BMW 5 Series Cars to Get Skype

At BMW's annual Innovation Days event in Chicago today, it announced that it's expanding on that existing offering with the addition of Skype for Business, "making Skype meetings available in vehicle". The iDrive system is BMW's computer system with a dashboard monitor that lets people control vehicle features like mapping services and the radio. BMW is already one of the first auto manufacturers to enable Office 365 services in its vehicles.

Dieter May, BMW senior vice president, Digital Products and Services, says, "With BMW Connected we offer a wide range of digital services created to help users with their daily mobility needs inside and outside of the vehicle".

Earlier this year, BMW also announced plans to integrate Cortana, Microsoft's digital assistant, into some of its cars. This all comes after Microsoft and BMW previously partnered with the technology giant in 2016 to create the Open Mobility platform and help drivers who rely on Office 365 at work to extend the services to their BMW vehicle. "We seek to continuously extend and enhance the customer experience with regard to all aspects of their mobility".

In addition to making and taking Skype calls, drivers will be alerted to upcoming meetings or when meetings are rescheduled.

The Skype for Business Functionality will be integrated into BMW's iDrive system, with availability coming first in Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, and other markers soon. From autumn 2017, BMW drivers will also enjoy the benefits of Microsoft's unified communication solution Skype for Business. Surely the integration of business features into your vehicle further blurs the line between work and play.

Next time you Skype your boss, do it from your BMW. "Skype for Business represents another big step forward for our in-car connectivity and communication offer", said Anders Tylman-Mikiewicz, vice president of Consumer Connectivity Services at Volvo Car Group, in a December 29, 2016 announcement.