iSuppli Test Drive: 2009 BMW 750i Offers Information Galore
The flagship gets decked out with the latest in infotainment.
If it’s available on a vehicle these days, it’s offered on the 09 BMW 7 Series. While anti-technology critics continue to bash BMW’s flagship for being too confusing, the new iDrive, navigation, and connectivity solutions only make it easier for users to access information and control systems. Even the new innovations like BMW Search and the on-board owners manual only further enhance the overall appeal of the car’s capabilities and increasing its usability.
In terms of ergonomics, BMW hit the nail on the head. The new iDrive location, to the right of the shifter, makes for the utmost in comfort for both driver and front passenger. However, it is the addition of seven hardkeys that truly make the new iDrive more useful, not to mention the revised graphical user interface. Fortunately, BMW has put the new iDrive and Hard-Disk Drive (HDD)-based infotainment system in nearly every model for model year 2009 and model year 2010.
As expected, the flagship 7 Series receives a few more added features to make it that much more special. In this version, the innovations include the on-board owner’s manual, an industry-leading 10.2-inch, 1280 by 480-pixel resolution display, and a high-resolution instrument cluster display. In addition, the new 7 Series features standard BMW Assist telematics, now with BMW MyInfo, and BMW Search powered by Google.
Information Super Highway on the Highway
BMW is literally the first OEM to offer in-vehicle Internet access. This feature is—for the time being—only available in parts of Europe, and not in North America. The function allows BMW users with the right ConnectedDrive subscription to freely browse the Internet from the vehicle’s headunit or RSE system. Because of many reasons, BMW has not been able to bring the function across the pond yet, but sources report that it’s only a matter of time now.
In the meantime, BMW North America has introduced BMW Search. BMW Search is an off-board local search service powered by Google. Using BMW Assist telematics, users are able to insert search terms and get real-time Google reported results directly on their navigation screen. It, in effect, eliminates the need to update on-board Point of Information (POI) data— which is often incorrect or out-of-date.
In terms of wow-factor, BMW Search is a hit. Users will revel in the fact that they can “Google” in their car, and likely will broadcast that fact to their friends and family. However, as much as everyone wants to believe otherwise, Google is not infallible. During the review of the 2009 750i, iSuppli searched the term “Steak” and the BMW Search returned results for several steakhouses in the immediate area, one of which had been closed for many years. This time the blame sits squarely on Google’s shoulders. Fortunately, errors in the system were extremely rare.
Info Onboard as Well
The 2009 BMW 7 Series is the first vehicle in the world to offer an on-board Owner’s Manual feature. This feature comes pre-installed on the embedded HDD and is accessible through the iDrive user interface. At any time, users can view in-depth information on any number of topics, including everything from navigation and adaptive cruise control, to checking the oil and transmission status.
The data includes detailed text explaining the specific feature and most features offer pictures to complement their information. Some more complex features, like the Lane Departure Warning for example, include select video clips that the user can play directly on the navigation system. The only drawback to this feature that we could find was it was not accessible while driving, although that was undoubtedly in the name of safety.
Oddities and Redundancies
The 7 Series is a great example of technology at its greatest, but as it is a German vehicle, some features tend to be over-engineered. One such example is the Bluetooth HFI. In its operation, it’s nearly flawless, pairing quickly with a number of devices. The phonebook transfers with ease and it gives a number of visual and audible cues to help the driver access the system without losing concentration on the road.
The Bluetooth HFI is voice controlled, in addition to being accessible through the iDrive and steering wheel controls. Yet, only after learning the Bluetooth HFI’s peculiarities, can one use the voice control. For example, the phone book function will list surnames first, and then given names. So, a contact named Jeff Thompson would be listed at Thompson, Jeff. The issue is that the voice recognition would also work in that order.
As for redundancies, the 7 Series has many of them. Some are a bit abnormal, where others are obvious and helpful.
For example, there are two USB ports in the vehicle. In fact, any BMW with the HDD-based infotainment system will offer two USB ports. One is for connecting a device or USB stick for the purpose of content playback and the other for transferring content onto the HDD itself, such as music onto the on-board 13GByte jukebox.
Conclusion
We cannot speak about the 7 Series without mentioning its prominence as one of the world’s most technologically-advanced vehicles—and it is. From start to finish, the 2009 BMW 750i performed valiantly under our test gauntlet. The iDrive 2.0 has been improved vastly, both from a physical and graphical standpoint. The voice recognition also has improved and is slotted for another enhancement at the end of the year. The connectivity into the vehicle has been enhanced to a point where no car has been before.
But the simple fact remains: In order for all of this technology to be compelling, it must be as intuitive as possible to operate while driving, so as to not hinder safety. Some of the features seemed to be needing another look for BMW’s engineers, but it was on the whole, the best combination of feature and function available on the market today. Unfortunately, it’s also at minimum, an $80,000 investment.
