Finally! Bluetooth Upgrade is Scheduled for Monday
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From: Weston, Florida
Originally Posted by Guest' date='Oct 23 2004, 04:15 PM
[quote name='skipper' date='Oct 23 2004, 03:12 PM'][quote name='gdavis' date='Oct 23 2004, 02:57 PM'][That is not exactly what I was asking about... What I am curious about is not who offers phones that use BT, but rather what is the technology of the signal that leaves the roof/shark fin antenna and transmits in turn to the cell towers. If it is technology specific, as GSM is the only standard in Europe, but we have GSM, CDMA, TDMA depending on the carrier company. I assume that the shark fin would only be set up to transmit only one technology system to the towers, and it probably would be GSM.? If that is the case, then only T-Mobile, ATT and Cingular systems would work for the phone since they are the only ones who use GSM with their towers in the US.?? And then if you use one of these carriers currently, does your phone tell the towers to communicate with the particular company's towers (like T-mobile only) or does one have to switch carriers to only one provider that is compatible with BMW's particular set-up?
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[/quote]Skipper, I was not wondering about the phone, rather the service provider options for the system. To make it simpler, can you use any cell company or is it limited to one cell company or those cell companies that use one particular standard (like GSM, or CDMA or TDMA)? I know that the phones have to have bluetooth and have to work with BMW's system.
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[/quote]any company... any frequency.. all bluetooth does, in simplistic terms is transfer the call to a speakerphone through the car's speakes and mic! the call is actually still running through your phone.
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From: columbus ohio US
oh, now I get it. Wassy, thanks. I was thinking that the signal to the cell towers was being transmitted through the shark fin, but now I realize it does not. Only the mic, speaker and pre-programmed numbers are connected from the phone to the car via BT, and the signal to the towers remains to be sent directly from the phone. I really appreciate the clarification. Maybe the hard-connected cell option in the center console gets transferred through the sharkfin....
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From: Atlanta GA
Okay, here's what I care about:
1) Of the phones listed, which ones are fully compatible (i.e., support all the profiles) as opposed to partially compatible?
2) Of the phones that are fully compatible which ones does BMW make a cradle for as well?
I swear I'll take care of this Monday if I can. Just tell me which phone to buy.
Peace.
1) Of the phones listed, which ones are fully compatible (i.e., support all the profiles) as opposed to partially compatible?
2) Of the phones that are fully compatible which ones does BMW make a cradle for as well?
I swear I'll take care of this Monday if I can. Just tell me which phone to buy.
Peace.
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From: Weston, Florida
Originally Posted by gdavis' date='Oct 23 2004, 04:31 PM
oh, now I get it. Wassy, thanks. I was thinking that the signal to the cell towers was being transmitted through the shark fin, but now I realize it does not. Only the mic, speaker and pre-programmed numbers. I really appreciate the clarification. Maybe the hard-connected cell option in the center console gets transferred through the sharkfin....
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actually, the shark fin does have an antenna... but there is not eject box, or phone holder for the 5 series yet, so this is a mute topic on the antenna..
all the bluetooth kit does, is provide a full install car kit without the wires.. it is a seamless transition from your phone to the car.. and if it works properly, all the info on your phone displays in i-drive, and you will be able to see caller id, etc...
Now... I had the bluetooth on the X5 I just got rid of.. it may be the accoustics of that car, but I didn't care for it too much. It was the retrofit kit, and maybe that was some of the issue, but compared to the $100 Motorola hardwired kit, the MOT was MUCH better.
Almost every call, I had to ask the caller to repeat what he/she was saying on many words.. Perhaps it is much improved on the 5 series..
lets see what Pharding has to say on Monday..
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From: Atlanta GA
Originally Posted by isbell' date='Oct 23 2004, 03:31 PM
Okay, here's what I care about:
1) Of the phones listed, which ones are fully compatible (i.e., support all the profiles) as opposed to partially compatible?
2) Of the phones that are fully compatible which ones does BMW make a cradle for as well?
I swear I'll take care of this Monday if I can.? Just tell me which phone to buy.?
Peace.
1) Of the phones listed, which ones are fully compatible (i.e., support all the profiles) as opposed to partially compatible?
2) Of the phones that are fully compatible which ones does BMW make a cradle for as well?
