[mrichione]

Just received a push notification to install 03/2021 software onto my 2019 G05, which was previously running 11/2020 software. I have a lot of preferences coded and don't want the hassle of re-coding if the software update flashes my iDrive. Two questions:

1) Will an OTA upgrade flash/restore my iDrive and any coding like a dealer upgrade does?

2) If so, is 03/2021 worth it coming from 11/2020? What are the main new features that'd make it a compelling upgrade?

[TurtleBoy]

1) Your coding will be wiped from any ECU that is updated. It is likely all your coding will be wiped.

2) I didn't notice any difference with 03/2021 and then some asked me to test the Alexa integration which it does have.

[nZtiZia]

1) updating will very likely wipe your codes, especially a major update as this as you're going from 11/2020.xx to 03/2021.xx. I recently had a minor update from 11/2020.38 to 11/2020.64 which wiped out all my codes.

2) I'm interested if there are readily available release notes for these updates.

[M3ditate]

You'll get Alexa (if you don't use it then it's whatever), upload your own profile photo instead of the avatar, some bug fixes, but nothing major. You'll have to login to your profile again, and if you haven't gotten the new MYBMW app yet, get it first (it stops being supported June 30th anyway) and you can use a QR code to login instead of typing your username and password.

[mrichione]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

1) Your coding will be wiped from any ECU that is updated. It is likely all your coding will be wiped.

2) I didn't notice any difference with 03/2021 and then some asked me to test the Alexa integration which it does have.

Is Alexa available on US vehicles? How well does it work and how do you summon it?

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by mrichione

Is Alexa available on US vehicles? How well does it work and how do you summon it?

only US vehicles with iStep 03/2021. Turtleboy posted a video link in the other thread you posted on.

dunno how well it works but you say "Alexa" like you would an in-home Echo device.

[OzJedi]

Originally Posted by M3ditate

You'll get Alexa (if you don't use it then it's whatever), upload your own profile photo instead of the avatar, some bug fixes, but nothing major. You'll have to login to your profile again, and if you haven't gotten the new MYBMW app yet, get it first (it stops being supported June 30th anyway) and you can use a QR code to login instead of typing your username and password.

** upload your own profile photo instead of the avatar **
This one I can do in 2020.11 with new myBMW app.

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by M3ditate

You'll get Alexa (if you don't use it then it's whatever), upload your own profile photo instead of the avatar, some bug fixes, but nothing major. You'll have to login to your profile again, and if you haven't gotten the new MYBMW app yet, get it first (it stops being supported June 30th anyway) and you can use a QR code to login instead of typing your username and password.

the OP is asking for iStep 03/2021 update features. you mixed up features between iStep 03/2021, the not-so-new MyBMW app, and the old BMW Connected app.

• Alexa in-car integration for U.S. vehicles: 03/2021
• custom driver profile photo: MyBMW app
• loss of support June 30: BMW Connected app

[BrummyGit]

I've attached the official release notes - there are additional features listed such as being able to permanently turn off Lane Departure Warning

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by mrichione

Is Alexa available on US vehicles? How well does it work and how do you summon it?

I don' use Alexa at home but set it up for a test. It works well as far as I can tell. You just say Alexa and it wakes up.

I also started a free trial of Amazon music and I can ask Alexa to play music. One young to note is that all of the network traffic is on your phone connection and not the vehicle'c cell.

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by BrummyGit

I've attached the official release notes -

how did you find it? I'd like to bookmark the site for future reference.

[Paladin1]

Downloaded and installed today. "My BMW" says Alexa is enabled, but the accompanying instructions make no sense to me. "Enable the option "Apps" - what does that even mean? Log in in your BMW - on my computer, on the phone? Activate the "Online speech processing" and "Third party" options in the "Voice control" menu of your vehicle. Where? I confess I'm baffled. Deleted the phone and reinstalled, Android Auto works fine, but Alexa is nowhere to be found.... Certainly not intuitive...

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

Downloaded and installed today. "My BMW" says Alexa is enabled, but the accompanying instructions make no sense to me. "Enable the option "Apps" - what does that even mean? Log in in your BMW - on my computer, on the phone? Activate the "Online speech processing" and "Third party" options in the "Voice control" menu of your vehicle. Where? I confess I'm baffled. Deleted the phone and reinstalled, Android Auto works fine, but Alexa is nowhere to be found.... Certainly not intuitive...

all that is in iDrive.
check Turtleboy's posts:
iDrive 7 upgrade to 3/2021 https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1832393

[samvora]

So I downloaded and installed this latest version and here are my observations:

1 - most important: it did not wipe out any previous coding that I had done
2 - Alexa works flawlessly and I tried things like turning off my home lights, closing my garage door, arming my security system (I have ring) and it did all of that apart from giving me the weather, blah blah blah so I am super stoked about this integration! The only hitch - each time I asked it do something to control my smart home the screen on my bmw showed me a message "to process this please complete the Alexa setup" but it did execute the command and perform the action so I am not sure where I need to complete the Alexa setup - any idea, anyone? Maybe TurtleBoy ?

