send google map info to car for pre-2009?

[mikemac]

Google Maps supports a feature where you can look up an address and send the destination to your car. How cool is that! You can look up a restaurant or place you need to go online instead of fighting thru the "info" menu in the car, and then send the address right to your BMW Assist equipped car. See http://maps.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=91155

Unfortunately in the US BMW is only supporting this for model-year 2009 and later. MyInfo allows you to reach your destination faster, more conveniently and safely. Search for business locations and addresses from the comfort of your home, office or internet-connected cellular phone or computer using Google Maps. With MyInfo, you can then transfer the results to your BMW.

Once inside the vehicle, simply push the MyInfo button within the BMW Assist menu. You can now call the phone number directly with your Bluetooth®-linked mobile phone or if your BMW is equipped with the navigation system you can immediately start route guidance. At the touch of a button, you're on your way.

Share MyInfo with your family, friends, and colleagues and have them send destinations to you while you're on the road!

Available on 2008 and later X6 produced 4/08 and later and all 2009 BMW Assist- equipped models, except X3.Does anybody know if there is a plan to upgrade the SW to let earlier year cars do this? Apparently they've had it in Europe as "ConnectedDrive" since 2007 (see http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2007/03/google-maps-send-to-car.html)

[Edb5020]

Wow, thats really cool. It would be awesome if there was an update that can do that in earlier MY's. I would even pay for the update if required.

[captainaudio]

Wow, thats really cool. It would be awesome if there was an update that can do that in earlier MY's. I would even pay for the update if required.

If you have the Concierge Service you can call the concierge and have an address uploaded to the Nav System. If the concierge can do it it is obviously possible to do.

CA

[AndreyATC]

Would be nice to have this working on 2007-08 cars
This might not be possible though
They say it's supposed to be generation 5 and 7 of BMW Assist in order to work
I have Gen 4 and my car is MY2008 with Oct 2007 build date

So, it might actually require some hardware change?


Message from Google maps after send:
The Destination you requested could not be delivered due to the following error(s):

A02: VIN: WBAWB73528PXXXXXX. The vehicle listed on your BMW Assist account is not capable of receiving this information. If you feel you have received this message in error, contact BMW Assist at (888) 333-6118.

[mikemac]

So, it might actually require some hardware change?That's the whole point, it doesn't seem to require different hardware. Our friends buying the same cars in Germany have had this since 2007! See the link I posted to the google blog.

[Mk23]

Wow, that is really cool. Can't wait to see how it works.

[kenomail]

I asked the same question to my BMW guy at the Welt. He said something about a "service" that one can sign up for to do this on pre 09 models. Still have not gotten to the bottom of this yet but will.

Whats great about this is that I almost never let NAV pick my entire route. And I think Google Maps has one of the best interfaces on a PC with the ability to drag and drop the route.

[Gig103]

My educated guess is that they changed the telematics unit in the car for 2009+ US models. In Europe, everyone uses GSM but I believe that OnStar and BMW Assist in the USA use Verizon Wireless, which is CDMA. So, the Google system is incompatible with our cars, but will work with the future ones. Google has had this in Germany for at least a year already.

[buhbyyy]

I pulled this from the email I got from their website:
*Available on BMW Assist-equipped and activated 2008 and later X6, produced 4/08 and later, and all BMW Assist-equipped and activated 2009 and later models, except X3.

[BasicMarinWheels]

Whats great about this is that I almost never let NAV pick my entire route. And I think Google Maps has one of the best interfaces on a PC with the ability to drag and drop the route.

I agree that the Google maps drag and drop route selection is outstanding. Unfortunately, however, it appears that the ability to send to the car is limited to sending an address - a single address - rather than a route (a series of points). Hopefully, they will upgrade it to allow the sending of a route later.

Is it true that the new 2009 iDrive/Navigation will have the ability to select multiple points on a route? The BMWUSA.com website suggests that is true. If so, a workaround would be sending the car 2-3 points and then selecting them in the desired order when they pop up on the car's navigation screen.

[JSpira]

Does anybody know if there is a plan to upgrade the SW to let earlier year cars do this?
Not possible hence no plans.

Great feature though. I had an X6 for two weeks with this feature and it works really well.

[BasicMarinWheels]

Jonathan, just the man to weigh in on these issues! :thumbup:

I've been doing some research in advance of ordering my next car (2009 335i Sedan or, possibly, 2009 M3 Sedan). I like iDrive and the integrated navigation I have now (2006 330i), but the portable navigation units (i.e., Garmin, TomTom) have tons of new features and advancements, so I'm once again making the call whether to get integrated iDrive/Navigation. Specifically, I'm wondering:

1. Have you seen/used the navigation in the new 2009 3 Series cars? Do you know if it will have the ability to select multiple points on a route? The BMWUSA.com website suggests that it will, which would be a huge feature improvement. Any other insights on the changes from older versions?

2. Are they planning to later provide the ability to send routes (not just single addresses) from Google to the cars' navigation system?

