E89 -talking RSS feeds/news/apps

Z

Zed Five

Senior member
Hi all,

I've had my E89 for a few weeks now. One thing that I just cannot get to work as described is the 'read out aloud' functionality for either text messages nor the RSS feeds.

I know that the problem with reading the text messages out aloud is an issue with the tech of my phone, however I do not know why the RSS feeds/apps won't read out aloud. - They all work on screen perfectly. However, I wanted to get the voice part working.

Has anyone got this working on their car please?
 
Yes I have this working, clearly you'll need the rss feeds setting up via the online portal. When you have these on screen on the idrive, choose one and when the detail of the feed is shown, there's an icon on screen that looks like a speaker, click this to have the feed read aloud.

It works just the same as the general news section.
 
Crap. I've got no speaker icon, just the one for the next page. Feeds all work ok with pictures, text etc. Just no sexy voice. Satnav lady works fine, so guess my car just does not have voice for RSS feeds.

Thanks for input though.

Chris.
 
Are you certain you're at the exact rss level? You first choose the feed at a top level, then choose the feed entry to read, and on the next page you get to choose the speaker. It doesn't hop through each to read them, it will only read the one you have 'drilled down' to...

Perhaps take a photo and I'll compare...
 
I can't get this to work on mine, spent all journey on the way to work trying to no avail.

Do I need the COMBOX for this to work?

David
 
davidmbell said:
I can't get this to work on mine, spent all journey on the way to work trying to no avail.

Do I need the COMBOX for this to work?

David
Click to expand...

Hi David,

I've never really gone into this function until I read you post but I tried mine today and I can't get it to read for me either. I phoned BMW and asked why and they believe you need the voice function enabled. I don't know if you have this or not, but it makes sense. The other thing that is not available to me with my car (late 2009) is the Iphone app, do you have this?

Bazza
 
That would explain it (though it does seem a slightly confusing reason). I don't have full voice control, only the ability to 'dial name' etc with the telephone.

Not really sure why the voice control is the reason. Afterall, it's the car talking, not me! :D

Thanks for clarifing though :thumbsup:
 
Mine has similar voice control - I've yet to get it to actually do anything of use other than tell me the phone book is empty - even though it isn't!
 
I had the same initial problem, but somehow made the 'Office' phone book sync with my phone - et viola!

Or, for your favourite people, press the button and say 'Save Name / number' then you can record directly to the car.

The voice calling works much better than my e86. I would often be on the M40 near Banbury and try to call my wife. 50 miles would pass before the car agreed to dial for me! :headbang: :headbang: :headbang:
 
Thanks, that confirms it. Mines only the same for the first 25 secs of your film. I don't get the 'inset' set of icons...

... I somehow feel that my life will never now be totally complete. :wink:

Thanks for all of your help. :thumbsup:
 
Well that's odd. How can mine be any different, surely it's just an idrive function?

Can't be related to voice control.. If it is, then 'OMG' are BMW charging for silly no cost facets? Surely not! Lol
 
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