Anybody figure how to access Amazon Alexa in the X5?

buze · 11-25-2019, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSMC55

You can use a bluetooth transmitter which plugs into the echo dot line out and connect that as a bluetooth audio input on idrive. You can then stream music from the alexa unit.

I have it plugged into the power supply behind the centre console and the dot sits in the little tray. My phone is set to turn my hotspot on when it connects to the car's bluetooth.

It is not the most elegant solution and you need to speak loudly for Alexa to hear you, but it works.

Do you have a picture of where you installed it? 'behind the center console' do you mean the center screen? How did you route power?

The Echo input is quite compact, has has just BT + 3.5 jack -- I don't think the G05 has an AUX input tho :/

LexxM3 · 11-25-2019, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buze

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSMC55

You can use a bluetooth transmitter which plugs into the echo dot line out and connect that as a bluetooth audio input on idrive. You can then stream music from the alexa unit.

I have it plugged into the power supply behind the centre console and the dot sits in the little tray. My phone is set to turn my hotspot on when it connects to the car's bluetooth.

It is not the most elegant solution and you need to speak loudly for Alexa to hear you, but it works.

Do you have a picture of where you installed it? 'behind the center console' do you mean the center screen? How did you route power?

The Echo input is quite compact, has has just BT + 3.5 jack -- I don't think the G05 has an AUX input tho :/

I think he means:

- BT transmitter to Echo Dot over 3.5mm audio jack
- BT transmitter to X5 over BT
- place both where the charging/NFC tray is
- power both from either or both of USB A port and/or USB charger plugged into lighter slot that is right there near the charging/NFC tray

I'll also be trying this tonight or tomorrow. Great idea.

TSMC55 · 11-25-2019, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LexxM3

Quote:

Originally Posted by buze

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSMC55

You can use a bluetooth transmitter which plugs into the echo dot line out and connect that as a bluetooth audio input on idrive. You can then stream music from the alexa unit.

I have it plugged into the power supply behind the centre console and the dot sits in the little tray. My phone is set to turn my hotspot on when it connects to the car's bluetooth.

It is not the most elegant solution and you need to speak loudly for Alexa to hear you, but it works.

Do you have a picture of where you installed it? 'behind the center console' do you mean the center screen? How did you route power?

The Echo input is quite compact, has has just BT + 3.5 jack -- I don't think the G05 has an AUX input tho :/

I think he means:

- BT transmitter to Echo Dot over 3.5mm audio jack
- BT transmitter to X5 over BT
- place both where the charging/NFC tray is
- power both from either or both of USB A port and/or USB charger plugged into lighter slot that is right there near the charging/NFC tray

I'll also be trying this tonight or tomorrow. Great idea.

exactly that but i have it on the shelf behind the centre console, so in the rear section of the car under the arm rest thing and using the rear cig lighter outlet.

it would be better up front as you would not need to effectively yell for it to hear you, however i do not really have room for it there.

LexxM3 · 11-25-2019, 07:21 PM

@TSMC55, can you please share the exact 3.5mm audio-to-BT transmitter that you're using to connect BT audio to X5 and what version of X5 software you're on?

I've just tried a highly rated BT transmitter and X5 fails to pair with it much the same way it fails to BT pair with the Alexa Echo Dot, so I am starting to think it's not me, it's the X5 (pairing X5 to multiple smartphone BT transmitters is no issue for audio and telephony here).

TSMC55 · 11-25-2019, 07:44 PM

I am on 07/2019.55. The bluetooth transmitter is somethibg I brought off either ebay or amazon. It has a usb power source on it as well. I will try and get the exact link to it for you.

Make that ebay:

Bluetooth 4.2 A2DP Stereo Audio Adapter Dongle Sender Transmitter For TV Speaker

[IMG]undefined[/IMG]

LexxM3 · 11-25-2019, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSMC55

I am on 07/2019.55. The bluetooth transmitter is somethibg I brought off either ebay or amazon. It has a usb power source on it as well. I will try and get the exact link to it for you.

Make that ebay:

Bluetooth 4.2 A2DP Stereo Audio Adapter Dongle Sender Transmitter For TV Speaker

Ok, thanks, found one like that on Amazon and will be here tomorrow to try again. The one I tried paired to a BT speaker immediately and no problem, but not to X5.

Paladin1 · 11-25-2019, 08:40 PM

Installed Echo Auto today - cable to the USB C connector in the center console (you need a USB C/Micro-B cable) - and it does work. Bluetooth connection, playing through the smartphone in Media, no additional transmitter needed. That said, still experimenting - I'm not sure if the Alexa app needs to be always open on the phone (did a cold start and had to reboot the phone), or if it will always play when the phone connects, or if some other prep or pre-conditioning needs to be done each time you use it. Will report back as I use it; Android, Samsung Note 9.

