BMW Gadget? Wtf is this thing?

larryn · 01-01-2007, 10:07 AM

I think it's a Photoshop fakery, but BMW is calling it a product, supposedly released (??) in Jan 2007.

Anyone care to guess?

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/index_highend.html

Click on the image in the middle, with the strange device.

Here's one pic:

oneshare325 · 01-01-2007, 10:21 AM

I posted this last night too, and apparently it had been posted a couple times before mine! looks cool though huh, whatever it is?

larryn · 01-01-2007, 10:35 AM

LOL! Whoops. I did search first.

It looks more fake than good to me. I'm a gadget kinda guy too. I bet a lot of us BMW drivers are too. Hooked on home video/audio gear, as well as pdas, computers, phones.. oh well, I guess we'll either find out in a few weeks or have a nice joke played on us.

Cheers!

Ninjaneer · 01-01-2007, 10:38 AM

Ooooh I know what it is! FINALLY! I've always joked about it but it seems BMW has listened!

See the words on the bottom right? "Eject" - yes!!!! It's the long awaited ejector seat button! And look, in traditional iDrive like controls... I'm sure we'll be able to see 4 passenger seats displayed on the Nav screen, and use this gizmo to turn the iEject knob to the desired seat, press it in and *POOF*

The top lens is for retinal scan verification for authorized users only... the bottom one scans the cabin to make sure no one is peaking at what seat you're selecting to eject, and thus dimming the Nav screen to mask your intentions.

GENIUS!!!!

Note: No, I haven't had my coffee yet.

ksfrogman · 01-01-2007, 11:06 AM

Well, it must be some sort of multimedia device?

NaViT · 01-01-2007, 11:18 AM

i cant even look at it anymore... i keep getting confused

oneshare325 · 01-01-2007, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksfrogman

Well, it must be some sort of multimedia device?

Why?? I think it might just be a car, or something bmw related (new idrive??), aside from the USB connection almost every other thing listed in the video you can get in a BMW, LCD display, mp3 player, cd/dvd drive, high processor performance, bluetooth, voice recognition, and this one "recharges itself" (alternator), this leads me to believe it is not a multimedia device...How could it recharge itself?

ksfrogman · 01-01-2007, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneshare325

Why?? I think it might just be a car, or something bmw related (new idrive??), aside from the USB connection almost every other thing listed in the video you can get in a BMW, LCD display, mp3 player, cd/dvd drive, high processor performance, bluetooth, voice recognition, and this one "recharges itself" (alternator), this leads me to believe it is not a multimedia device...How could it recharge itself?

Well, this may be something you disconnect from your car and attach to your computer with a USB cable? You know how iPods are self-charging. I'm wondering if this might be some device that integrates current technologies in one handy, portable device. I have no clue. I guess we will soon find out.

mosport70 · 01-02-2007, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneshare325

Why?? I think it might just be a car, or something bmw related (new idrive??), aside from the USB connection almost every other thing listed in the video you can get in a BMW, LCD display, mp3 player, cd/dvd drive, high processor performance, bluetooth, voice recognition, and this one "recharges itself" (alternator), this leads me to believe it is not a multimedia device...How could it recharge itself?

As discussed in other threads...

I think you are right on the mark... This post http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1579 described the new aux/USB audio interface port in the armrest that is due in March 2007 (I think April 07 production X5 are already confirmed for this upgrade)?

I think might be the beginning of some revised iDrive software and some additional hardware (hopefully more than the USB port... probably a faster processor).... perhaps making its appearance in the E93.

They will launch at Detroit Autoshow and may be CES simultaneously.

I think it would be cool if the USB port could enable iDrive to read MP3s/WMAs natively from cheap storage devices instead of using an iPod or CD. This would at least make BMW competitive with Infiniti and Audi with their flash memory card readers. Who knows, maybe a hidden card reader in the glove box will be added too.

FirstClass · 01-03-2007, 10:18 AM

Shamelessly stolen from another thread. Apparently the USB interface is already in the parts database.

