MUNICH, Germany — BMW is equipping all its models with a new voice-recognition system starting in September, making navigation and infotainment functions operate by voice command. The system will be sold combined with BMW's optional Professional navigation system.

The automaker says its system takes the "driver/vehicle dialogue to a new level of excellence" by processing complete addresses in one statement, rather than requiring individual input of city, street and street number. BMW says it's the first automaker to offer a system that can "understand" a complete address in one step.

For music, the BMW system can search by specific files, types of music, artists and albums — and in spring 2010, it will be able to search data files on a separate iPod or other music player when attached to the vehicle's input.

The system is available and will work with several languages. It can also search in more than one language — the example BMW gives is its ability to find a song with an English title that is performed by a German artist.

The voice command system will be available on BMWs in the United States and several European countries, including the U.K., this fall.

Inside Line says: Knowing BMW's track record for extremely high-tech and complicated electronics, it's good to see something that heads down the path of ease and user-friendliness from the company. — Laura Sky Brown, Correspondent