BMW and Microsoft teamed up for this slick, smart new app that lets you know when to hit the road

Aug 19, 2017, 04:53 IST

BMW demonstrated the app for me in a 7 Series, its flagship car and already one of the most high-tech rides around. But it'll work on any model with BMW ConnectedDrive.

To get started, you can upload a destination straight to the BMW Connected app from Google Maps or Apple Maps. Just click "Share" and it'll appear as an option, the same way you might send it via Messages or Gmail.

To get started, you can upload a destination straight to the BMW Connected app from Google Maps or Apple Maps. Just click "Share" and it'll appear as an option, the same way you might send it via Messages or Gmail.

Once it's in the app, you can just select it. It'll also suggest destinations for you — if it's 5 o'clock on a Friday, it can guess you're probably heading home. Over time, it learns from you so the suggestions get smarter and more relevant.

Once it's in the app, you can just select it. It'll also suggest destinations for you — if it's 5 o'clock on a Friday, it can guess you're probably heading home. Over time, it learns from you so the suggestions get smarter and more relevant.

It also keeps an eye on traffic to the places it predicts you're going, so you'll get a notification on your phone or Apple Watch if you have to leave earlier.

Then, you just get in the car. The app automatically and wirelessly connects to the BMW's dashboard ...

... it prompts you to confirm your destination ...

... and you're off and running.

You can even let your friends and family know your ETA. Just choose "Notify Others" from the dashboard ...

... and choose your friend. They get a text message with your GPS-driven location and estimated time of arrival.

As a neat, additional feature, once you park, BMW Connected will give you walking directions the rest of the way to your final destination.

As an extra-extra bonus, it can control your BMW's lights, locks, and car alarm. It can even open your air vents so hot air leaves the vehicle on a warm day.

And because it's built on the Microsoft Azure cloud, it opens the door to integrating with all kinds of additional services in the future — like, maybe, just maybe, integrating with Internet-connected appliances to suggest routes based on the time of day and weather.

And because it's built on the Microsoft Azure cloud, it opens the door to integrating with all kinds of additional services in the future — like, maybe, just maybe, integrating with Internet-connected appliances to suggest routes based on the time of day and weather.

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BMW and Microsoft teamed up for this slick, smart new app that lets you know when to hit the road

BMW demonstrated the app for me in a 7 Series, its flagship car and already one of the most high-tech rides around. But it'll work on any model with BMW ConnectedDrive.

To get started, you can upload a destination straight to the BMW Connected app from Google Maps or Apple Maps. Just click "Share" and it'll appear as an option, the same way you might send it via Messages or Gmail.

Once it's in the app, you can just select it. It'll also suggest destinations for you — if it's 5 o'clock on a Friday, it can guess you're probably heading home. Over time, it learns from you so the suggestions get smarter and more relevant.

It also keeps an eye on traffic to the places it predicts you're going, so you'll get a notification on your phone or Apple Watch if you have to leave earlier.

Then, you just get in the car. The app automatically and wirelessly connects to the BMW's dashboard ...

... it prompts you to confirm your destination ...

... and you're off and running.

You can even let your friends and family know your ETA. Just choose "Notify Others" from the dashboard ...

... and choose your friend. They get a text message with your GPS-driven location and estimated time of arrival.

As a neat, additional feature, once you park, BMW Connected will give you walking directions the rest of the way to your final destination.

As an extra-extra bonus, it can control your BMW's lights, locks, and car alarm. It can even open your air vents so hot air leaves the vehicle on a warm day.

And because it's built on the Microsoft Azure cloud, it opens the door to integrating with all kinds of additional services in the future — like, maybe, just maybe, integrating with Internet-connected appliances to suggest routes based on the time of day and weather.