Image: BMW AG
At 2013 International CES in Las Vegas, Harman announced the U.S. launch of its infotainment system for BMW vehicles, which brings together wireless connectivity, navigation and productivity apps under an HTML5 interface to keep lawyers connected to their home and office when they're on the road. The Stamford, Conn.-based company is demonstrating the system at CES in a BMW 3-series vehicle as a key component of the German automaker's "ConnectedDrive."
Drivers can connect to their email servers and dictate emails, texts, and voice mails and send them via the system's mobile uplink to a satellite or cellular network. They can also connect to Facebook and internet radio through an embedded iPhone app with the option to load thirdparty apps in development. A short video on the company website also shows users synching their smartphones with the device using near field communications or NFC.
The Harmin unit has a high-resolution 1280 x 480 display and a 1.3 GHz processor with features such as a 3-dimensional "bird's-eye" view of city streets, weather information, and the ability to enter destinations with city, street, and building number in sequence. Unlike the outdated GPS on that SUV you bought 10 years ago, Harman's software architecture is upgradeable, promising an up-to-date system at least until tablet-style interfaces are obsolete. The technology will be available in 7-, 5-, and 3-series vehicles.
Michael Roach is LTN's associate editor. Send email.
