OS9 MINIs lock out Bimmercode

[insightman]

MotoringFile reports:
MINI Ends Aftermarket Coding--While Introducing Its Own Customization

Although I haven't paid any attention to the supposed marvels of OS9 (except to confirm it's analog clock isn't as nice as my 2021 SE's), I'm sure OS9's customization options won't do all the really valuable things Bimmercode et al. can accomplish.

For example, I doubt I could successfully command OS9's virtual dog, "Spike! Enable my AM radio!" or "Spike! Disable the audible seat-belt warning!"

bummercode!

PS. When googling OS9, I got this: "OS9 is a gene in dogs that codes for endoplasmic reticulum lectin." Sounds serious!

 

[teslarati97]

Yes the much beloved AM radio is gone with OS9. Thankfully there is Android Auto support.

The other thing is that USB data is hardware disabled and the USB-C ports are power only. Now your MINI becomes a glorified bluetooth multi speaker system.

 

[chrunck]

The other thing is that USB data is hardware disabled and the USB-C ports are power only. Now your MINI becomes a glorified bluetooth multi speaker system.

Ugh, really? Moving all the physical buttons to the screen is bad enough, but now they're pushing people to use their phones instead of the built-in infotainment? People are bad enough drivers as it is.

 

[teslarati97]

Ugh, really? Moving all the physical buttons to the screen is bad enough, but now they're pushing people to use their phones instead of the built-in infotainment? People are bad enough drivers as it is.

Well you can use the built-in infotainment that was designed for BEV. Essentially the proximity sensors will boot up OS9 and climate will start once you open the doors (well front doors on Countryman or Aceman). ICE drivers probably have to wait until the engine cranks and complain about the OS9 lag.

The built-in infotainment is decent but the mandatory driver profile is the worst. One key to one linked profile and if you use a local account instead of the MINI Connected account, there are less settings available. All I wanted was a dedicated USB-A port for FLAC files on a thumb drive...

 

[Qisl]

MotoringFile reports:
For example, I doubt I could successfully command OS9's virtual dog, "Spike! Enable my AM radio!" or "Spike! Disable the audible seat-belt warning!"

I've tried that several times, calling out "Spike! Turn off the defrost!" But Spike never responds. You have to say "Hey MINI".

I wonder if MINI receives failed commands. I often get some message saying that MINI doesn't understand what I want. Eg, "Hey MINI, turn on the headlights!". This is a concern to me because when MINI (aka Spike) doesn't respond to me, I start to use expletives, as in "Hey MINI, turn on the f****** headlights!"

 

[insightman]

I've tried that several times, calling out "Spike! Turn off the defrost!" But Spike never responds. You have to say "Hey MINI".

I wonder if MINI receives failed commands. I often get some message saying that MINI doesn't understand what I want. Eg, "Hey MINI, turn on the headlights!". This is a concern to me because when MINI (aka Spike) doesn't respond to me, I start to use expletives, as in "Hey MINI, turn on the f****** headlights!"

My wife and I still laugh about when my 2021 SE misunderstood the town we wanted to visit and mapped out a course from Michigan to Alaska! We haven't bothered with the voice-recognition feature since that day.

 

[SameGuy]

This is a concern to me because when MINI (aka Spike) doesn't respond to me, I start to use expletives, as in "Hey MINI, turn on the f****** headlights!"

Replace "Hey MINI" with "[Hey] Siri" or "Alexa" and you've just quoted half the dialog in my house over the last decade or more.