The automotive industry is no stranger to the influence of technology. With the rise of electric vehicles and the integration of advanced features like self-driving capabilities, it’s clear that cars are becoming more tech-oriented than ever before. One major aspect of this tech revolution is the use of operating systems, and Android is at the forefront of this trend.
BMW will use Android in its cars starting in November this year
As of now, Android is quickly gaining popularity in the automotive industry, with many major manufacturers jumping on board. This year, German manufacturers have also followed suit. Although they are not quite ready to go all-in with Google just yet. Instead, they are using Android software, with BMW being the latest addition to the mix starting in November.
As part of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2023, a sneak peek of the BMW Operating System 9 was unveiled. Recently, a screenshot of the new interface was released, showing the new structure of the operating system. Many BMW models will receive this update this year, as the BMW Operating System 8.5 will also receive a similar look. This version will be available in the BMW i4, BMW iX, and BMW i7 starting in the summer. However, it is worth noting that OS 8.5 is not yet based on Android.
BMW plans to launch the new software, OS 9, in November, starting with the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and BMW X1 or BMW iX1. However, it is peculiar that BMW will not or cannot update their current high-end models to version 9. So if you want to purchase a BMW i4 now, you would receive the same interface as the BMW iX1. However, the cheaper model will receive better software with Android apps, using Aptoide as the store instead of Google.
Other German automakers are also taking their own approach to this trend. Mercedes is partially using Google, but not Android Automotive, and Volkswagen has developed its own app store. It’s clear that these companies understand the need for integration of technology, but they are hesitating to fully adopt the Android Automotive package with Google.
