iDrive: "Virtual marketplace of the future?"

http://www.worldcarfans.com/114012369195/bmw-testing-in-car-ads-based-on-your-location-and-destination


BMW has started testing in-car ads on a prototype model based on the drivers' location and destination. The in-car advertisements can be customized to the drivers' preferences or needs while driving to his or her destination. This program also has the capability to advertise different things such as available parking closest to the car.

I was really intrigued by this article not because of the advancement in technology, but the more efficient way they plan to implement it for us to use. This article brought me to think about all the road trips I have taken and how much of a hassle it was to find a gas station, or a restaurant with just road signs. Even using the latest Garmin GPS was a hassle because you had to type the information in yourself or click on certain buttons to get the results you wanted. With this new iDrive technology, all of the button pushing is done for you by the iDrive recognizing your location and bringing up customized ads that suit your preferences. 

Although this technology seems great and is possibly going to become a major want or need in a vehicle, I wonder the accessibility. I can only imagine the pricing on these cars once this technology is installed. (As if a BMW isn't expensive enough already). Another flaw I can see with this technology is the feeling of intrusion on decision making or technological pressure to follow its suggestions. All in all, I think the idea of this new technology is great and could become very useful in the future.