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      01-14-2018, 08:03 AM   #1
Joelc
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Apple CarPlay vs iDrive...

I picked up my new 2017 BMW 540i last weekend (I previously had a 2015 BMW 435 GC fully loaded).

I was surprised by how much iDrive had advanced / changed / improved. I was also happy to have the opportunity to experiment with Apple CarPlay.

In the interest of transparency I live in the Apple ecosystem...I own an Apple Watch, an iPhone, a MacBook, etc. ad I have everything configured such that every devices talks nicely to each other, etc.

On picking up the car I had the delivery specialist get me setup on Apple CarPlay which meant all contacts, e-mail, messaging, navigation, telephone, etc. would be through Apple CarPlay instead of iDrive. I was primed for a great user experience.

What a let down, after two days I gave up and reconfigured everything to work through iDrive instead of Apple CarPlay as I found the iDrive functionality -- other than for e-mail and messaging -- to be more reliable, more user friendly and more robust. For example, Apple Maps is, at least to me, a shadow of iDrive maps with ARTTI, auto zoom with information, reliability of entering addressing over voice, etc.

When thinking about the best a bit more it occurred to me that Apple CarPlay is generic in that it is made for any manufacturer who wants to install / use it while iDrive is specific designed to work with BMW and something purpose / specifically built should be better.

With that said, I would appreciate comment / feedback from others on Apple CarPlay versus iDrive (i.e. did I give up on Apple CarPlay too soon, which do you prefer and why, etc.).

TIA!
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      01-14-2018, 08:32 AM   #2
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Congrats on the new ride!

It's like that when you realize apple ain't all that... Step on out of that Apple ecosystem your locked into..

The new Idrive system is great, I really like how spotify integrates right into the HUD controls. My calendars sync up great and work with the navigation, text messages, overall it has been a great experience vs the old Idrive in my F10.

Maybe CarPlay will evolve, but I wouldn't count on it.
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      01-14-2018, 08:57 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ab3_Fr0man View Post
The new Idrive system is great, I really like how spotify integrates right into the HUD controls. My calendars sync up great and work with the navigation, text messages, overall it has been a great experience vs the old Idrive in my F10.
Appreciate the fast feedback and good to hear back from a fellow Canadian.

I would appreciate you letting me know the following:

1. Is your phone iOS or Android (as I cannot get my calendar to sync with the iDrive); and

2. If iOS then how did you get your calendar to sync with iDrive as mine shows "No Appointments".

3. If iOS are you able to dictate responses to text messages as I can not seem how to get this working either.

Thanks!
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      01-14-2018, 09:32 AM   #4
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In my experience, car play works well, and it is the best solution for Apple Music, Podcasts (overcast), audiobooks(audible). For navigation and car functions, I use I drive. IMO, BMW’s I drive software is the best in the industry. If I was driving anything other than BMW, I would solely rely on Apple Car Play, because most car software suck, and Car Play is actually good for what it is.
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      01-14-2018, 09:39 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Joelc View Post
Appreciate the fast feedback and good to hear back from a fellow Canadian.

I would appreciate you letting me know the following:

1. Is your phone iOS or Android (as I cannot get my calendar to sync with the iDrive); and

2. If iOS then how did you get your calendar to sync with iDrive as mine shows "No Appointments".

3. If iOS are you able to dictate responses to text messages as I can not seem how to get this working either.

Thanks!
2- If you download BMW Connected App, login and grant permissions to access your calendar, I drive calendar will sync automatically

3- If you’re talking about I drive, Indint think that’s doable. On Car Play though, You go to messages from and click compose button, it will immediately take you to dictation. Or, you can just activate Siri by pressing and holding the microphone button on the steering wheel, and say something like “Tell [contact name] I’ll be there in 15 minutes”. Your text will say: “I’ll be there in 15 minutes”
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      01-14-2018, 09:50 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Joelc View Post
Appreciate the fast feedback and good to hear back from a fellow Canadian.

I would appreciate you letting me know the following:

1. Is your phone iOS or Android (as I cannot get my calendar to sync with the iDrive); and

2. If iOS then how did you get your calendar to sync with iDrive as mine shows "No Appointments".

3. If iOS are you able to dictate responses to text messages as I can not seem how to get this working either.

Thanks!
I use Android - Google Pixel XL 2

I also have the BMW connected app installed on my phone that allows the "apps" like Spotify to work with the Idrive.