3. I've been reading about something called "ConnectedDrive," which will apparently provide the ability to access the internet directly from the car's iDrive system. Is it available on any US vehicles (335i or M3)? Any idea when it will be?

As always, thanks for your insights.

[JSpira]

You mean you didn't read my article (http://stage.bmwcca.org/forum/showpost.php?p=12376&postcount=1)on the new system? :cry:

Or watch the videos? (linked to article)

And the funny thing is, I'm just finishing an article/test drive report on the MyInfo feature (sending from Google).

ConnectedDrive won't be available in the U.S. but you will be able to do Google searches for Points-of-Interest with the new CIC-based iDrive system.

[BasicMarinWheels]

You mean you didn't read my article (http://stage.bmwcca.org/forum/showpost.php?p=12376&postcount=1)on the new system? :cry:

Or watch the videos? (linked to article)

Wow! Was this in the last issue of Roundel? Sorry to have missed it. Very nice article and pictures, and I’m watching the videos now. I did ask the right guy . . . obviously.

Let me tell you the bottom line first: I’m getting it! I'm getting it based on the strength of your review alone. Even though there are minor ways in which it’s functionality seems a touch behind the 3rd party portables, it appears to be a tremendous improvement on an already good system. The integration with iDrive, the iDrive display's physical integration into the dash (I actually PREFER the double hump) along with everything else that iDrive lets you do – Bluetooth, selecting/viewing music and other function, the Google MyInfo feature, etc. – makes it a no brainer for me. I’m getting it. Period.

I especially like the idea that touching the controller doesn’t cancel voice command – I’ve always thought the ideal mode of entry would be a combination of the iDrive controller AND voice (much like mouse AND keyboard). Now it looks like that’s a reality.

But I have a few more questions:

Is it really a hard drive (with spinning platters) as opposed to flash memory or something? What if, God forbid, it crashes, as hard drives sometimes do?

If I understand correctly, you are saying that there’s a second USB port in the glove box to load music onto the internal hard drive. Does that make it unnecessary to order the iPod/USB connection option (6FL)? I don’t have/use an iPod, and was going to get 6FL to play MP3s just from USB flash drives (I have a bunch of them!). Now, it looks like that’s superfluous/redundant. No? Or will space (i.e., drive space for music) make 6FL still a useful addition?


ConnectedDrive won't be available in the U.S. but you will be able to do Google searches for Points-of-Interest with the new CIC-based iDrive system.
When you say there will be Google searches for Points-of-Interest, does that mean live internet access (even if limited to Google POI searches) in the car? Is there a monthly fee or anything for that, beyond having an active BMW assist account? Will that be available on US delivered cars right away (i.e., September production)?

And the funny thing is, I'm just finishing an article/test drive report on the MyInfo feature (sending from Google).

Looking forward to that!

[JSpira]

Wow! Was this in the last issue of Roundel? Sorry to have missed it. Very nice article and pictures, and I***8217;m watching the videos now. I did ask the right guy . . . obviously.
Is it really a hard drive (with spinning platters) as opposed to flash memory or something? What if, God forbid, it crashes, as hard drives sometimes do?
Danke :) And yes, it's a old-fashioned hard drive. Let's hope for a MTBF rate of decades. Solid state drives are very expensive (I have one in my ThinkPad X300) so car makers are not yet deploying them. BMW is offering the largest HDD in the industry at the moment.


If I understand correctly, you are saying that there***8217;s a second USB port in the glove box to load music onto the internal hard drive. Does that make it unnecessary to order the iPod/USB connection option (6FL)? I don***8217;t have/use an iPod, and was going to get 6FL to play MP3s just from USB flash drives (I have a bunch of them!). Now, it looks like that***8217;s superfluous/redundant. No? Or will space (i.e., drive space for music) make 6FL still a useful addition?
Ja, there's a second port, no, it doesn't make the 6FL option superfluous. If you want to use an iPod (say you have podcasts or DRM music), you need the iPod option. The other USB port is there to facilitate transfer to the HDD.



When you say there will be Google searches for Points-of-Interest, does that mean live internet access (even if limited to Google POI searches) in the car? Is there a monthly fee or anything for that, beyond having an active BMW assist account? Will that be available on US delivered cars right away (i.e., September production)?
It's not live Net access, it goes through BMW Assist (at some point, when I spend a few days with a car with the service, I'll document how it does that). It's available now. You need the BMW Assist Convenience Plan.

[BasicMarinWheels]

Thanks for all the great info. In my opinion, these are huge improvements. Any clue as to whether they are planning to later provide the ability to send routes (not just single addresses) from Google to the cars' navigation system?

[JSpira]

Thanks for all the great info. In my opinion, these are huge improvements. Any clue as to whether they are planning to later provide the ability to send routes (not just single addresses) from Google to the cars' navigation system?
While I could understand if you planned a specific route from your desktop why you would want to do this, the car already has routing capabilities in place and this would duplicate that capability (in part). In addition, right now the information that is being sent is a fairly simple text message with an address, and that is all that the system can handle at the moment (remember, it goes through BMW Assist's systems to get to the car).

