A6 phone integration
Discussion
I'm on the cusp of buying an A6 Avant having finally found one I'm happy with. Got a slight problem though that I'm wondering if anyone might have a solution for.
I have a new Nokia N85 and I tested it in the car today. It works fine with the bluetooth, except it won't pick up the phone book from the sim card. The dealer says it's a smartphone thing that they fixed in more recent versions (ie about the last few months, or anything with HHD nav).
Obviously I could change my phone, but I happen to really like this one so I'd prefer not to do that if I can help it. Is there any benefit to upgrading to the "high" version of the phone integration in the car and can that be done retrospectively?
I have a new Nokia N85 and I tested it in the car today. It works fine with the bluetooth, except it won't pick up the phone book from the sim card. The dealer says it's a smartphone thing that they fixed in more recent versions (ie about the last few months, or anything with HHD nav).
Obviously I could change my phone, but I happen to really like this one so I'd prefer not to do that if I can help it. Is there any benefit to upgrading to the "high" version of the phone integration in the car and can that be done retrospectively?
Before you assume that the sim won't download, its worth leaving the phone connected to the car for about and hour the first time, particularly if you have a large address book. I was having this problem with my Blackberry and a 600 name phone list (don't ask), but i left it connected for a while without touching either phone or MMI and after a while the phone book was there. Now it loads in a couple of minutes.
As above, do leave it connected for a while as larger phone books can take a while to copy across.
I assume you're buying used, are you - or brand new?
If used - what age? The phone module itself may be a little old and therefore not have full functionality with modern phones (some iPhone users had similar problems), however there's a list on a satnav website that I use and I will check it out for you and report back here - it might not be that.
Also, a recognised problem in some smart phones is that the car has difficult with " +44 " numbers, and you need to replace them with " 00 44 " or just the normal dialing code " 0208 etc... ".
You'll be able to solve it some how, so don't go changing phones just yet
I assume you're buying used, are you - or brand new?
If used - what age? The phone module itself may be a little old and therefore not have full functionality with modern phones (some iPhone users had similar problems), however there's a list on a satnav website that I use and I will check it out for you and report back here - it might not be that.
Also, a recognised problem in some smart phones is that the car has difficult with " +44 " numbers, and you need to replace them with " 00 44 " or just the normal dialing code " 0208 etc... ".
You'll be able to solve it some how, so don't go changing phones just yet
It's a used one - registered Nov 2006, 3.0tdi quattro Le Mans. I don't have a very large phone book in there but I do have some international numbers that I can edit. I'll also go get that update from the Nokia site too - we're off to see the car again today to make sure the wife likes it as well so I'll get a chance to try it then.
Thanks a million for the pointers
Thanks a million for the pointers
Ah... I've got a really numpty question on this subject.
My A6 has a handset built into the arm rest (its a 55 plate). There is a slot for a sim to be inserted below the handset and, once inserted, the phone works via the MMI and is fine. My phone (HTC TTYN II) sees the car as a bluetooth device and can pair with it, but can't do anything with it once paired.
I would like to just pair the devices rather than keep dismantling my phone and inserting my SIM in the car.
The phone is using Windows Mobile 6.1 and worked fine with Parrot in my old car.
Any clues?
My A6 has a handset built into the arm rest (its a 55 plate). There is a slot for a sim to be inserted below the handset and, once inserted, the phone works via the MMI and is fine. My phone (HTC TTYN II) sees the car as a bluetooth device and can pair with it, but can't do anything with it once paired.
I would like to just pair the devices rather than keep dismantling my phone and inserting my SIM in the car.
The phone is using Windows Mobile 6.1 and worked fine with Parrot in my old car.
Any clues?
I'll mention the recall to the dealer. Didn't work again when we were there yesterday, but decided to buy the car anyway :-) It'll be about a week before it's ready I expect as we're adding AMI and DAB to it. It's a fairly decent spec anyway with Bose, elec seats, sunroof, advanced parking and rear privacy glass. Aurora blue with black leather...but grey birch fascia unfortunately. My wife also isn't that keen on auto (she kept saying "but I suppose driving cars doesn't need to be fun" on the way home) but I think she'll grow to like it as it is a very nice box. Shame about the Co2 just tipping it into the £400 bracket though.
