[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

2021 BMW Summer Technology Updates

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Woodcliff Lake, NJ – Sept. 22, 2021… During the Summer of 2021, the next level of technology upgrades were rolled out to BMW customers with iDrive 7. These updates included features such as Amazon Alexa for iDrive 7, Uneven Road Surface warning, and Remote Engine Start on demand.


Amazon Alexa for iDrive 7



Amazon Alexa Car Integration for iDrive 7 allows the driver and passengers to ask Alexa to send directions, play a favorite song, remotely control their smart home and so much more, all from within their BMW.

With the latest Remote Software Upgrade, drivers can enjoy seamless access to Alexa, Amazon’s cloud-based personal assistant that makes every drive more connected, entertaining, and productive. Using Alexa in your BMW is easy and hands-free.

Simply ask Alexa to play your favorite playlist, add items to your grocery list or ask for a joke and Alexa will respond instantly.

Amazon Alexa Car Integration for iDrive 7 vehicles requires that the vehicle software is level 21-03 or newer. For applicable vehicles, the software version can be checked in iDrive via “Apps > Settings > General Settings > Remote Software Upgrade”. For vehicles without Remote Software Upgrade option, the vehicle’s software level may be confirmed by your BMW Center. Please note - for vehicles which require a software update to be performed at a BMW Center, additional charges may apply.



Remote Engine Start on demand.



Whether you are experiencing a heat wave or bracing for the cold, Remote Engine Start lets you precondition your BMW vehicle temperature from your home or office and bring comfort and ease to your daily commute.

While Remote Engine Start has been available in BMW vehicles since MY2019, it is now available as a new “Function on Demand”, available for purchase via the ConnectedDrive Store (www.bmwusa.com/MyBMWConnectedDrive) for compatible vehicles that were not originally fitted with this option. Remote Engine Start can cool or warm your BMW prior to departure via your smartphone. It can be downloaded and installed over the air via Remote Software Upgrade.

To activate Remote Engine Start, just tap a button in the My BMW app and your BMW’s engine will start, allowing your BMW’s interior to adjust to a comfortable temperature. Remote Engine Start can also be operated using the BMW Key fob by a triple-click of the lock button.
BMW’s departure timer feature ensures a comfortable cabin temperature for your desired departure time. If you are delayed, the 15-minute switch-off timer will be activated to reserve your battery and fuel.

Remote Engine Start on compatible vehicles can be fully activated through the ConnectedDrive store at www.bmwusa.com/MyBMWConnectedDrive.



Uneven Road Surface warning.



Vehicles equipped with Live Cockpit Professional (option code 6U3) and vehicle software 20-07 and newer will be able to use the new built-in Uneven Road Surface feature, which provides useful notifications on the Instrument panel or, in vehicles so equipped, the Head-Up Dis

The notifications will depict whether you are encountering a single uneven road surface or rough road area within .25 miles of the first event. Uneven road surface notifications are triggered by potholes, speedbumps, sewer covers, or other generally irregular road surfaces that would lead to less-than-optimal driving comfort.

Uneven Road Surface continuously learns and automatically registers road imperfections and sends anonymized data directly to BMW, improving this feature in real time for all BMW customers.

On compatible vehicles, the Uneven Road Surface feature will be automatically added and activated at no additional cost. The ability to turn the feature on or off will be available from the main menu in the iDrive screen under the “Apps” tab.

[Ristau]

I get a false positive for the uneven road surface thing in the exact same spot more frequently than I would like. Rather annoying, but cool features nonetheless I suppose!

[phoenixbmwlife]

Originally Posted by Ristau

I get a false positive for the uneven road surface thing in the exact same spot more frequently than I would like. Rather annoying, but cool features nonetheless I suppose!

I get the uneven surface warning in the same area with speed bumps when I dive to and from work every day. Technically it's uneven so cool.

[unfoundnemo]

my whole area is an uneven road surface (hit 3 on my 1.5 mile commute to work)... I've been wondering how/if it could be disabled but haven't looked around. Good to know.

[TheUltimateDrivingManiac]

Who needs that "uneven surface" warning? Blind drivers? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[E91WAG3N]

Ah yes. I'm glad the option for a third pedal in most BMWs has been replaced with Alexa.

[sahajesh]

Here we go, the 6MT club has shown up

[spuntyb]

ConnectedDrive.bmwusa.com is currently broken lol

[oz555]

That is great for markets where on-air updates are possible. For me iDrive 7 is big step back from iDrive 5 I had with previous car. Navigation doesn't reroute for traffic jams anymore, no updates, no driver profiles. Pretty much useless technology upgrade that can not do things iDrive 5 could do 5 years ago. I will elaborate this in separate post with photos as a proof.

[AllaVodka]

Originally Posted by Ristau

I get a false positive for the uneven road surface thing in the exact same spot more frequently than I would like. Rather annoying, but cool features nonetheless I suppose!

In an F30?

[E91WAG3N]

Originally Posted by sahajesh

Here we go, the 6MT club has shown up

I'm a long-time BMW owner and former dealership employee. You can't buy estate cars in the United States and can't even settle for a run of the mill 3 series with a manual. Driving dynamics continue to suffer, as well.

Porsche has earned my future business. It's sad to see BMW shun the enthusiasts that helped build their brand from the ground up.

lol indeed.

[wrickem]

Now I have even bigger 1st world problems!

With so many women living in my car and wanting to do things for me, It gets confusing who to ask to do what. Oksana put down my window, Siri create a station in CarPlay and Alexa turn on my stair lights when I get home

I kinda like it

[H_T]

Originally Posted by wrickem

Now I have even bigger 1st world problems!

