Communication system with personal information management and remote vehicle monitoring and control features

A vehicle communication system comprising:

• a control unit in a vehicle;
• a vehicle data bus operable to transmit vehicle data to the control unit;
• and
• a mobile communication device having data network access over which the mobile communication device receives network data, the mobile device having a self-contained mode in which the mobile communication device processes and displays the network data received via the data network and in which the control unit transmits the vehicle data to the mobile communication device via the data network when the mobile communication device is away from the vehicle, the mobile communication device also having an immersive mode in which the control unit communicates with the mobile communication device through direct wireless connection when the mobile communication device is in or near the vehicle and in which the control unit processes the network data received via the data network and in which the control unit converts the vehicle data to audible speech and plays the audible speech in the vehicle.