Yes, I am also able to dictate responses to text messages I receive.
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      01-14-2018, 11:51 AM   #7
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OP I had the exact same experience. I'm all Apple, but am disappointed in the CarPlay vs iDrive, especially with gesture control. I would pass on the option if I configured my car again.
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      01-14-2018, 05:46 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cortexiphan View Post
2- If you download BMW Connected App, login and grant permissions to access your calendar, I drive calendar will sync automatically
I tried logging in, went to BMW Apps, found calendar but when I clicked on it, nothing happened (i.e. there is nowhere to grant permission)! What am I missing? Do I need to be in the car? Do I need to use a cable?


Quote:
Originally Posted by Cortexiphan View Post
3- If you’re talking about I drive, Indint think that’s doable. On Car Play though, You go to messages from and click compose button, it will immediately take you to dictation. Or, you can just activate Siri by pressing and holding the microphone button on the steering wheel, and say something like “Tell [contact name] I’ll be there in 15 minutes”. Your text will say: “I’ll be there in 15 minutes”
CarPlay noted as I had figured that out! Would love to figure out iDrive!

Thx!
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      01-14-2018, 07:54 PM   #9
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A few more questions as I continue to figure this out / play.

1. It appears to me that once you enable CarPlay that all contacts, messages, navigation, and anything for which there is a CarPlay icon goes through CarPlay and not iDrive (note, I noticed pressing maps brings up Apple Maps and not the iDrive maps, etc.). Is this correct or am I missing something here and, if I am missing something here, please clarify / explain.

2. It appears to me that once you enable CarPlay that the benefits of the HUD are reduced. I noticed that Apple Maps does not display on the HUD (whereas the iDrive map does), etc. Is this correct or am I missing something here and, if I am missing something here, please clarify / explain.

3. It occurred to me that CarPlay is deficient in that it does not include calendar or e-mail functionality. It furthered occurred to me that this is yet another CarPlay shortcoming because these are important functions and makes it more likely to use iDrive over CarPlay (which supposedly includes this fucntionality even though I cannot figure it out). Is there any way to get CarPlay to include calendar and e-mail functionality and, if yes, how?

4. What do people think is the best / preferred combination of CarPlay and iDrive noting I have no interest in iBooks, Podcasts, Sirius (i.e. main focus is calendar, contacts, messaging, navigation and phone).

Thx!
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      01-15-2018, 05:48 AM   #10
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Apple Car Play .............garbage
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      01-15-2018, 08:53 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JOHNBMWM5 View Post
Apple Car Play .............garbage
CarPlay works really well in some situations. We have it in a 2/3 year-old Polo and consider it great value for the Ł120 it cost. I think it's now free in some or all VW's.

When iDrive can handle mail, SMS, contacts, calendars and audio I guess there's no need for MirrorLink/CarPlay. Until then I feel we're in that void where you know a better solution is coming, but it's not there yet.

Car manufacturers have been understandably slow to embrace the constant software updates required to keep connectivity current, along with the move they'll have to make to tech support to ensure iDrive (for example) is compatible with every clients' services. That should be fun!
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      01-15-2018, 08:59 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidI View Post
CarPlay works really well in some situations. We have it in a 2/3 year-old Polo and consider it great value for the Ł120 it cost. I think it's now free in some or all VW's.

When iDrive can handle mail, SMS, contacts, calendars and audio I guess there's no need for MirrorLink/CarPlay. Until then I feel we're in that void where you know a better solution is coming, but it's not there yet.

Car manufacturers have been understandably slow to embrace the constant software updates required to keep connectivity current, along with the move they'll have to make to tech support to ensure iDrive (for example) is compatible with every clients' services. That should be fun!
BMW David aint got it right yet.
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      01-15-2018, 12:15 PM   #13
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I don't really understand why some of you think CarPlay is poorly implemented. It works perfectly well in my car and switch between iDrive and CarPlay is seamless. In any case Car play is designed to be a voice and touch based. In both of those operating modes it works perfectly.

Ultimately it's about horses for causes. There's no point in using Apple Maps when the car has built in maps that works with the HUD. At the same time Siri is way superior to BMW voice Assist in searches. Just need to use the systems for what they were designed for.
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      01-15-2018, 12:57 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ADS-UK View Post
I don't really understand why some of you think CarPlay is poorly implemented. It works perfectly well in my car and switch between iDrive and CarPlay is seamless. In any case Car play is designed to be a voice and touch based. In both of those operating modes it works perfectly.

