BMW working on multi-function smart key
BMW's research unit has announced its latest innovation; the groundbreaking research has led to.... a Mobil Speedpass. This new multifunction smart key, co-developed with NXP Semiconductor, is actually more functional than ExxonMobil's 11-year-old RFID gadget, but that's the general idea. Wrapping NXP's latest SmartMX chip into a prototype car key will enable users to pay for items with the key, as well as using the contactless payment feature to pay for public transportation and tolls, too. Personalized services using BMW telematics will also be possible with the key – whatever that really means, we don't know. Will you be able to play a Euro version of Michael Knight? The most important thing BMW's new smart key will do, however, is efficiently give access to your car and personal finances to someone else should you misplace the doohickey. Marvelous. Please, BMW, for your next trick could you add some simplicity to your cars? [Source: Gizmag]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Val 11:06AM (10/27/2008)
When will they start work on a drivers car again?
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Gary 11:18AM (10/27/2008)
BMW salesmen will convince buyers to buy these extra fancy features they don't need for an extra fancy car they don't need.
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Seminole 11:28AM (10/27/2008)
Actually my salesman steered me away from unnecessary extras when I got my 3 series. Things like comfort access, HD radio and the cold weather package. He told me point blank they were a waste of money and he would rather me buy a less expensive car and him get less commission then for me to blow money on things I don't need and then regret it later.
Ligor 12:06PM (10/27/2008)
@ Seminole
he did that so that you wouldn't go complain to him when all the electonic nanies decided to stop functioning, which on BMW's in not a rarity
smart move if you listen to him though. al you need is hte machine, the nannies are extras better spent elsewhere, like on weekend track days and such
Richard 12:19PM (10/27/2008)
He did it because that is what he had to sell you.
Depending on where you live, the cold weather package is valuable @ trade-in time. The comfort access? WTH is that? The frightening thing to me is that someone who works in NYC and takes the train in every day comes up with these names that have nothing to do with building or selling the ultimate driver's maching - which BMW may no longer be - save for the M3 coupe'.
Seminole 12:40PM (10/27/2008)
Wow to both of you.
He had a few cars on the lot I was looking at. One was a Monaco Blue E90 with Premium, Xenon, Comfort Access, Cold Weather, and HD Radio. I ended up getting a car with just Premium in a different color, so he could have pushed me towards the higher car. Let me also explain the options I listed since Ligor thinks they all are a bunch of technonannys and you don't know what comfort access is.
Comfort Access is the keyless entry and start. $500 and all you get is not having to put the key in the dashboard slot to start the car.
HD Radio - self explanatory $350
Cold Weather Package - 60/40 rear seat, ski pass through, heated seats, and headlight washers $1150
So that is about $2000 saved on things I didn't need. I was just merely countering Gary's statement that the salesmen would try to stuff it down our throats.
I also don't get what is with all the BMW has lost the "ultimate driving" statements either. Most, if not all the extra stuff such as i-drive is optional. If you don't want all the extra crap you can still get the car with a sweet inline 6, 6 speed manual, RWD and nothing else if you so desire. You can basically customize to make the 3 series whatever you want it to be for yourself. Seems like a lot of bitching about nothing.
swimstarguy 11:31AM (10/27/2008)
I loved my old BMW. It was nice and simple. A real drivers car. These new Bimmers, on the other hand, a drivers car they are not.
But, in the end, stupid things like this attract more than they actually turn away. So, in reality, smart move BMW.
~Zar4
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Richard 12:21PM (10/27/2008)
Driver's car?
See the logo above left.
That's a driver's car marque:
Legacy GT Spec. B
WRX
WRX STi
Simple, reliable, bullet-proof. $34.00 oil changes not inflated and built into the price up front.
larry a 1:42PM (10/27/2008)
I disagree, they may be heavier and look uglier nowadays but they still have superb driving dynamics
dukeisduke 11:39AM (10/27/2008)
First the horrid iDrive, now this.
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Mike 12:31PM (10/27/2008)
So to pay a toll, I would have to turn off my car, take the key out of the ignition, wave the fob at the toll booth, then turn my car back on and drive away.
Gee, thanks for simplifying that process, BMW. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to change the radio station via iDrive. Don't wait up.
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Seminole 12:43PM (10/27/2008)
It will most likely use a Comfort Access type system, so your key isn't in the dash when the car is on, you can just stick the fob out the window and be on your way. With the current CA you can even start the car without putting the key in the dash, just press the start button, get out of the car and walk as far away as you want and the car will stay on.
Some guy over at E90post let his GF take his car to work. It had CA and she forgot to turn the car off when she went into her office and the car sat outside running for 8 hours straight until she came back out.
Coco 1:53PM (10/27/2008)
umm, BMW hasn't even chased out the gremlins out of their "single-function" smart key aka "comfort access" key/pass to work right. What they really need to work on improving is their 80's looking interiors :)
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jg 2:12PM (10/27/2008)
FYI American Express holds the patent for 'speedpass' technology.
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SekkeY 12:03AM (10/28/2008)
did anyone else read douchekey instead of doohickey?
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AMcA 11:10PM (10/27/2008)
That's what I want my phone to do.
Plain and simple. Just my phone.
And I want it to be my boarding pass. And my credit card. And let me into my office.
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Nick 8:01AM (10/29/2008)
How about BMW start focusing on making more reliable cars instead of these fancy gizmos. I guess they really don't care since most people dump them after their warranty is over.
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