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.”
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!
** Are you the next big name in search marketing? Enter our SEM Scholarship Contest & you could win $10,000 in prizes!
Category: Google, Local/Mobile
Forward: Email This Post














September 20th, 2007 at 11:58 am
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.
September 20th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
With in car GPS systems and other amenities, I wonder why this took so long.
September 20th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
@Brian - an iPhone is a little more expensive than a BMW.
September 20th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
That is pretty sweet, except I assume people are going to get into car accidents while fiddling with it.
September 20th, 2007 at 4:15 pm
ahem…fyi - this is no excuse for us to go out and buy a new BMW.
September 20th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
Drat! What if it had ESPN built-in?
September 20th, 2007 at 4:32 pm
ESPN HD? Hmmmm…I’ll take that under consideration.
September 20th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
@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.
September 20th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
@Brian - I knew I liked you!
September 20th, 2007 at 4:39 pm
@ Brian
LOL! I know that photo can’t be true. No husband of mine would ever be caught driving a unc blue vehicle.
September 21st, 2007 at 1:19 am
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!
September 21st, 2007 at 11:27 am
[…] 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) […]
September 21st, 2007 at 11:53 am
I am happy BMW owner ^)
September 21st, 2007 at 11:58 am
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.
September 21st, 2007 at 4:05 pm
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.
September 23rd, 2007 at 10:38 am
Unbelievable, what market will Google break into next. Go google!!!
September 23rd, 2007 at 2:40 pm
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.
September 25th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
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.
September 30th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
So how long will it be before it’s made illegal to be “googling” while driving….. :o)