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Carsales Staff23 Apr 2014
NEWS

BMW rolls out ConnectedDrive Services and Apps

Advanced new telematics systems shortly to arrive in local BMW models
BMW Australia has announced a major enhancement of its ConnectedDrive services and features. 
ConnectedDrive Services and Apps will soon join the ConnectedDrive driver assistance systems already extended to BMW buyers. Unlike the driver assistance systems (parking assistance, head-up display, night vision with dynamic light spot and anti-dazzle high beam assist, to name a few), the Services and Apps are principally based around telematics, comprising telecommunications, information technology  and global positioning system data.
The new range of services and apps will be available on Australian-delivered cars built during March or April of this year. BMW Australia will administrate a mobile network and data download subscription service that will be renewable via the ConnectedDrive Online store scheduled for local launch in 2015. Customers are not required to arrange a separate contract with mobile phone service providers, the connectivity is included in the cost. 
"BMW ConnectedDrive provides the most comprehensive and innovative means of connectivity between the occupants, a vehicle and the outside world," says Toni Andreevski, general manager of marketing at BMW Australia.
"Whether it is connectivity to the vehicle through the driver assist features and the remote apps, or to the outside world via the online services, just about every conceivable need has been considered," Andreeevski was quoted saying in a press release.
Vehicles will leave the factory with an on-board SIM card and basic telematic features (for emergencies, as one example) already operational. Owners can elect to disable the SIM, thus disabling all the associated telematic features. 
ConnectedDrive Services and Apps available are based around networked voice and data transfer, and will deliver new features and facilities such as: BMW Teleservices, BMW Breakdown Call, TeleService Battery Guard, Intelligent Emergency Call and a range of BMW Online services including news, weather, Google search and Online Office. 
BMW Teleservices keeps the driver and the preferred dealer informed of the car's condition – and need for a service. BMW Breakdown Call can be executed by the driver from the iDrive menu and relays the vehicle's functional state and location to a technician for roadside assistance. Additionally, the system will place the technician in touch with the vehicle's driver for further information. 
TeleService Battery Guard automatically updates the vehicle's owner of unexpected deterioration of the battery, sending the information by text or email, according to the preference selected in the iDrive menu. Intelligent Emergency Call contacts a call centre in the event of a crash and provides details of the severity and circumstances of the crash. The call taker can decide whether to contact emergency services after responding to the vehicle driver for additional details. Pressing a button under a flip cover in the vehicle's headlining allows the driver to place a manual emergency call on behalf of other road users involved in a crash. 
BMW Connected Apps – bundled together under the umbrella of BMW Online – support facebook, twitter, web radio, news, Wiki local, Aupeo, Sticher, Pandora, Last Mile, EcoPro analyser for iOS and Android users. An app exclusive to BMW is BMW Remote app, which allows the driver to contact the BMW emergency call centre if he or she is locked out of the car, among other functions. These include 'vehicle finding' (by flashing headlights in a car park) and locking or unlocking the car beyond the range of the standard central locking transponder. The app also provides the means for the owner to pre-cool or pre-heat the car remotely from a smartphone. 
Other facilities available include Real Time Traffic Information, Concierge and Internet. 
Prices and subscription periods for the ConnectedDrive packages are as follows:
ConnectedDrive Lifestyle – $690
Includes: ConnectedDrive Services and Remote Services
ConnectedDrive Freedom – $1200
Includes: ConnectedDrive Services, Remote Services, Real Time Traffic Information and Concierge Services
Real Time Traffic Information additional to ConnectedDrive Lifestyle – $250
Internet additional to ConnectedDrive Lifestyle or ConnectedDrive Freedom – $200
Subscription periods: 
Teleservices: Lifetime
Intelligent Emergency call: Lifetime
ConnectedDrive services incl. BMW Online apps: Three years
Remote services: Lifetime
Concierge services: Three years
Real Time Traffic Information: Three years
Internet: One year
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Written byCarsales Staff
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