During CES last week, BMW introduced a significant overhaul of its iDrive infotainment system, now powered by the new “BMW Operating System X.” This update features a novel “BMW Panoramic Vision” design that offers infotainment capabilities that wrap around the user, aptly described as “high tech meets highly intuitive operation.”
On a positive note, the updated iDrive system continues to support Apple CarPlay. However, the downside is that BMW has implemented only the most basic integration of CarPlay, and in certain aspects, it feels like a step back.
When BMW showcased the new iDrive X system at CES, the company remained tight-lipped regarding specifics about CarPlay integration. This led to unease among BMW owners, fearing that the automaker might be following GM’s lead in eliminating CarPlay altogether.
The revamped BMW iDrive system centers around four main components. As Edmunds points out:
The new iDrive consists of four primary elements — the panoramic display integrated into the lower section of the windshield, the head-up display, the redesigned steering wheel, and the expansive 17.9-inch center display positioned on the dashboard.
As confirmed by Edmunds, the central “center display” will still support CarPlay within the new iDrive framework. This is encouraging news for BMW owners. Unfortunately, this is where BMW’s efforts to integrate CarPlay end. The panoramic and head-up displays will not support CarPlay functionalities.
Earlier iterations of the iDrive infotainment system allowed for dual-screen CarPlay, as shown above. This feature enabled the CarPlay interface to be displayed on the secondary screen located in the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel, allowing users to view the detailed Apple Maps interface, including directions and other relevant information.
This unique feature set BMW’s CarPlay implementation apart from many competitors, as only a select few automakers like Volvo, Polestar, and Land Rover have adopted dual-screen CarPlay. Regrettably, with the introduction of the new “Panoramic Vision” approach to iDrive, BMW has relinquished that competitive advantage.
Referring back to Edmunds:
However, the CarPlay applications will not function as intended on displays unless they transmit metadata back to iDrive. This means you might see the currently playing song and some album artwork, but you won’t have access to additional features available through CarPlay or Android Auto, such as native maps, calendar access, electric vehicle charging apps, and more. This limitation stems from the inherent design of the display, which should be perceived as a representation of the vehicle’s central processing unit rather than a fully functional display.
Next-generation CarPlay
The notable issue at hand is next-gen CarPlay.
It’s not surprising that BMW chose not to incorporate next-generation CarPlay in its iDrive infotainment redesign. The automaker is notably absent from Apple’s list of partners committed to supporting next-generation CarPlay. Furthermore, Apple did not meet its 2024 deadline for making these vehicles available, and there has been a lack of updates regarding the rollout schedule.
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