Read Text Messages/Emails

[Hook3m1rish]

Hello - is there a special package that I need to order in order for the car to read text messages and/or emails aloud in the car? Also, am I able to speak out text messages?

I do not have an X5 (yet) and will be moving to the iPhone 6+ shortly, if that helps.

Thanks!

[r33_RGSport]

Yes, it is called "personal secretary" ...
j/k.

In your case with iPhone, those features will not work.
But, in the case of Android's, you can get the (6NS) Enhanced Bluetooth option for few hundred or just let me know when you have the car and I can code it in a few minutes.

[Hook3m1rish]

Interesting. Is there a plan to make it work with the Iphone in the future, or no?

That's awesome that you know how to code that. I will definitely contact you once I purchase the truck. Thanks!

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by Hook3m1rish

Interesting. Is there a plan to make it work with the Iphone in the future, or no?

That's awesome that you know how to code that. I will definitely contact you once I purchase the truck. Thanks!

Of course there should be a plan. I believe BMW is waiting for Apple to give them the encryption key to access the phone. Without it, it will never happen.
As with Android, since it is an open source (hint: hackable and a lot of leaks), it is easily configured.

[hyde]

Those features have been standard on BMW + Blackberry since OS7 was released, I think 2011, then I was able to replicate some of the functionality (not everything) with Galaxy Nexus, then LG G2 so android works but not fully. With my Blackberry Z30 I can do a lot more since they both run the same platform (iDrive runs on QNX, also makers of Blackberry) It's so compatible that when you connect via Bluetooth, BMW logo appears on the phone, without any apps or configuration.

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by hyde

Those features have been standard on BMW + Blackberry since OS7 was released, I think 2011, then I was able to replicate some of the functionality (not everything) with Galaxy Nexus, then LG G2 so android works but not fully. With my Blackberry Z30 I can do a lot more since they both run the same platform (iDrive runs on QNX, also makers of Blackberry) It's so compatible that when you connect via Bluetooth, BMW logo appears on the phone, without any apps or configuration.

Man, don't do that. That makes me want to go back to Blackberry now.

[hyde]

Originally Posted by r33

Man, don't do that. That makes me want to go back to Blackberry now.

Some old picture I sent someone at the 'fest a while back:

PS: Wow, this site has weird image limitations, had to resize it many times to get it right.

[aas5]

Originally Posted by hyde

Some old picture I sent someone at the 'fest a while back:

PS: Wow, this site has weird image limitations, had to resize it many times to get it right.

Iphone 6 works with my 2014 x6, you can listen to text messages.

[WFBlue]

From several posts below:


Originally Posted by Baunton View Post
Thanks WFBlue. Do you say a command first like "read my text messages" or some such? Or just "read messages" and off she goes and reads SMS and Emails?

Essentially, when I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket (so tone is heard since BT is activated), I hold down voice key. Once activated, I just say "read messages" and "she" tells me how many messages I have, and asks whether I want them read (same Siri function that exists if you are not connect to BT). After the message is read, she asks if I want to respond.

[MattBianco]

Originally Posted by hyde

?......

PS: Wow, this site has weird image limitations, had to resize it many times to get it right.

Can I give you grief for this now? Did you feel my pain?

[Barbja]

Originally Posted by aas5

Iphone 6 works with my 2014 x6, you can listen to text messages.

My iphones 4 & 5 worked with my 2012 x6 too. No email though; only text messages.

[MattBianco]

With an iPhone you can hold down the voice/mic button on the steering until Siri appears, and you can ask Siri to "read my messages".

[hyde]

Originally Posted by MattBianco

With an iPhone you can hold down the voice/mic button on the steering until Siri appears, and you can ask Siri to "read my messages".

But that's actually SIRI reading your messages and sending the voice through blutooth, so if you disabled siri or don't use it, you won't get it.

I am not sure if it works with iPhone or other phones but iDrive can actually read my emails and text messages for me and it displays them on the Office screen. I don't know if they removed some function and made it optional in 2014+ but we'll see when I pick mine up.

[Baunton]

Originally Posted by MattBianco

With an iPhone you can hold down the voice/mic button on the steering until Siri appears, and you can ask Siri to "read my messages".

is that true???? Will try tomorrow and let you know...not that I doubt you of course

[Jenya B]

Originally Posted by Baunton

is that true???? Will try tomorrow and let you know...not that I doubt you of course

yes its true , first is siri happens , second time bmw's system starts working

[MattBianco]

Originally Posted by Baunton

is that true???? Will try tomorrow and let you know...not that I doubt you of course

Just did the test for you It only works with new messages, even using just iOS -not a BMW issue.

In case the audio is poor, it is saying:

This is a test for Baunton. My name is Siri, and I hope I am reading this message clearly now or Matt Bianco will not hear the end of this.

Very easy. No iDrive menus to maneuver around. Phone is parked behind the display.

[Baunton]

Jenya B & especially @MattBianco Sir you are a gentleman and a scholar. I just had to pick myself off the floor because I fell off my chair laughing at your video
My wife is looking at me with 'that look', if you know what I mean.
I tell her; "don't mock the afflicted"

I will try out tomorrow..so I just press and hold the Voice Button and Bingo!

Many thanks, again!

[skalberti]

What's odd is sometimes I get emails to pop up. Not all of them though. You have to be in the car and connected to the car before you receive the email to get the notification.

[hyde]

So you actually hear the phone's beep-beep not the vehicle's ding, what happens when you want to give instructions to the iDrive instead of Siri?

[Hook3m1rish]

Thanks guys. This is at least a work-around for text messages. I'm hoping at some point it becomes compatible with email.

[opasha]

Originally Posted by hyde

So you actually hear the phone's beep-beep not the vehicle's ding, what happens when you want to give instructions to the iDrive instead of Siri?

I think the distinction is between holding (for Siri) and just pressing once (for iDrive) if I'm not mistaken.

[hyde]

Originally Posted by opasha

I think the distinction is between holding (for Siri) and just pressing once (for iDrive) if I'm not mistaken.

That makes sense, you are right, if you have an Android device I think you don't need to hold anything, you just say "OK Google" without having to press anything even if the phone is in your pocket, and it routes the audio through iDrive speakers. Someone please try this with latest OS with Google Now enabled.