchase have been available from the dealer and from the BMW Assist call center, but now, for the first time, they will be available through the car.

The first products that will be available when the ConnectedDrive Store opens will be Concierge, emergency calling, Navigation Map Updates, and Internet service.

Concierge links you to a live representative who can research and provide information on what you need at the moment, which could include help finding points of interest such as restaurants, hotels, and theaters. Once the point of interest is identified, Concierge can send directions directly to your BMW’s navigation system.

Emergency calling is a service whereby Concierge can make a phone call for you when you don’t have access to a cell phone. Navigation Map Updates while driving are self-explanatory and much more convenient than scheduling a trip to the dealer. Internet service will be accessed safely using the iDrive Controller and the car’s high-resolution Control Display.

Drivers who log in to the BMW ConnectedDrive Store will see an overview of the services and apps that are available for purchase or have already been booked for their BMW. For services already purchased, the overview will show the remaining time for those services, as well as the cost to buy extensions or new services. Once the driver picks and pays for the service, it will be available within minutes.

The U.S. motoring public will get its first chance to see the ConnectedDrive Store in person at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, from January 6 to 9, 2015.

There’s no question that for many BMW drivers, there will be times when services available from the ConnectedDrive Store will be very handy and occasionally, desperately needed, so it seems like this will be a good thing. We will wait to see if it is easier to use than the current calls to Concierge or BMW Assist.

Many BMW owners will be thrilled to know that they can use the ConnectedDrive Store to purchase access to the Internet while driving, but should also know that Internet service will only be available when the vehicle is moving at less than 2.5 miles per hour. Safety first.—Scott Blazey

[Photo courtesy of BMW USA