Car mode part 2: How to operate (nearly) hands-costless with Cortana and Maps

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Last week's mini-review of Machine Dash and my bemoaning of a Windows x Mobile equivalent to 'Android Auto' sparked a storm of comments, not to the lowest degree from those who pointed out that some of what I was asking for tin can already be done - in Cortana... if you know the right setting to turn on. Then here's more comment on the idea, along with the vital 'how to', to make sure that y'all also touch your phone as little as possible when driving!

Let's get-go with the use case - from my previous piece:

The use case for a machine way is obvious, hopefully. In the car, your smartphone is probably your sat-nav these days, your source of podcasts and music, plus it'south manifestly your principal style of communication with the world. You'll probably take the phone propped in a holder past your dashboard and youll be used to barking 'Hey Cortana' commands at it, for instance asking to send a message to someone, telephone call someone else or navigate to a particular destination.

I then went on to request that Microsoft lucifer Google's Android Automobile with an all-singing, all-dancing in-car utility - which I however want - only the feature glossed over the mention of Cortana in the opening paragraph. You lot see, Microsoft hasn't exactly ignored the Windows Phone/Windows 10 Mobile feel when driving - it turns out that Cortana has a buried setting which can aid enormously.

In fact, it does it so well that I idea a walk through/tutorial might be useful.

Information technology's all based (naturally enough) effectually Windows 10 Maps and navigation. So, for example, yous'd (hands-free-ish, retrieve) typically say "Hey Cortana" (in a repose motorcar!) or long press the appropriate command and and so say "Navigate to xyzabc" (or whatever) and then you'd be off and running. Only before you do that, you'll need to head into Cortana itself and alter a setting, as shown below.

Bring upwardly the hamburger menu and look right at the bottom of the bill of fare for 'Settings'. Within this, curlicue to 'Read incoming text messages aloud' and set this to any suits your employ case. In my automobile, I connect via Bluetooth to an audio kit, so went for 'Bluetooth only' - but you may want to experiment here:

Screenshot, Cortana when driving Screenshot, Cortana when driving

With that gear up-up, you're all gear up for incoming text message handling (nosotros'll leave IM and Twitter DMs and electronic mail, y'all really shouldn't be worrying virtually these when driving!).

And so, you lot're driving along, navigating following a Cortana 'Navigate to' query, and suddenly a new text arrives (in this case from - ahem - myself, from my 'other' SIM card - hey, this is a examination!). Cortana suspends all other audio (including music but also navigation instructions, very briefly), to allow you lot know of the text, and then (on voice command) reading its contents aloud to you, in addition to displaying it in a large font on the phone screen:

Screenshot, Cortana when driving Screenshot, Cortana when driving

The three options offered by vox - 'Respond', 'Recall' or 'Finished' are sensible. The last is self explanatory, returning you lot to Maps and navigation, while the middle 1 is also obvious, wherein you're put into a telephone call to that contact via your current hands-complimentary solution.

'Respond' is well done though, with Cortana asking directly for your reply text, accepting it all via vocalisation and so sending it if you're happy - all without you touching the phone (fifty-fifty in its easily-costless holder) at all.

Screenshot, Cortana when driving Screenshot, Cortana when driving

The other attribute of Android Auto which I admired was beingness able to handle music and podcasts while driving, and here things are slightly more cursory on Windows x Mobile. With an album of music gear up playing earlier you offset driving, or with a podcast started playing, a affect of the volume buttons on the telephone brings up the familiar pop-up media actor and you tin can interruption playback (or skip tracks or adverts) with a touch. This does mean physically interacting with the phone in its holder, but the volume button press can be done 'bullheaded' and you'd merely need to glance beyond briefly and tap the appropriate on-screen control if needed. So not perfect, merely do-able.

Of form, at that place's no way to delve into a podcatcher or Groove Music to queue something else up in the audio section - at least not until you've pulled over to the side of the route safely. This is an attribute that Android Car handles very elegantly (and safely), along with a 'home' option list of recent driving destinations and contacted people. Which is why, despite the elegance of Cortana'due south involvement above, I still hanker later an updated Microsoft Lumia Auto Mode or Car Dash.

As mentioned briefly in my terminal piece, there'south also what Microsoft calls 'driving fashion' in Settings, wherein texts and calls can be actively ignored (if you run into what I hateful) and fifty-fifty automobile-replied to, all the while you're continued to a named (in the ready-up magician) in-car Bluetooth device. Information technology's a clever organisation, but it'south a pale shadow of the proper call and text management system in Cortana - and I'll bet that 99.9% of Windows 10 Mobile users haven't the faintest idea that this 'Driving way' settings be. Even less than the fraction who knews nearly the Cortana features here!

Screenshot, Cortana when driving Screenshot, Cortana when driving

Due partly to a change of personal circumstances I'thousand spending more and more time in my car - and the safer and yet improve navigated and better entertained I tin be, the better.

I for one had quite forgotten that Cortana could leap in to read incoming text messages and handle replies in hands-gratuitous style - apologies if you lot already knew this! I'd welcome comment on whether all the above is enough for yous though - Maps+Cortana? Or a dedicated Windows x app?