The German car maker presented the app store concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show last month, showing how it's possible to personalise a car to the interests of its occupants at the touch of a navigation system button.

Its showcase presented multimedia travel guides, games, web radio, podcasts, Facebook, Twitter and more.

The Concept BMW Application Store can also transfer contact data such as addresses or telephone numbers to the navigation system or mobile phone.

In terms of UI, there's a menu path that links to 'app store' from 'BMW Services'. Further options include 'social networks', 'on the road' and 'entertainment'.

Clearly location is an important component for in-car apps, and BMW has shown apps that draw on information from the vehicle navigation system and even plans to link to other data such as acceleration or braking data.

The project is part of the BMW ConnectedDrive concept that deliver info to drivers such as traffic reports, Night Vision with pedestrian recognition, routes and so on.

The safety implications don't bear thinking about.