Skylaw

Thank you all, Wolfgang, Sunil, and Tishers. It will definitely be prudent to watch whether M-B uses a unit that downloads the SAP. If it doesn't, there could be problems not only in range of reception, but in endangering the functionality of other electronics.

If the M-B unit downloads the SAP and uses the external antenna (which seems to me the only logical way to go under the circumstances), then we're fine.

I note some news reports in the U.S. in the past few months of unintended airbag deployments (especially side airbags) in a variety of cars - Japanese, German, and U.S. - and I have wondered if it is not related to triggering or other damage to the airbag circuits by cell phones.

TestnDoc

What about CDMA phones, ala the Motorola V710/E815????

SUNILP

those phones have bluetooth builtin as well but I heard about some limited functionality that verizon has done with them. I am sure there will be compatability issues with bluetooth phones and as with other car manufacturers, all bluetooth phones will probably not be compatable.

Capt Nemo o2

All VZW bluetooth phones only support headseats and speaker phones. Some phones also allow you to use it as a BT modem depending on the software version on the phone. On a msg board on the V710, some one asked Motorolla about this and they said VZW told them to kill all the functions, so he asked VZW and their answer was basically tough ****, deal with it. It was a really snotty reply.

So while you may be able to use the BT kit with verizon phones, do not expect the PIM info to be accessible. Already tried this with my PC as a speaker phone, the name of the caller will not show, just the number, expect it to be the same.

PS: There seem to be some hacks online for the V710, but I was not sure if any of them unlock all the BT functions.

SUNILP

I believe verizon got into a small legal issue regarding this as well.

King320

Does this connect to the old kind of phone jack? I have a 98 CLK (no command system) do you think that i'd have to modify the car at all to use this?

Capt Nemo o2

Yes! Class action law suit. I guess for false advertising or "bait and switch?" When the phone first came out they advertised BT but never maid any mention of the fact that it is almost completely disabled. So people bought it assuming they would have all of these functions.

Skylaw

Verizon indeed did just what you said with the original firmware in the V710. However, they now have enabled the handsfree protocol in the firmware for connectivity to automobile BT devices - it's a $10 upgrade for those with the older firmware. Must be done at a Verizon outlet with tech support - usually where they do equipment installations.

Capt Nemo o2

Actually, it should be free. Tell them the phone isnt working right and you want the newest software... They actually ended up giving me a new phone for free. I found it odd though that when they replaced the phone I had to use my old battery cover, they guy said thats what VZW does?!

FYI, just found out you can hack the VZW E815 to have OBEX, but have not been able to crack the PIM synch issue.

Skylaw

Because of the class action settlement, it should be free. It shouldn't even be necessary to say that the phone doesn't work. Some service centers weren't aware of this when I inquired, and would charge their usual fee.

Since making the inquiry, I have bought an '05 S500 that has the MHI, and sold my older non-Mercedes V710 (very sadly, I couldn't use my MikBox in the new car) and bought a Mercedes branded V710. I hope the Mercedes branded phone has the BT handsfree function enabled. I am concerned that a VZW firmware update to enable the handsfree protocol could ruin the MB handshake code, preventing me from using the phone in a direct connect MHI mode.

Using it that way probably won't be necessary if the M-B BT equipment downloads the phone book and makes use of the car's external antenna (i.e., downloads the SAP, as I read it may) - but if it doesn't, I don't want to get burned by updating the phone and not being able to revert to a direct connect.

Capt Nemo o2

Hmm, just a question, If you have the USB cable and the software that people use to do seem editing on the V710, can you save the MB firmware and download it to a non MB V710?

Ted Bullo

Ahhhh...why don't you just get a Euro UHI that contains BT and has WAP, email and dialup networking over BT as standard?? You'll need a euro COMAND to support these features naturally though.

Skylaw

Because I can just plug my current phone into the MHI interface currently in my car, keep using my U.S. COMAND, and avoid all the hassle and expense of the retrofit in a brand new car!

And, I'm still trying to see just what the MB BT will do for my current setup.

However, the point you really make is valid. I do not see why Mercedes has such different features between the U.S. and European units. I would like to see the respective strong points of each merged into a really great telematics setup.

Skylaw

Good question. I have the USB cable and Motorola Phone Tools. Beyond that, I don't know of the software - and I don't know much about hacking phones beyond the broadest outlines from casual reading on Howard Forums. Perhaps it can be done.

But, doing that kind of hack may be a bit beyond the pale of the much-hated DMCA.

ToonArmy

While I have no insight into MBUSA's decision-making process, the view from outside looks like they are more interested in skimming some profit from pushing exclusive tie-ins (Motorola, TeleAid, proprietary CD changer interface) than really looking at things from the customer's point of view and trying to satisfy their needs. It's a good strategy for boosting short-term profits, but a bad way to build customer loyalty.

Capt Nemo o2

I believe there was an agreement with Motorola and MB that Motorola would provide the phone system for TeleAid, and MB in return had to use only Motorola phones in the US. But I hear that that agreement is ending soon.

CitronC230K_03

i am always forgetting my phone in my cradle, then it turns off after 10min. to make it worse! i too have to have this for my UHI.

better yet, i can get a better phone than this crappy SE T637 i've been using and go back to a cool Nokia phone!

CitronC230K_03

ok, so what is need aside from UHI to install this. I have UHI, will all i need is the bluetooth "cradle" to slide in place of my current cradle? what are estimated costs? will i be able to get the mini phone version here in teh US.

gmdebruyn

pretty much. you just need to either buy the "puck" (it will fit into the cradle) or the "dongle" which will take the place of the cradle. I called AWS and they said we'd know soon.

Can't wait to just carry one phone.

weinschela

The puck sounds very interesting indeed, but does anyone know whether it will download the phone directory to the Comand so as to allow scrolling through the numbers, then picking and dialing? I am talking by the way about the phone directory as opposed to the SIM directory. The current v600 implementation downlaods the phone directory contents and I like that very much. But I also don't want to be tied to the v600 forever.

gmdebruyn

i was told by AWS that the functionality at the command will remain exactly the same.

only difference is that you don't need to make a hard connect between the phone and the car. just use bluetooth.

taz

I've been googling for months about MB and BT... looks like it may finally be happening...

Sorry if this has been answered somewhere, but how do I know if I have the 'UHI craddle'???

I have an 03 E320... had the phone put in after a month... I've got a Cingular Motorola v60i...

If the 'BTpod' works... will a Motorola RAZR function like my v60i? I've read the answers from AWS, but just wanting to confirm the RAZR...

Thanks!!

dtkw

With my old V710, the phonebook would not sync with my bluetooth carkit (Parrot CK3100). Now I am using a E815, it works and the phonebook feature is working without any problem. I received my E815 yesterday so they might have fixed the OBEX in the newer units.

SUNILP

Search the forums. I have listed what is required on a 03 and 04 E class to get bluetooth. And yes, the razr will work like the v60

inlabenz

How can I contact AWS and what is there site address?