BMW Reimagines iDrive: Operating System 9 Plus QuickSelect

Ladies and gentlemen, gearheads and tech aficionados, gather 'round because BMW is back at it again, and this time, they’re not just pushing the envelope – they're setting it on fire and throwing it out of the window! Welcome to the future of car interaction, the new BMW iDrive!

Now, I know what you're thinking: "Georg, isn't iDrive that quirky controller thingy in the center console?" Well, yes, but also, no. You see, for over two decades, BMW’s iDrive has been the maestro conducting the orchestra of buttons, screens, and functions in your Bimmer, and now, they’ve decided to crank the volume up to 11.

Enter the stage: BMW Curved Display, looking like it just walked off a sci-fi movie set, ready to dazzle you with its customizable home screen, and a ‘flat’ menu structure that’s so intuitive, even your grandma could use it without calling you for tech support. The folks at BMW aren’t just throwing tech at the wall to see what sticks—they're crafting a digital world of experience where car and human can waltz together in perfect harmony.

And who do we have to thank for this symphony of pixels and possibilities? None other than Stephan Durach, Senior Vice President of something very important at BMW. He says, “We’re not just making a control system; we’re creating a digital nirvana!” (I might be paraphrasing a bit, but you get the gist.)

Now, let’s talk about the juicy stuff: the QuickSelect concept. Imagine, if you will, reaching out and with a single touch, you’re controlling entertainment, vehicle settings, and even chatting with your BMW like it’s your new best friend. That's right, folks, the future is here, and it’s got live widgets!

But wait, there’s more! BMW isn’t just about wowing you with flashy screens; they're on a mission to enrich your driving experience, to make you feel like the king of the road and the master of your domain. And they're doing it with style, grace, and a whole lot of pixels.

So, when can you get your hands on this digital masterpiece? The new iDrive will be strutting its stuff in a BMW near you starting in the summer of 2023, with a grand tour in models like the 7 Series, iX, i4, and let’s not forget the X clan: X5, X6, X7, and the XM. And for those of you who are really into software, BMW’s Operating System 8.5 and 9 are the secret sauce making all this magic happen.

But let’s not forget where we came from. Back in 2001, the first iDrive system was like the wild west of car tech – a single knob to rule them all, turning and pressing like we were sending Morse code to the car’s brain. Fast forward to today, and we've swapped the Morse code for swipes, taps, and sweet, sweet conversation. The BMW Curved Display is ready to be your co-pilot, your DJ, and your digital confidant.

So, buckle up, tech lovers, because BMW is taking us on a ride into the future, and let me tell you, it’s going to be a wild one!