The BMW Connected Drive and Deezer, an on-demand audio and music streaming service with over 35 million tracks announced a new partnership with Online Entertainment, which will enable drivers to enjoy direct access to music and spoken content from their vehicle, even without a smartphone. The vehicle’s built-in SIM card will ensure an optimum connection to Deezer. In order to make use of it, the vehicle must be equipped with ConnectedDrive services and the Navigation system Professional.
While using Online Entertainment, there is no limit on either the number of tracks selected or the data volume required. Further, drivers can continue to enjoy online access to music services in several European countries without incurring additional international fees or roaming charges. The instant a piece of music is selected via Online Entertainment, the download starts to the Navigation system Professional’s hard drive in the vehicle – in the case of albums, the following tracks are also stored directly on the hard drive. At the same time, the music archive on the hard drive grows as well. Once all the music has been stored, tracks can be played offline at any time without the need for a connection to the music service.
Online Entertainment also offers its users the option to select other tracks or albums by the same artist. If desired, connected music can also suggest more music of a similar style. It can also browse the music services for albums or other music by the same artist for songs playing on DAB or FM radio and come up with suggestions to match the genre. This particular function is currently only available in the new BMW 7 Series, although the carmaker gradually plans to extend it to other models as well.