[samvora]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

Downloaded and installed today. "My BMW" says Alexa is enabled, but the accompanying instructions make no sense to me. "Enable the option "Apps" - what does that even mean? Log in in your BMW - on my computer, on the phone? Activate the "Online speech processing" and "Third party" options in the "Voice control" menu of your vehicle. Where? I confess I'm baffled. Deleted the phone and reinstalled, Android Auto works fine, but Alexa is nowhere to be found.... Certainly not intuitive...

This would be in the Apps under personal assistant. It doesn't specifically say Alexa but you will see the exact categories once you go into the personal assistant app and then just make sure you check the third party box and have the wake word feature enabled. That's it and you can try saying Alexa and it should work. You do NOT need to save a new wake word as Alexa

[BrummyGit]

Originally Posted by nZtiZia

how did you find it? I'd like to bookmark the site for future reference.

BMW issued a press release about it https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0334049EN/new-bmw-remote-software-upgrade-for-1-3-million-bmw-vehicles

[Paladin1]

Originally Posted by samvora

This would be in the Apps under personal assistant. It doesn't specifically say Alexa but you will see the exact categories once you go into the personal assistant app and then just make sure you check the third party box and have the wake word feature enabled. That's it and you can try saying Alexa and it should work. You do NOT need to save a new wake word as Alexa

Thanks - did that - both with and without Wake Word added. Nada - My BMA says Alexa is enabled, third party box is checked, all I get when I say "Alexa" when I push the mic is a message to finish setting up. I've actually just given up and will use "Hey BMW" and Google from AA if I need voice assistance for other than navigation. Alexa actually works on my phone (without the steering wheel button), and plays through the car's speakers when I enable BT audio - that's not actually "integration" - sufficient if I wanted to use Alexa in-car, which I am now less inclined to do. I briefly tested Amazon's Echo Auto and it worked much better with less shenanigans than this "integrated" version.

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

Thanks - did that - both with and without Wake Word added. Nada - My BMA says Alexa is enabled, third part box is checked, all I get when I say "Alexa" when I push the mic is a message to finish setting up. I've actually just given up and will use "Hey BMW" and Google from AA if I need voice assistance for other than navigation. Alexa actually works on my phone (without the steering wheel button), and plays through the car's speakers when I enable BT audio - that's not actually "integration" - sufficient if I wanted to use Alexa in-car, which I am now less inclined to do. I briefly tested Amazon's Echo Auto and it worked much better with less shenanigans than this "integrated" version.

i believe you're just supposed to say "Alexa", no steering wheel mic button pushing required as that brings up the BMW personal assistant.

[Paladin1]

Originally Posted by nZtiZia

i believe you're just supposed to say "Alexa", no steering wheel mic button pushing required as that brings up the BMW personal assistant.

Instructions say to set up "Alexa" as the Wake Word to use hands-free, but that just gets all bolixed up with "Hey BMW." Again, seems to be slightly underdone right now....

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

Instructions say to set up "Alexa" as the Wake Word to use hands-free, but that just gets all bolixed up with "Hey BMW." Again, seems to be slightly underdone right now....

the instructions and demo video don't say to push the mic button before saying "Alexa" to bring her up. simply say "Alexa." have you tried saying "Alexa" in your vehicle without pressing the mic button, though? it makes sense Alexa won't be listening after pressing it.

here's a summary of how it works:
• short press = "Hey BMW"
• long press = "Hey Siri" for iPhones (i don't know about Android phones.)

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

Instructions say to set up "Alexa" as the Wake Word to use hands-free, but that just gets all bolixed up with "Hey BMW." Again, seems to be slightly underdone right now....

This is not correct. They do not say to set up Alexa as the wake word. They just say to make sure the wake word box is checked.

One item to note is that I do not have the Alexa app on my phone, don't know if that is causing complications or not.

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

Instructions say to set up "Alexa" as the Wake Word to use hands-free, but that just gets all bolixed up with "Hey BMW." Again, seems to be slightly underdone right now....

this! the instructions never said so set up "Alexa" as the wake word. by doing so, you're just changing the wake up word for the BMW personal assistant from "Hey BMW" to "Alexa"!

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

This is not correct. They do not say to set up Alexa as the wake word. They just say to make sure the wake word box is checked.

One item to note is that I do not have the Alexa app on my phone, don't know if that is causing complications or not.

i have the Alexa app on my iPhone but just saying "Alexa" out loud doesn't trigger the app. one must open the Alexa app and tap on the virtual mic before speaking to her. it shouldn't cause him or others complications as i'm sure many current users also have the Alexa app on their phones in addition to Alexa in-car integration, but since i don't have 03/2021 yet, i'm just assuming... :P