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Today, I spoke with Cary Dale, BMW North America's Cellular Specialist. He informed me that the long sought after Voice Recognition Module for the CPT 7000 will be available in early September (the Part No. will be released sometime in August).
This Voice Recognition Module will be produced by Timik (the spelling might not be correct), the same firm that is the OEM Voice Recognition provider to Mercedes-Benz.
Like the current generation Mercedes Voice Recognition system (and unlike the previous generation BMW system), it does not require "training" (i.e. it will respond to any voice, not just the owner's), and it will be able to dial phone numbers that are verbally inputed "on the fly" (i.e. not just limited to the names and associated phone numbers that are stored in the directory, as is the case with the previous generation BMW Voice Recognition System).
Additionally, Mr. Dale told me that BMW will do Mercedes "one better" by outfitting their Voice Recognition System with the ability to interface with the actual Navigation System!
Finally, I was told that the 2001 BMW phone will be the newer Motorola "Timeport" StarTac (the CPT 8000) that will be dual band (i.e. operate at both 800mhz and 1900mhz). Apparently, not only the TDMA AT&T platform operates at both of these frequencies -- Verizon (which was AirTouch + Bell Atlantic + GTE + PrimeCo) also plans to operate on 800mhz and 1900mhz (typically on the CDMA side). Apparently 1900mhz is in vogue due to the fact that this frequency allows for Mobile Messaging and Browser capabilities.
If one wants to outfit their model year 2000 BMW with the latest and greatest CPT 8000, one will unfortunately have to purchase a brand new Motorola instrument with no credit offered for the CPT 7000, and possibly a new installation kit (hoefully an installation upgrade will be available).
This Voice Recognition Module will be produced by Timik (the spelling might not be correct), the same firm that is the OEM Voice Recognition provider to Mercedes-Benz.
Like the current generation Mercedes Voice Recognition system (and unlike the previous generation BMW system), it does not require "training" (i.e. it will respond to any voice, not just the owner's), and it will be able to dial phone numbers that are verbally inputed "on the fly" (i.e. not just limited to the names and associated phone numbers that are stored in the directory, as is the case with the previous generation BMW Voice Recognition System).
Additionally, Mr. Dale told me that BMW will do Mercedes "one better" by outfitting their Voice Recognition System with the ability to interface with the actual Navigation System!
Finally, I was told that the 2001 BMW phone will be the newer Motorola "Timeport" StarTac (the CPT 8000) that will be dual band (i.e. operate at both 800mhz and 1900mhz). Apparently, not only the TDMA AT&T platform operates at both of these frequencies -- Verizon (which was AirTouch + Bell Atlantic + GTE + PrimeCo) also plans to operate on 800mhz and 1900mhz (typically on the CDMA side). Apparently 1900mhz is in vogue due to the fact that this frequency allows for Mobile Messaging and Browser capabilities.
If one wants to outfit their model year 2000 BMW with the latest and greatest CPT 8000, one will unfortunately have to purchase a brand new Motorola instrument with no credit offered for the CPT 7000, and possibly a new installation kit (hoefully an installation upgrade will be available).