Text messaging using voice commands

[omahafordowner]

Is Ford the only car manufacturer that you are unable to text someone whatever you want? Is the preset 15 messages the only option?
This is not how it was on the old Sync system. You could text someone anything.

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[Mark S.]

Is Ford the only car manufacturer that you are unable to text someone whatever you want? Is the preset 15 messages the only option?
This is not how it was on the old Sync system. You could text someone anything.

Yes, you may reply using only the preset messages using SYNC 3. If you want full texting capability via voice command you may use Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.

https://www.ford.com/support/how-tos/sync/sync-3/how-do-i-use-text-messaging-with-sync-3/

 

[MJE]

For iOS at least, hold down the voice button (lower left on the right side button grouping from this internet pic) until Siri comes up. Then voice text away. I’m not sure how this might be done with other manufacturers or in android. I don’t use car play.

 

[thekingprawn]

I hit the voice button, say "message (name)" then it lets me speak the message. I need to figure out how to get it to use messenger instead since that's the normal communication medium.

 

[omahafordowner]

I hit the voice button, say "message (name)" then it lets me speak the message. I need to figure out how to get it to use messenger instead since that's the normal communication medium.

That is with Android auto or carplay?
If I hit voice button say "message (name)", it gives me only the 15 preset messages.

 

[thekingprawn]

That is with Android auto or carplay?
If I hit voice button say "message (name)", it gives me only the 15 preset messages.

Android auto.

 

[jazzdab]

Each to their own but I struggle to understand why some are so averse to using CarPlay or Android Auto. I have no experience using AA but CarPlay makes my life much simpler and safer.

 

[SenzeiReese]

Each to their own but I struggle to understand why some are so averse to using CarPlay or Android Auto. I have no experience using AA but CarPlay makes my life much simpler and safer.

Several folks I work with refuse to use "Smart" features in the car. I don't know what it is about it but I find the built in infotainment of every vehicle I've driven with it to be pretty wonky.

They have modules you can buy that put a permanent android "computer" in the car so you don't even have to use your phone and I've considered that if I ever wanted to actually use a wireless charge pad, but outside of that texting with the factory OS just seems like asking for frustration.
Connected to my phone, iphone or android, I've rarely had an issue with voice to text that wasn't related to the poor recognition of the service. Save for the Google Pixel 6 line, which has the best voice to text available at the moment.

 

[MJE]

I can understand AA or CP if your car doesn’t have nav or sat radio options. In my case though I choose both those. I should perhaps try CP to see how it handles texting, but after 15+ years of using cars with factory built ins I don’t see the superiority of using your phone. The car’s sync handles iTunes music & communications just fine.
1. Until this year, literally 2022, cell phone data plans were too expensive to consider streaming for entertainment. Now I see plans I could consider that would allow streaming in the car.
2. Though less of a problem all the time, there are still areas without cell coverage, or poor coverage. I wind up driving through them often enough that again, streaming & navigation through your phone just aren’t functional.

So given that, I made sure to choose a model with built in options (& do subscribe to sat radio). I’m sure CP & AA are good options if you don’t have the options in your car.

 

[Ponyrider]

I can understand AA or CP if your car doesn’t have nav or sat radio options. In my case though I choose both those. I should perhaps try CP to see how it handles texting, but after 15+ years of using cars with factory built ins I don’t see the superiority of using your phone. The car’s sync handles iTunes music & communications just fine.
1. Until this year, literally 2022, cell phone data plans were too expensive to consider streaming for entertainment. Now I see plans I could consider that would allow streaming in the car.
2. Though less of a problem all the time, there are still areas without cell coverage, or poor coverage. I wind up driving through them often enough that again, streaming & navigation through your phone just aren’t functional.

So given that, I made sure to choose a model with built in options (& do subscribe to sat radio). I’m sure CP & AA are good options if you don’t have the options in your car.
[/QUOTE]
This. I drive in areas with no signal frequently. Paying for unlimited data just doesn't make sense for us.

 

[Mark S.]

I can understand AA or CP if your car doesn’t have nav or sat radio options. In my case though I choose both those. I should perhaps try CP to see how it handles texting, but after 15+ years of using cars with factory built ins I don’t see the superiority of using your phone. The car’s sync handles iTunes music & communications just fine.

For what it's worth, the signal quality using a wired connection is much better than Bluetooth. I'm old and I can hear the difference.

2. Though less of a problem all the time, there are still areas without cell coverage, or poor coverage. I wind up driving through them often enough that again, streaming & navigation through your phone just aren’t functional.

Google maps allows download of off-line maps, so you can still use it even if you don't have a data connection. You won't get traffic updates, but directions and information about points of interest are reliable.

 

[thekingprawn]

I'm fairly sure that sync supports voice text messaging if your phone is connected by bluetooth. Most of the info I'm seeing is from older software versions, and apparently iBorg doesn't allow reply, but who knows if that's been changed by now.

 

[omahafordowner]

Well that is great that AA makes texting possible, but the voice command integration with amazon music is worthless.

 

[omahafordowner]

I'm fairly sure that sync supports voice text messaging if your phone is connected by bluetooth. Most of the info I'm seeing is from older software versions, and apparently iBorg doesn't allow reply, but who knows if that's been changed by now.

No, you are unable to text message anything other than preset phrases.

 

[MJE]

For what it's worth, the signal quality using a wired connection is much better than Bluetooth. I'm old and I can hear the difference.


Google maps allows download of off-line maps, so you can still use it even if you don't have a data connection. You won't get traffic updates, but directions and information about points of interest are reliable.

Thanks for the tip. I’ll have to give that a try. Since of course between POI’s & just plain newly constructed roads, nobody would argue google maps isn’t always more up to date.

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