In a press release, BMW announced that the in-dash navigation system will get the Google Local Search feature. BMW will be the first automobile that will have the Google Search feature integrated with its iDrive system.
Unfortunately at this time, this feature is available only in Germany but there are rumors that it will be offered in the US in the future as well.
With Google Local Search, you can look for Yellow Pages-type information like names and addresses of restaurants, hotels — locate service stations, banks, supermarkets, cinemas and many other local resources. This follows another partnership that BMW and Google have together : a system that combines Google Maps with its cellular-based Drive Assist system.
BMW drivers no longer have to stop and get analog with pen and paper. They can now send locations from Google Maps Deutchland right to their cars
According to the press release,
Google local search now gives access to the Internet from the car. This is another building block in BMW “ConnectedDrive” which combines all individual online, assistance and service systems in the car.
Here is the full press release:
World first BMW is the only automobile manufacturer to offer the Google local search in the car - available now. For the first time, you can use this search function to look for local information everywhere in Germany with the world’s most famous online search engine. When you find what you want, the details are transferred to the navigation system and car phone at the touch of a button. The system identifies the location and destination of the vehicle automatically and displays the results in the vicinity with details of address, phone number and distance. For example, you can look for Yellow Pages information like names and addresses of restaurants and hotels and locate service stations, banks, supermarkets, cinemas and public bodies. In a nutshell: The automobile Google local search service saves time and stops your nerves getting frayed. Google local search in the vehicle is a logical development of the intelligent link between automobile and Internet. Google and BMW have been offering the function “Send to Car” for transferring search results from the Google Maps website directly to the car for some time. Google local search now gives access to the Internet from the car. This is another building block in BMW “ConnectedDrive” which combines all individual online, assistance and service systems in the car. Apart from BMW Online, this includes BMW Assist, which offers the emergency call function, as well as an information and breakdown service and the latest traffic information. Depending on the navigation system selected, all services from BMW ConnectedDrive can be procured and used free of charge for up to three years.
