Innovative and annoying seem to have been the two adjectives most frequently used to describe BMW’s “iDrive” system, a system designed to integrate into one user interface a variety of controls for electronic and electric funtions.
   
Apple and BMW, working together, have developed a new user interface and rumor has iDrive going away to be replaced by the new BMW/Apple system.  Presumably, any such system would also include iPod and iPhone integration, as well.