BMW First to Offer In-Car Google Local Search

Thursday, September 20th, 2007;
-- Andy Beal |

Google-fans rejoice, you now have a Google-approved car to consider for your next purchase.

myTELUS reports new BMWs will come equipped with “Google By Car.”

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The German luxury carmaker is now the only automobile manufacturer in the world to offer Google local search in their cars. The search function will allow drivers to look for local information anywhere in Germany- powered by the worlds most powerful search engine. Results are displayed with address, phone number and distance, and upon finding what they’re looking for, the driver can transfer the coordinates into their car’s navigation system and mobile phone at the touch of a button.

Sweet!

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19 Responses to “BMW First to Offer In-Car Google Local Search”

  1. Brian Chappell Says:

    The only reason I might have ever purchased an Iphone was to check the traffic, and other important local info on my phone while in the car. BMW has effectively taken that distinguishing factor away from Apple.

    I hope other cars implement the same thing down the road.

  2. Jaan Kanellis Says:

    With in car GPS systems and other amenities, I wonder why this took so long.

  3. Andy Beal Says:

    @Brian - an iPhone is a little more expensive than a BMW. ;-)

  4. Word Hugger Says:

    That is pretty sweet, except I assume people are going to get into car accidents while fiddling with it.

  5. Sheila Says:

    ahem…fyi - this is no excuse for us to go out and buy a new BMW. :-P

  6. Andy Beal Says:

    Drat! What if it had ESPN built-in? ;-)

  7. Sheila Says:

    ESPN HD? Hmmmm…I’ll take that under consideration. :-)

  8. Brian Chappell Says:

    @Sheila

    Ohh cmon, I saw what Andy was driving the other day,

    http://www.thetimeandmoneygroup.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/pi nto.jpg

    I think it’s time for an upgrade.

  9. Andy Beal Says:

    @Brian - I knew I liked you! ;-)

  10. Sheila Says:

    @ Brian

    LOL! I know that photo can’t be true. No husband of mine would ever be caught driving a unc blue vehicle. :-)

  11. Nate Moller Says:

    I’m all for espn scoreboard updates. I agree that other cars will most likely will jump on board and do this too. Next thing you know, Google will do GPS units on golf carts too. Go Google!

  12. links for 2007-09-21 | The Marketing Technology Blog Says:

    […] BMW First to Offer In-Car Google Local Search Google-fans rejoice, you now have a Google-approved car to consider for your next purchase. myTELUS reports new BMWs will come equipped with “Google By Car.” (tags: google localsearch search bmw maps) […]

  13. Mark Barrera Says:

    I am happy BMW owner ^)

  14. Mark Barrera Says:

    I think it might be time for me to go test drive one the new models :)

    A warning to non-BMW owners - Once you drive one, you won’t want to drive anything else - it truly is the ultimate driving machine. I imagine this is even more true with Google at your fingertips.

  15. Sasha Says:

    Mark, I agree with your opinion regarding non-BMW owners. I purchased a BMW about 2 years ago and cannot imagine driving anything else. I’m going to at least test drive the Lexus and Mercedes just to ensure that I’m not limiting myself.

  16. Avi Says:

    Unbelievable, what market will Google break into next. Go google!!!

  17. asso Says:

    I like BMW it is one of the best marks and i am a fan of BMV.
    Google is expanding his influuence everywhere in all the markets.

  18. Water Portal Says:

    wow, thats impressive, i always loved BMW.
    with their recent hydrogen models are worth attention.
    BMW does innovation but not sure if google is ready to deliver relevant and targeted in-car search results.

  19. Mike Spencer Says:

    So how long will it be before it’s made illegal to be “googling” while driving….. :o)

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