BMW announces software upgrade for cars with iDrive Operating System 7 & 8

KUALA LUMPUR: About 4.7 million BMW cars are equipped with either its iDrive Operating Systems 7 and 8. And now the automaker has announced a software upgrade for the same OS. More than 30 BMW models will benefit from Remote Software Upgrade.

The automaker has been offering free remote software upgrades several times a year since 2019; enhancing its cars' comfort, infotainment, driving, driver assistance, and safety.

As for the car’s recent upgrade, it impacts several areas including - new features for BMW Digital Key, remote control parking, the new mobile operator along with several other additional features and enhancements.

Let us now check out the upgrades in detail -

BMW Digital Key

The recent upgrade allows the user to share the BMW Digital Key between Android and Apple iPhone users. The key is also now made easier to activate and can be activated directly by entering an activation code.

Remote control parking

The new software upgrade will add a new Remote Control Parking function; limited to certain countries and cars. Using the My BMW App, users can perform remote-controlled parking from outside the car. The vehicle can be parked both lengthways and crossways along with forward and backward within a 6-meter radius.

AT&T customers can use Personal eSIM

Users of the AT&T mobile network can now use Personal eSIM in the US. The latter will integrate the BMW car (with OS 8) into the users existing mobile phone contract and enable the car to the 5G cellular standard.

All of this allows the user to make calls, stream data via a Wi-Fi hotspot, and use video service in the car without the need for a smartphone in the vehicle.

Other inclusions

• My BMW App can now be used to stop charging and unlock the charging cable, for the BMW iX
• The optional Parking Assistant now comes with active steering assistance useful when reversing with a coupled trailer, for the iX, X1, and Active Tourer
• New My Mode “Digital Art’ for the 7 Series & X1; both 2022 model year
• Indicator with a modern light graphic for the X7 in the US & Canada

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