[RetSurfer]

I’ve had my 50e for a month now. I’ve been getting used to all the STUFF on it, it’s my first BMW.

I have a Google Pixel and have been using Google Maps on my phone for long trips in my previous Jeep, It didn't have AA. I haven't taken any longer drives yet with the 50e.

I see several connections between the BMW map and longer drives in Hybrid Mode.

What will I be missing moving to Android Auto?

[COKen]

Originally Posted by RetSurfer

I’ve had my 50e for a month now. I’ve been getting used to all the STUFF on it, it’s my first BMW.

I have a Google Pixel and have been using Google Maps on my phone for long trips in my previous Jeep, It didn't have AA. I haven't taken any longer drives yet with the 50e.

I see several connections between the BMW map and longer drives in Hybrid Mode.

What will I be missing moving to Android Auto?

I don't think anything will go away. With Apple Car Play, it just adds function and I believe Android Auto does the same thing.

[E91toG05]

I think you are asking what you lose by not using the bmw navigation. The heads-up display provides more detailed info (eg, which lane you are in on a highway) when you use the bmw nav. Also, theoretically, the car takes your destination into account for purposes of moderating gas vs electric usage.

[TXPearl]

I played with both on a road trip recently. The native idrive map is better...clearer and more detailed... and the scroll/zoom capability makes it more convenient on a longer trip(at least for how I use it, as I'm always zooming in/out). That said, it's hard to beat the integration with the phone and the simplicity of pulling up an address I've already searched for on the phone.

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by TXPearl

I played with both on a road trip recently. The native idrive map is better...clearer and more detailed... and the scroll/zoom capability makes it more convenient on a longer trip(at least for how I use it, as I'm always zooming in/out). That said, it's hard to beat the integration with the phone and the simplicity of pulling up an address I've already searched for on the phone.

you can do the same in the MyBMW app. instead of going to your regular maps app, go to the MyBMW app's map, search an address, send to your vehicle to call upon as a destination address for the iDrive Navi

[Guy Fleegman]

I keep going back and forth. Google maps has so many stored addresses that makes it much easier to search for a destination. It's a familiar interface too for those who are new to iDrive.

But the native nav system allows me to send a destination to the car from my BMW app, which is really convenient. It also works with the Adaptive Hybrid mode on "e" cars to optimize fuel economy.

I seem to have settled into the routine of using the native app when starting out on a trip where I can pre-program the destination and route. If I need to find a location on the fly while I'm driving, the Google Maps via Android Auto is more convenient.

Also, it may be my faulty memory, but the HUD information for non-native navigation apps is more detailed than it used to be. Waze seems to be better integrated now than it was before, although I'm not such a fan as many are.

[E91toG05]

For CarPlay there is only heads up display if you use Apple Maps. None for Waze or Google Maps. Only the bmw one has the map in the instrument cluster….

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by E91toG05

For CarPlay there is only heads up display if you use Apple Maps. None for Waze or Google Maps. Only the bmw one has the map in the instrument cluster….

correct, but I will expand on this:
if connected via Android Auto, Google Maps directions also show on the HUD. Google Maps directions don't show when connected via CarPlay. (for the HUD, it's an OS thing: Apple Maps with CarPlay. Google Maps with Android Auto)

Waze directions also show up on the HUD with i-Step version 11/2020 or greater (Android Auto only at this time)

[volodp]

One more thing is that the native navigation works better in the tunnels - gets approximate location from the car using compass and speedometer. Phone apps don’t have it.

[Guy Fleegman]

Originally Posted by nZtiZia

if connected via Android Auto, Google Maps directions also show on the HUD. Google Maps directions don't show when connected via CarPlay. (for the HUD, it's an OS thing: Apple Maps with CarPlay. Google Maps with Android Auto)

Waze directions also show up on the HUD with i-Step version 11/2020 or greater

I used Waze via Android Auto for the first time yesterday (running 11/2022 update). There seems to be full functionality on the iDrive screen and directions are displayed on the HUD. However, some details such as which lanes to make a turn/exit don't appear on the HUD.

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by Guy Fleegman

I used Waze via Android Auto for the first time yesterday (running 11/2022 update). There seems to be full functionality on the iDrive screen and directions are displayed on the HUD. However, some details such as which lanes to make a turn/exit don't appear on the HUD.

thanks for confirming Waze appearance in the HUD when connected via AA

pretty much the same level of detail (or lack of) between Waze, Apple Maps and Google Maps on the HUD. only the native iDrive Navi shows more, such as lane graphics

[FCX5]

Originally Posted by volodp

One more thing is that the native navigation works better in the tunnels - gets approximate location from the car using compass and speedometer. Phone apps don’t have it.

Unless you start Apple or Google Map inside the tunnel, they should work fine in tunnels based on my experience. I tried them in Italy, Austria and Switzerland. The Phone Apps need Cellular to start, but then are fine.

I find the accuracy of routes better with Google and Apple (in US). Plus, the UX. But Android Auto is a great platform. IMHO. You can run CarPlay in AA - no problem.

[Flying Ace]

IMO, the BMW navigation experience is awesome. It's smooth, responsive and intuitive.

[RetSurfer]

Originally Posted by E91toG05

I think you are asking what you lose by not using the bmw navigation. The heads-up display provides more detailed info (eg, which lane you are in on a highway) when you use the bmw nav. Also, theoretically, the car takes your destination into account for purposes of moderating gas vs electric usage.

This is probably the way I should have asked....

Is it too early with the 50e to get a read on how this works?

[E91toG05]

Another oddball one is that if you are using the self driving on a freeway with the bmw navigation, it will start to slow down for your next exit.

[RetSurfer]

Can you start out on a trip using iDrive than switch to AA for the audio, etc?

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by RetSurfer

Can you start out on a trip using iDrive than switch to AA for the audio, etc?

understandably some do have a preference connecting one way versus another, but why connect one way then switch to another? what are you trying to accomplish or avoid?

[RetSurfer]

Avoiding losing the Adaptive Hybrid mode on my 50e. Will it run in the background?

Gaining apps like Audible, and direct links to my phone.

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by RetSurfer

Avoiding losing the Adaptive Hybrid mode on my 50e. Will it run in the background?

Gaining apps like Audible, and direct links to my phone.

if you use Google Maps or Waze as your navi, adaptive hybrid mode (anticipatory driving) doesn't run in the background. it needs a destination address in the BMW Navi to work.

[javapro]

Originally Posted by nZtiZia

thanks for confirming Waze appearance in the HUD when connected via AA

pretty much the same level of detail (or lack of) between Waze, Apple Maps and Google Maps on the HUD. only the native iDrive Navi shows more, such as lane graphics

Doe Waze show up in the HUD when connected through Apple CarPlay? It doesn’t for me but I am on the very old iDrive version - 03/2021.

[modesa]

I've been pretty disappointing with Android Auto, mainly because my go-to music app doesn't work with it, making it useless for at least 50% of my trips. The closest alternative is Amazon Music, but it's so glitchy and poorly implemented that it's effectively useless 50% of the time. I can stream directly via bluetooth, but not at the same time as Android Auto, it can only be one or the other. Google Maps as the others have said isn't any better than the iDrive map and nav. The only benefit I've gained is better integration with my podcast apps, but I rarely use them, and only on long trips.

I honestly wouldn't care if my next car didn't have it. Maybe Tesla's OS will actually support my music app.

[jazz120]

The only thing with iDrive Nav it looks cluttered on the screen and the actual route u need to follow is in Green color and so is almost everything else ..if only the graphics were cleaner …