BMW's next iDrive OS will run on Android; To debut in a couple of months

RahulNagaraj · 6th January 2023, 17:10

BMW showcased a first glimpse of its next-generation infotainment system, the iDrive 9, at CES 2023.

The new OS will run on Android, with reports stating that the new X1 will transition to the new operating system in a couple of months. However, the next-generation BMW X2 will be the first model to get 'iDrive 9' from the factory.

BMW's next iDrive OS will run on Android; To debut in a couple of months-bmwidrive9os.jpg

Having said that, not all models in the BMW lineup are expected to get the iDrive 9 OS. Such models will be upgraded to the revamped iDrive 8.5 instead for the foreseeable future. Models like the latest-gen 7 Series and the upcoming 5 Series range will get the IDrive 8.5 OS, as these models run on a Linux-based system for which the coding is substantially different.

However, according to BMW, the functionalities of both operating systems will be similar, with the only disadvantage being that cars running on iDrive 8.5 won't get the Android App Store planned on the iDrive 9 OS. The revamped iDrive 8.5 will first debut on the upcoming 5 series and its all-electric i5 sedan, before being introduced on the 7 Series range later this year. Reports state that one other model which will receive the full Android-based OS will be the 2 Series Tourer.

BMW is also expected to introduce the iDrive 9 on particular MINI models in the future. Although, they will come with a slightly different visual interface to set them apart from BMWs. Reports state that the iDrive 9 OS will be content driven and will support 3D navigation and flexible touch layouts.

Source: BMWBlog

Link to Team-BHP news

itwasntme · 6th January 2023, 20:28

Expect sudden black screens, laggy app-switching, outright crashes, progressively slower responsiveness, delayed updates and marginally slower effectiveness of all iOS apps.

.

Before you hold my feet to the blowtorch and start a Fauda, let me clarify that I'm a hardcore Android guy having experienced nearly all Tier 1 brands for many moons.

Just saying from my experience.

mobike008 · 6th January 2023, 22:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Expect sudden black screens, laggy app-switching, outright crashes, progressively slower responsiveness, delayed updates and marginally slower effectiveness of all iOS apps.

Before you hold my feet to the blowtorch and start a Fauda, let me clarify that I'm a hardcore Android guy having experienced nearly all Tier 1 brands for many moons.

Just saying from my experience.

That's a pretty transparent and honest review of an Android.

Where Android is fast is coming out with new features (well, it's an open source so not surprising) but, where it fails is providing experience and its terrible lagginess.

I'm surprised BMW is taking a step back in innovation.

Muthu25 · 6th January 2023, 22:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Expect sudden black screens, laggy app-switching, outright crashes, progressively slower responsiveness, delayed updates and marginally slower effectiveness of all iOS apps.

.

Before you hold my feet to the blowtorch and start a Fauda, let me clarify that I'm a hardcore Android guy having experienced nearly all Tier 1 brands for many moons.

Just saying from my experience.

I don't think it's the normal Android made for mobile touchscreen devices, They're probably using Android Automotive as a base because they have mentioned they are bringing the Android app store. Stellantis products and Volvo products use Android Automotive as a base to my knowledge and the reviews have been largely positive with their software. Bringing in the Android app store would be a great thing to expand the functionalities of the infotainment system. Let's reserve judgments until they ship the final product and people get to use it in real life.

Sumanyu17 · 6th January 2023, 23:11

From not supporting android auto to using android as their OS what a turnaround by BMW.

Dr.Car · 7th January 2023, 23:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muthu25

I don't think it's the normal Android made for mobile touchscreen devices, They're probably using Android Automotive as a base because they have mentioned they are bringing the Android app store. Stellantis products and Volvo products use Android Automotive as a base to my knowledge and the reviews have been largely positive with their software. Bringing in the Android app store would be a great thing to expand the functionalities of the infotainment system. Let's reserve judgments until they ship the final product and people get to use it in real life.

