New Features

The Car Information Computer (CIC) continues the path laid out by the earlier CCC system and takes it to the next level of development. The main noticeable feature of this iDrive system is the newly designed controller that is now equipped with seven direct access buttons. These buttons provide shortcuts to the menus in the redesigned layout of the user interface.

Compared to the CCC system, the number of CD/DVD drives in the CIC has been reduced to one optical drive.

The CIC overall screen dimensions have remained the same. However, the number of pixels have doubled from 640x240 (CCC) to 1280x480. This provides improved visual quality by generating a sharper graphic display.

The navigation system display has been enhanced with the following functions:

• Full screen mode
• Night view
• 3D models in the perspective map view

The use of an integrated HDD (hard disk drive) now allows navigation map data to be saved on the CIC hard disk. Previously, this map data had to be loaded from a navigation DVD for each destination entry. Maps can also be displayed much faster due to the increased processing power of the CIC.

The hard disk drive in the CIC also makes it possible to compile and store a personalized music collection. An 8GB section of the total 80GB hard disk is dedicated to store music files.

These files can be transferred from audio CDs, MP3 players or USB sticks. Along with the music data files, the music track database (Gracenote®) is also stored to be used for the music search function.

An address database has been included in the "Contacts" menu, which can also be accessed from the Telephone and Navigation menus. This feature offers a single "location" for accessing contact information. The information contained is more comprehensive than before.

Many external receiver hardware devices such as IBOC and GPS are integrated in the CIC. This adds flexibility and expands the system's functions.

The voice recognition system has been further developed to now enable even simpler and more fluid voice command inputs.

The communication service BMW Assist has been adapted to the new layout of the user interface and expanded with additional services.

Additional services available in BMW Assist effective September of 2008:

• My info
• BMW Search with Google Map database access