---
title: "Microsoft Will Put Skype in New BMW 5 Series"
description: "Drivers can stay even more connected without taking their eyes off the road."
date: "2017-07-15"
modified: "2017-07-15"
authors:
  - name: "Chris Constantine"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-constantine"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/article/12502/microsoft-will-put-skype-in-new-bmw-5-series"
categories:
  - "BMW News"
  - "Car Tech"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "5 Series"
  - "BMW"
  - "hands free technology"
  - "luxury"
  - "Microsoft"
  - "sedan"
  - "sheet/metal"
  - "Skype"
---

# Microsoft Will Put Skype in New BMW 5 Series

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/07/skype-for-business-car.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Smartphone usage is, unfortunately, a huge epidemic for drivers, and a massive [cause](<https://www.thedrive.com/watch-this/8888/watch-this-truck-driver-perfectly-sum-up-the-dangers-of-texting-and-driving>) of deadly accidents in the 21st century. No matter how many times we're told to not look at our phones while driving, everyone still has to send that [Snapchat](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/4523/tip-dont-snapchat-yourself-committing-grand-theft-auto>) or view that text. Thankfully, car manufacturers have caught on to these bad habits and hands-free smartphone integration software like [Android Auto](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/5896/google-makes-android-auto-available-in-all-cars>) and [Apple Carplay](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/9150/mercedes-benz-commercial-trucks-now-have-apple-carplay-too>) come standard in most new vehicles. The software is still relatively basic, only allowing access to a handful of car-tailored, third-party apps like Waze and Spotify. Now, Microsoft wants to add [Skype](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/6733/volvo-introduces-skype-to-90-series-models>) to the mix to make communicating on the go easier.

Microsoft [announced](<https://blogs.microsoft.com/firehose/2017/07/13/bmw-and-microsoft-work-to-create-an-even-more-productive-ride-with-skype-for-business-in-new-bmw-5-series/>) on Thursday that it is partnering with BMW to develop a car-friendly version of the popular Skype instant-messaging and video chat program. It believes that your car should be as much of an office space as it is a means of transportation. With Skype for Business installed in the new [BMW 5 Series](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/7156/driving-the-2017-bmw-5-series-is-like-touching-tomorrow>), Microsoft says that businessmen and women will be able to participate in video calls, get meeting notifications, and view contacts from their infotainment systems and head-up displays. This is all thanks to BMW's [iDrive](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/5550/the-new-bmw-5-series-is-here-jam-packed-with-all-the-tech>) system which lets drivers use all kinds of Microsoft services without taking their hands off the wheel.

BMWs in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom will receive Microsoft's latest hands-free features first, and the company promises that the rest of the world will get it soon after. Microsoft hopes to make the road a much safer place while improving productivity and smartphone technology.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/GT_ISO>)  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/GT_ISO>)