Why do you hate Apple CarPlay?!?!

[canuckbmw]

Originally Posted by jmciver

With the new CarPlay integration of Waze, Waze alerts will come over the speakers in the car even if you have something else selected on the iDrive screen (like the main menu with the active tiles showing for example). However, you must open Waze first in CarPlay in order for this to work as far as I can tell. Great for getting the police alerts when you are not actively navigating to a destination with Waze. Prior to this integration, having Waze or Google Maps audio alerts come over the speakers, with CarPlay turned on was not always consistent for me with flakey performance at best. Having Waze alerts come over the speakers with CarPlay turned off worked better, but was still not a very seamless integration.

I am still playing around with the new CarPlay integration with Waze & Google Maps to see what is "in the art of possible". For example, one thing I noticed is that when a Google Maps alert comes in, the audio (i.e. radio, sat, etc) is completely muted until the alert is finished. But with Waze, the alert just lowers the volume of the background audio (like OEM navigation does).

Above you mention you successfully get Waze police alerts without having to put wAze into navigation mode, I for some reason cannot get this to work. If I open wAze in CarPlay, and don’t tell it to navigate somewhere , the alerts only silently pop up on the screen which I sometimes don’t see. I am using an iPhone 10 with apple CarPlay mode up on the screen and wondered if you can tell me the steps you did to get this to work? I hate constantly navigating to places I already know just to hear audible alerts, thank you

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by canuckbmw

Above you mention you successfully get Waze police alerts without having to put wAze into navigation mode, I for some reason cannot get this to work. If I open wAze in CarPlay, and don’t tell it to navigate somewhere , the alerts only silently pop up on the screen which I sometimes don’t see. I am using an iPhone in apple CarPlay mode and wondered if you can tell me the steps you did to get this to work? I hate constantly navigating to places I already know just to hear audible alerts, thank you

Unfortunately, I may have spoken a bit too soon on that specific functionality. While actively navigating, I hear the alerts. But when not actively navigating, I don't hear them - but I usually have Waze called up so I see the silent alerts pop up. It would be nice if Waze added that as an option though....

[jmciver]

So I want to amend my last post... I usually drive with Waze in navigate mode all of the time, even to known locations, because I want to see the ETA (lots of traffic where I live). Today I purposely drove with Waze open, but not navigating. There was a police reported on the road I was traveling and it came through the speakers, just like when Waze is in navigate mode.

As far as specific settings in Waze, I didn't see a setting that addresses this specific functionality. But Waze did just have a recent update not too long ago so maybe Waze has addressed it now.

[hellokitty]

Waze and CarPlay is still kinda buggy. I prefer to use google maps but continue to use waze for police traps.

[jmciver]

Another update to my post... I had Waze running in CarPlay, NOT in navigate mode, and happened to have the main iDrive screen called up (the 3 tile display on ID6). I heard a police report come through the speakers for the road I was on. I am using an iPhone 6s if it matters.

So based on my experience with Waze & Carplay, Waze reports should come through the speakers, in navigate mode or not, and whether CarPlay is open or not. Of course, this does not mean that Waze (or any other CarPlay app) won't act squirly from time to time (and with different model phones), but at least it seems like the app maker is still doing something to work the bugs out.

[daytonaviolet]

Originally Posted by jmciver

Another update to my post... I had Waze running in CarPlay, NOT in navigate mode, and happened to have the main iDrive screen called up (the 3 tile display on ID6). I heard a police report come through the speakers for the road I was on. I am using an iPhone 6s if it matters.

So based on my experience with Waze & Carplay, Waze reports should come through the speakers, in navigate mode or not, and whether CarPlay is open or not. Of course, this does not mean that Waze (or any other CarPlay app) won't act squirly from time to time (and with different model phones), but at least it seems like the app maker is still doing something to work the bugs out.

What idrive firmware are you running.

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by daytonaviolet

What idrive firmware are you running.

NBTevo_M17345I
Telephone: TB-006.007.032
Media: MB-006.006.006
HMI: HB-006.007.032

I just recently updated the iDrive firmware a few months ago from the BMW software update site. My car is a MY17 with 11/16 build date.

[daytonaviolet]

Originally Posted by jmciver

NBTevo_M17345I
Telephone: TB-006.007.032
Media: MB-006.006.006
HMI: HB-006.007.032

I just recently updated the iDrive firmware a few months ago from the BMW software update site. My car is a MY17 with 11/16 build date.

I believe that site only updates phone connectivity. To update firmware idrive, it must be updated from the dealer usually. Your at version M. I'm currently at P. Granted I've only had P update for a few days, but seems better then my previous rev J.

