All I wish for is hands-free texting

[razmataz]

Let me preface by making it clear that this is not about Carplay or Auto, but at the minimum what I feel is a reasonable feature ask is tighter native phone integration, and at a minimum to be able to hear my text messages and have the ability to reply to or send text messages without having to pull over or do what everyone does... text msg while driving. Is this a crazy ask? did I overlook something?

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[mkg3]

I just say "hey Siri, message to..." or "Hey Siri, read my messages".

It plays through the vehicle speakers, if the iPhone is connected via BT.

 

[Biturbowned]

I agree that it’s time we get this feature.

 

[godfodder0901]

I just say "hey Siri, message to..." or "Hey Siri, read my messages".

It plays through the vehicle speakers, if the iPhone is connected via BT.

*and Bluetooth is selected as the audio source...

 

[mkg3]

*and Bluetooth is selected as the audio source...

Is this true?

I don't recall using the BT as the audio source for music for this to work, but have not paid attention to it. I usually have Apple Music app on Rivian OS playing but its also on my phone (obviously) so didn't noticed.

I will check it out the next time I'm driving our R1S (its my wife's daily).

 

[godfodder0901]

Is this true?

I don't recall using the BT as the audio source for music for this to work, but have not paid attention to it. I usually have Apple Music app on Rivian OS playing but its also on my phone (obviously) so didn't noticed.

I will check it out the next time I'm driving our R1S (its my wife's daily).

This has been my experience with all other vehicles. In order for the audio to come through the vehicle speakers, Bluetooth needs to be selected as the source.

 

[Thedude]

This has been my experience with all other vehicles. In order for the audio to come through the vehicle speakers, Bluetooth needs to be selected as the source.

Not in the Rivian or any other vehicles I’ve been in. When Siri is active the Bluetooth interface treats it like a phone call and overrides other audio selections.

 

[racekarl]

Is this true?

I don't recall using the BT as the audio source for music for this to work, but have not paid attention to it. I usually have Apple Music app on Rivian OS playing but its also on my phone (obviously) so didn't noticed.

I will check it out the next time I'm driving our R1S (its my wife's daily).

It likely connects as if it's a phone call, so it would supersede whatever entertainment selection you have made.

There was a rumor here a while back that Rivian was going to allow us wake Siri from the steering wheel button (a la Siri eyes-free) which would make this faster and more reliable, but have not heard any more on it in a while.

 

[razmataz]

I just say "hey Siri, message to..." or "Hey Siri, read my messages".

It plays through the vehicle speakers, if the iPhone is connected via BT.

Not in the Rivian or any other vehicles I’ve been in. When Siri is active the Bluetooth interface treats it like a phone call and overrides other audio selections.

Interesting, can you tell if you're leveraging vehicle mic or phone mic? and while your device is locked/unlocked? and I presume same behavior holds true with non-apple phones, no?

 

[godfodder0901]

Not in the Rivian or any other vehicles I’ve been in. When Siri is active the Bluetooth interface treats it like a phone call and overrides other audio selections.

I was just thinking about that. Emulating a phone call is a clever method, though it still requires the use of the phones microphone for initiation which would limit its flexibility IMHO.

 

[Thedude]

Interesting, can you tell if you're leveraging vehicle mic or phone mic? and while your device is locked/unlocked? and I presume same behavior holds true with non-apple phones, no?

Seems to use the phone microphone to initiate the “hey siri” but after that everything is run via the vehicle speakers/mic. My phone doesn’t have to be completely unlocked but does have to be out of my pocket sitting on the console. I think there’s a setting I have selected that ignores Siri inputs if the phone is in my pocket or face down.

I haven’t had an Android phone for a while but years ago it would work in a similar manner.

 

[TexasBob]

This is correct, as soon as you say "hey siri" the phone takes over the audio and the mic switches to the Rivian mic. This is also how I do in the Tesla, which has hands-free text integration, but the hey siri is easier.

One note: since OS 18.1 Siri has a tendency to respond on screen rather than audibly. If this is happening to you as well, go to settings -> Apple Intelligencs & Siri -> Siri Responses then select "prefer spoken responses" instead of the default "automatic" setting.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Interesting, can you tell if you're leveraging vehicle mic or phone mic? and while your device is locked/unlocked? and I presume same behavior holds true with non-apple phones, no?

I believe it's through vehicle mic. But it doesn't really matter. She hears just fine unless you have windows open and wind buffeting. Whether she hears you correctly, well, that's a different story. Apple has made great improvements in this area since Siri launched. But it is still not error-free.

Wassym have been asked numerous times. And each time he has confirmed with certainty that a messaging solution is in the works. Like all things Rivian, just have to give them time. Perhaps the VW JV will also help them increase head count and get more things done sooner.

 

[Dark-Fx]

All I wish is for people to focus on driving when they are behind the wheel.

You'll probably get what you wished for first.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

All I wish is for people to focus on driving when they are behind the wheel.

You'll probably get what you wished for first.

Do not disagree. In general, I'm of this mindset: "If it's that important, they can call." That said, having Siri read an incoming text aloud is just as easy as sending one. Which to me, makes the CarPlay mob's position even more irrational. It's not like, in absence of CarPlay, they cannot text at all. Given a solution exists, I feel like it's more about giving up what is familiar.

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