The new BMW Key fob with display

[kevinlevrone]

Quite ridiculous. Waste of processing power.

I much prefer a key fob that occupies very little space in my pocket, and have the car parameter information synchronized by the car on my smartphone or smartwatch.

That is, until the day in which I can use my smartphone or smartwatch to start the car and get rid of the key fob altogether.

[Blubaron79]

It is cool, but that will not fit into my skinny jeans.

[Manbnda]

This key concept can't be sustainable. They are wasting resources in hardware and software for that specific hardware.

What they should do is stay with the/a regular key(possibly add a bluetooth module in it), and develop a state-of-the-art mobile app to do all the complex/interactive features. They can even pair/authorize/validate the mobile app with the owner's car key via bluetooth for more security.

This way they can develop a consistent system/protocols for all of their vehicles' APP-Key communication and functionalities.

[BLU135i]

You can hang it around your neck and be the modern version of Flavor Flav.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by Billup

Just another cool BMW gadget to flash in peoples faces when you go out to show how awesome your life is.

But at least the thread won't kill the server all day.

[E90SLAM]

Keys are bigger and bigger....WTH???

[MalibuBimmer]

Surprising no i owner has chimed in. So here goes.

BMW does make an app for the i cars. It does everything but "start" the engine or open a locked car (supposedly for security reasons). It is a bit clumbersome as every time you want to get access to the app, if you go to another app and then come back to it, you have to input your 4 digit security code. And right now there is no fingerprint option.

On the other hand, I'd go for the display key if it were available. I was told by a director at BMW that it will cost $1000+. It's not currently mentioned on the updated Build Your Own at the BMW website which was updated just yesterday for 2015. (Except for a small price increase, no changes for 2015.)

[fcman]

Originally Posted by BLU135i

Why can't we just create an app for our phones that does all this. Lexus does this for the new RC F. I mean that thing is cool and all but it's huge.

Yeah this is terrible IMO, why do I need another massive device in my pocket? Would be much better if the key was super thin (ie could fit in wallet w/o the need to take it out) and have an app for everything else.

[rodness]

This is ridiculous. My key for my F30 is already bigger than the E90 key, yet it serves no new purposes and just takes up more space in my pocket. These things should be getting smaller, not larger, especially when the point of CA means you don't even have to remove it from your pocket.

And now that thing is huge and has a huge display. Huge display means huge power requirement. It's not going to survive long on a coin-size battery. Are i8 owners going to have to plug in their key fob every night to charge a li-ion battery so the fob has power and they can drive their car?

This is a "halo innovation" that I really hope doesn't trickle down to the rest of the line.

[Tag]

Can't believe they spent their R&D $$$ on this nonsense. As everyone has already stated, you already have a quite powerful device with a large vibrant screen that you carry everywhere. Why do we need this...

[BGM]

looks huge, hope this is just a POC..

i already don't like that my current fob was bigger than the old one on account of the push to start stuff...

cool tech though, no denying it

Originally Posted by rodness

This is ridiculous. My key for my F30 is already bigger than the E90 key, yet it serves no new purposes and just takes up more space in my pocket. These things should be getting smaller, not larger, especially when the point of CA means you don't even have to remove it from your pocket.

And now that thing is huge and has a huge display. Huge display means huge power requirement. It's not going to survive long on a coin-size battery. Are i8 owners going to have to plug in their key fob every night to charge a li-ion battery so the fob has power and they can drive their car?

This is a "halo innovation" that I really hope doesn't trickle down to the rest of the line.

word!

[PABrian]

Originally Posted by BLU135i

Why can't we just create an app for our phones that does all this. Lexus does this for the new RC F. I mean that thing is cool and all but it's huge.

Originally Posted by BLU135i

From Lexus
"LEXUS ENFORM REMOTE
Available on 2015 IS, GS, LS, RC, RC F and Navigation-equipped ES and NX, the new Lexus Enform Remote* mobile app can remotely lock and unlock doors, start the engine and climate controls, and can help find your vehicle's location in a parking lot. And, should you loan your Lexus to another driver, you can receive alerts if, for example, a preset speed or mile limit is exceeded."

Get onboard already BMW!!

