New software update with Alexa

paulockenden · 03-05-2021, 07:50 AM

Surely they all have quite different trigger words?

Axeman15 · 03-05-2021, 07:55 AM

I use Hey BMW (Holly) for car commands, but for Siri I press and hold the microphone button on the steering wheel, so no fighting between the two.

I don't use Alexa around the house but will give it a go when I get the next software update.

xenon · 03-05-2021, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulockenden

Surely they all have quite different trigger words?

They do so it’s not a problem. Alexa works perfectly and quickly and works well for playing Amazon music “on request” but it’s odd it won’t work if phone is connected using CarPlay.

danorman777 · 03-05-2021, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenon

They do so it’s not a problem. Alexa works perfectly and quickly and works well for playing Amazon music “on request” but it’s odd it won’t work if phone is connected using CarPlay.

I do use Carplay so have been having issues sadly. I will try Alexa on the 1 series when I can and see how it works if Carplay is running?

woody320 · 03-05-2021, 09:31 AM

I have today had a software update via my dealer to 21-03-525 and at long last Alexa is live. My dealer is absolutely on the ball with this and he shares my frustration. That update became available to dealers yesterday (4th March 21)
I am so far very impressed. It works very smoothly. I chose to tick the box "Activation Word" so that I don't have to press the steering wheel button. I tried it with the music stupidly high and on saying Alexa, instantly the music stopped and the screen says "How can I help" If you say "What is the capital of Italy" she replies "The capital of Italy is Rome". If you are moving you will get a text confirmation of your question and her answer on the screen only. If you are not moving you get an Italian flag and a map of Italy. It then works seamlessly with Gesture control. Swipe left (as if you are dismissing a call or a traffic report) and the screen disappears, the music or radio or Spotify starts exactly where you left off. It also switched on my home heating, the kettle etc.
Now I am normally not the easiest to convince and to say I have been frustrated with the wait and total non information from BMW is an understatement but so far on this I am highly impressed.
If I press the steering wheel button briefly its still Hey BMW or a long press and its Siri.
Happy days.

danorman777 · 03-05-2021, 12:11 PM

Thanks woody, did you have Carplay running when you did all that?

woody320 · 03-05-2021, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danorman777

Thanks woody, did you have Carplay running when you did all that?

Quote:

Originally Posted by danorman777

Thanks woody, did you have Carplay running when you did all that?

I did indeed, I made a call and got the same person to call me back. The phone call had precedence over Alexa. It just blocked her out.

So far so good

xenon · 03-05-2021, 01:09 PM

Maybe again a different software version. Mine kind of explicitly says the phone must be connected via Bluetooth.

ifr · 03-05-2021, 02:51 PM

It works fine for me with CarPlay active.

Also on 03/2021.525

xenon · 03-06-2021, 04:46 AM

Now works fine for me with CarPlay...

davekilshaw · 03-09-2021, 01:45 AM

New update landed this morning...

Keith_C · 03-09-2021, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davekilshaw

New update landed this morning...

Me too, uploaded to car, just waiting for update to start now.

srbs73 · 03-09-2021, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith_C

Me too, uploaded to car, just waiting for update to start now.

Hmm, I was hoping they would be pushing out a higher version as I assume that .50 doesn’t have any fix for the HUD? Annoying if I’ve got to wait another 3 months for the fix

Amos91 · 03-09-2021, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srbs73

Hmm, I was hoping they would be pushing out a higher version as I assume that .50 doesn’t have any fix for the HUD? Annoying if I’ve got to wait another 3 months for the fix

HUD still broken in sports mode.

Digzz · 03-09-2021, 02:39 PM

Does this do any updates with the ECU ? Like a lock of some sort ?

As I’m flashing my car soon .... don’t want it to lockdown the ecu 🤔

srbs73 · 03-09-2021, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amos91

HUD still broken in sports mode.

Does make you wonder what quality assurance they do on the software releases.

danorman777 · 03-10-2021, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amos91

HUD still broken in sports mode.

I was really hoping that would be fixed as it has been the same for nearly a year

Axeman15 · 03-10-2021, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danorman777

I was really hoping that would be fixed as it has been the same for nearly a year

It is a pain in the bum. I’ve got a shortcut button setup to get me to HUD menu but I miss auto selection.
It is a known fault so very disappointed with BMW not sorting out on this OTA update .