With so many women living in my car and wanting to do things for me, It gets confusing who to ask to do what. Oksana put down my window, Siri create a station in CarPlay and Alexa turn on my stair lights when I get home

I kinda like it

99 problems and a b* ain't one…

[Jockey]

Oh hey, more random stuff that BMW can fleece it's customers for

Neat

[Germanauto]

Pointless gimmicks but BMW has to keep up with competitors.

"Uneven road warning" lmao.

[thaalrasha]

Laughing so hard at the "Uneven Road Surface"

That's a german invention for sure where roads are built and maintained correctly, in the UK that'd be on 95% of the time.

[taek]

Originally Posted by wrickem

Now I have even bigger 1st world problems!

With so many women living in my car and wanting to do things for me, It gets confusing who to ask to do what. Oksana put down my window, Siri create a station in CarPlay and Alexa turn on my stair lights when I get home

I kinda like it

Everyone better get used to it, this will be the norm.
Faucets now use voice activated personal assistants. You tell Alexa you want 1 cup of water at 100 degrees.

I'd imagine in 20 years everything will be this way, whether it's needed or not. Even if adults now think it's ridiculous, kids grow up in this environment. A recent power outage reset my smart home, and my kid panicked and woke me up telling me the house was broken because the lights wouldn't turn on when he told them to. I showed him how to flip the light switch. Mind blown.

[ASAP]

Does the remote start work on a pre LCI 2021 X3?

Has anyone gotten the software update?

[mvmurali42]

Originally Posted by Jason

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – Sept. 22, 2021… During the Summer of 2021, the next level of technology upgrades were rolled out to BMW customers with iDrive 7. These updates included features such as Amazon Alexa for iDrive 7, Uneven Road Surface warning, and Remote Engine Start on demand.


Amazon Alexa for iDrive 7

Attachment 2702102

Amazon Alexa Car Integration for iDrive 7 allows the driver and passengers to ask Alexa to send directions, play a favorite song, remotely control their smart home and so much more, all from within their BMW.

With the latest Remote Software Upgrade, drivers can enjoy seamless access to Alexa, Amazon's cloud-based personal assistant that makes every drive more connected, entertaining, and productive. Using Alexa in your BMW is easy and hands-free.

Simply ask Alexa to play your favorite playlist, add items to your grocery list or ask for a joke and Alexa will respond instantly.

Amazon Alexa Car Integration for iDrive 7 vehicles requires that the vehicle software is level 21-03 or newer. For applicable vehicles, the software version can be checked in iDrive via "Apps > Settings > General Settings > Remote Software Upgrade". For vehicles without Remote Software Upgrade option, the vehicle's software level may be confirmed by your BMW Center. Please note - for vehicles which require a software update to be performed at a BMW Center, additional charges may apply.



Remote Engine Start on demand.

Attachment 2702103

Whether you are experiencing a heat wave or bracing for the cold, Remote Engine Start lets you precondition your BMW vehicle temperature from your home or office and bring comfort and ease to your daily commute.

While Remote Engine Start has been available in BMW vehicles since MY2019, it is now available as a new "Function on Demand", available for purchase via the ConnectedDrive Store (www.bmwusa.com/MyBMWConnectedDrive) for compatible vehicles that were not originally fitted with this option. Remote Engine Start can cool or warm your BMW prior to departure via your smartphone. It can be downloaded and installed over the air via Remote Software Upgrade.

To activate Remote Engine Start, just tap a button in the My BMW app and your BMW's engine will start, allowing your BMW's interior to adjust to a comfortable temperature. Remote Engine Start can also be operated using the BMW Key fob by a triple-click of the lock button.
BMW's departure timer feature ensures a comfortable cabin temperature for your desired departure time. If you are delayed, the 15-minute switch-off timer will be activated to reserve your battery and fuel.

Remote Engine Start on compatible vehicles can be fully activated through the ConnectedDrive store at www.bmwusa.com/MyBMWConnectedDrive.



Uneven Road Surface warning.

Attachment 2702104

Vehicles equipped with Live Cockpit Professional (option code 6U3) and vehicle software 20-07 and newer will be able to use the new built-in Uneven Road Surface feature, which provides useful notifications on the Instrument panel or, in vehicles so equipped, the Head-Up Dis

The notifications will depict whether you are encountering a single uneven road surface or rough road area within .25 miles of the first event. Uneven road surface notifications are triggered by potholes, speedbumps, sewer covers, or other generally irregular road surfaces that would lead to less-than-optimal driving comfort.

Uneven Road Surface continuously learns and automatically registers road imperfections and sends anonymized data directly to BMW, improving this feature in real time for all BMW customers.

On compatible vehicles, the Uneven Road Surface feature will be automatically added and activated at no additional cost. The ability to turn the feature on or off will be available from the main menu in the iDrive screen under the "Apps" tab.

I have BMW 5 Series 2020 iDrive 7 Pre LCI. My car has Alexa and Uneven road surface but I can't see remote start.

Can I get remote start through software upgrade or isn't eligible.

Thanks in advance

[clee1982]

link is not deployed yet, would be interesting if 2019 540 can have remote start guess we will see when it goes live

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

I'm assuming none of this will apply to my 2021 X3 MC with a half baked version of the iDrive 7. Only the new LCI guys & gals will get this. Right... ?

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by thaalrasha

Laughing so hard at the "Uneven Road Surface"

That's a german invention for sure where roads are built and maintained correctly, in the UK that'd be on 95% of the time.

If you have ever driven in Puerto Rico where I vacation several times a year the “Uneven Road Surface” message would be showing 90% of the time. They have more potholes there than I have hair!