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TSMC55 · 11-25-2019, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LexxM3

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSMC55

I am on 07/2019.55. The bluetooth transmitter is somethibg I brought off either ebay or amazon. It has a usb power source on it as well. I will try and get the exact link to it for you.

Make that ebay:

Bluetooth 4.2 A2DP Stereo Audio Adapter Dongle Sender Transmitter For TV Speaker

Ok, thanks, found one like that on Amazon and will be here tomorrow to try again. The one I tried paired to a BT speaker immediately and no problem, but not to X5.

I should add that when I originally paired the transmitter to the car, I was on software 11/2018.44 (I think).

If you have problems let me know and I will delete and try to repair. That should let us work out if it is an issue with idrive or software version etc.

You can also set alexa as the default voice assistant on Android. Some people on here have suggested holding the voice control button on the steering wheel in will activate google assistant instead of hey bmw. I imagine if you set your default to alexa instead of google that it should work as well.

TSMC55 · 11-25-2019, 11:42 PM

I just removed my pairing and now can not get it to re-pair with the transmitter. It is showing up but fails to pair.......

LexxM3 · 11-26-2019, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSMC55

I just removed my pairing and now can not get it to re-pair with the transmitter. It is showing up but fails to pair.......

Awesome. Bloody BMW, WTF!?

Paladin1 · 11-26-2019, 11:13 AM

OK - so far, Echo Auto works, and will play through the car's audio when Media is set to the smartphone, whenever the phone is connected with BT. Phone volume must be turned up, and I set the phone's bluetooth to tether with connected WiFi, but it works. So far. All Alexa commands and Amazon Music available.

LexxM3 · 11-26-2019, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSMC55

I just removed my pairing and now can not get it to re-pair with the transmitter. It is showing up but fails to pair.......

I received same BT transmitter as yours and yes, it also doesn't pair. Grr. We'll see what 11/2019.34 brings next week.

I asked my awesome dealer service manager on how to report such a bug to BMW and the crazy thing is he couldn't think of a way except opening a PUMA case (I always thought those were reserved for existential issues). He'll dig deeper into his BMW Canada contacts — he is deservedly super respected, so perhaps he'll unlock some informal way. Any Soviet era Russians here: по блату, LOL.

But found a rather nice way to mount it if it ever works:

TSMC55 · 11-27-2019, 04:45 AM

Nice mounting. I have ordered a new transmitter operating on BT 5.0. It arrives Friday so I will let you know.

LexxM3 · 12-21-2019, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSMC55

Nice mounting. I have ordered a new transmitter operating on BT 5.0. It arrives Friday so I will let you know.

Any luck?

TSMC55 · 12-23-2019, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LexxM3

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSMC55

Nice mounting. I have ordered a new transmitter operating on BT 5.0. It arrives Friday so I will let you know.

Any luck?

No. I cannot get anything to connect now. I should not have played with it! lol

LexxM3 · 12-23-2019, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSMC55

Quote:

Originally Posted by LexxM3

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSMC55

Nice mounting. I have ordered a new transmitter operating on BT 5.0. It arrives Friday so I will let you know.

Any luck?

No. I cannot get anything to connect now. I should not have played with it! lol

Hm. Anyone have 11/2018.xx NCD files hanging around to see is any coding changed to break this on 03/2019.xx. It's probably not coding but rather a core software stack bug, but worth a peripheral look.

LexxM3 · 11-10-2020, 05:33 PM

Yet another revival of this zombie thread. Anyone with software 07/2020.xx or later manage to Bluetooth-pair any device OTHER THAN a smartphone to iDrive? Even better, anyone managed to Bluetooth-pair an Amazon Echo device to iDrive?

(Echo Auto doesn't count. I have that functioning and it is a mostly crappy and frustrating Alexa experience due to, what I can only presume, yet another set of incompetent software designs and implementations on Echo Auto and Alexa iOS app it relies on, Amazon's this time).

harmonmonic · 12-11-2020, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSMC55

I am on 07/2019.55. The bluetooth transmitter is somethibg I brought off either ebay or amazon (help: amazon customer service number). It has a usb power source on it as well. I will try and get the exact link to it for you.

Make that ebay:

Bluetooth 4.2 A2DP Stereo Audio Adapter Dongle Sender Transmitter For TV Speaker

[IMG]undefined[/IMG]

Thanks a lot for this. It seems to me, pretty useful device.

LexxM3 · 12-11-2020, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harmonmonic

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSMC55

I am on 07/2019.55. The bluetooth transmitter is somethibg I brought off either ebay or amazon (help: amazon customer service number). It has a usb power source on it as well. I will try and get the exact link to it for you.

Make that ebay:

Bluetooth 4.2 A2DP Stereo Audio Adapter Dongle Sender Transmitter For TV Speaker

Thanks a lot for this. It seems to me, pretty useful device.

