BMW to add support for wireless version of Android Auto in 2020

While BMW has supported CarPlay for a while already, this news marks the first time the German automaker will support Google's Android Auto. The feature will be available in some of its vehicles starting July 2020. But it will only support wireless Android Auto, which means it won't work if you don't have select Pixel, Nexus, or Samsung devices, though. All cars that have BMW Operating System 7.0 will work with Android Auto. Here's to hoping BMW expands support in the future.

Hans Zimmer will be designing the sound for BMW’s futuristic concept car

For motorheads, the silence of electric vehicles can seem deafening, especially when compared to traditional cars. But now, BMW’s future electric vehicles, more specifically, the Vision M Next concept sports car will have a unique soundtrack, courtesy of award-winning film composer Hans Zimmer. Zimmer has worked on iconic sci-fi films including Interstellar, The Dark Knight Trilogy, Blade Runner 2049, and Inception. Zimmer will be working with BMW sound designer Renzo Vitale to make the “drive sounds” and “sound signs” for the Vision M Next, which will debut this week at BMW’s NextGen event.

Zimmer’s work will also be part of “BMW IconicSounds Electric,” which is a sound offering for future electric cars. The hope is it’ll help drivers feel less “alienated” from their vehicles. As Quartz points out, BMW has been working on the sounds for electric cars for around a decade now. But this collaboration means the German automaker wants to create more distinctive sounds for its EVs.

BMW and Jaguar Land Rover will develop electric vehicles together

A growing trend in the automotive space involves the automakers partnering to co-develop vehicles and technologies. The latest ones to join the fray are BMW and Jaguar Land Rover. The two companies are going to co-develop a new generation of motors for their respective electric vehicles. They will also work to use their combined size to make it cheaper to buy components. But BMW and Jaguar Land Rover will be building their own engines at their own plants in Germany and the UK, respectively.

Research and development will be done in Germany with both companies bringing in their engineers to improve on BMW’s fifth-generation electric engine. The motor, which has both the transmission and power electronics in the same shell, doesn’t use any rare earth materials. This makes it more environmentally-friendly and cheaper to make than other brushless motors of its class. Both companies have earned critical acclaim over their work in the space, so developing engines together has the potential to benefit all of us.

Source: Engadget

BMW to launch its own in-car voice assistant

BMW is following Mercedes-Benz's lead and will be introducing its proprietary in-car voice assistant starting March 2019. The system will be available for models that carry BMW’s 7.0 operating system. This "Intelligent Personal Assistant” will continue learning about your habits and favorite settings to make your ride as comfortable as possible. BMW boasts that you don’t even have to be specific about the instructions you give it. You can just say “Hey BMW, I’m too cold,” and it’ll adjust your car’s temperature. You can even rename the voice assistant and call it any name you want. BMW says you can even ask it the meaning of life, which other digital assistants have given up on. 

Speaking of the other assistants, BMW says it’ll be compatible with its competition “...in [the] future too, thereby providing a link to other rapidly growing ecosystems.” This means, you might be able to start your car or give it other commands from the comfort of your smart speakers at home. The German auto maker promised that its assistant will get “regular updates” that will expand its skills and functions. It isn’t clear though if these will be available over-the-air or if you’ll need to visit a dealership for it. 

Source: The Verge