BMW to Offer Internet in Cars

Before you read that headline and say to yourself, “Accident waiting to happen,” hear us out. Drivers will not be able to actually use the wireless internet technology known as ConnectDrive while the car is in motion.

This is a relief, as the thought of workaholic businessmen or rich daddy’s girls checking stock quotes and PerezHilton.com while zipping along the freeway at 80 mph should be enough to strike fear into the hearts of drivers everywhere.

While sitting safely in a parking lot, drivers can control the browser through the iDrive controller, which will manipulate the cursor on the iDrive screen (presumably connected to the iDrive drive). There may still be limitations to the technology. For instance, BMW will reformat the pages to its own servers before sending them to the car, and the browser uses EDGE technology, which according to TechnoRide.com may mean a good long wait time for page loading.

Hopefully, we’ll get answers to these questions when BMW debuts ConnectDrive at the 2008 Geneva auto show.

2008 Geneva Motor Show: BMW Offers Unrestricted Internet Browsing (TechnoRide)

Comments

[zoe]

I just read a post that looks at the statistics of Gamers as it's related to the auto-industry (73% of gamers in the study own at least one car).

The most glaring stat was that 82% are looking forward to new technologies in vehicle.

However, I'm sure that this technology doesn’t just apply to gamers…I would want that BMW!

z

[J]

As if a cell phone is not disturbing the driver enough.

[Nic]

You know cars with built in navigation systems do not allow you to use the system while driving. BUT, there are gadgets you can buy to override that so you can use while driving. I'm sure there will soon be one out there for the internet in the car.

[Frank]

Now you won't need their navigation system...you just pull up Mapquest on the screen :)