Ultimately it's about horses for causes. There's no point in using Apple Maps when the car has built in maps that works with the HUD. At the same time Siri is way superior to BMW voice Assist in searches. Just need to use the systems for what they were designed for.
It's horses for courses...!
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      01-15-2018, 03:36 PM   #15
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The BMW voice assistant has a voice recognition software. It is far superior to Siri in recognising my voice. My apple car play is basically redundant. Only use it nowadays to listen to voicemail (I do not know how to use the idrive to listen to voicemail). I don't usually play music either
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      01-15-2018, 04:11 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AndrewUK View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by ADS-UK View Post
I don't really understand why some of you think CarPlay is poorly implemented. It works perfectly well in my car and switch between iDrive and CarPlay is seamless. In any case Car play is designed to be a voice and touch based. In both of those operating modes it works perfectly.

Ultimately it's about horses for causes. There's no point in using Apple Maps when the car has built in maps that works with the HUD. At the same time Siri is way superior to BMW voice Assist in searches. Just need to use the systems for what they were designed for.
It's horses for courses...!
Thanks for the correction
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      01-15-2018, 04:14 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by babaikram View Post
The BMW voice assistant has a voice recognition software. It is far superior to Siri in recognising my voice. My apple car play is basically redundant. Only use it nowadays to listen to voicemail (I do not know how to use the idrive to listen to voicemail). I don't usually play music either
Problem with BMW system is what sits behind it. Voice Assistance system is much more than just recognising the voice commands itself. Siri is capable of performing a broader array of tasks that the BMW voice can't. Simply bmw voice Assist is not meant for anything other than tasks related to car, driving, nearby, etc. I like the BMW system but in my case Siri is much more useful that encompasses other areas of my life.
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      01-15-2018, 05:06 PM   #18
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Not that I'm intending on taking the thread O.T., but does anyone have a link or a reference to the list of iDrive voice commands?
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      01-15-2018, 08:18 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ADS-UK View Post
I don't really understand why some of you think CarPlay is poorly implemented. It works perfectly well in my car and switch between iDrive and CarPlay is seamless. In any case Car play is designed to be a voice and touch based. In both of those operating modes it works perfectly.

Ultimately it's about horses for causes. There's no point in using Apple Maps when the car has built in maps that works with the HUD. At the same time Siri is way superior to BMW voice Assist in searches. Just need to use the systems for what they were designed for.
I need to try using both systems at once and for their relative strengths! One question, when using both system and using voice assistants do you "call" the CarPlay side by "Hey Siri" and, if not, then how does one do this?

I do agree with other posters that while Siri can perform more tasks, it voice recognition capabilities are inferior.
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      01-16-2018, 01:43 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Joelc View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by ADS-UK View Post
I don't really understand why some of you think CarPlay is poorly implemented. It works perfectly well in my car and switch between iDrive and CarPlay is seamless. In any case Car play is designed to be a voice and touch based. In both of those operating modes it works perfectly.

Ultimately it's about horses for causes. There's no point in using Apple Maps when the car has built in maps that works with the HUD. At the same time Siri is way superior to BMW voice Assist in searches. Just need to use the systems for what they were designed for.
I need to try using both systems at once and for their relative strengths! One question, when using both system and using voice assistants do you "call" the CarPlay side by "Hey Siri" and, if not, then how does one do this?

I do agree with other posters that while Siri can perform more tasks, it voice recognition capabilities are inferior.
If you hold down the voice button on steering for longer, it'll get you straight to Siri.
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      01-16-2018, 06:36 AM   #21
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If you hold down the voice button on steering for longer, it'll get you straight to Siri.
Thank you, that is very helpful, I will give it a try...
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      01-16-2018, 07:07 PM   #22
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I'm firmly entrenched in the Apple ecosystem and was excited for CarPlay, but after reading countless folks talking about how poorly executed it is and that they regretted ordering it, I passed on including it with my new G30. I knew I could add it later via ConnectedDrive, but I likely won't unless it improves dramatically in usefulness/integration. I like the iDrive in my F10 and the new version in the G30 should be even better.
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