Google Maps Notes Saving and Reading
 

First of all, this is a really cool feature that I've used more than I thought I would. However, there is something missing that would make it great that might be do-able and would like your feedback.

I use this to drive around to a lot of Open Houses and while on Google, I can add notes to the address where I type (for example) Open House Saturday 1p - 4p. However, once I go to the messages on the iDrive, when I access the address I can see the address and set it as my destination fine, but I'm unable to read/open the notes I have written. It's really frustrating because there is a little notepad icon there at the bottom and it seems like I should be able to read the notes by clicking on that icon, but it is greyed out and when I press it, it says "Only When Parked". I've tried it while in Park, with the Parking Brake on, and it still says "Only When Parked". I've tried a combination of those as well with no luck.

If anyone has had any success with this please let me know, I'd really love to use the notes function. Here is an example of what I mean:

Enter the address information into Google Maps and include a note as highlighted here in red.
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...rs/g_maps2.jpg


When I go to the iDrive, I see a notepad icon that must be storing my notes from Google Maps, but when I click on it, it reads "Only When Parked" as highlighted in red.
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...ors/g_maps.jpg

In 2009 idrive you can read the notes, parked or not.

Consider yourself lucky, I found two 2011 owners so far who cannot read the notes at all...

Sounds like a software bug. Anyone discuss with their service advisor?

That might be one of those safety "features" BMW like to give the U.S. market, e.g., the inability to close the rear hatch remotely or from the driver's seat, no dvd's while moving, etc.

I actually wouldn't mind it as a safety feature so long as they allow us to view the notes *while parked* ... Even this I cannot do which is frustrating.

Doesn't work on either of my 2010's.
There's a couple other "features"'that don't work as well.

My guess is those other features are paper of "connected drive" that doesn't work in the US either.

But how would I know since no one at the dealer or BMWNA seems to know either.

I really enjoy this feature a lot and have been using since picking up the X5. Ive been able to read the notes when driving although its been intermittent. Sometimes I can read the notes either when parked or driving and sometimes I cant read them while parked or driving. Also, I dont think ive had to click on the notes icon to see them when I did, they just showed up in the lower field.

Frustrating for me as well. I use this for sales calls and type in the company contact im meeting with, company name, etc.

Im wondering if it has to do with total number of characters allowed to be viewed - if you've sent an address that has more characters it negates the ability to view notes? Just a thought...