How to Use Voice Control

Discussion in 'ICE, Nav, Apps and other techy stuff' started by kleynie, Apr 24, 2018.

  1. kleynie
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    kleynie WARLORD Site Supporter

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    I have the button on the steering wheel but nothing seems to happen. I tried it a month or so ago and it bleeped, then nothing, but now it does nothing at all. I think I have a problem.
    Another strange thing happened yesterday, which may be related - the Nav instructions started coming from the centre speaker (I didn't even know I had a centre speaker) and the music did not fade to aid hearing the nav instructions.
    I do hope this isn't something to do with my audio install, I can't see that it is as I have simply amplified from the speaker outputs and did not even remove the head unit or anything else.

    Any comments?

    Thanks

    Ian
     
  2. Cotswold BMW
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    Cotswold BMW WARLORD Site Sponsor

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    Most cars that have the button, don't actually have voice control on the spec (n)
     
  3. kleynie
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    kleynie WARLORD Site Supporter

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    I'm sure I do D288442?
     
  4. Cotswold BMW
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    Cotswold BMW WARLORD Site Sponsor

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    no mention of "620 voice control"

    I have the button in the E91, but it doesn't do anything.
     
  5. kleynie
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    kleynie WARLORD Site Supporter

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    I have just read that voice control comes with enhanced Bluetooth and audio interface, which I have. The button used to bleep when pressed, but not any more.
     
  6. Mieke
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    Mieke WARLORD Site Supporter

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    I have voice control on my F30 and it works quite well once you learn the relevant key words for the various functions.
    I cannot see a code for 'voice control' in my car's spec listing, apart from possibly that listed below:

    249 MULTI-FUNCTION FOR STEERING WHEEL
     
  7. kleynie
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    kleynie WARLORD Site Supporter

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    Do you have enhanced Bluetooth?
     
  8. Mieke
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    Mieke WARLORD Site Supporter

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    I cannot see Bluetooth mentioned in the spec listing - except as below, but my iPhone works via Bluetooth and I can play music from it.

    6NH HANDS-FREE FACILITY W. USB INTERFAC
     
  9. kleynie
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    kleynie WARLORD Site Supporter

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    OK, if you have a phone cradle then you have enhanced Bluetooth. But seeing as you car is similar age to mine with much the same spec I would assume I have VC.
     
  10. Peter
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    Peter WARLORD

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    My car the option is listed as S620A, Voice Control.

    The fact you are missing the 'beep' indicates it was there.

    Peter
     
  11. Adie
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    Adie WARLORD Site Supporter

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    On mine it's included with option code 6NS- Enhanced Bluetooth telephone preparation with USB audio interface and Voice Control

    ... and yours Ian has option S6NSA so it should be available
     
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  12. Mieke
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    Mieke WARLORD Site Supporter

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    Sounds like it's got a fault. When I press the 'voice control' button, it mutes the radio immediately and after I give it a command, the system will either confirm the command, or ask for further details of the request. Only after the action is implemented by voice control, does the radio unmute.

    Try pressing voice control and say "new destination". The Navigation system should start up on the iDrive with the destination input screen, and the system will then ask for details to be spoken. If that doesn't work, then you have a problem. I think.

    Another thing - I assume that you only give the button a 'short press' and are not holding it down? Because that won't work.
     
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  13. Mieke
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    Mieke WARLORD Site Supporter

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    The attached PDF files give most of the 'voice command' key words.
     

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    Last edited: Apr 24, 2018
  14. Adie
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  15. Kev2005
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    Kev2005 WARLORD Site Supporter Good Egg

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    I'm sure you have checked but is the volume up once you have activated voice control as I seem to recall you could lower the volume once you pressed button? I've never used mine, i just feel daft talking to the car :)

    Kev
     
  16. Phil
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    Phil

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    I wouldn't worry about not having it - I've always found it to be a faff, but that could be that BMW doesn't understand my Manc accent :LOL:
     
  17. kleynie
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    kleynie WARLORD Site Supporter

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    Well I do have it, and it’s alive and well. Turns out I was pressing the button on the steering wheel too long, my better half showed me tonight how to use it :oops:. I do feel like a dick now.
    It actually comes up on the idrive with approved words to guide you, very good system. I’ve only owned the car for 19 months and just found this out :oops:
     
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  18. kleynie
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    kleynie WARLORD Site Supporter

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    I still don’t know why the nav spoken instructions aren’t coming from the main speakers though.
     
  19. slim_boy_fat
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    slim_boy_fat WARLORD Site Supporter

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    I have seen the future.........:D

     
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  20. snrbrtsn
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    snrbrtsn WARLORD

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    Oddly enough today I tried voice control as Bluetooth wouldn’t pair and dare I touch the phone whilst driving...
    Needless to say the call wasn’t made!

    Can’t say I’d ordinarily ever use it!

    Best described by the hated trio

     
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