[mrdarcey]

hi all

does anyone know if voice control can be used to control climate functions on x3 2021?

the manual says it's possible with some examples, but they don't work when i try them, i get "this climate function cannot be voice controlled"

other voice commands work fine. i think it will be useful to use while driving.

many thanks.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by mrdarcey

hi all

does anyone know if voice control can be used to control climate functions on x3 2021?

the manual says it's possible with some examples, but they don't work when i try them, i get "this climate function cannot be voice controlled"

other voice commands work fine. i think it will be useful to use while driving.

many thanks.

Can’t help with 2021, but I can tell you the following work in my car, but there are probably others as well. Give them a try.

All start with “Hey BMW” then -

Sync climate
Increase (or decrease) fan speed by x levels ( or just increase/decrease fan speed)
Fan speed max
Set climate temperature to x (I can also specify passenger etc)
AC on/off
My feet are cold

[mrdarcey]

Originally Posted by avi66

Can’t help with 2021, but I can tell you the following work in my car, but there are probably others as well. Give them a try.

All start with “Hey BMW” then -

Sync climate
Increase (or decrease) fan speed by x levels ( or just increase/decrease fan speed)
Fan speed max
Set climate temperature to x (I can also specify passenger etc)
AC on/off
My feet are cold

thanks i will try, i'm pre lci, though my car manual does specify climate voice commands, so i find it odd.

[mrdarcey]

Originally Posted by avi66

Can’t help with 2021, but I can tell you the following work in my car, but there are probably others as well. Give them a try.

All start with “Hey BMW” then -

Sync climate
Increase (or decrease) fan speed by x levels ( or just increase/decrease fan speed)
Fan speed max
Set climate temperature to x (I can also specify passenger etc)
AC on/off
My feet are cold

Tried them but none of them work :\

The odd thing is that it says "this climate function cannot be voice controlled", so it has recognised that it's a climate function.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by mrdarcey

Tried them but none of them work :\

The odd thing is that it says "this climate function cannot be voice controlled", so it has recognised that it's a climate function.

That’s unfortunate, as I find voice and gesture really useful.

With the LCI, BMW updated the G01 architecture that affects iDrive 7 functionality to SP18. On the pre LCI, it’s SP15 aka “iDrive 7 lite”, but I don’t know if this impacts voice climate functions, or if it’s just OS version related.

Worth checking if there is an iDrive OS update for your car that may enable this functionality. That would probably involve a dealer visit.

[mrdarcey]

Originally Posted by avi66

That’s unfortunate, as I find voice and gesture really useful.

With the LCI, BMW updated the G01 architecture that affects iDrive 7 functionality to SP18. On the pre LCI, it’s SP15 aka “iDrive 7 lite”, but I don’t know if this impacts voice climate functions, or if it’s just OS version related.

Worth checking if there is an iDrive OS update for your car that may enable this functionality. That would probably involve a dealer visit.

After some research, I ended up finding the attached document which was shared on one of the forums, indicates that it's a limitation with iDrive7 Lite.

None of that seems to be highlighted properly by BMW, certainly my car manual leads you to believe the contrary, that the feature is there.

discussion here https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1802834

[avi66]

Originally Posted by mrdarcey

After some research, I ended up finding the attached document which was shared on one of the forums, indicates that it's a limitation with iDrive7 Lite.

None of that seems to be highlighted properly by BMW, certainly my car manual leads you to believe the contrary, that the feature is there.

discussion here https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1802834

That explains it then.

[spangle1980]

Dude - enjoy the buttons whilst you still can :-).

[avi66]

Originally Posted by spangle1980

Dude - enjoy the buttons whilst you still can :-).

Honestly I love buttons, but I find voice better for this.

Buttons are better for many things, but when on the move on winding roads etc, it’s still a pain to decrease or increase temp several levels having to hold or press the up/down button numerous times.

I also prefer gesture for audio volume.

[spangle1980]

"I also prefer gesture for audio volume."

So you are the sole use-case LOL

I used the buttons on the wheel.

That said, two fingered prod for home mode, and waving aside those annoying traffic notifications (when they, for sure, don't hit the kill switch when they're done which is annoying) is also a cool gesture.

[mrdarcey]

I find non steering wheel functions like climate distracting while driving, especially on narrow/bendy country roads, I think voice is good for that.

i also got alexa so it works well for telling it to play specific songs, as opposed to searching Spotify while driving.

i turned gestures off seemed to always pickup unintentionally, maybe i revisit that i think using it to mute media is handy.

[BobBMWX3]

I guess I am the second use case for gestures. Once you get to learn the motions, it much easier than hunting for a button somewhere. I know that hitting a button is simple, especially on the steering wheel, but it is even easier (in my opinion) to just make a quick gesture.

[ContactPatch]

Gestures are fun, especially when a Macan GTS is trying to blow past!

[jsh139]

I like the gestures, although I find that sometimes the very first time I try to use the volume circle motion, it takes a while for it to react. Subsequent times work great, though.

[spangle1980]

Originally Posted by BobBMWX3

I guess I am the second use case for gestures. Once you get to learn the motions, it much easier than hunting for a button somewhere. I know that hitting a button is simple, especially on the steering wheel, but it is even easier (in my opinion) to just make a quick gesture.

Don't get me wrong - some of the gestures are good - the joke was about that volume thing (for me at least I think it's lame - but if others make it work then sweet!).