[Biglewey]

Can somebody tell me if you need to pay (well get robbed blind!) for internet access for Alexa or is the data you use for say music etc included in your BMW internet allowance....?

[paulockenden]

I think the Alexa integration hands off to your phone for Internet access.

The reason I think that is because it won't work unless you have your phone in your car, whereas most of the other connected functions use the built-in SIM.

[xenon]

It uses your phone data.

[chrisnoy]

Originally Posted by paulockenden

I think the Alexa integration hands off to your phone for Internet access.

The reason I think that is because it won't work unless you have your phone in your car, whereas most of the other connection functions use the built-in SIM.

Android Auto and Apple Carplay both need the phone/ device in the car connected to it, to use.

[paulockenden]

Originally Posted by chrisnoy

Android Auto and Apple Carplay both need the phone/ device in the car connected to it, to use.

I meant stuff like Spotify, mapping, RTTI, etc.

AA and Carplay obviously need the device because it's effectively just providing a new screen for the phone - the apps run on the phone hardware rather than in the car.

Alexa is a bit different - it runs in the car, but also hands off stuff to the phone. I don't know why it can't just use the SIM like Spotify (unless BMW is getting stingy with the data allowances!!!!)

[chrisnoy]

Originally Posted by paulockenden

I meant stuff like Spotify, mapping, RTTI, etc.

AA and Carplay obviously need the device because it's effectively just providing a new screen for the phone - the apps run on the phone hardware rather than in the car.

Alexa is a bit different - it runs in the car, but also hands off stuff to the phone. I don't know why it can't just use the SIM like Spotify (unless BMW is getting stingy with the data allowances!!!!)

Ok, but I can't use Alexa because I have an Android phone, which many other people have too....

[paulockenden]

Lots of us are in the same boat. There will be an updated version of the Android app soon, I hope. It's just a pain that it even needs the phone. So many other things have Alexa built in natively. I have it in a TV and a Sonos speaker. Neither of which need a phone nearby to work.

[willougs]

I have it in a TV and a Sonos speaker. Neither of which need a phone nearby to work

Is that not because they are connected to your home WiFi? something your car won't be. Alexa has to have a connection to the Internet somehow.

And guess BMW reluctant to let you piggy back off the connection they use for ConnectedDrive stuff. With probably a valid reason, such as data charges they would incur.

[paulockenden]

Like I said above, your car has a data SIM in it that other services like Spotify (which is fairly data heavy) use. I think they are just being mean.

[willougs]

I assumed the Spotify app just piggybacked off the mobile phone too, and was essentially just a front end interface to your phones Spotify app.

I dont recall having to log into my Spotify account separately in the car app, but it has all my playlists etc. Be good if it is independent though.

[paulockenden]

It uses the car's built in SIM.