18LLC · 01-03-2007, 11:13 AM

two 23.46mm lens? lol. the car can be side mirror less and just look on the idrive screen?

ctgazer · 01-03-2007, 11:35 AM

everything looks upside down to me....the 'MODE', 'PLAY' and '>>', '<<' buttons are located on one side and the 'enter' is upside down...

i thought it would originally replace the front dome light module but who knows?

ksfrogman · 01-03-2007, 11:49 AM

If this gadget is legit, my guess that it would make good business sense to capitalize on the popularity of the iPod concept. Wouldn't it be nice to upload Media, MP3, MP4, AVI, MPEG, whatever, into a little gadget that plugs into the USB port of your computer, and play it back in your BMW using the iDrive to control it? What about the idea to record video (i.e., webcam) directly into the gadget? This is my guess.

Victor.L3IchibanM3 · 01-04-2007, 02:21 AM

Is this some kind of James Bond gadget???

myfirstbimmer · 01-04-2007, 10:26 AM

hmm, interesting, so they ARE on to something....

enwhykiid · 01-05-2007, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksfrogman

Well, it must be some sort of multimedia device?

yea its some device that accepts voice commands and will play CDs, DVDs and MP3 files.

- Paul - · 01-05-2007, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneshare325

Why?? I think it might just be a car, or something bmw related (new idrive??), aside from the USB connection almost every other thing listed in the video you can get in a BMW, LCD display, mp3 player, cd/dvd drive, high processor performance, bluetooth, voice recognition, and this one "recharges itself" (alternator), this leads me to believe it is not a multimedia device...How could it recharge itself?

+1 - Clever Marketing

abc · 01-24-2007, 06:51 PM

still no real news?

zzinco79 · 01-24-2007, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksfrogman

Well, it must be some sort of multimedia device?

+1.

Probly multimedia device.

phone + dvd player + car nav + mp3 player + many many thing??

looks very very expensive...

Curious Joel · 01-24-2007, 07:16 PM

On the website now they've revealed it was just a marketing thing for the redesigned 1-Series.

ska///235i · 01-24-2007, 07:25 PM

is a head unit for MP3....uses flash memory cards

BigO1120 · 01-25-2007, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ska

is a head unit for MP3....uses flash memory cards

Where did you see that?