But if you're hoping to BT-pair that to the X5, you'll be disappointed ... unless BMW fixed that in 07/2020.xx and onwards — I'd still like to hear from anyone at all that has managed to BT-pair anything OTHER THAN a smartphone to an iDrive 7 car, crickets so far. Read the rest of the thread.

Sandy · 04-11-2024, 04:26 PM

You can contact the Amazon customer service center so they can help you in the process.

Sandy · 04-11-2024, 04:28 PM

You can contact the Amazon customer service center so they can help you in the process.

11-25-2019, 07:21 PM	#26
LexxM3 Colonel 1698 Rep 2,609 Posts Drives: E46M3, G05X5 Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Waterloo, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 X5 [0.00]	@TSMC55, can you please share the exact 3.5mm audio-to-BT transmitter that you're using to connect BT audio to X5 and what version of X5 software you're on? I've just tried a highly rated BT transmitter and X5 fails to pair with it much the same way it fails to BT pair with the Alexa Echo Dot, so I am starting to think it's not me, it's the X5 (pairing X5 to multiple smartphone BT transmitters is no issue for audio and telephony here). __________________ G05 X5 x40i (04/2019 mfg, Canada) on S18A-19-11-540
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11-25-2019, 07:44 PM	#27
TSMC55 Second Lieutenant 127 Rep 251 Posts Drives: BMW X5 2019 GO5 Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Brisbane, Australia iTrader: (0)	I am on 07/2019.55. The bluetooth transmitter is somethibg I brought off either ebay or amazon. It has a usb power source on it as well. I will try and get the exact link to it for you. Make that ebay: Bluetooth 4.2 A2DP Stereo Audio Adapter Dongle Sender Transmitter For TV Speaker [IMG]undefined[/IMG] Attached Images
	Appreciate 1 LexxM31697.50 Quote

11-25-2019, 08:40 PM	#29
Paladin1 Brigadier General 5527 Rep 4,488 Posts Drives: 2022 iX xDrive50, DGM Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Midwest iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 iX xDrive M60 [0.00] 2022 iX xDrive50 [0.00]	Installed Echo Auto today - cable to the USB C connector in the center console (you need a USB C/Micro-B cable) - and it does work. Bluetooth connection, playing through the smartphone in Media, no additional transmitter needed. That said, still experimenting - I'm not sure if the Alexa app needs to be always open on the phone (did a cold start and had to reboot the phone), or if it will always play when the phone connects, or if some other prep or pre-conditioning needs to be done each time you use it. Will report back as I use it; Android, Samsung Note 9. Last edited by Paladin1; 11-25-2019 at 08:55 PM..
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11-25-2019, 11:42 PM	#31
TSMC55 Second Lieutenant 127 Rep 251 Posts Drives: BMW X5 2019 GO5 Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Brisbane, Australia iTrader: (0)	I just removed my pairing and now can not get it to re-pair with the transmitter. It is showing up but fails to pair.......
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11-26-2019, 11:13 AM	#33
Paladin1 Brigadier General 5527 Rep 4,488 Posts Drives: 2022 iX xDrive50, DGM Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Midwest iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 iX xDrive M60 [0.00] 2022 iX xDrive50 [0.00]	OK - so far, Echo Auto works, and will play through the car's audio when Media is set to the smartphone, whenever the phone is connected with BT. Phone volume must be turned up, and I set the phone's bluetooth to tether with connected WiFi, but it works. So far. All Alexa commands and Amazon Music available.
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11-27-2019, 04:45 AM	#35
TSMC55 Second Lieutenant 127 Rep 251 Posts Drives: BMW X5 2019 GO5 Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Brisbane, Australia iTrader: (0)	Nice mounting. I have ordered a new transmitter operating on BT 5.0. It arrives Friday so I will let you know.
	Appreciate 1 LexxM31697.50 Quote

11-10-2020, 05:33 PM	#39
LexxM3 Colonel 1698 Rep 2,609 Posts Drives: E46M3, G05X5 Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Waterloo, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 X5 [0.00]	Yet another revival of this zombie thread. Anyone with software 07/2020.xx or later manage to Bluetooth-pair any device OTHER THAN a smartphone to iDrive? Even better, anyone managed to Bluetooth-pair an Amazon Echo device to iDrive? (Echo Auto doesn't count. I have that functioning and it is a mostly crappy and frustrating Alexa experience due to, what I can only presume, yet another set of incompetent software designs and implementations on Echo Auto and Alexa iOS app it relies on, Amazon's this time). __________________ G05 X5 x40i (04/2019 mfg, Canada) on S18A-19-11-540
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04-11-2024, 04:26 PM	#42
Sandy Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: bmw i4 Join Date: Apr 2024 Location: Washington iTrader: (0)	answer You can contact the Amazon customer service center so they can help you in the process.
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04-11-2024, 04:28 PM	#43
Sandy Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: bmw i4 Join Date: Apr 2024 Location: Washington iTrader: (0)	Answer You can contact the Amazon customer service center so they can help you in the process.
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