BMW prepares to offer Android Auto

BMW has confirmed Android Auto will be offered as standard from July next year on all models globally featuring the German car-maker’s Operating System 7.0, though an exact Australian release date for the wireless smartphone mirroring tech is yet to be confirmed.

Announcing the international rollout this week, BMW AG product management senior vice-president Peter Henrich said customer feedback had driven the decision.

“Many of our customers have pointed out the importance to them of having Android Auto inside a BMW for using a number of familiar Android smartphone features safely without being distracted from the road, in addition to BMW’s own functions and services,” he said.

The current crop of models fitted with BMW Operating System 7.0 arethe 1 Series (F40), 2 Series Gran Coupe, 3 Series Sedan and Touring, 5 Series and 6 Series (from July 2019), 7 Series, 8 Series, Z4, i3 and SUVs from X1 through to X7.

However, not all Android devices will be compatible with the set-up as it will be exclusively wireless, meaning only those owners with a Google Pixel, Pixel 2/3, Nexus 5X/6P, Samsung Galaxy S8/9/10 (including ‘plus’ variants) or Samsung Note 8/9/10 will be able touse the mirroring technology.

BMW Group Australia has confirmed thetechnology willbe available Down Under after July next year with “unlimited runtime without subscription”.

“We are also working on how it will be integrated to existing customers’ vehicles and will announce more on this by the middle of next year,” a spokesperson said.

There was controversy recently surrounding some car-makers, including BMW, charging subscription fees for the use of Apple CarPlay in their vehicles.

Earlier this month, BMW announced it had axed subscription fees for all customers, again on the basis of customer feedback.

The German premium brand will demonstrate its new Android Auto compatibility at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next month