01-01-2007, 10:07 AM	#1
larryn Lieutenant General 2153 Rep 10,176 Posts Drives: '97 332ti, '21 X5 45e, '16 GT4 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle iTrader: (2)	BMW Gadget? Wtf is this thing? I think it's a Photoshop fakery, but BMW is calling it a product, supposedly released (??) in Jan 2007. Anyone care to guess? http://www.bmw.com/com/en/index_highend.html Click on the image in the middle, with the strange device. Here's one pic: Attached Images
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01-01-2007, 10:21 AM	#2
oneshare325 Brigadier General 202 Rep 4,178 Posts Drives: E90 325i, E82 135i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Arlington, VA iTrader: (11) Garage List 2018 BMW M3 [0.00] 2006 325i [0.00]	I posted this last night too, and apparently it had been posted a couple times before mine! looks cool though huh, whatever it is?
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01-01-2007, 10:35 AM	#3
larryn Lieutenant General 2153 Rep 10,176 Posts Drives: '97 332ti, '21 X5 45e, '16 GT4 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle iTrader: (2)	LOL! Whoops. I did search first. It looks more fake than good to me. I'm a gadget kinda guy too. I bet a lot of us BMW drivers are too. Hooked on home video/audio gear, as well as pdas, computers, phones.. oh well, I guess we'll either find out in a few weeks or have a nice joke played on us. Cheers!
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01-01-2007, 10:38 AM	#4
Ninjaneer Shadow Warrior 149 Rep 2,095 Posts Drives: '07 335i Sedan Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Ooooh I know what it is! FINALLY! I've always joked about it but it seems BMW has listened! See the words on the bottom right? "Eject" - yes!!!! It's the long awaited ejector seat button! And look, in traditional iDrive like controls... I'm sure we'll be able to see 4 passenger seats displayed on the Nav screen, and use this gizmo to turn the iEject knob to the desired seat, press it in and POOF The top lens is for retinal scan verification for authorized users only... the bottom one scans the cabin to make sure no one is peaking at what seat you're selecting to eject, and thus dimming the Nav screen to mask your intentions. GENIUS!!!! Note: No, I haven't had my coffee yet. __________________ 335i E90 / Arctic / Gray / Burl Walnut / Steptronic / ZPP / ZSP / Paddles / CA / Nav / PDC / OEM Spoiler Mods: PIAA Angel Eyes, Rear Fog Switch, Escort X50 Blue hardwire, 30% Charcoal Llumar Installing soon: Rear Power Outlets (Happy Robot mod!)
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01-01-2007, 11:06 AM	#5
ksfrogman Major General 605 Rep 6,750 Posts Drives: E90 330i 6MT Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Torrance, CA iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	Well, it must be some sort of multimedia device? __________________
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01-01-2007, 11:18 AM	#6
NaViT Banned 71 Rep 3,404 Posts Drives: 04 M3/E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: N.Florida iTrader: (11)	i cant even look at it anymore... i keep getting confused
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01-03-2007, 11:13 AM	#11
18LLC Major General 151 Rep 5,104 Posts Drives: e89 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: California iTrader: (0)	two 23.46mm lens? lol. the car can be side mirror less and just look on the idrive screen? __________________
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01-03-2007, 11:35 AM	#12
ctgazer Major General 385 Rep 7,952 Posts Drives: a dilapidated ride Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: canada eh! iTrader: (10) Garage List 2006 e90 [0.00]	everything looks upside down to me....the 'MODE', 'PLAY' and '>>', '<<' buttons are located on one side and the 'enter' is upside down... i thought it would originally replace the front dome light module but who knows? __________________
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01-03-2007, 11:49 AM	#13
ksfrogman Major General 605 Rep 6,750 Posts Drives: E90 330i 6MT Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Torrance, CA iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	If this gadget is legit, my guess that it would make good business sense to capitalize on the popularity of the iPod concept. Wouldn't it be nice to upload Media, MP3, MP4, AVI, MPEG, whatever, into a little gadget that plugs into the USB port of your computer, and play it back in your BMW using the iDrive to control it? What about the idea to record video (i.e., webcam) directly into the gadget? This is my guess. __________________
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01-04-2007, 02:21 AM	#14
Victor.L3IchibanM3 Banned 279 Rep 373 Posts Drives: '06 325i,'04 RX 330,'99Corolla Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: San Jose iTrader: (0)	Is this some kind of James Bond gadget???
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01-04-2007, 10:26 AM	#15
myfirstbimmer Private First Class 17 Rep 145 Posts Drives: E90 SG 330i Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: T.O. iTrader: (0)	hmm, interesting, so they ARE on to something.... __________________ 35% Formula 1 Ceramic Tints, //M E-Brake handle, //M Steering Wheel
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01-24-2007, 06:51 PM	#18
abc Captain 27 Rep 772 Posts Drives: 325 Join Date: May 2005 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	still no real news?
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01-24-2007, 07:16 PM	#20
Curious Joel Private 3 Rep 80 Posts Drives: E92 335i Montego/Saddle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Concord, NH iTrader: (0)	On the website now they've revealed it was just a marketing thing for the redesigned 1-Series. __________________ Curious Joel ---------------------------- 2007 335i Coupe Montego/Saddle/Poplar Sport/Steptronic/Paddles/Premium/CA PDC/Nav/6FL/etc.
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01-24-2007, 07:25 PM	#21
ska///235i ***** noob 1402 Rep 10,477 Posts Drives: 325xi>M235i>428GCx Mspor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boston iTrader: (34) Garage List 2006 325xi [0.00]	is a head unit for MP3....uses flash memory cards __________________ 2006 325xi (Sold) 2014 M235I (Current) 2015 428xi Gran Coupe (STB)
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