Apple and BMW alliance will turn the Apple Watch into your car key

Soon, German engineering and Apple technology will co-exist, and interact in the new BMW i3, whose three iterations, “Mega World”, “Giga World” and “Tera World”, tell each one a tale of innovation and connectivity that is decidedly Apple-inspired.

Apple’s operating system will let i3 owners control their vehicles, not only through the Apple Watch, and iPhone, but also through a wide range of Apple products, including iPad, MacBook, and even iMac and Mac Pro computers.

Using dedicated apps across all Apple devices, users will be able to unlock their vehicles, control power functions like windows and seats, climate control, and monitor different aspects of their vehicle, such as the status of the battery.

The technology will work alongside CarPlay, which is already present in many BMW models, and allows drivers to use navigation, play music and place phone calls, using voice commands, while keeping their hands on the steering wheel.

BMW was always heavily invested in connected technology. In 2014, BMW and Samsung were in talks to allow owners of the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch, to monitor the battery status of their electric vehicles, and whether the doors and windows would be shut, through the “i Remote” app.

Apple and BMW will go leaps and bounds further, by enabling the navigation system of connected vehicles to access climate control functions, and automatically set the appropriate climate setting, depending on weather conditions at destination.

Future iterations of the technology could make its way into all devices, including combustion engine models.