40 » OpenRoad Driver
BMW ConnectedDrive
BMW’s infotainment infrastructure revolves around the
ConnectedDrive suite, a series of in-car services and apps allowing
access to a concierge, real-time traffic updates, online entertainment
and more. Everything is displayed on a centre-mounted highresolution screen and controlled using the iDrive Controller, a rotary
knob that has a touch-sensitive surface on top similar to a trackpad
on a laptop.
Lots of brands now offer the ability for your car to interact with
your phone, but not usually the other way around. For instance, on
BMW’s electric-powered i3, there is an iRemote App compatible
with both Android and iOS mobile software. The app pairs with
the i3 so that you can lock and unlock your car from afar, honk the
horn when looking for the car in a crowded parking lot, or turn on
the heat or air conditioning so the temperature is just right when
you get inside. It can even populate a map to calculate the maximum
distance the battery-powered hatchback can travel in any given
direction based on current charge and road conditions.
HondaLinkTM
Honda and Apple owners co-exist in perfect harmony with the
“next-generation” HondaLinkTM system. Available on most new
models including the Accord, Civic, Fit, Odyssey and CR-V
packaged with the Display Audio touchscreen, anyone with an
iPhone 5 or 6 can access on-demand radio stations (Aha app) or
weather, vehicle health and roadside assistance (Connect app). For
those who don’t opt for GPS, the $69 Navigation app mirrors turnby-turn directions onto the in-dash screen, and is controllable with
the steering wheel buttons.
To take advantage of HondaLinkTM, users simply download the
Launcher app from the App Store and connect an iPhone using
an HDMI cable, Lightning USB cable and Lightning AV Adapter
cable, found at any Apple retailer. Don’t want to mess with wires?
Siri Eyes Free runs off Bluetooth and is activated by holding the
TALK button on the steering wheel for two to three seconds. Siri’s
familiar voice then comes through the speakers and you can ask her
to make a calendar appointment, post an update to Twitter, or check
stock market conditions.