The German car manufacturer announced details of the next BMW OS at the CES in Las Vegas. BMW OS9 is scheduled to come out in mid-2023. The most striking thing is the complete overhaul of the user interface, which should be based even more closely on existing user habits.
The new OS9 (above) is much fresher. The start screen takes the map as a basis. The climate control has been significantly simplified.
Instead of presenting the main applications navigation, telephony and media in the form of small maps when called up, OS9 clearly puts the map display in the foreground. The climate control, which is sometimes still hidden in submenus in OS8, has been significantly simplified. “With OS8, we assumed that customers would set the climate control once and then rarely need it. In fact, there is a need for more frequent access, which we are responding to with the simplifications in the update,” said Stephan Durach, SVP of the BMW Group Connected Company with the c’t.
The more important step behind the scenes is the switch from a self-assembled Linux kernel to the Linux-based Android as the basis of future infotainment systems for new BMWs. “For Android there is a large number of apps that can be integrated, which we had to laboriously implement in the Linux-based systems,” explained Durach. The company uses an open Android that is adapted accordingly and covered with the BMW GUI.
As an app store, BMW does not rely on Google’s PlayStore, but on the store of the cooperation partner Aptoide. With Aptoide they are working on a curated store that only contains apps suitable for BMW. This can certainly be casual gaming, after all you can spend time charging the electric car.
A comparison of the components of BMW OS with and without Android.
Many existing vehicles will receive an update to OS9. However, the base remains untouched. A current 7 series, delivered with a third generation Linux-based system, will not be updated to Android, so access to Aptoide and the apps offered there will not be possible.
Incidentally, Linux is also retained in new models. The shared services layer runs between the hardware and the Android system for the infotainment. It is and will remain Linux.
Android Auto for smartphone connection, Android Open Source as a basis or Google Automotive: In the future, BMW will take the middle path in order to be able to integrate apps more easily.
(sha)
