Volvo and iPhone 8

[anotherv60]

Hello all,

I have my iPhone 8 paired with sensus, when I receive a message the car plays a little jingle and will read out the message if I say read message or click on the read out button, however although it will allow me to compose a reply and send it, it always fails to deliver. The only way around this is the hold the voice command button down which then activates Siri on the iPhone and send the reply that way.

It feels like there must be some setting somewhere that is preventing this from functioning as designed but I can't find it - any suggestions?

V90 R-Design MY18 with latest software updates on both car and phone.

cheers,

AnotherV60

[Chief inspector]

No iPhone supports this function unfortunately, not Volvo’s fault. You need to use voice through Siri or use Apple CarPlay if you have it.

Its really not very safe anyway unless you are stationary.

[apnicolle]

I agree that it is annoying, but I’m not hugely convinced about the safety aspect. I find tapping away at the touchscreen much more distracting than talking to the car. Also, Android phones work with the Volvo Sensus to reply to messages so presumably someone at Volvo is happy with th concept.

If I receive a message (I don’t use Apple CarPlay as I find it of limited use), and if it is safe and appropriate to do so, I will have the car read the message and will then tap ‘reply’ on my watch and speak to the watch.

[Quacker]

Originally Posted by apnicolle

I agree that it is annoying, but I’m not hugely convinced about the safety aspect. I find tapping away at the touchscreen much more distracting than talking to the car. Also, Android phones work with the Volvo Sensus to reply to messages so presumably someone at Volvo is happy with th concept.

If I receive a message (I don’t use Apple CarPlay as I find it of limited use), and if it is safe and appropriate to do so, I will have the car read the message and will then tap ‘reply’ on my watch and speak to the watch.

Don’t tap away on either while driving. Just about the only thing I do on the screen while driving is expand the map and cancel the stop/start. Messages can wait. So can phone calls if the traffic is mad

[Milliner]

Originally Posted by anotherv60

The only way around this is the hold the voice command button down which then activates Siri on the iPhone and send the reply that way. AnotherV60

Is this a function of having CarPlay in the new Sensus? I found the same function in my last gen 5 series by accident and thought it was a great feature. Not just for texts of course, but also to set reminders or take a quick note while on the road. Loads of stuff.

[NathanJT]

I don't get the safety side of this either. Surely talking to Sensus/SIRI/Assistant is no different than talking to a passenger?

I've been using Android Auto for 18 months now, and whist it does have its occasional annoyances, voice is by far the best (and I'd argue safest) way to interact with the car.

[Quacker]

Originally Posted by NathanJT

I don't get the safety side of this either. Surely talking to Sensus/SIRI/Assistant is no different than talking to a passenger?

I've been using Android Auto for 18 months now, and whist it does have its occasional annoyances, voice is by far the best (and I'd argue safest) way to interact with the car.

I agree. Voice is brilliant for temperature control and, with practise, works well for media. Telephone isn't so great and considering that I have a whole lot of Welsh names in my contacts. A combination of voice and steering wheel buttons usually gets a call to the right contact though and practice improves the experience no end.

As I said, I hardly use the Sensus screen on the go and make a point of not doing so.

I've even started inputting destinations to the navigation by voice now. However I've only just input a postcode to Sensus for a journey on Friday [Wednesday at the moment] using the VOC app on my mobile phone.

There are just so many ways of doing things with these cars. It's brilliant.
Wish I could check whether sunroof was open on the app and that I could close it remotely if found open.

[Chief inspector]

On the safety I meant not being able to reply through the sensus screen isnt very safe, so it not a loss that Apple iOS doesnt support it.

[NathanJT]

Ouch on the Welsh names! I think even Googles AI's going to struggle there unless they can get more data to train it.

This is why I swore my next car would also have Android Auto though, simply because destination input is beyond simple:

Press voice button on steering wheel (or just say "ok google")... "Nearest Sainsburys"... done!

Even complex addresses don't phase it. With the caveat that you actually have an Internet connection at the time!

[anotherv60]

Originally Posted by Milliner

Is this a function of having CarPlay in the new Sensus? I found the same function in my last gen 5 series by accident and thought it was a great feature. Not just for texts of course, but also to set reminders or take a quick note while on the road. Loads of stuff.

I don't have apple car play, its just a standard function of the census system, just make sure show notifications is checked on the bluetooth settings on your iPhone (you might have to restart your phone for it to work).