[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

Updated BMW Connected Released for iOS and Android

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• Alexa integration facilitates managing your mobility agenda and vehicle functions from home.
• First mile navigation provides walking directions to your vehicle’s current location.
• Apple Watch app puts important trip information within easy reach.
• BMW Connected for Android expands the service footprint to more customers.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ… October 6, 2016... Beginning today, the BMW Connected personal mobility companion emcompasses new services and additional devices. The launch of BMW Connected Version 3.0 for iOS includes new benefits, such as: Alexa integration, first mile navigation, vehicle service alerts, a battery-saving mode, and an Apple Watch app. BMW Connected Version 1.0 for Android is also now available.

With the announcement of BMW Connected at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and its market launch earlier this year, BMW kicked off its vision of an intelligent, highly personalized network of digital services that integrate the vehicle seamlessly into the life of the consumer. Using its flexible platform – the Open Mobility Cloud – as a basis, BMW Connected services is available anytime, anywhere – inside or outside the vehicle. Additionally, with its ability to create an intelligent BMW ID based on a user’s travel patterns over time, BMW Connected users get a personalized experience over all available touchpoints, including smartphones, smartwatches, and Alexa-enabled devices.

Download BMW Connected for iOS

Download BMW Connected for Android

The update further improves convenience and connectivity.
BMW Connected was initially available for Apple iPhone users and starting today, Android-based smartphones will also be supported. The update of BMW Connected also covers the new Apple Watch Series 2. Customers are now able to call up information such as driving times based on current traffic, as well as a map showing the navigation destination on the watch, and use that information without having to take out their smartphone. Plus, integration into Alexa allows users to control vehicle functions from home via voice commands. Typical functions that can be controlled include vehicle door lock and battery charge status.

With BMW Connected, mobility begins before the user gets into the car and does not have to end once they park. Last mile navigation displays the route users need to take from their car to their final destination on their mobile device. The new update to BMW Connected also sees users benefitting from first mile navigation – the route back to their vehicle is now accessible via BMW Connected.

New filter functions allow BMW Connected to be adapted even more precisely to personal needs. For instance, searches for charging stations for BMW i models or BMW iPerformance vehicles can be refined using criteria such as the charging method involved, membership in the ChargeNow network, and the accepted payment method(s). Charging stations which do not meet the selected criteria are not shown. Furthermore, users can access more information on their vehicle, such as the tire pressure and engine oil level.

The new BMW Connected visual design increases ease of use, with upgraded graphics that sharpen the focus on the desired information. In order to increase the run time of the devices in use, BMW Connected now also offers an additional mode which conserves battery life.

Amazon Alexa brings BMW Connected into your home.
“With the availability of BMW Connected as an Alexa skill in USA, customers will for the first time be able to manage their personal mobility agenda and operate vehicle from their homes. The integration between Alexa and BMW Connected is underlining BMW’s promise to constantly integrate BMW Connected into new touchpoints and to expand its digital services,” says Dieter May, Senior Vice President Digital Services and Business Models at BMW Group.

The first version of BMW Connected, available in the U.S. since March 2016, focused primarily on journey management and remote services. Now, BMW Connected is literally coming home. With the availability of BMW Connected as an Alexa skill on all Alexa-enabled devices, such as the Amazon Echo and Echo Dot, it is now possible to use voice commands to check the vehicle’s battery charge and fuel level, for example, as well as lock the vehicle remotely. The BMW Connected Alexa skill allows users to learn about their next scheduled trip, find out what time to leave, and send the destination to their BMW.

“We’re excited to work with BMW to bring their Alexa skill to customers,” said Rob Pulciani, Director, Amazon Alexa. “Never before have BMW and Alexa users been able to control their connected cars using hands-free voice control from their home — and now with the BMW Alexa skill, customers can use Alexa voice technology to lock their car doors, check their fuel level, and more without lifting a finger. We can’t wait for customers to try it out.”

