The increasing use of electronic gadgets and technologies has become a major road safety issue. On February 16th, 2012, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published the first-ever federally proposed guidelines to encourage automakers to limit the distraction risk for in-vehicle electronic devices.
These voluntary guidelines apply to communications, entertainment, information gathering and navigation devices or functions that are not required to safely operate a vehicle. Several manufacturers already restrict access to certain devices, such as the navigation system, when drivers exceed 20 km/h. While annoying, this helps reduce driving distractions and keep eyes on the road.
BMW Apps
Available on a number of models, the BMW Apps package includes BMW Connected along with a smartphone integration module hidden inside the centre armrest. Owners can bring Facebook, Twitter, their calendar, RSS feeds, Wiki Local, or even their favourite web radio station into their car on the iDrive screen.
It all sounds interesting on paper, but how is it in the real world? I recently set out to find out in a 2012 BMW 335i.
First of all, connecting my iPhone proved to be easy, either with the integration dock or the Apple cable plugged in the USB port. After that, I just had to open the BMW Connected app, and let iDrive recognize and synchronize my phone. By the way, make sure to connect to your Facebook/Twitter accounts and enter the address for your RSS feeds before you install your smartphone, otherwise you won't be able to configure them.
Then the ConnectedDrive menu came alive on the iDrive screen. The architecture is clean and friendly, allowing access to my Facebook status or my RSS feeds with 2-3 clicks. I was even able to post a few pre-written updates on Facebook and Twitter.
Is it safe?
There's one big problem: you can do everything while driving. My good pal Matt St-Pierre helped me for the tests, and let me tell you that we were shocked. While the system isn't exactly dangerous with a passenger to look after it, troubles ensue when the driver steps in.
The BMW owner's manual recommends users to err on the side of caution and avoid playing with the system while driving. The company also added a text-to-speech function that reads Tweets, Facebook updates and RSS feeds. That's nice, but you can still toss that aside and do whatever you please.
You thought writing text messages or talking on the phone while driving was irresponsible? Well, now I understand why the NHTSA and other governments are trying to regulate these practices through strict policies - and why BMW changed its slogan from ''The Ultimate Driving Machine'' to ''The Ultimate Driving Experience.'' Technology is quickly taking over the automobile, all in the name of a ''better experience'' behind the wheel. What a shame.
These voluntary guidelines apply to communications, entertainment, information gathering and navigation devices or functions that are not required to safely operate a vehicle. Several manufacturers already restrict access to certain devices, such as the navigation system, when drivers exceed 20 km/h. While annoying, this helps reduce driving distractions and keep eyes on the road.
BMW Apps
Available on a number of models, the BMW Apps package includes BMW Connected along with a smartphone integration module hidden inside the centre armrest. Owners can bring Facebook, Twitter, their calendar, RSS feeds, Wiki Local, or even their favourite web radio station into their car on the iDrive screen.
It all sounds interesting on paper, but how is it in the real world? I recently set out to find out in a 2012 BMW 335i.
First of all, connecting my iPhone proved to be easy, either with the integration dock or the Apple cable plugged in the USB port. After that, I just had to open the BMW Connected app, and let iDrive recognize and synchronize my phone. By the way, make sure to connect to your Facebook/Twitter accounts and enter the address for your RSS feeds before you install your smartphone, otherwise you won't be able to configure them.
Then the ConnectedDrive menu came alive on the iDrive screen. The architecture is clean and friendly, allowing access to my Facebook status or my RSS feeds with 2-3 clicks. I was even able to post a few pre-written updates on Facebook and Twitter.
Is it safe?
There's one big problem: you can do everything while driving. My good pal Matt St-Pierre helped me for the tests, and let me tell you that we were shocked. While the system isn't exactly dangerous with a passenger to look after it, troubles ensue when the driver steps in.
The BMW owner's manual recommends users to err on the side of caution and avoid playing with the system while driving. The company also added a text-to-speech function that reads Tweets, Facebook updates and RSS feeds. That's nice, but you can still toss that aside and do whatever you please.
You thought writing text messages or talking on the phone while driving was irresponsible? Well, now I understand why the NHTSA and other governments are trying to regulate these practices through strict policies - and why BMW changed its slogan from ''The Ultimate Driving Machine'' to ''The Ultimate Driving Experience.'' Technology is quickly taking over the automobile, all in the name of a ''better experience'' behind the wheel. What a shame.