[jmciver]

You are correct that the BMW site I was referring to does only update the media software and cell phone data for iDrive. I also provided the other the other iDrive firmware number as I was not sure if you were talking about that one as well. The last update I did for my car's software (i.e. the I-Step update that is done by the dealer) was back in Dec 2017. I purchased my car in Dec 2016.

What year is your car and why did you update the I-Step? I am debating updating my car's software again as I would like to get the full screen CarPlay coding done which requires iDrive firmware version "N" or newer. But I don't want to potentially loose any additional functionality when I re-code my car back to what I have coded now...

[daytonaviolet]

Originally Posted by jmciver

You are correct that the BMW site I was referring to does only update the media software and cell phone data for iDrive. I also provided the other the other iDrive firmware number as I was not sure if you were talking about that one as well. The last update I did for my car's software (i.e. the I-Step update that is done by the dealer) was back in Dec 2017. I purchased my car in Dec 2016.

What year is your car and why did you update the I-Step? I am debating updating my car's software again as I would like to get the full screen CarPlay coding done which requires iDrive firmware version "N" or newer. But I don't want to potentially loose any additional functionality when I re-code my car back to what I have coded now...

My car is a March 2017 build. I updated to NBTevo_P for two reasons. One to get the latest firmware as Bmw made changes/fixes. Secondly, I wanted to be at the latest firmware so I could get full screen CarPlay. But eventually there will be another update past P. So to me it made more sene to get P rather the N or O.

After getting the P update, yes I had to recode everything again with BimmerCode. Every time idrive firmware is update, we loose all the BimmerCodes

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by daytonaviolet

My car is a March 2017 build. I updated to NBTevo_P for two reasons. One to get the latest firmware as Bmw made changes/fixes. Secondly, I wanted to be at the latest firmware so I could get full screen CarPlay. But eventually there will be another update past P. So to me it made more sene to get P rather the N or O.

After getting the P update, yes I had to recode everything again with BimmerCode. Every time idrive firmware is update, we loose all the BimmerCodes

How do you plan to get the full screen CarPlay done - coding it yourself or via another coding vendor?

[daytonaviolet]

Originally Posted by jmciver

How do you plan to get the full screen CarPlay done - coding it yourself or via another coding vendor?

Since I went with NBTevo__P, as far as I know there is only one vender who can provide a widescreen CarPlay patch. I went with Bimmer-Tech. For NBTevo_N and O they provide a patch which you can apply to a usb stick and you patch yourself. But for NBTevo_P, it requires them to remotely patch via obd2 and Ethernet port. Basically once you schedule an appointment they provide a link with 3 files to to install. Plug in the cable and they do all coding ~ 10min.

[jmciver]

Yeah, I reached out to Bimmer-Tech about it. Admittedly I went into a bit of sticker shock for how much they wanted for the service, especially since I have done all of my own coding up to this point . But my OCD may give in eventually as I have been using CarPlay more now as it has become more refined, especially since I retro-fitted an OEM touchscreen in my car which makes the overall CarPlay experience much better IMHO.

On a related note, I was playing around with the voice activation functionality in Waze today. I had not done so since Waze first became available for CarPlay several months ago. It was really buggy back then (which is why I stopped using it), but works much better now. It sucks that you can't use the steering wheel controls to activate it - Apple reserves that for their own apps. But the touchscreen makes using it a bit more convenient than just using the iDrive controller.

[daytonaviolet]

Originally Posted by jmciver

Yeah, I reached out to Bimmer-Tech about it. Admittedly I went into a bit of sticker shock for how much they wanted for the service, especially since I have done all of my own coding up to this point . But my OCD may give in eventually as I have been using CarPlay more now as it has become more refined, especially since I retro-fitted an OEM touchscreen in my car which makes the overall CarPlay experience much better IMHO.

On a related note, I was playing around with the voice activation functionality in Waze today. I had not done so since Waze first became available for CarPlay several months ago. It was really buggy back then (which is why I stopped using it), but works much better now. It sucks that you can't use the steering wheel controls to activate it - Apple reserves that for their own apps. But the touchscreen makes using it a bit more convenient than just using the iDrive controller.

Totally agree about CarPlay and waze. The CarPlay experience is best with WiFi and touchscreen. Waze is one of the main reasons I wanted CarPlay and fullscreen was icing on the cake. On my other cars with CarPlay, 4 icons is fine as the screen is only 7". But with the x5m, the screen is much wider and CarPlay look incomplete as the idrive navigation is fullscreen. 5 icons is perfect now.

