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Ahhhh. . . iDrive is built on Microsoft software
I finally crawled out of the cave by coming across a Forbes article that mentioned it, then subsequently searched the fest.
It really was a bad decision to build the iDrive app atop MSFT. MSFT really does do everything, just doesn't seem to do anything well. I wonder if Siemens has anything to offer here, or IBM. How cool would it be if Apple offered anything for this.
That is all.
| | Reply » Ahhhh. . . iDrive is built on Microsoft software |
We've been bashing BMW's decision to have the Quandts get into bed with the Gates for some time. The histories are similar, too.
Bill Gates was approached by IBM before the PC was invented to provide an operating system for it. Being an entrepreneur, not an inventor himself, he looked around and found a few. He decided to buy the cheapest one. Because it was the cheapest. It wasn't the best. In fact, it was (and remains) crap. And that is how he became the world's richest man. Paul Allen, who was in the room with him when he made his pitch to IBM (which didn't know they were buying junk), became the world's second richest man.  They did this by selling a second rate product and then marketing and protecting it (through litigation and other strategems which have been found to be anti-trust violations) very aggressively.
It's been known for years that Linux and Apple both have much better OS. Others do, too, including Sun Microsystems. But because of his ability to market his junk so effectively, Gates' OS became the world standard. And lead to sub industries such as those that protect against viruses (not very effective) and other invasions and misuses of PCs.
BMW then decides to integrate all of its electronic systems through a centralized computer interface. BMW needs an operating system for it. BMW has admitted that it chose Microsoft's OS because it was both the most prevalent ("everybody knows how to use and program it") and it was the cheapest. Sadly, BMW didn't do what it does in designing its engines - balance cost efficiency with quality.
On the 6er forum we have a lot of people with iDrive problems. I seem to be beset the most. (In part that may be beause I use everything on the iDrive -- but that is what BMW intended.) I urge people with iDrive issues to bring their cars in for work and to seek Lemon Law remedies (buy backs and replacement vehicles) if BMW can't fix their iDrives.
In the 6er we are given runflat tires and a (second rate) tire monitoring system that only works through the iDrive interface. With a runflat you can't tell what the problem is visually. You can't see a tire losing air. You only know about it when iDrive tells you about it or, if iDrive isn't working, when the tire is destroyed after running flat beyond its capabilities. Your wheel will also be destroyed, and your car's undercarriage may also be seriously damaged. And, worst of all for this picture, BMW has seen fit not to include a spare in the 6er. Of course, since you don't know the tire is flat, why bother, right?
So iDrive malfunctions implicate serious safety issues. In addition, with a paired Bluetooth phone, the phone will not work within 25-30 feet of the car when the iDrive has failed, and BMW Assist may not work. (Luckily I haven't had to test the runflat or BMW Assist issues, and hope I never do.)
Only when BMW gets tired of spending money to replace its cars with the substandard iDrive, will BMW look to a different OS for iDrive.
You can now remove the soapbox.
| | Reply » Ahhhh. . . iDrive is built on Microsoft software |
I could've sworn that I read something about BMW having switched to a Unix based OS for the second gen Idrive in the e60 and 90.
| | Reply » Ahhhh. . . iDrive is built on Microsoft software |
Quote: | I could've sworn that I read something about BMW having switched to a Unix based OS for the second gen Idrive in the e60 and 90. | I doubt it. The article below is from 2004, but way after the E60/90 were even concieved. I think Siemens was the one who pushed for Windows O/S, not BMW. Siemens also did the HUD system and a few other bits and pieces. I wonder if BMW even does software development or outsources the code development and sustaining efforts. I say this because in general they seem to be clueless for the most part. It is the trickle of CIP bulletins that gives us any clue as to what is going on.
http://www.businessweek.com/technolo...2307_tc178.htm
| | Reply » Ahhhh. . . iDrive is built on Microsoft software |
Quote: On the 6er forum we have a lot of people with iDrive problems. I seem to be beset the most. (In part that may be beause I use everything on the iDrive -- but that is what BMW intended.) I urge people with iDrive issues to bring their cars in for work and to seek Lemon Law remedies (buy backs and replacement vehicles) if BMW can't fix their iDrives.
In the 6er we are given runflat tires and a (second rate) tire monitoring system that only works through the iDrive interface. With a runflat you can't tell what the problem is visually. You can't see a tire losing air. You only know about it when iDrive tells you about it or, if iDrive isn't working, when the tire is destroyed after running flat beyond its capabilities. Your wheel will also be destroyed, and your car's undercarriage may also be seriously damaged. And, worst of all for this picture, BMW has seen fit not to include a spare in the 6er. Of course, since you don't know the tire is flat, why bother, right?
So iDrive malfunctions implicate serious safety issues. In addition, with a paired Bluetooth phone, the phone will not work within 25-30 feet of the car when the iDrive has failed, and BMW Assist may not work. (Luckily I haven't had to test the runflat or BMW Assist issues, and hope I never do.)
Only when BMW gets tired of spending money to replace its cars with the substandard iDrive, will BMW look to a different OS for iDrive.
You can now remove the soapbox. | Honestly, If not having the cellphone working all of the time is a serious safety issue, you have some priority realignments overdue. God forbid you might actually have to check the tires for proper inflation, and in the event that the car breaks down, you might have to walk 30 feet from you car to contact help. I don't dont know why, but I really dont think that some of Microsofts security issues really matter, although, there might be some huge underground resistance to BMW who is secretly distrobuting an IDrive virus. Mabey its the government. 
| | Reply » Ahhhh. . . iDrive is built on Microsoft software |
I think Malibu makes very good points. Although they may come off as no big deal to some folks they are to me.
1. If I pay $240 to BMW Assist so the car will automatically call for help, or help is just a push button away, I would like to be able to rely on the technology. If you read the BMW Assist disclaimer, this system is based on best efforts, which is why I will not renew when the time comes. I have heard from numerous people on this board who found out the hard way that BMW Assist was either broken for months and was inoperative when they needed it, or would not consistently work when needed.
2. With Run flat tires, it is imperative that the driver be notified of tire issues. I for one do not check inflation pressures each time before I get in the vehicle. Again, if we cannot rely on the system to monitor the tires, and you do in fact have a flat, the reality is you could drive your tires right off the rim causing a vital safety issue.
3.Blue tooth - imagine you wrecked in a ditch, trapped in the car, BMW Assist is broken, and you can use your cell because Blue tooth is whacked, this is quite a probability giventhe idrive issues we have seen.
When BMW decided to make various safety aspects of the car part of iDrive, they opened up a can of worms. I can see the litigation occuring in the future on numerous fronts due to very, very, very, poor idrive quality control and dealer training.
a. No oil dipsticks - rely on idrive - possible engine failure
b. RF tire pressure monitor
c. Inability to call in emergency - best efforts my ass, if the system does not work when I need it, and I am in cell range, you can bet your ass my attorney will be on them.
They can write all the disclaimers they want, however, they are marketing this crap, along with RF tires as safety enhancements and piece of mind. This will surely bite them in the ass.
I hope someone from BMW who has a clue is reading this board. People who buy BMWs are very affluent and will not stand for such incompentence.
Ok, I am done ranting.
Malibu, I am with you. $90k for car, is it too much to ask that it frickin works?
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Ahhhh. . . iDrive is built on Microsoft software