If it’s available on a vehicle these days, it’s offered on the 09 BMW 7 Series. While anti-technology critics continue to bash BMW’s flagship for being too confusing, the new iDrive, navigation, and connectivity solutions only make it easier for users to access information and control systems. Even the new innovations like BMW Search and the on-board owners manual only further enhance the overall appeal of the car’s capabilities and increasing its usability.
In terms of ergonomics, BMW hit the nail on the head. The new iDrive location, to the right of the shifter, makes for the utmost in comfort for both driver and front passenger. However, it is the addition of seven hardkeys that truly make the new iDrive more useful, not to mention the revised graphical user interface. Fortunately, BMW has put the new iDrive and Hard-Disk Drive (HDD)-based infotainment system in nearly every model for model year 2009 and model year 2010.
As expected, the flagship 7 Series receives a few more added features to make it that much more special. In this version, the innovations include the on-board owner’s manual, an industry-leading 10.2-inch, 1280 by 480-pixel resolution display, and a high-resolution instrument cluster display. In addition, the new 7 Series features standard BMW Assist telematics, now with BMW MyInfo, and BMW Search powered by Google.
Information Super Highway on the Highway
BMW is literally the first OEM to offer in-vehicle Internet access. This feature is—for the time being—only available in parts of Europe, and not in North America. The function allows BMW users with the right ConnectedDrive subscription to freely browse the Internet from the vehicle’s headunit or RSE system. Because of many reasons, BMW has not been able to bring the function across the pond yet, but sources report that it’s only a matter of time now.
In the meantime, BMW North America has introduced BMW Search. BMW Search is an off-board local search service powered by Google. Using BMW Assist telematics, users are able to insert search terms and get real-time Google reported results directly on their navigation screen. It, in effect, eliminates the need to update on-board Point of Information (POI) data— which is often incorrect or out-of-date.
In terms of wow-factor, BMW Search is a hit. Users will revel in the fact that they can “Google” in their car, and likely will broadcast that fact to their friends and family. However, as much as everyone wants to believe otherwise, Google is not infallible. During the review of the 2009 750i, iSuppli searched the term “Steak” and the BMW Search returned results for several steakhouses in the immediate area, one of which had been closed for many years. This time the blame sits squarely on Google’s shoulders. Fortunately, errors in the system were extremely rare.
Info Onboard as Well
The 2009 BMW 7 Series is the first vehicle in the world to offer an on-board Owner’s Manual feature. This feature comes pre-installed on the embedded HDD and is accessible through the iDrive user interface. At any time, users can view in-depth information on any number of topics, including everything from navigation and adaptive cruise control, to checking the oil and transmission status.
The data includes detailed text explaining the specific feature and most features offer pictures to complement their information. Some more complex features, like the Lane Departure Warning for example, include select video clips that the user can play directly on the navigation system. The only drawback to this feature that we could find was it was not accessible while driving, although that was undoubtedly in the name of safety.
Oddities and Redundancies
The 7 Series is a great example of technology at its greatest, but as it is a German vehicle, some features tend to be over-engineered. One such example is the Bluetooth HFI. In its operation, it’s nearly flawless, pairing quickly with a number of devices. The phonebook transfers with ease and it gives a number of visual and audible cues to help the driver access the system without losing concentration on the road.
The Bluetooth HFI is voice controlled, in addition to being accessible through the iDrive and steering wheel controls. Yet, only after learning the Bluetooth HFI’s peculiarities, can one use the voice control. For example, the phone book function will list surnames first, and then given names. So, a contact named Jeff Thompson would be listed at Thompson, Jeff. The issue is that the voice recognition would also work in that order.
As for redundancies, the 7 Series has many of them. Some are a bit abnormal, where others are obvious and helpful.
For example, there are two USB ports in the vehicle. In fact, any BMW with the HDD-based infotainment system will offer two USB ports. One is for connecting a device or USB stick for the purpose of content playback and the other for transferring content onto the HDD itself, such as music onto the on-board 13GByte jukebox.
Conclusion
We cannot speak about the 7 Series without mentioning its prominence as one of the world’s most technologically-advanced vehicles—and it is. From start to finish, the 2009 BMW 750i performed valiantly under our test gauntlet. The iDrive 2.0 has been improved vastly, both from a physical and graphical standpoint. The voice recognition also has improved and is slotted for another enhancement at the end of the year. The connectivity into the vehicle has been enhanced to a point where no car has been before.
But the simple fact remains: In order for all of this technology to be compelling, it must be as intuitive as possible to operate while driving, so as to not hinder safety. Some of the features seemed to be needing another look for BMW’s engineers, but it was on the whole, the best combination of feature and function available on the market today. Unfortunately, it’s also at minimum, an $80,000 investment.
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