[Tlon]

So, as I was driving in this morning I hit the update option on the Apps help screen (I was trying to get ParkMobile to work ) and a new icon showed up. It was labeled (I think) ADS and had what looked like a cartoon dialogue bubble in the icon. I clicked on it and it had a bunch of text and options for what I think was Amazon Alexa. The screen disappeared after about 3 seconds and so did the icon from the Apps list. I tried updating the software again, but no luck. Anyone have this in their Apps? If not, I'm guessing I stumbled upon an app being unintentionally available but I'm amazed at how quickly it came down.

[claykin]

Malware.

Kidding. No idea.

[wrickem]

What would Alexa add to the mix that "hey BMW" wouldn't already do? Would she be able to turn on your house lights and stuff?

[Tenac]

Originally Posted by wrickem

What would Alexa add to the mix that "hey BMW" wouldn't already do? Would she be able to turn on your house lights and stuff?

I currently use Alexa via phone to open garage check on things and yes lights. Also Amazon Music Ultra HD so far the best I have used.

[iknowdjz]

Apparently Alexa is tightly integrated into the BMW (when enables) at least that was the plan: https://techcrunch.com/2018/07/29/bm...-it-right/amp/

[Tlon]

Originally Posted by wrickem

What would Alexa add to the mix that "hey BMW" wouldn't already do? Would she be able to turn on your house lights and stuff?

That's my guess. Instead of that long, exhausting arm movement up to the homelink button on the rear view mirror, I could sit back, relax and say, "Hey Alexa, open my garage door for me!"

[VTENGR]

Originally Posted by Tenac

I currently use Alexa via phone to open garage check on things and yes lights. Also Amazon Music Ultra HD so far the best I have used.

Not trying to thread hijack, but how do you have Alexa open your garage door? I've been looking into this and can't seem to find a solution. I have LiftMaster with MyQ, so I can open the doors remotely. I just can't find a way to integrate that into Alexa.

[dan321]

Originally Posted by VTENGR

Not trying to thread hijack, but how do you have Alexa open your garage door? I've been looking into this and can't seem to find a solution. I have LiftMaster with MyQ, so I can open the doors remotely. I just can't find a way to integrate that into Alexa.

MyQ isn't compatible with Alexa. Here is an article with info on other ways to integrate with Alexa.

https://www.cnet.com/news/best-smart...-homekit-siri/

[VTENGR]

Originally Posted by dan321

MyQ isn't compatible with Alexa. Here is an article with info on other ways to integrate with Alexa.

https://www.cnet.com/news/best-smart...-homekit-siri/

Thanks - this got me motivated to do more research for Alexa + MyQ. It can actually be done through a 3rd party app called SimpleCommands. Just set it up, works like a charm.

[dan321]

Originally Posted by VTENGR

Thanks - this got me motivated to do more research for Alexa + MyQ. It can actually be done through a 3rd party app called SimpleCommands. Just set it up, works like a charm.

Glad it helped.

[wrickem]

Originally Posted by Tlon

That's my guess. Instead of that long, exhausting arm movement up to the homelink button on the rear view mirror, I could sit back, relax and say, "Hey Alexa, open my garage door for me!"

I really wasn't worried about that, I can usually rest at home for an hour after that long reach to the rear view mirror .

I was wondering more what benefits Alexa would bring that "hey BMW" (or in my case "Hey Villinelle") which I use for a lot of things in the car can't do. Home lighing and other stuff.

[VTENGR]

Just to name one benefit, now that I have it integrated with Alexa, Alexa will auto open my garage when I approach my house. If this is baked into the cars GPS, that would be a nice feature - I believe Tesla does this.

[edtreo]

If your garage opener has IFTTT support, it's relatively easy to configure geolocation to open and close the garage door.

[Tlon]

Originally Posted by wrickem

I really wasn't worried about that, I can usually rest at home for an hour after that long reach to the rear view mirror .

Oh, man. You're lucky. I can barely make the effort to turn on the massage seats and the cup heat. I can't understand all this exertion required by the new technology!!!