As MalibuBimmer posted, BMW already has this in the i Remote App. The only things it can't do are unlock the car (you used to be able to, but now you have to call BMW Assist), start the car, and warn you if the car exceeds a pre-set speed.

Originally Posted by rodness

This is ridiculous. My key for my F30 is already bigger than the E90 key, yet it serves no new purposes and just takes up more space in my pocket. These things should be getting smaller, not larger, especially when the point of CA means you don't even have to remove it from your pocket.

And now that thing is huge and has a huge display. Huge display means huge power requirement. It's not going to survive long on a coin-size battery. Are i8 owners going to have to plug in their key fob every night to charge a li-ion battery so the fob has power and they can drive their car?

This is a "halo innovation" that I really hope doesn't trickle down to the rest of the line.

This key is optional...no need to get upset about keys getting huge. Also, what makes you think this key will run on the same oversized watch battery that existing keys use? You could likely fit a much bigger battery in this than existing keys.

[BLU135i]

Originally Posted by OBMWBrian

As MalibuBimmer posted, BMW already has this in the i Remote App. The only things it can't do are unlock the car (you used to be able to, but now you have to call BMW Assist), start the car, and warn you if the car exceeds a pre-set speed.

This key is optional...no need to get upset about keys getting huge. Also, what makes you think this key will run on the same oversized watch battery that existing keys use? You could likely fit a much bigger battery in this than existing keys.

The i remote app is only available for the i3 and i8 so I wouldn't know. The BMW remote app sucks. Takes forever to actually connect with the car and the only functionality that actually worked for me was locating the vehicle. It falls way short. What I want is an all that does all the things that huge key does. Like I said earlier, if Apple can create a way to use your phone as a credit card BMW can do the same. No body needs more junk to carry around with them. Practically everyone that has posted here has echoed this sentiment, BMW is obviously not listening to their customers on what is really desired. Which makes me wonder why they are doing. All I am saying is that they are moving in the wrong direction. Technology should make things easier not more complicated. The technology already exists to do this yet BMW insists on making this huge honking key thing. So far I am not impressed by anything shown at the CES from BMW except for the Laser/OLED lights on the M4. Hand gestures to control I drive. Really? Let's just all drive our cars off the road right now.

[BD SM3RF]

Originally Posted by squirrelcognac

That's a little big...
Why don't they build that functionality into an app and then securely pair your phone with your car, storing the key information in an encrypted store on the phone, thereby doing away with the key fob all together...?

+1 I hate carrying more than one thing around in my pocket so a functional iPhone app would be perfect not a new high tech key thats as big as a smart phone!

[sewell1894]

The pictures already tell me that battery life is going to be a problem. I agree with the majority, make it an app

[redice]

That thing is huge. Would not want to have to put that in my pocket.

[jlstyle]

Isn't..that...little too big?

[DrtyJrze]

Hello 2006...

Sometimes I wonder how the people that get jobs making big decisions got there. This is about 10 years too late.

BMW if you're listening: invest in Apps, not dated hardware.

[JUSTIN335]

Originally Posted by BLU135i

Why can't we just create an app for our phones that does all this. Lexus does this for the new RC F. I mean that thing is cool and all but it's huge.

Exactly. Make an app (that actually works) that's easier to use than a giant key brick with a tiny screen.

[Majec9-7]

This would be useful if it had wireless charging like some of the new phones. Just have a little area like for idea here where it could be charged. But yeah, as much as it does look cool, it may be just another awkward gadget to waive aroud with.

[Oaktree]

I think they already have an app that hits on some of the features wanted. I believe some functionality is only unlocked in Europe which is why I had to create a new iTunes account in the UK to try it.

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/my-b...387675830?mt=8

and the one already mentioned https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bmw-...406975118?mt=8

I just wish they would combine into a single app that worked well.

[snaimpally]

Originally Posted by BLU135i

Why can't we just create an app for our phones that does all this. Lexus does this for the new RC F. I mean that thing is cool and all but it's huge.

+1. If I can use ApplePay on my smartphone to replace my creditcards, surely BMW can come up with an app to replace the key fob. Plus, the smartphone has a bigger screen etc. Who has room in their pockets for that key fob (looks like a phaser from ST TOS)?