The skill works by using the activation word “Alexa,” followed by the invocation name “BMW,” which allows users to access the relevant functions, e.g. “Alexa, ask BMW when I should leave for my next appointment.” The vision of BMW Connected integrated with Alexa was first revealed earlier this year at CES 2016 in Las Vegas. The vision has now become a reality, and we expect to continue to release more innovative Alexa updates in the coming months. Today, users in the U.S. can access BMW Connected through enabling the Alexa skill and linking their BMW Connected account in the Amazon Alexa app.

[stvding]

Canada is still no supported....lame

[Wibbles]

This is all well and good but the Android connected app for 6NR is still a festering pile of shit!

[TommyGuk]

I've been trying all morning to get the car to precondition but it keeps failing. I hope they support their apps more this time around and make them actually work. The reviews for BMW Remote on the app store speak for themselves. Fingers crossed

[F32Fleet]

Biggest gripe I've read about the Droid version is that it's unreliable because of the man crush BMW has for Apple (BMW spends more resources on the iOS ver).

[gmzanatta]

No Canada support? Wtf????

[DD88]

Does this app replace the BMW Remote app?

Looks good so far.

[CruzM3]

Is this used by BMW owners in Germany?

[TommyGuk]

Originally Posted by DD88

Does this app replace the BMW Remote app?

Looks good so far.

Yeah it's supposed to do everything the BMW Remote app does. Just tried it again, it doesn't lol

[DD88]

Originally Posted by TommyGuk

Yeah it's supposed to do everything the BMW Remote app does. Just tried it again, it doesn't lol

Whats missing?

[brownb_2]

Haha it's called connected North America and people are wondering why is doesn't work elsewhere

[tkbj1201]

Originally Posted by TommyGuk

I've been trying all morning to get the car to precondition but it keeps failing. I hope they support their apps more this time around and make them actually work. The reviews for BMW Remote on the app store speak for themselves. Fingers crossed

My preconditioning works. But scheduling to get it preconditioned never works.

[DD88]

Originally Posted by brownb_2

Haha it's called connected North America and people are wondering why is doesn't work elsewhere

The new app is called BMW Connected and it works well in Sweden.

[M3 Number 86]

Originally Posted by brownb_2

Haha it's called connected North America and people are wondering why is doesn't work elsewhere

Canada is North America though?

[_Mbition]

Have been using it since I got my 40e a few weeks ago.
Finally have a real unlock feature that just requires a password. (Still no realistic need for that anyway).
Works great for preconditioning especially with BMWi cars.

App doesn't do a damn thing for 6NR cars lol, my F30 is still a red-headed stepchild. All I can do is find the car. Lol

[TommyGuk]

Originally Posted by DD88

Whats missing?

Sorry, nothing is missing it's just it's not working for me. The BMW servers aren't working today again apparently so I've sent a report off from the car to BMW in the hope they do get it working more consistently.

Originally Posted by tkbj1201

My preconditioning works. But scheduling to get it preconditioned never works.

I've managed to get preconditioning working about 3 times in the past month, sometimes it does but most of the time it doesn't. It's shame as I'd use the feature most days if it worked.

[BEMR]

No unlock function for Android, I could do it 4 years ago they took it away couple years ago, stupid.

I'm sure glad the BMW cars don't function like the apps.

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

My NBT Technology Package-equipped 2014 335i doesn't provide fuel level information though the app.

[evanevery]

Originally Posted by BEMR

No unlock function for Android, I could do it 4 years ago they took it away couple years ago, stupid.

I'm sure glad the BMW cars don't function like the apps.

BMW needs to spend more time getting the app working reliably (across BOTH platforms) and less time adding new "features"...

If the app doesn't work reliably, no one will use it, regardless of what new features are SUPPOSED to work... No one cares...

TRASH

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by brownb_2

Haha it's called connected North America and people are wondering why is doesn't work elsewhere

Last I checked, Canada was part of North America. I know 'mericuh is the Center of the universe and all....

[TiresOnFire]

Not compatible with iPad per App Store. I use the BMW Remote app extensively for destination input. I keep wishing they will get it right in the BMW Connected NA app... Disappointed, again.

[ando]

I still can't like this app update