New service from BMW ConnectedDrive and Google Maps: Navigation destination can be selected via the Internet. Internationally unique co-operation between BMW and Google demonstrates intelligent networking of the automobile with the Internet and enables direct transfer of address data to a BMW vehicle

Munich. Reliable navigation in the automobile will now be even simpler, faster
and more convenient. Thanks to an internationally unique co-operation between
BMW and Google, address data and telephone numbers accessed online on Google
Maps can in future be transferred to the automobile by mouse click. The new
service is the latest additional function of BMW Assist. In order to use it, it
is sufficient to look for the required company or service provider on the web
page http://maps.google.de. The selected search results can then be transferred
directly to the automobile, where they can be accessed in the BMW Assist menu
under "My Info". By pressing a button, the address data thus transferred can
then be fed into the route guidance function of the navigation system, and the
telephone number displayed can be dialled directly using the telephone.

The new function for BMW Assist enables an extremely convenient form of travel
preparation. Even before starting the journey, the exact address of the planned
destination can be established online and then made available in the
automobile. The result of a location-related company or sector search on the
Google Maps web page is transferred directly into the vehicle when the BMW
Assist user name has been entered. The advantage is that the address data found
by Google Maps no longer has to be noted down or printed out, and there is no
need for manual entry into the navigation system. Instead the information is
available under "My Info" in the BMW Assist menu at the start of the journey.
It is equally simple to make a phone call. The number transferred from Google
Maps can be dialled directly with the driver's mobile phone.

BMW is the first automobile manufacturer in the world to expand its telematics
service range by collaborating with the global Internet service provider
Google. "With BMW and Google, two brands who are each technological leaders
within their segments have joined forces," says John Hanke, Director of Google
Geo Products. "With the innovative strength of the two companies we can raise
the networking of the Internet world with the automobile to a whole new level.
Sending addresses from Google Maps directly to the vehicle is a highly
efficient and customer-friendly use of this technology."

Using the Google Maps search function, any address within Germany which has
been searched online can be directly transferred to the automobile. The latest
information on this service provided by BMW and Google Maps can be found on the
Internet at www.bmw.com/meineinfo.
BMW Assist is part of the concept BMW ConnectedDrive which promotes competent
and reliable mobility by means of intelligent networking of the driver and his
vehicle with the surrounding environment. In addition to the telematics service
BMW Assist, BMW ConnectedDrive also incorporates the mobile Internet portal BMW
Online which supports the driver with exclusive service and mobility services,
as well as BMW Teleservices for the transfer of vehicle data to the service
partner in order to prepare a maintenance appointment.
BMW Assist is available for all model series and offers the driver an emergency
call function, standby service and up-to-the-minute traffic information. In
addition, the operator-supported BMW information service allows a wide range of
information on a specific location to be accessed. The particular feature is
that the location of the BMW vehicle is automatically transferred when
telephone contact is made. This is especially important when an emergency call
is made, whether automatically or manually. But information enquiries can also
be related to a specific location in this way. Whether cinemas, restaurants,
hotels or sights - the relevant contact data goes straight from the BMW Call
Centre to the vehicle, the driver then simply presses a button to feed the
details into the navigation system or car telephone.