[rlmesq]

I can turn on my driveway lights on the way home by dictating a voice message.

I bought a couple of WeMo Internet connected light switches on closeout a couple of years ago, but only recently got around to installing them. They're kind of cool, especially with Amazon Alexa to control them, but I'm really pleased with the way I can use the voice recognition in my BMW.

After setting up the WeMo switches, I linked my account to IFTTT.com and set up an applet to turn the switches on when I send a text that says #driveway. (You have to set up one applet for search WeMo switch; I have them on my gate, front porch and garage entrance.) It's secure because IFTTT will only run the applet when it receives a text from my phone.

The speech recognition in my 2018 f32 works flawlessly with this setup. I hit the button, say "Send a text message to IFTTT (rhymes with "gift") hashtag driveway," the car asks for confirmation and I say "Send." The lights come on within a minute.

Now I need an IFTTT compatible garage door opener!

[Mashman]

BMW Labs has an integrated IFTTT widget, but for some reasons it's only available for cars made 07-2013 through 10-2015. I wish they would update if for newer cars.

[rlmesq]

Originally Posted by Mashman

BMW Labs has an integrated IFTTT widget, but for some reasons it's only available for cars made 07-2013 through 10-2015. I wish they would update if for newer cars.

Yep, had BMW Labs in my 2014, but not in my new car.

The text messages actually work better than BMW Labs because the IFTTT widget had to be open and running to work... and even then, it was buggy. The text message applets seem to be far more reliable and I can send the test hands free, without drilling down through menus.