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View Poll Results: Are you able to answer calls via steering wheel button?
YES - it works fine for answering incoming calls 33 61.11%
NO - not able to answer incoming calls via button 19 35.19%
There's a phone button? -or- Haven't tried yet. 2 3.70%
Voters: 54. You may not vote on this poll

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      07-18-2011, 07:48 AM   #1
LEDZEP
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Telephone Button (Answering incomming calls)

The X3 is my fifth BMW with the telephone button on the steering wheel, and in every previous car it was worked the same way, pressing it will dial the most recent number, or answer an incomming call.

In my X3, I cannot answer an incoming call via the Telephone button. I wondered if for some unknown reason they had changed the functionality - so I double checked the manual, and it would certainly work for answering incoming calls. Currently, I have to use the iDrive controller.

Just wondering if others have noticed this problem, or if it is of lesser scale. Certainly planning to have it looked at. I suspect it is a software issue - because I am able to disconnect a call via the button.
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      07-18-2011, 09:47 AM   #2
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I have the exact same problem. Just starting to get used to using the controller to answer instead. The only thing I use the steering wheel button for is to bring up the 'recently dialed' list in the dash display.
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      07-18-2011, 10:06 AM   #3
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Certainly is less safe to have to use the iDrive controller to answer a call rather than the button under your thumb. Hopfully enough people will respond to the poll to give a sense of how many are effected. Has to be software....

The other thing that annoys me is that they seem to have taken away the "dial name" voice command that I have become so accustomed to using. In previous generations of iDrive, you could say "dial name" and then say any name in your phonebook.... that feature seems to be gone.
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      07-18-2011, 10:26 AM   #4
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Ledzep,

Just tried this 5 mins ago for you; had my wife ring me in the car. I was able to (a) answer the call with the "phone" button on the steering wheel and (b) initiate a call from the steering wheel.

I'm using a BB Torch model 9800, running OS6.1

Hope that helps
Dave
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      07-18-2011, 12:23 PM   #5
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Works for me on my Iphone 4. Can even use the little scroll wheel on the steering wheel to scroll through my recent calls and choose, then push the scroll wheel and it dials.
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      07-18-2011, 01:29 PM   #6
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I can answer calls and initiate calls using the steering wheel with my BB 9800 and my wife's iPhone 3Gs
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      07-18-2011, 01:35 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gareth12468 View Post
I can answer calls and initiate calls using the steering wheel with my BB 9800 and my wife's iPhone 3Gs
I have noticed (and tested) that the first call that comes in after starting the vehicle can not be answered by the phone button. You need to use the iDrive. Any subsequent calls will get answered with the button just fine. Looks like a software bug to me.

-CR
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      07-18-2011, 01:44 PM   #8
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LedZep,

I also checked the bmw Bluetooth software update site, for 'continued bluetooth software updates/improvements', but so far only 3, 5 & 7 Series listed, nothing for the X3(F25).

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/owners/nav...re_update.html

Dave
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      07-18-2011, 01:48 PM   #9
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cer2225,

I've noticed this as well, from time to time and in all cases, for me at least, it's been b/c the bluetooth connection hadn't been established quick enough. I usually wait about 30 secs after starting the car, before using any of my bluetooth functions, incl making calls.

Clearly I can't control who rings me & when, so have been just plain lucky no one has called just as I've started my car. In other words, inbound calls can be answered by pressing the phone button on the wheel, typically within 30secs of starting the car.

My 2 cents
Dave
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      07-18-2011, 01:57 PM   #10
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I tested it well into ten minutes of driving time, so I don't think the 30 sec. rule was the issue. Interesting about the first call vs. second call though.
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      07-18-2011, 05:46 PM   #11
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This has been bugging me too. I have to use the iDrive to answer (iPhone 4).
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      07-18-2011, 06:09 PM   #12
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No problem for me today. Used it twice. Blackberry....ah...original Storm.
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      07-18-2011, 09:17 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cer2225 View Post
I have noticed (and tested) that the first call that comes in after starting the vehicle can not be answered by the phone button. You need to use the iDrive. Any subsequent calls will get answered with the button just fine. Looks like a software bug to me.

-CR
Had this experience for a time, but now it seems to work fine. No clue why.
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      07-18-2011, 10:08 PM   #14
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Ill head out and try it in my car. Will report back
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      07-18-2011, 10:20 PM   #15
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So ok. I had someone call me in my car and I tried to answer with the steering wheel phone button and it would not work I had to use the idrive controller. However, the second time I had them call I was able to answer with the phone button on the steering wheel or by using the scroll button on the steering wheel to either reject or accept the call. Why it would not work the first time is odd. I too have had the problem prior as well. I have and Iphone4.
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      07-19-2011, 12:35 AM   #16
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Mine has been working fine lately, I have an iPhone 3gs... however, a while back when I took a small trip and was breaking the car in I do remember getting some calls while I was driving and the button did not work, I had to use the idrive to accept the call. At that time I thought maybe I had screwed with some settings or something, since the car was new and all and I was still learning about features and messing with settings etc... I just wasn't sure. But since then I haven't changed any phone settings at all and it has been working flawlessly.

I don't know if there was some kind of interference in the area or what, but, I did experience the button not accepting calls a couple times during my trip. I think this happened for about 2 days on about 2 or 3 calls only, but then it suddenly started working again and I haven't had a problem since. I can't remember if my iPhone was plugged in or not at the time either, but if it happens again I'll try to pay more attention to it now knowing I'm not the only one experiencing this.
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      07-19-2011, 03:21 AM   #17
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I have have a Blackberry curve 9300 and in the main I cannot pickup a call via the telephone button. It has worked, but my guess is it's worked on about 1 in 10 occassions. Bit of pain this.
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      07-19-2011, 06:42 AM   #18
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Interesting. Seems some have a functioning system, many have intermittent use, and some have none. This little piggy seems to have none.

Although I don't think I have had two calls come in yet, so I don't know if it works on the second call. I will have to test that. Either way, it seems to be a software bug. I doubt that the difference in phones would matter - as this is a hard wired button with programmed function.
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      07-19-2011, 05:49 PM   #19
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I have the same problem but not spent any time to see if consistent and so far been answering with idrive controller.instead of "dial name" use "choose name" and then say the name and then confirm its the right one and then say"dial".
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      07-19-2011, 07:56 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pault View Post
I have the same problem but not spent any time to see if consistent and so far been answering with idrive controller.instead of "dial name" use "choose name" and then say the name and then confirm its the right one and then say"dial".
"Choose Name" eh? I'll give that a try. Not listed in the big fun book of voice commands....
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      07-19-2011, 08:29 PM   #21
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For calling i've been doing "phonebook", then "name", then "yes" to dial. Threevsteps, but works most times. If there's more than one number, it asks you which to dial by line number.
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      07-20-2011, 06:21 AM   #22
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"Choose Name" works. Good tip!
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