This summer, BMW will launch an improved version of iDrive (version 8.5). It is made to make it faster and easier for people to use the interface.
The main change that this upgrade brings is a customizable home page on the infotainment screen. This page displays popular functions in one place so that you can access them quickly without having to look through too many menus, allowing the driver to have their full attention on the road.
Some apps will be displayed in a line on the left of your infotainment screen. You can select them by swiping across with your finger. Once you’re done using that app, you can go back to the main home screen simply by tapping on the Home icon which is at the very bottom of the infotainment screen.
In November, BMW will start using the new iDrive 9.0 version. This updated system uses Google’s Android as its operating system (the last version used Linux). The home screen will stay visible on your car’s infotainment screen so you can always check it easily. BMW also said that you can now customize the graphics of the infotainment screen instead of just seeing a standard map view.
This summer, cars like the 7 Series, iX, i4, X5, X6, X7 and XM will get a new driving system called iDrive 8.5. Then in November more cars like the 2-Series Active Tourer and X1 will upgrade to a new system called iDrive 9.0.