NthKent · 03-10-2021, 08:23 AM

My M340i is now on 11/2020.50. I couldn’t find the new lap timer function though(?).

paulockenden · 03-10-2021, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NthKent

My M340i is now on 11/2020.50. I couldn’t find the new lap timer function though(?).

It's in the apps section.

NthKent · 03-10-2021, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulockenden

It's in the apps section.

Ah, thank you, not that I go on track days! I just wondered!

a.summers86 · 03-11-2021, 09:34 AM

Is anyone having the below issues intermittently?

Seems the Alexa only works when the MyBMW app is open and running on my phone.

03-05-2021, 07:50 AM	#45
paulockenden Major 575 Rep 1,217 Posts Drives: 330e xDrive Touring Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: South Coast iTrader: (0)	Surely they all have quite different trigger words?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-05-2021, 07:55 AM	#46
Axeman15 Second Lieutenant 62 Rep 213 Posts Drives: 330i M Sport Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Nottingham iTrader: (0)	I use Hey BMW (Holly) for car commands, but for Siri I press and hold the microphone button on the steering wheel, so no fighting between the two. I don't use Alexa around the house but will give it a go when I get the next software update.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-05-2021, 09:31 AM	#49
woody320 Second Lieutenant 117 Rep 286 Posts Drives: G20 330e M Sport Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I have today had a software update via my dealer to 21-03-525 and at long last Alexa is live. My dealer is absolutely on the ball with this and he shares my frustration. That update became available to dealers yesterday (4th March 21) I am so far very impressed. It works very smoothly. I chose to tick the box "Activation Word" so that I don't have to press the steering wheel button. I tried it with the music stupidly high and on saying Alexa, instantly the music stopped and the screen says "How can I help" If you say "What is the capital of Italy" she replies "The capital of Italy is Rome". If you are moving you will get a text confirmation of your question and her answer on the screen only. If you are not moving you get an Italian flag and a map of Italy. It then works seamlessly with Gesture control. Swipe left (as if you are dismissing a call or a traffic report) and the screen disappears, the music or radio or Spotify starts exactly where you left off. It also switched on my home heating, the kettle etc. Now I am normally not the easiest to convince and to say I have been frustrated with the wait and total non information from BMW is an understatement but so far on this I am highly impressed. If I press the steering wheel button briefly its still Hey BMW or a long press and its Siri. Happy days.
	Appreciate 2 srbs73547.50 Axeman1561.50 Quote

03-05-2021, 12:11 PM	#50
danorman777 Captain 102 Rep 343 Posts Drives: M340i Touring Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Sussex iTrader: (0)	Thanks woody, did you have Carplay running when you did all that?
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03-05-2021, 01:09 PM	#52
xenon Major General 1394 Rep 8,081 Posts Drives: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry iTrader: (0)	Maybe again a different software version. Mine kind of explicitly says the phone must be connected via Bluetooth.
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03-05-2021, 02:51 PM	#53
ifr Lieutenant Colonel 1197 Rep 1,587 Posts Drives: Tesla MY LR AWD Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: N/A iTrader: (0)	It works fine for me with CarPlay active. Also on 03/2021.525
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03-06-2021, 04:46 AM	#54
xenon Major General 1394 Rep 8,081 Posts Drives: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry iTrader: (0)	Now works fine for me with CarPlay...
	Appreciate 1 ifr1196.50 Quote

03-09-2021, 01:45 AM	#55
davekilshaw Private 91 Rep 58 Posts Drives: BMW 220i M Sport G42 Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	New update landed this morning... Attached Images
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03-09-2021, 02:39 PM	#59
Digzz Private 21 Rep 71 Posts Drives: M2 G87 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Does this do any updates with the ECU ? Like a lock of some sort ? As I’m flashing my car soon .... don’t want it to lockdown the ecu 🤔
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-10-2021, 08:23 AM	#63
NthKent Private First Class 136 Rep 193 Posts Drives: BMW M340i Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Whitstable; England iTrader: (0)	My M340i is now on 11/2020.50. I couldn’t find the new lap timer function though(?).
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-11-2021, 09:34 AM	#66
a.summers86 Lieutenant 192 Rep 473 Posts Drives: BMW G20 MSport Pro Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (0)	Is anyone having the below issues intermittently? Seems the Alexa only works when the MyBMW app is open and running on my phone. Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote