Hey BMW!

The fourth-generation X5 has a bolder design, keener performance and comes with even more advanced tech, which includes a digital personal assistant.

- Lionel Seah

SMART devices with cloud connectivity have become an inescapable part of our lives. Apart from smartphones, we also have Google Home.

In the automotive world, cars are also becoming more sophisticated with models increasingly featuring technology powered by artificial intelligence (A.I.).

The fourth-generation X5 is a good case in point. Within BMW’s lineup, it is the first model to showcase their latest operating system, OS 7.0, along with other modern gadgets.

With this in mind, I halfexpected Tim Cook to make an appearance at the X5’s Atlanta launch. But he’s probably too busy working on the next iPhone.

So, instead of Apple’s CEO, it was BMW’s Project Manager for OS 7.0, Armin Distler, who presented it to us.

OS 7.0 is just fresh from the oven and its full suite of capabilities will be progressively rolled-out from the first quarter next year.

Making their debut on the new X5’s dash are OS 7.0’s Live Cockpit Professional (instrument display) and Control Display (infotainment).

Live Cockpit Professional consists of a 12.3-inch digital speedometer and tachometer that look stylishly futuristic. BMW says that this design also expands configurable data space in-between the two main gauges.

Meanwhile, although the Control Display looks familiar, it is more expansive than the preceding iDrive infotainment system, for it can be customised with up to 10 pages. For ease of use, these 10 pages can be quickly accessed via five sidebar widgets.

Gesture control is still present. But this time around, it recognises an additional two gestures, enabling you to turn pages like Tom Cruise did in Minority Report. I’m not a fan of this feature, though.