How much was bimmer-tech charging for fullscreen?

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by daytonaviolet

Totally agree about CarPlay and waze. The CarPlay experience is best with WiFi and touchscreen. Waze is one of the main reasons I wanted CarPlay and fullscreen was icing on the cake. On my other cars with CarPlay, 4 icons is fine as the screen is only 7". But with the x5m, the screen is much wider and CarPlay look incomplete as the idrive navigation is fullscreen. 5 icons is perfect now.

How much was bimmer-tech charging for fullscreen?

I was quoted $199 to do the CarPlay full screen activation.

[daytonaviolet]

Originally Posted by jmciver

I was quoted $199 to do the CarPlay full screen activation.

Yes that's what I paid. There's a few other vendors for $150 but only N and O.

[milk242]

I believe there is a user on cartechnology.co that does it for 80

[daytonaviolet]

Originally Posted by milk242

I believe there is a user on cartechnology.co that does it for 80

That's a great price. Which firmware versions do they support ?

One day when u upgrade from P to Q or R, I'm hoping bimmer-tech would give me a discount 🙃

[vilord]

If you and your partner/spouse/SO are both in the car, can you have your phone attached to carplay and your partner's phone connected via bluetooth for phone calls? I have a work and a personal phone, and it'd be nice to still get phone calls on the second phone...

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by omaralt

Thanks. Yes I have. If I’m in car play I see a notification. If I’m in the regular BMW menu I see nothing. Very frustrating

So in my car, I will see a text notification whether I have CarPlay called up or not. If any iDrive screen is called up, the screen will automatically switch to CarPlay (regardless of which CarPlay app is running or if there are not any CarPlay apps open) and the text message banner will display at the top of the screen. I then either tap the banner on the screen (as I have touchscreen) or press the iDrive controller, and the new text message will be read to me.

My notification settings are a bit different than what was posted above, the specific differences in my settings are as follows:

1. Banner Style = Persistent
2. Show Previews = Always (Default)

I have an iPhone 6s if it matters.

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by canuckbmw

I tested this yesterday and I still do not hear alerts or see them unless I am in full navigate mode with Waze open on the screen. Just wondering , are you using your cars att hotspot with wifi and CarPlay ? I don’t have a hotspot setup yet so it’s strictly cell from my phone, then phone paired via Bluetooth which then sits in the wireless charger tray or in my pocket. Maybe this is the difference?

I am not using the ATT WiFi in my car (my trial period expired long ago). I just have my phone paired to the car, with CarPlay active (which is via both Wifi and Bluetooth) in accordance with the standard phone pairing procedure. I am not sure what the problem could be. But it probably is some single "check box" setting deep in the phone some place that is causing this issue for you - I know it can be very frustating trying to find those little easter eggs. Have you updated your iDrive to the latest software from the BMW Update site? Those updates are designed to address bugs like this with different phone models.

Another thing to keep in mind is that Waze can be a bit squirly as well. When not in navigate mode, I have gone by some known sites and/or passed by police notifications on the screen which should have triggered an audible and visual alert, but it did not. I would say my "hit rate" with getting an audible alert with Waze when it is not in Navigate mode is maybe 60-70% as my best, non-scientific swag...

[canuckbmw]

Originally Posted by jmciver

I am not using the ATT WiFi in my car (my trial period expired long ago). I just have my phone paired to the car, with CarPlay active (which is via both Wifi and Bluetooth) in accordance with the standard phone pairing procedure. I am not sure what the problem could be. But it probably is some single "check box" setting deep in the phone some place that is causing this issue for you - I know it can be very frustating trying to find those little easter eggs. Have you updated your iDrive to the latest software from the BMW Update site? Those updates are designed to address bugs like this with different phone models.

Another thing to keep in mind is that Waze can be a bit squirly as well. When not in navigate mode, I have gone by some known sites and/or passed by police notifications on the screen which should have triggered an audible and visual alert, but it did not. I would say my "hit rate" with getting an audible alert with Waze when it is not in Navigate mode is maybe 60-70% as my best, non-scientific swag...

Yes I did that latest I drive update which addresses the iPhone connectivity , I am at version M for I step ( I think that’s what it’s called) and as you mention I do sometimes randomly get wAze alerts without being in nav mode. It does seem buggy still , I kept getting the audible 20km over speed limit alerts without being in nav mode, then yesterday that too stopped working. So I guess they are working out bugs along the way and I will just be patient. Thanks for all your help and advice !