Beat the clock: BMW 650i voice command

One of my astute colleagues pointed out that you can reset the BMW  650i’s clock a bit easier than cited in “BMW 650i: How the iDrive drives us iNsane” blog post by using the voice command function. And you don’t even need to learn German.

Here’s how it works:

Turn the car on, press the polarizing iDrive controller, and accept the disclaimer--BMW’s way of saying, “We know fiddling with this iDrive thingy while driving isn’t the best idea, and our lawyers want to make sure you agree.” Press the voice command button on the steering wheel, wait for a “beep,” and say in your most commanding voice, “CLOCK.” Then the iDrive takes you to the on-screen menu, where you pick up the last two steps of the time-changing procedure:

7.    Turn the controller to set the hours and press the controller.
8.    Turn the controller to set the minutes and press the controller.

Still, using these cumbersome menus is needlessly complicated. If you buy any BMW with iDrive, we strongly suggest that you take the time to read the sizable owner's manual. Even with voice control, there is a learning curve.

The voice command brings the unofficial score of this car’s controls from an “F” to a “C-.” At that, this "ultimate iDriving machine" clock still falls short of the elegant simplicity found in vehicles at a half, or even a third, of the price.

--Mike Quincy