[Carneylad]

Just seen this video on the BMW YouTube channel.

Doesn't work for me. Tried updating the app but no luck. Anyone managed to get it?

[Unit]

Doesn’t really offer much given Siri and Hey BMW cover pretty much everything between them.

[speedyman]

Does anyone else see driving a fine new vehicle as an escape from all the layers of electronic crap that so many of us can't seem to live without. Do we really need to ask Siri for a bunch of useless information even while driving?
Be careful with this junk, the guys on the other end up knowing more about you and your family than you do. None of this information will ever go away. You may forget but these digital records are for ever and could very well come back to bite you in the ass down the road.

[LexxM3]

Originally Posted by Carneylad

Just seen this video on the BMW YouTube channel.

Doesn't work for me. Tried updating the app but no luck. Anyone managed to get it?

That's interesting. You're using the MyBMW app? (Not available in NA, but available in UK). When you say "doesn't work" is that a) Alexa option not in app, or b) Alexa option in app but doesn't connect?

[c_hri_s]

There's no Alexa option in my MyBMW app ...

[Tenac]

Originally Posted by speedyman

Does anyone else see driving a fine new vehicle as an escape from all the layers of electronic crap that so many of us can't seem to live without. Do we really need to ask Siri for a bunch of useless information even while driving?
Be careful with this junk, the guys on the other end up knowing more about you and your family than you do. None of this information will ever go away. You may forget but these digital records are for ever and could very well come back to bite you in the ass down the road.

You can always set your setting in your prime account if you have one to delete stored data from your interactions with any device from Amazon. My auto deletes every 3 months I think. My use for tech like this is my home is fully automated from the entry gate, garage door and locks to the blinds and lights.... So when I arrive I like to say Alexa I'm home and from that it sets everything from temps to turning on my computer to lights ect... You are totally right its not for everyone for sure. I perfer Alexa devices because they are open source and that allows me to right my own scripts for control so I know that data strings heading in and out. But I'm also a total nerd and like to auto mate even the temp of my shower... LOL

[zhangyi17]

Personally find it funny that the guy in the video after setting up everything ask Alexa how far is the moon...

[Carneylad]

Originally Posted by LexxM3

That's interesting. You're using the MyBMW app? (Not available in NA, but available in UK). When you say "doesn't work" is that a) Alexa option not in app, or b) Alexa option in app but doesn't connect?

Apologies. Clumsy.

Alexa doesn't appear in my BMW app, so option a.

[LexxM3]

Originally Posted by Carneylad

Apologies. Clumsy.

Alexa doesn't appear in my BMW app, so option a.

No problem, that's what I was guessing — regardless announcement in that video by BMW as if it is something real, it isn't. Par for course.

[rlou]

Found this post on how to integrate Alexa into the BMW, but of course this method doesn't seem to work either: https://www.bmwblog.com/2020/07/24/h...a-in-your-bmw/

[LexxM3]

Originally Posted by rlou

Found this post on how to integrate Alexa into the BMW, but of course this method doesn't seem to work either: https://www.bmwblog.com/2020/07/24/h...a-in-your-bmw/

BMW's behaviour is infuriating and insulting. That blog post is, I guess, about *some* models on iDrive 6 with *some* specific I-STEP in *some* specific countries — but the video and blog post is delivered with such gusto and authority as to make the reader think that it's universal. It's like either their marketing doesn't know (incompetent) that BMW feature coverage is a chaotic random shamble across the entire line, or is intentionally omitting (malicious) that reality.

[Shawzy44]

Amazon Alexa is only available on vehicles with ID6 built from 11/18 featuring 11/18 software or higher.

Vehicle must have SA609 BMW Professional Navigation.

I found this info when explored for my 2019 440iX Cab (F33 LCI w/ ID6).

[LexxM3]

Originally Posted by Shawzy44

Amazon Alexa is only available on vehicles with ID6 built from 11/18 featuring 11/18 software or higher.

Vehicle must have SA609 BMW Professional Navigation.

I found this info when explored for my 2019 440iX Cab (F33 LCI w/ ID6).

a) thank you for doing BMW marketing's job for them; but ... which geographies?

b) video in first post clearly shows and explicitly states "iDrive system 7" (the second video and blog post are older and are iDrive 6)

[Shawzy44]

Originally Posted by LexxM3

a) thank you for doing BMW marketing's job for them; but ... which geographies?

b) video in first post clearly shows and explicitly states "iDrive system 7" (the second video and blog post are older and are iDrive 6)

I didn't get any farther then what I have mentioned above as BMW's Alexa services/apps were not available in Canada.
Specifically, no BMW Connect in car app or Alexa device app as July 2019 when I took delivery of my 2019 F33.

[Phantom38]

The UK version works OK, and has the edge over Siri for me, just because I can control my home automation stuff from the car. You can also access games like 'escape room' which pass the time while you are driving or with your passengers, and you can access the Alexa games for kids as well. No intergration with Spotify I can find (which Siri has) but it will play from Amazon music. Just seems a bit more fun to use, and a wider range of things you can ask and do.

[zhangyi17]

Originally Posted by Carneylad

Just seen this video on the BMW YouTube channel.

Doesn't work for me. Tried updating the app but no luck. Anyone managed to get it?

With 03/2021.50, Amazon Alexa is supposed to be supported. However, I still cannot use Alexa. When I press the microphone button, BMW Personal Assistant comes up instead of Alexa. Anyone has any idea? I followed all the steps from the how to video published by BMW

I do noticed that on my phone, Alexa app says the BMW is disconnected..How do I connect?

[Paladin1]

Originally Posted by zhangyi17

With 03/2021.50, Amazon Alexa is supposed to be supported. However, I still cannot use Alexa. When I press the microphone button, BMW Personal Assistant comes up instead of Alexa. Anyone has any idea? I followed all the steps from the how to video published by BMW

I do noticed that on my phone, Alexa app says the BMW is disconnected..How do I connect?

You don't need to press the microphone button, you just need to say "Alexa'" (assuming you checked the correct boxes). My BMW app does in fact say Alexa is connected after my update, and I do get the blue circle, but questions and commands are ignored. That seems to be the case with many users.

[zhangyi17]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

You don't need to press the microphone button, you just need to say "Alexa'" (assuming you checked the correct boxes). My BMW app does in fact say Alexa is connected after my update, and I do get the blue circle, but questions and commands are ignored. That seems to be the case with many users.

Calling Alexa didn't work either....
All boxes were checked as per the BMW YouTube video

[Paladin1]

Originally Posted by zhangyi17

Calling Alexa didn't work either....
All boxes were checked as per the BMW YouTube video

Yep. Same boxes checked. Doesn't seem to be functional in this update version, at least for the US (and, apparently Canada) for many/most people.

[davidRos]

Mine sometimes works as it should and sometimes says the setup needs to be completed. No rhyme or reason as to why.

[thereef510]

Originally Posted by zhangyi17

Personally find it funny that the guy in the video after setting up everything ask Alexa how far is the moon...

you mean Low Rent German Jared Kushner?

on a serious note: our house is an Apple home. I don't have any Alexa devices. I didn't bother setting this up yet. Is there anything useful I can use this for, besides having amzn collect more data about me?

[zhangyi17]

Originally Posted by thereef510

you mean Low Rent German Jared Kushner?

on a serious note: our house is an Apple home. I don't have any Alexa devices. I didn't bother setting this up yet. Is there anything useful I can use this for, besides having amzn collect more data about me?

Yes, I can find out how far the moon is!

In all seriousness, I find it very strange that a reputable company like BMW pushes out firmware update that doesn't work...