If you're the sort who can't do without your phone, even when driving, there's a solution for you - get a BMW. But there's a catch though. Not all models, at this point in time, are equipped with ConnectedDrive - a new in-car infotainment system that has a vast range of services that will link almost every new BMW vehicle to the Internet and more. At press time, the five exceptional models are the 116i Hatchback, 218i Active Tourer, 316i, X1 and Z4. While the first three base models mentioned are armed with just a partial range that includes Intelligent Emergency Call and TeleServices, new models for the X1 and the Z4 are due soon.
Concierge Services and Messages
Yes, it's literally a concierge, only that it's in a virtual form where you speak to an operator. Nonetheless, there's nothing to worry when it comes to phone bills because ConnectedDrive will be provided to you free for the first 36 months. While the price of renewal hasn't been confirmed yet, the full suite - as of now - will set you back $450 a year.
But if such a function like the Concierge Service, which allows you to call in to ask for anything, and we mean anything - from the location and the telephone number of a particular restaurant to the direction of the nearest, say, Starbucks for your coffee fix, such an amount for 12 months can be considered reasonably inconsequential. Plus, to ensure you can re-enter the location of your request in future, you can request for a message as well as a map to be sent to the car. Such phone calls are possible as a SIM card is built into the car.
BMW Online
For workaholics, this is the function you'll be attracted to the most. For starters, you can have your e-mail accounts synchronised with the system. To get this done, you'll have to register your Bimmer in a few simple steps online and, voila, it's done. Passengers or yourself can also enjoy a healthy form of entertainment through news, where the system can read out news stories, which are provided by Agence France-Presse. The only set back here is that the voice sounds a tad too synthetic.
But you could otherwise search for keywords related to what you're looking for. For example, we searched for the word 'coffee' and a number of nearby cafes was immediately listed on the screen. This is also made even more intriguing as the car's GPS coordinates are made known to the system.
BMW Apps
Needless to say, for young blokes like us, this is our favourite service. It allows your smart phone with 3G/4G services to transfer its interface to the iDrive system seamlessly. This is done via a quick connection with a BMW app that's compatible with ConnectedDrive.
There's more. Dubbed My BMW Remote on the App Store, this app will connect itself to the system on board your Bimmer, which will allow it to send four specific instructions to the server, which will then be sent to the car to react accordingly. The four instructions are lock, unlock, flash head lights and sound horn. We tested them and they worked just fine, even with the engine switched on. But the car has to be within a 1.5-metre radius from where you are.
The only scenario we can think of where these functions come in useful is when you are trying to locate your car in a huge car park of a shopping mall. Of course, you could also use them to prank your friends during the Hungry Ghost Festival.
Intelligent Emergency Call (SOS)
This is one function no drivers will ever wish they'd have to use. It can be set either to automatic or manual mode. In said auto mode, the Intelligent Emergency Call will automatically be activated and will send out a phone call to the server where your GPS coordinates will be locked down. This call can only be made if the airbags have been deployed or the crash sensors are triggered.
On the other hand, manual mode requires you to press the button located above you before a call can be activated. We made this test call and the coordinates given to us were accurate, including the model and the colour of our test car we were driving. Regardless of whichever modes you decide to set it in, the phone call can only be terminated from the server.
Navigation
What the system can also locate, interestingly, are road works and accidents. While it isn't always accurate, based on our time with the car over the span of four days, the real-time traffic information is provided by the Land Transport Authority and is updated every five to 10 minutes. As such, there will be prompts from the system as you approach any obstacles on the road, including car breakdowns.
While there are some functions, such as the locking and unlocking of your car, which can be done via an aftermarket workshop, the real-time traffic information is something you cannot duplicate, or at least not that easily.
