In conjunction with the launch of the new X1 earlier today, BMW Malaysia also took the opportunity to roll out its new suite of ConnectedDrive services for the country. As demonstrated by the video above, they’re unlike anything Malaysians have had in their BMWs before.
While you may be familiar with the term ‘ConnectedDrive‘, the new BMW ConnectedDrive Services & Apps functions here are a first in the country.
For example, if you take a look at the current BMW 5 Series’ list of ConnectedDrive services, you’ll find that it enables drivers to perform basic things, such as draw a live Twitter feed from your iPhone on to the car’s Control Display screen, or use an app to locate your vehicle should it be lost. In the case of what’s available on the new F48 BMW X1, you’ll be able to do a lot more.
For now, the X1’s ConnectedDrive Services & Apps offers three new functions to Malaysian owners: Intelligent Emergency Call, Concierge Services and Remote Services. The compact SUV comes pre-loaded with a SIM card embedded in the vehicle, maintaining a constant data connection.
With it, drivers now have access to the Concierge Services. At the push of a button, you can get connected to a BMW Call Centre attendee, who then become a sort of “personal assistant” to you. Rather than having to fiddle with your smartphones to find say, the nearest petrol station or a convenience story, Concierge Services allows you to simply press a button, and tell your “personal assistant” on the other end of the line where you want to go or do.
As seen in the example video, you can say “take me to the nearest chicken rice shop,” and the BMW concierge assistant will be able to search for the best chicken rice in the area, and transfer its GPS coordinates to your vehicle. All you need to do is accept the destination. BMW’s Concierge Services is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Next is the Intelligent Emergency Call service, which enables X1 drivers to reach their nearest rescue coordination centres via a BMW Call Centre whenever needed, or automatically in the event of an accident. The vehicle’s location details and severity of the accident will be transmitted to the BMW Call Centre, who will then send for help. The service can also be triggered manually, should you need to call for assistance.
The third new function is called Remote Services. What this does is basically turn your smartphone into a remote control for several functions of the car – you’ll need to download the BMW MY Remote app from the App Store, and yes, it’s only for the iPhone. In the case of the Malaysian X1, drivers with the app pre-installed and synced with their cars will be able to lock and unlock the car, flash its headlights, or sound the horn.
We’re told that the service will be given to buyers of the new X1 at no cost for the first three years, after which a subscription charge will be required. Also, the new ConnectedDrive services isn’t something existing BMW models will be able to get updated with – the feature needs to be installed before a car rolls out of the factory.
BMW Group Malaysia does have plans to introduce the service to other models, and it’s expected that the F30 BMW 3 Series LCI and the new G11 BMW 7 Series will be next in line to offer them here.
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Actually this is pretty ground breaking.
For the first time we truly have a connected car in Malaysia. ConnectedDrive on it’s own has been pretty useless, at least the later 2012 models had the 6NR BMW Apps which were alright but still a novelty more than anything else.
I’m actually curious to see when will the equivalent mbrace by Mercedes-Benz arrive too – one can hope!
Just Ask Cortana, Siri or Google Now for Assistant.
We have Waze, We have Forsquare.
Don’t worry
Waste of money and nonsense. Just reduce your prices like what Mercedes had done. you must be spastic if you cannot take out your phone and call the tow truck.
You guys are making a killing from each car sold. If US can sell at these prices and still make untung big time, I don’t know how much more you guys are making. We want cheaper prices and not gimmicks gadgets.
BMW 328i sold for USD30k. Here RM300k
BMW 528i sold for USD49k. Here RM428k
BMW 535i sold for USD55k. Here RM600k
BMW X5 sold for USD$50k. Here RM590.
Our tax and excise max out at 130%. You guys get at country distributor prices. So, an example, X5, BMW Malaysia will get it for USD$35k. But sell for RM590k.
And our cars are the lower quality CKD which is supposed to be even cheaper. the above US prices are all high quality CBU cars and yet cheaper than what BMW Malaysia rips us off.
Mana ada logic Allan Harris???
A CHEAPO merc salesman cut/paste this comment again.
asyik-asyik copypaste.
Don’t worry merc as CHEAPO as it is will copy cat this technology very soon – AKAN DATANG.
yes, the whole world is jealous about BENZ’s success.
You call drop price to get sale a success??? CHEAPO merc salesman.
Exciting times ahead, been wanting the emergency call service for obvious reasons and it’s finally here. Current BMW cars have crap connections to the BMW server even if I have my 4G on to hasten the connection. Although this feature is a good thing, BMW Malaysia should have added some long missing basic kit in their cars mainly comfort access and reverse camera as seen in the new C Class having it as standard kit.
That is so true about current web browser.
My first one had the standard ConnectedDrive with the Internet browser – this was the version before the iDrive NBT and that thing never worked for me. On my second one, this time with iDrive NBT in conjunction with iDrive Touch, never worked as well though now the BMW Connected works so I do get the mileage details and fuel level etc.
It cant be fitted into existing newer models right? E.g the f30 and f10s etc but they’ll work with the new releases.
How about BMW X5?
just a gimmick, use waze..
Even Proton can have this feature. Just ask Siri
I may buy this if there’s an option to replace that Baljit Singh’s voice with a slutty Japanese girl’s voice.
This is way better than Siri or other apps. At least you don’t have a phone and wiring tangling on my windscreen blocking my vision. And you are talking to a human instead of machine.
Way to create more jobs. Kudos BMW!