I swear I'll take care of this Monday if I can.? Just tell me which phone to buy.?
Peace.
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http://www.mdload.com/bluetooth/
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From: Voorhees, NJ
Originally Posted by alohalc' date='Oct 23 2004, 07:39 PM
welcome aboard, wnrussell 
!
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People don't want to drive down the highway and tap little buttons when most of those controls and displays can be integrated with the automobile using today's technology.
Verizon is holding back on technology that Motorola has already developed. I purchased my $46,000 Bluetooth car and $400 phone at the same time, and now I am compromising safety, while they are playing games, including false advertising.
If pharding's BT update works, it won't be with the help of either Verizon or BMW. The "update" will sacrifice the most life-saving features of BMW Assist, and it won't be fully functional if he's a Verizon customer.
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From: Seattle, USA
I don't know if this link below is of any help to anyone but it does seem to have updated info on BMW compatible phone I stumbled on it back in June or July 
http://www.x5world.net/bluetooth_compatible_phones.htm
I stumbled on it back in June or July http://www.x5world.net/bluetooth_compatible_phones.htm
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From: Voorhees, NJ
Originally Posted by pharding' date='Oct 23 2004, 03:42 PM
Dropped the 545 Off and I Have More Info As Requested
As requested I have the list of phones.? See the attached BMW document in pdf format.? You need to download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader to see the document.? The document lists the phones by manufacturer, model, and cell phone provider.
It also states "Bluetooth will work on 03/04-on 5 series.? However, production of cars prior 09/04 must have a software update to 13.2 or greater and must have the Bluetooth program turned on.? The phone must also be paired to the car via the I-drive."
Cost ? $495
BMW Center / Contact? Motor Werks, Barrington, Illinois? / "Brink"
Other Comments by Brink today? The scope of work involves disabling BMW Assist and reprogramming 3 control units.? Motor Werks had a technician on the phone with BMW Friday afternoon testing the procedure to make sure that the Motor Werks technician could do it properly.? I tracked down the BMW Service Manager and discussed this with him.? He was not involved in the test session on Friday.? I asked him if it was just a programming task as Brink said or does it involve both programming and new/replacement parts.? He thought that it included programming and parts.? I asked for the part numbers.? He said that they would be listed on the receipt which I will get on Monday when I pick up the car.? Since it closing time on Saturday I just let it go at that.? Older e60's built prior 03/04 can be upgraded by first replacing the ECU and wiring harness according to Brink.? Brink, in after-market accessories, and the BMW Service Manager were both confident that it would work since they did the test with BMW on Friday afternoon.? I hope that they are right.
As requested I have the list of phones.? See the attached BMW document in pdf format.? You need to download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader to see the document.? The document lists the phones by manufacturer, model, and cell phone provider.
It also states "Bluetooth will work on 03/04-on 5 series.? However, production of cars prior 09/04 must have a software update to 13.2 or greater and must have the Bluetooth program turned on.? The phone must also be paired to the car via the I-drive."
Cost ? $495
BMW Center / Contact? Motor Werks, Barrington, Illinois? / "Brink"
Other Comments by Brink today? The scope of work involves disabling BMW Assist and reprogramming 3 control units.? Motor Werks had a technician on the phone with BMW Friday afternoon testing the procedure to make sure that the Motor Werks technician could do it properly.? I tracked down the BMW Service Manager and discussed this with him.? He was not involved in the test session on Friday.? I asked him if it was just a programming task as Brink said or does it involve both programming and new/replacement parts.? He thought that it included programming and parts.? I asked for the part numbers.? He said that they would be listed on the receipt which I will get on Monday when I pick up the car.? Since it closing time on Saturday I just let it go at that.? Older e60's built prior 03/04 can be upgraded by first replacing the ECU and wiring harness according to Brink.? Brink, in after-market accessories, and the BMW Service Manager were both confident that it would work since they did the test with BMW on Friday afternoon.? I hope that they are right.
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Thanks.
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Originally Posted by gdavis' date='Oct 23 2004, 05:31 PM
Maybe the hard-connected cell option in the center console gets transferred through the sharkfin....
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Originally Posted by wassy' date='Oct 23 2004, 05:45 PM
actually, the shark fin does have an antenna... but there is not eject box, or phone holder for the 5 series yet, so this is a mute topic on the antenna..
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