Rightly said. Android Automotive is a completely different experience altogether. I think it was Polestar who first started using and since it went so well, other manufacturers started following suite. I hope even more of them go for it since it’ll actually make the user experience much better

Impulsivemedusa · 9th January 2023, 12:29

This is exactly what Volvo did years ago. Just build-in Google. Didn't look great when I test drove XC40.

girish.purswani · 5th May 2024, 21:45

My new x1 (2024 March manufactured) had the iDrive 9. What’s interesting is - the demo car that I had test driven which was on the previous version (iDrive 8) could open the sunroof , windows etc by voice commands whereas the iDrive 9 can’t “yet”. The assistant tells me “I cannot yet operate the windows for you”. When I checked with the SA , he told me that an update is yet to be released by BMW.
Any idea why are they holding back these basic features ? Anyone else notice anything else diff ?

6th January 2023, 17:10	#1
RahulNagaraj Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,666 Thanked: 25,332 Times View My Garage	BMW's next iDrive OS will run on Android; To debut in a couple of months BMW showcased a first glimpse of its next-generation infotainment system, the iDrive 9, at CES 2023. The new OS will run on Android, with reports stating that the new X1 will transition to the new operating system in a couple of months. However, the next-generation BMW X2 will be the first model to get 'iDrive 9' from the factory. Having said that, not all models in the BMW lineup are expected to get the iDrive 9 OS. Such models will be upgraded to the revamped iDrive 8.5 instead for the foreseeable future. Models like the latest-gen 7 Series and the upcoming 5 Series range will get the IDrive 8.5 OS, as these models run on a Linux-based system for which the coding is substantially different. However, according to BMW, the functionalities of both operating systems will be similar, with the only disadvantage being that cars running on iDrive 8.5 won't get the Android App Store planned on the iDrive 9 OS. The revamped iDrive 8.5 will first debut on the upcoming 5 series and its all-electric i5 sedan, before being introduced on the 7 Series range later this year. Reports state that one other model which will receive the full Android-based OS will be the 2 Series Tourer. BMW is also expected to introduce the iDrive 9 on particular MINI models in the future. Although, they will come with a slightly different visual interface to set them apart from BMWs. Reports state that the iDrive 9 OS will be content driven and will support 3D navigation and flexible touch layouts. Source: BMWBlog Link to Team-BHP news Last edited by RahulNagaraj : 6th January 2023 at 17:12.
	(6) Thanks

6th January 2023, 20:28	#2
itwasntme Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: BANGALORE Posts: 7,744 Thanked: 14,262 Times View My Garage	Re: BMW's next iDrive OS will run on Android; To debut in a couple of months Expect sudden black screens, laggy app-switching, outright crashes, progressively slower responsiveness, delayed updates and marginally slower effectiveness of all iOS apps. . Before you hold my feet to the blowtorch and start a Fauda, let me clarify that I'm a hardcore Android guy having experienced nearly all Tier 1 brands for many moons. Just saying from my experience. Last edited by itwasntme : 6th January 2023 at 20:30.
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6th January 2023, 23:11	#5
Sumanyu17 BHPian Join Date: May 2020 Location: Panchkula Posts: 49 Thanked: 92 Times	Re: BMW's next iDrive OS will run on Android; To debut in a couple of months From not supporting android auto to using android as their OS what a turnaround by BMW.
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9th January 2023, 12:29	#7
Impulsivemedusa BHPian Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 73 Thanked: 45 Times	Re: BMW's next iDrive OS will run on Android; To debut in a couple of months This is exactly what Volvo did years ago. Just build-in Google. Didn't look great when I test drove XC40.
	() Thanks

5th May 2024, 21:45	#8
girish.purswani BHPian Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Mumbai Posts: 68 Thanked: 141 Times	Re: BMW's next iDrive OS will run on Android; To debut in a couple of months My new x1 (2024 March manufactured) had the iDrive 9. What’s interesting is - the demo car that I had test driven which was on the previous version (iDrive 8) could open the sunroof , windows etc by voice commands whereas the iDrive 9 can’t “yet”. The assistant tells me “I cannot yet operate the windows for you”. When I checked with the SA , he told me that an update is yet to be released by BMW. Any idea why are they holding back these basic features ? Anyone else notice anything else diff ?
	() Thanks