BMW has announced that by the end of this model year, it will start rolling out something called "ConnectedDrive"—a system that will allow drivers to access the internet via their iDrive system and their navigation system screen.
Let’s just hope drivers won’t decide to do this while they are driving.
Ah, the Internet. The source of some of our most precious resources—porn, embarrassing celebrity photos and -- of course -- some of the most well written automotive blogging in the universe. (cough * Automotive.com * cough.)
This new system will allow the person using the dreaded iDrive mouse to pull up any page of internet sourced information onto the dashboard navigation screen. While we are not sure what, exactly, someone would desperately need to see from the internet while in their car, it is always cool to have the latest gadget when you have dropped BMW levels of cash on your latest ride. ConnectedDrive will, of course, allow fans of Automotive.com Blogs to be able to catch up on the latest news and views from almost anywhere!
The most frightening thing about ConnectedDrive, we have to say, is the fact that you can use it up to speeds of 3mph. Is that so you can go web surfing while waiting in line at the Burger King drive thru? Those thoughtful Germans, first they give Americans Super Big Gulp sized cup holders and now they give us internet access for when we are getting our Whopper fix.
Is it just us, or is that the only time a driver is usually going below 3mph where it might actually be safe for them to play with the internet function? As those who live in Southern California are well aware, there are many places where traffic here slows below the 3mph mark. We just hope that drivers are smart enough not to think it would be wise to catch the latest photos of a frazzled and bedazzled Britney Spears leaving a child custody hearing while sitting half idle on the 405 freeway. With cell phone usage being outlawed starting this July in California, how soon before they are forced to outlaw in car internet usage?
BMW has yet to announce pricing for this new curse/feature. Cross nation rivals Mercedes-Benz and Audi have both stated that they will not be offering a similar feature on their luxury models due to “lack of interest.”
When did a lack of interest ever stop a German car company from including the latest gadget? Does it sound to anyone else like Mercedes-Benz and Audi might not have been able to get their system to work? Come on, Mercedes offers an option of little fiber optic lights in the headliner so you can feel like you are gazing up at the stars. You are trying to tell us that has more consumer interest than in-car internet service?
While we are truly frightened by the prospect of drivers having just one more thing to distract them from the road, we think in car internet service is pretty much an inevitable idea. And since we are an internet based website with all your automotively based informational needs, we think you should be able to check us out whenever or wherever you want. (End of shameless Automotive.com plugging.)