The BMW i4: A Fully Integrated Electric Dream
BMW’s next electric marvel, the i4, is turning heads as a sleek all‑electric sedan that feels like a spaceship on wheels. The latest promotional bits hint that this car isn’t just about polished steel and whispers of torque— it’s also packed with ways to keep your iPhone and Apple Maps alive on the road.
CarPlay? Check. Heads‑Up Display? Check. Curved Touchscreens? Triple Check!
- Full CarPlay integration – connect your iPhone, and stream all your apps, music, and navigation right onto the iDrive system.
- Heads‑Up Display (HUD) – your navigation and speed quietly pop up on the windshield so you can stay glued to the road.
- Two curved displays – one for the main driver view, another for the passenger, designed to share and sync mindfully.
All Wired, All Wireless
Thanks to the wireless iDrive 8, the i4 delivers a smooth, dashboard‑free experience. Your iPhone’s data runs straight to the car’s brain without a single tethery cable, letting you focus on the drive.
What the Instrument Cluster Actually Shows?
The onboard cluster is now smarter than a chess‑playing chatbot. It seamlessly switches between the iDrive interface and Apple Maps navigation on the top part of the glass, guaranteeing you’ll never miss a turn— or a joke from your Siri‑powered playlist.
In short: the BMW i4 is not just a car; it’s a lifestyle upgrade with tech that whispers “lets get to the point” while the world outside blurs by. Buckle up, press play, and let your iPhone drive the conversation— literally!
BMW’s Smart Moves with Apple Maps and More
BMW has teamed up with Apple in a way that’s making its cars feel like a futuristic dashboard. The German automaker is the first to offer a complete, on‑board view of Apple Maps right on the cluster, and it’s diving into the deeper (and sometimes quirky) features that Apple developers love.
What’s Actually on the Cluster
- Full Apple Maps – everything from navigation to traffic updates appears right where you’d expect, with no extra hand‑held device needed.
- Independent Night Mode – a cool tweak that keeps the display comfortably readable even when the sun’s blazing.
- Ultra‑Wideband Digital Key Plus & Digital Key – BMW was one of the first to plug into Apple’s vehicle‑friendly technology, letting you unlock and start your car with a phone or Apple Watch in a snap.
The CarPlay Saga
Back in 2016, BMW tried a CarPlay subscription. Think of it as paying a yearly fee for the convenience of Apple’s familiar interface inside the car. Unfortunately, the reception was less than stellar – drivers wondered why they’d have to shell out extra money for something already in the Apple ecosystem. That tune‑up led BMW to pull the plug on the subscription model a couple of years later.
Upcoming Models
The sleek BMW i4 is hitting the roads soon. In the United States it’s slated for a 2022 launch, while Europe will welcome it later this year. With all those Apple integrations, the i4 is shaping up to be both stylish & tech‑savvy.
