Boredom is a very real issue for a good deal of driving - probably now more now than ever. As well as regular congestion returning with a vengeance, the advent of electric motoring can mean more time than ever waiting for charge. BMW has a solution for what it politely calls ‘every waiting situation’, which, of course, means being parked up waiting to collect a friend or child - and absolutely not an especially slow set of temporary traffic lights.
Turns out you will be able to play games through the manufacturer's latest infotainment system. In a collaboration with AirConsole, it’s bringing a range of ‘casual’ games - this won’t be GTA 6 at Cobham services - to cars from 2023. All that’s required is smartphone and a car with the BMW Curved Display. It’s really as simple as that because the games are run directly through the car entertainment system; they’re downloadable to the vehicle and controllable via a phone. BMW says the process is ‘seamless’, with the car paired to phone via a QR code. Which certainly sounds a lot easier than pairing your car with a rapid charger. A ‘large and diverse’ catalogue of games is promised.
Anthony Cliquot, CEO of N-Dream (which created AirConsole) said: “We are extremely proud to spearhead gaming inside vehicles with BMW and are excited to create new games for in-car entertainment. Our ingenious architecture coupled with the ease of access of our platform will change the way people get entertained in their vehicles.”
AirConsole is undoubtedly an interesting development, the logical evolution of cars like the Honda e and its HDMI port for gaming while waiting. The BMW solution sounds a whole lot more practical, of course, as it doesn’t require a physical console, and it’ll be interesting to see what games are available from 2023. Stands to make waiting for a charge or picking the kids up from swimming less of a chore, at least.
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