This month, BMW will release a comprehensive vehicle software update with new and improved features. Any BMW leaving the plant from July with Operating System 7 will already have the updated roster.
Here’s what you can expect from the upgrade.
BMW Maps
Photo courtesy of BMW
The experience of using BMW Maps will be improved. BMW says that it will be faster, more intuitive, and more accurate. Destinations can be entered more easily and new cloud-based route calculation improves performance.
BMW Maps will now use real-time traffic information in addition to historical and extrapolated data to optimize routing. That data has been collected from over 14 million BMW vehicles. The automaker says that the system, “avoids unnecessary detours through residential areas.”
When searching for a destination, BMW Maps lists the search results based on the vehicle’s position. The application will now provide contextual information for points of interest including ratings, business hours, and images.
Connected Parking functionality also supports the search for parking spaces with additional services.
Connected Charging
Photo courtesy of BMW
BMW’s Connected Charging services are being expanded as part of the update. Customers can now view details of past charging processes in the app and define specific time windows in which the car should be charged. The app can now also send push notifications directly to the customer’s smartphone when charging events occur.
Public charging information has been expanded as well, now offering more detailed information on charging stations including opening hours, providers, or authentication options. Users can also see points of interest nearby like cafés or restaurants.
All-electric vehicles now push their projected range to the app, which users can view in the form of a blue circle on the map overview.
If their BMW senses that a driver needs a break, the app will automatically suggest stopover points that include charging destinations.
BMW Digital Key
Photo courtesy of BMW
On the heels of an announcement at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, BMW has confirmed that the innovation is part of the upgrade, not just coming to new products. Click here for more information about this specific feature.
Wireless Android Auto
Photo courtesy of BMW
Many new luxury vehicles are going wireless so it’s no surprise that BMW is following the trend – something they announced in December. As part of the new update, Android Auto will become wireless in vehicles already equipped with Android Auto.
Users can access Google Assistant and interact with their smartphone with their voice and see the results on BMW’s infotainment screen.
Additionally, the capability allows for adoption of Google Maps turn-by-turn guidance that is displayed on the vehicle’s instrument cluster and head up display.
BMW Personal Assistant
Photo courtesy of BMW
The BMW Personal Assistant system is getting a new design. It has been enabled with intelligent functionality as well. This means that the system can now do things like show a graphic on the screen that turns toward the person talking (driver or passenger).
BMW says that the update allows the Personal Assistant to provide “proactive assistance with possible voice commands to improve natural interaction.”
Here’s how to get the update
Certain BMW vehicles built before July are capable of over-the-air updates. BMW has been enabling remote software upgrades since 2018.
For those vehicles, the update will be pushed to the cars starting in the third quarter of the year. The automaker says that around 20 minutes of installation time is required.
