BMW finally ditches its most useless feature

BMW’s gesture controls are done and gone with its next-generation infotainment system, and that's a good thing.

TomHanks

Jan 15, 2025 - 11:51

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BMW finally ditches its most useless feature

The key word at BMW's 2025 CES press conference was technology. The German automaker is putting a heavy emphasis on improving the gizmos and gadgets in its upcoming "Neue Klasse" generation of cars, starting with what it calls "Panoramic iDrive."

This new Android-based operating system will replace the iDrive system that has powered BMW's models for the past 25 years and introduce new ways of controlling the infotainment. The automaker worked with 3,000 BMW owners on the development of Panoramic iDrive to provide the best experience for its 22 million cars worldwide.

What’s next in BMW infotainment

The conventional two-screen layout is gone, and instead, various elements are projected onto a screen at the base of the windshield that's paired to a center tablet-style screen.

Some traditional elements like wheel-bound controls remain intact, although these will only illuminate when available. The multifunction steering wheel will also feature haptic feedback, allowing for easier control without needing to look.

BMW highlighted some safety benefits of using this layout at its conference. They claim that moving infotainment displays up onto the windscreen will help keep the driver's eyes closer to the road. The display can be customized to show any necessary information, and some applications, like the map, can be expanded on the central tablet display.

BMW is getting rid of gesture controls

In a current-generation BMW, you can hold your hand right about 8 inches from the center screen and twirl your finger in a clockwise motion to increase the stereo volume. You could also do a dramatic point to the left or right with your thumb, as one would while hitchhiking, to skip the track.

Half the time, these motion controls failed to elicit a reaction from the car, if owners even knew about them. Thankfully, BMW has finally given up on them and introduced new voice control functions in their place with the upcoming Panoramic iDrive. How well these work remains to be seen.

Final thoughts

BMW seems to have learned the wrong lessons over the last few decades. Its new infotainment system promises to declutter the interior, but like gesture controls, Panoramic iDrive is unlikely to be an adequate substitute for hard controls.

Commonly used features, such as the AC controls, are ideally suited for physical buttons and knobs. Other manufacturers have learned this lesson the hard way, and we can only hope BMW does so sooner than later.