BMW

Samsung intros SmartThings for BMW, Car Mode & Gear S2 4 VW

IOTIFASamsungAt IFA, Samsung announced all kinds of Internet of Things inniatives including SmartThings for homes that sends notifications to BMW, Samsung Car Mode and integration Volkswagen Car-Net for the Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch.

The new Samsung SmartThings enables video monitoring, and Smart Home Monitor which provides access and control against intrusion, smoke and fire, leaks and floods, by delivering real-time notifications and video clips from multiple cameras via the SmartThings app.

Samsung SmartThings will be integrated with BMW cars by displaying notifications from the SmartThings Hub directly on the dashboard. The SmartThings app also makes it possible to check the technical status of a BMW, or lock and unlock it remotely.

Samsung announced its partnership with Volkswagen, for smartphone connections via Car Mode for Galaxy, an app powered by MirrorLink. Car Mode for Galaxy, is controlled by both touch and voice powered by S-Voice, enables phone calls, music playing, or directions. Car Mode reads incoming text messages out loud. Users can also use the features of the Car Mode for Galaxy mobile app in cars without mirroring on the head unit.

The Volkswagen Car-Net e-Remote app connects the new Samsung Gear S2 with a range of Volkswagen vehicles. Features of the app include car locating, turning on the air conditioning or managing the battery levels of electric Volkswagen.

BMW beefs up ConnectedDrive security with HTTPS

BMW Group announced that it has increased the security of data transmission in its vehicles in response to reports from the German Automobile Association (ADAC).

BMW News: i8 wins MPG & AB Awards – Spotify for iPhone for BMW ConnectedDrive

SpotifyBMW was a big award winner at the LA Auto Show and Germany.  Music lovers will be glad that iOS/iPhone Spotify now works with BMW ConnectedDrive and the iDrive controller.

The BMW i8 was named the winner of Autoblog’s 2014 Technology of the Year for its suite of technologies. AutoBlog, editor, Sharon Silke Carty reported, “The BMW i8 has a throaty exhaust note when accelerating. It’s got carbon fiber, and a plug-in hybrid system that uses a small 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine and an electric motor. It has through-the-road all-wheel drive, and in Europe it’ll come with laser beams for headlights. All that, and it’s a massive eye catcher.”

BMW ConnectedDrive outage & connected car app disasters

BMWappreviewsAfter our article, yesterday, explaining that BMW’s web/mobile interface has vulnerabilities that could be hacked, a few hours later BMW’s web portal was reported down. A BMW i3 owner in the UK reported that he has been unable to register for BMW’s ConnectedDrive service since July 19, continually receiving error messages. The outage is due to a system update in the UK and Europe. In the meantime BMW’s apps on Google Play have some of the worst user reviews, we’ve seen.

Connected Car study shows that connected cars like BMW are vulnerable to hacks

bmw connected driveKaspersky Lab and IAB, published their First Annual Connected Cars Study. Vicente Diaz, Principal Security Researcher at Kaspersky Lab, researched the report about connecting cars to the Internet. However, the auto industry is diligently monitoring threats through its own organizations and most threats require physical access to interior parts of the cars in order to work.

Connected cars with social networks, email, smartphone connectivity, route calculation, in-car apps, can be risky, noted the report.