Google Pixel update introduces digital car key enhancements for Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 7 Pro

Image: Google

Another notable addition to Google's latest round of Pixel feature drop will make some BMW drivers happy. The update allows Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 6 Pro owners to use ultra-wideband technology for their digital car keys. This will let you unlock or lock a compatible car or even start your engine with it without taking your Pixel out of your pocket. The compatible vehicles, in this case, are "select 2022+ BMW models." Right now, the existing digital car key feature uses NFC. And that still requires you to hold up your phone near your car door handle. This new feature is expected to land in the coming weeks.

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Samsung to launch a special edition, BMW M3-inspired Galaxy S23 Ultra

Photo: Samsung and BMW

Samsung continues its tradition of releasing special edition versions of its phones. This time, the premium Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra gets a new look thanks to a partnership with BMW M. The phone will get a limited-edition version design paying homage to the German automaker's E30-generation BMW M3. Samsung plans to release only 1,000 units starting February 17 in South Korea for KRW 1,727,000 (around CA$1,820) through SK Telecom.

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BMW is going to build an Alexa-based custom voice assistant

BMW cars already have support for Amazon's Alexa. But the carmaker wants to take things a step further by building its own custom voice assistant based on Amazon's Alexa core technology. This upcoming voice assistant will be built using Amazon's Alexa Custom Assistant. It's a service that allows automakers and device manufacturers to create their own digital assistants using Amazon's tech.

This service will allow BMW to create its customized wake words, voices, and capabilities with Alexa as the base. BMW hopes it can "enable an even more natural dialogue between driver and vehicle." This is critical for ensuring the voice assistant reduces distractions for drivers since it can help with things like finding directions, changing music, or even adjusting the heating or cooling in the cars. BMW aims to roll out its custom-built voice assistant within the next couple of years.

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BMW's new cars temporarily won't ship with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto

If you're planning to buy or already bought a BMW recently, that might not come with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto on board. The carmaker is in the middle of switching chip suppliers to improve its supply chain in the long term as it continues to feel the impact of the global chip shortage. The new chips built into many of the new BMWs manufactured this year require updated software to run Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. According to MacRumors, the BMW customers who received a new car without CarPlay or Android Auto were asked by dealerships to wait for an over-the-air update to enable the feature "by the end of June at the latest."