I'll see if I can get any joy out of Nokia in the meantime.
I'll see if I can get any joy out of Nokia in the meantime.
I wouldn't bother with DAB. I have this on mine and the transmitters are in town centres with low power outputs. On the move it drops out frequently.
I also didn't want an auto but flappy paddles make it fun when you want some and when you don't, you almost don't need to sit in the front.
Please do let me know how you get on with the phone system upgrade.
I also didn't want an auto but flappy paddles make it fun when you want some and when you don't, you almost don't need to sit in the front.
Please do let me know how you get on with the phone system upgrade.
We can't get our favourite radio station here on FM as we're too far from London, so DAB is our only hope of getting it. With any luck they will improve the reception over time, but others who have DAB in-car in this area have said they get good results from it in most areas. Admittedly it could be a big waste of money but I'm happy to take that risk (seeing as we got a juicy discount on the car anyway :-)
Out of interest, which network are you on? I heard a rumour (from a Porsche dealer) that Vodafone can give a second sim out for the same phone number. Not completely sure this is true but could be worth looking into for your GSM high implementation perhaps?
Out of interest, which network are you on? I heard a rumour (from a Porsche dealer) that Vodafone can give a second sim out for the same phone number. Not completely sure this is true but could be worth looking into for your GSM high implementation perhaps?
Indeed the multi-sim route might be worth a look for you:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=23&...
....and it could give me a way forwards too via a cheap second handset that I leave in the car permanently.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=23&...
....and it could give me a way forwards too via a cheap second handset that I leave in the car permanently.
I'm with Orange, who do do multi SIM... but only for business accounts.
I have had my personal account with them for 20 years and get free things like Orange Premier, which... gives you a reserve SIM that you can put into any phone, in case your own phone is lost/stolen. The only problem with inserting this SIM in the car is that it needs to be activated by calling 150 when you first use it. I am sure this will cause all sorts of problems with my normal SIM use, such as it being flagged as lost and being switched off.
I may just get a PAYG SIM for the car. I loaded my directory into the car (2 SIM loads of contacts) and could just set up 2 contacts in my mobile to activate and de-activate a divert. Still all a load of hassle when the car talks to the armrest handset and SIM via bloody Bluetooth.
I have had my personal account with them for 20 years and get free things like Orange Premier, which... gives you a reserve SIM that you can put into any phone, in case your own phone is lost/stolen. The only problem with inserting this SIM in the car is that it needs to be activated by calling 150 when you first use it. I am sure this will cause all sorts of problems with my normal SIM use, such as it being flagged as lost and being switched off.
I may just get a PAYG SIM for the car. I loaded my directory into the car (2 SIM loads of contacts) and could just set up 2 contacts in my mobile to activate and de-activate a divert. Still all a load of hassle when the car talks to the armrest handset and SIM via bloody Bluetooth.
If you have an iPod, then it's worth buying a dension gateway 500,
I installed one to my car, and its fantastic to be able to browse my iPod from the MMI screen.
Edit: They also do a plug in bluetooth module for it, mine works with my iPhone.
I installed one to my car, and its fantastic to be able to browse my iPod from the MMI screen.
Edit: They also do a plug in bluetooth module for it, mine works with my iPhone.
Edited by Silverbullet767 on Friday 5th June 11:16
Raven Flyer - it sounds like you have the "GSM high" integration in your car?
I've just seen some info on an Rsap phone cradle for GSM low cars. Apparently this allows you to connect via Rsap to GSM low - does anyone have this in their car? I'm wondering if using Rsap might make mine work properly.
I've just seen some info on an Rsap phone cradle for GSM low cars. Apparently this allows you to connect via Rsap to GSM low - does anyone have this in their car? I'm wondering if using Rsap might make mine work properly.
Spoke to the dealer today; he said his master tech has just been on a course that covered the rSAP cradle. Seems to think it should work fine with my phone due to the rSAP (an indeed any other phone that supports rSAP). It also turns off the phone antenna completely and routes it through the car antenna, putting the phone into standby mode to reduce emissions and battery drain.
They have one in stock that they are happy to let me try to see if it works; I'm off to collect the car on Saturday.
They have one in stock that they are happy to let me try to see if it works; I'm off to collect the car on Saturday.
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