Ultimately, I think we'll be able to do a lot more but that will be a few years off.

[kenomail]

Try planning a trip North or Southbound around New York City and you will understand the need.

[jaaX3]

I'm trying to send from Google Maps to my car. How do I find out what my BMW Assist account name is (google needs it)? Is it my VIN?

[jaaX3]

Nevermind, I found the answer on Google's how-to:

How can I send business listings or street addresses to my BMW?
Just search for a business or street address in Google Maps and click on the "Send" link in the orange bar at the top-right corner of the mapTW. Choose the "Car" option, select BMW, select the country of your BMW Assist subscription, enter your BMW Assist account name (your e-mail address on file with BMW Assist in the USA and Canada) and press the Send Button. Optionally, you may also add a personal message and a telephone number to an address.

When you get into your BMW, simply go to the MyInfo section within the BMW Assist menu and select the listing desired. You can now call the phone number directly with your Bluetooth® connected mobile phone or if your BMW is equipped with a navigation system you can immediately start route guidance.

Do I have to pay anything to send business listings to my car?
Absolutely not. If you are a BMW Assist subscriber this feature is already included. Neither Google nor BMW will charge you for the destinations sent.

Can I send data from Google Maps to a BMW which is not mine?
Absolutely. Just enter the corresponding BMW Assist account name (their e-mail address on file with BMW Assist in the USA and Canada).

[jaaX3]

Nevermind, I found the answer on Google's how-to:

How can I send business listings or street addresses to my BMW?
Just search for a business or street address in Google Maps and click on the "Send" link in the orange bar at the top-right corner of the mapTW. Choose the "Car" option, select BMW, select the country of your BMW Assist subscription, enter your BMW Assist account name (your e-mail address on file with BMW Assist in the USA and Canada) and press the Send Button. Optionally, you may also add a personal message and a telephone number to an address.

When you get into your BMW, simply go to the MyInfo section within the BMW Assist menu and select the listing desired. You can now call the phone number directly with your Bluetooth® connected mobile phone or if your BMW is equipped with a navigation system you can immediately start route guidance.

Do I have to pay anything to send business listings to my car?
Absolutely not. If you are a BMW Assist subscriber this feature is already included. Neither Google nor BMW will charge you for the destinations sent.

Can I send data from Google Maps to a BMW which is not mine?
Absolutely. Just enter the corresponding BMW Assist account name (their e-mail address on file with BMW Assist in the USA and Canada).

[Kilgore Trout]

Danke :) And yes, it's a old-fashioned hard drive. Let's hope for a MTBF rate of decades. Solid state drives are very expensive (I have one in my ThinkPad X300) so car makers are not yet deploying them. BMW is offering the largest HDD in the industry at the moment.

Ja, there's a second port, no, it doesn't make the 6FL option superfluous. If you want to use an iPod (say you have podcasts or DRM music), you need the iPod option. The other USB port is there to facilitate transfer to the HDD.


It's not live Net access, it goes through BMW Assist (at some point, when I spend a few days with a car with the service, I'll document how it does that). It's available now. You need the BMW Assist Convenience Plan.

This link has an illustration of the BMW Search (i.e., GOOGLE) in action.

[Shocktopus]

Wow, that is really cool. Can't wait to see how it works.

I tried it yesterday after hearing about it. It's pretty dang sweet. Google Map on iPhone or PC, send to car, bam, ready to go. No more five minutes of idling putting in the address of the restaurant! :supdude:

[jaaX3]

I sent the address to my car. When I got to my car I had nothing there. So I called BMW through the assist screen in my car and they said that they don't have my info on file for my car. I filled out the paperwork at the dealer, but I guess they never faxed it to BMW. I just checked my email and got a message from Google saying that they couldnt' send the info to my car because I was not registered. I just called my CA and he said he will send it through again. I'll try this afternoon before I leave work to send another destination to my car and see if all is set by the time I leave work.

[BasicMarinWheels]

Since, apparently, it sends an email to the email address on file with BMW assist, does that mean (if that's your regular email address) you also get a copy sent to your email - that you can then download on the computer/blackberry later?

[Kilgore Trout]

Since, apparently, it sends an email to the email address on file with BMW assist, does that mean (if that's your regular email address) you also get a copy sent to your email - that you can then download on the computer/blackberry later?

No. Your email address is used as a sort of username. It never sends anything to your e-mail account though.

[Shocktopus]

I sent the address to my car. When I got to my car I had nothing there. So I called BMW through the assist screen in my car and they said that they don't have my info on file for my car. I filled out the paperwork at the dealer, but I guess they never faxed it to BMW. I just checked my email and got a message from Google saying that they couldnt' send the info to my car because I was not registered. I just called my CA and he said he will send it through again. I'll try this afternoon before I leave work to send another destination to my car and see if all is set by the time I leave work.

Did you do the Initial Setup Call to BMWAssist where you give emergency phone numbers, your email, etc? It's done through the SOS button. Just make sure you are outside so it can see the satellite.