KevinJ wrote The future option would allow you to do this from your iPhone with Google maps and the BMW Connect software over the BMW Assist network. If you have an iPhone you can download the BMW Connect software now. It actually says you need 6NR and a phone snap-in.
From all that I'm seeing is that most of what is being talked about is already available. What I perceive is going on is that they will just open the door to use BMW Assist to interact with the car though iPhone apps. And the reverse, use your Phone's internet access to provide app functionality to interact with the car. Also based on BMW Link, the possibility for the iPhone app to take over as the main Nav software/user interface and interact through iDrive.
Seems like the future is a dumb terminal screen and they give you a phone loaded with apps instead of a fully integrated Nav system.
Now one thing that caught my attention is a clip from I think the Paris auto show I saw a while back that showed Video running on two iPads on the back seats that were in sync with video running on the Nav screen. So the possibility of what BMW calls "BMW Out" and using the iPod Out feature seems interesting. Seems like album covers is just a start.
See this video:
There's two apps from BMW that are available now.
1. BMW Connected .. which is the App interface for the new 6NR option. Here you need the cradle.
2. BMW Remote ... among other things you can unlock/lock the door, send google map locations to the BMW navigation system. (This does use BMW assist infrastructure to provide the communication between handset and car. Your phone talks to the BMW assist servers through your app. They in turn then send data to your car using the cars built in "telephone" (Telematics control unit or Combox unit). This then sends the data to the CIC/CCC in the case of google maps, or other systems depending on the type of data). For all of this to happen, you don't need the cradle.
Its very possible we move to a dumb terminal as you say, and all the smarts are on the phone. Very possible indeed. But that would mean working with lots of different phone vendors, and software, and apps, and then version of those ..... etc. A big world of hurt for a car manufacturer. So that requires standards ... something sadly isn't there today. So for now at least, expect to see plenty of smarts within the iDrive/navigation system in the car. On top of that, BMW makes good money from charging people for it!
Yes, and finally ipod out is a function of 6NR. BMW refer to this as Plug-in. A odd choice of name.