Jan 10, 2014 01:45 PM EST By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

Samsung and BMW are planning to take automotive synchronization to another level with a special app that connects the Galaxy Gear smartwatch to the carmaker's new electric i3 car.

According to USA Today, BMW announced during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this week their i3 electric car will be Galaxy-Gear-compatible. The synchronization will work through BMW's iRemote app that already connected smartphones with the car.

Simply by tapping the Galaxy Gear smartwatch, drivers can check their car's vital functions, open and close windows and turn on or off the heat or AC.

While it may not be feasible to turn on the heat or AC, or roll up the windows, using a watch, BMW joins a larger class of automakers who are fusing their cars with wearable technology.

Also at the CES, Mercedes-Benz announced a partnership with Pebble, which will allow their smartwatch users to locate their car in a parking lot and check their fuel level. The smartwatch will also be able to alert the driver to an upcoming road hazard and its buttons can activate a smartphone's voice control, search for a navigation destination and control audio.

Hyundai had a similar CES announcement, revealing that its 2015 Genesis will synch with the Google Glass to allow drivers to plan routes, unlock doors and start their car. The Google Glass will also notify a driver if the car needs mechanical attention and can help the user schedule an appointment on the spot.

BMW, Mercedes and Hyundai were all preceded by Nissan's Nismo Watch, a performance-oriented gadget that debuted at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show. The Nismo Watch can check a driver's heart rate, display the car's top speed and give alerts for bad weather and other hazards.

Electric cars, like BMW's i3, and certain wearable devices, like the Galaxy Gear and Google Glass, have yet to become mainstream purchases. Still, they both may very well represent the future of a technology-infused driving experience.

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