Is BMW ConnectedDrive Progress?

The 4-series is old news already, but the ‘vert is dropping tomorrow and we’re excited. But more important to the overall scheme of motoring is that BMW will be presenting new mobility-focused applications at the LA Auto Show’s Connected Car Expo. We all know about the M laptimer app for your Apple iPhone. Now, BMW is adding the Amazon Cloud Player App for the Apple iPhone, which will allow you to connect to over 27 million tunes from your car via your phone.

We wondered if all this connectivity is a good thing, however. Obviously, people like having their favorite songs available while they drive, but do we also want to encourage the integration of social media, email, and SMS? Or is this just a step to autonomous cars? What do you think, should BMW pursue connectivity, or should it focus on automation? Or, well, neither? Is BMW ruining the driving experience?