BMW Plans on Offering In-Car Internet Access
Although the idea sounds a bit hazardous, but you need not worry because BMW says that the drivers will not be able to use the wireless internet technology known as ConnectDrive while the car is in motion. The browser is accessed and controlled via BMW's iDrive interface, with Web pages showing up in the high-res dash-mounted display. The system only operates in the front seats while the car's engine is off, but rear-seat passengers will be able to surf the net if the car is optioned up with a rear-seat display and special rear-passenger iDrive interfaces. Apparently the system works over EDGE technology
There are however a few limitations to the technology. BMW reformats pages on their own servers (similar to Opera Mini on cell phones) and then sends them to the car display. It seems that you can also send and receive e-mail from the car, and will probably be able to access online banking sites after some time. BMW debuts ConnectDrive at the 2008 Geneva auto show.
