~ ~ MY MAIL TO NOKIA CORP VIA WEB (5/21/07) ~ ~


Dear Acura,

I contacted Nokia today to ask about a Bluetooth connectivity issue with my new Nokia 6126, a current model flip-phone. This phone implements Bluetooth 2.0. It is very similiar to the 6102i which is listed at your HFL site as compatible. I understand that Acura can't test every phone available in the US/World. But since the approved 6102i is a lower pricepoint I thought that this basic phone(6102i) would have the basic BT functions which would be shared with other current models in the same family (i.e. 61XX). Then the other models would add BT functionality moving up the pricepoint and would not remove any functionality. Unique implementations just doesn't make good business sense.

Furthmore Acura/Honda HandsFreeLink has been available for a few years and isn't a newcomer not likely implementing an inconsistent technology. To the same point, many Nokia phones have been listed as compatible with HFL recently. I would expect that number to increase as time goes on, not reduce.

Maybe I just got a bad phone since the connection is made, which tells me that the right hardware and software hooks are in place on the phone. To me it seems to be some sort of timing issue.

Hopefully Honda/Acura maintains a good relationship with Nokia, my choice for cellphones, when implementing the next version of HFL.

Using the HFL.com compatibility search I only find 3 Nokia phones listed. I doubt if that is truely representative of reality. Anything you do to make that more accurate would be appreciated.



***MY MAIL TO NOKIA CORP VIA WEB (5/21/07)***

Using a new (less than 1 week old) 6126 phone. There is an issue with very inconsistant Bluetooth functionality.


Settings:
Bluetooth = On
My phone's visibility = Shown to All
Paired Devices = HandsFreeLink TM

Other:
6126 phone placed on car seat
Battery level - from 100% to 50%
Network signa l= full or near full


Functioning properly

Successfully paired the 6126 to my Acura with HandsFreeLink (HFL): the phone sees the car and the car sees the phone (red car icon on 6126 display is visible and the car's dashbord display shows "HandsFreeLink" message as well as signal strenth and battery level icons)

Scenarios:
a) Calls initiated from the 6126 phone handset successfully TRANSFERRED to the car HFL.

b) Calls initiated from HFL address book successfully completed.

c) Incoming call from 6126 have been received by the car's HFL and can be answered with car controls.


Malfunctioning scenarios (each has happened numerous times)

c) After a phone/car link is established, when starting car, the connection is lost in usually 2-5 minutes, when no call in progress

d) During a HFL call, the connection is broken. Message on phone display: "Disconnecting HandsFreeLink" Occurs even when network signal strength at full.

e) After making a HFL call and ending the call, the connection is lost. Message on phone display: "Disconnecting HandsFreeLink" Also no car icon on phone display.

f) After a broken BT connection and with no call in progress, message on phone display: "Bluetooth connection Failed"

g) Incoming call is not received by car HFL due to lack of BT connection. Must accept call on 6126 handset. Not able to Transfer call when attempted.

g) Using car HFL address book, after number selection, HFL system cannot connect to 6126. The BT connection icon not shown on 6126 display.


Does the Nokia 6126 have issues with Bluetooth connection stability?

I plan on returning the phone to the retail location I purchased it but do not want to get the same phone if this is a known problem. Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Ed

***END OF MY MAIL TO NOKIA CORP VIA WEB (5/21/07)***


Nokia's email response 5/21/07:

Dear Ed,

Thank you for e-mailing the Nokia Care Contact Center.

We acknowledge your concerns regarding the interaction between your Nokia 6126
phone and your Acura vehicle.

Ed, there are now several automakers that are installing Bluetooth technology
phone systems in their new cars. These automakers do not give us any information
about their products and we cannot determine what Nokia phones are supported.

Your Nokia 6126 phone supports the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Access,
Object Push, File Transfer, Dial-up Networking, Headset, Hands-Free, Service
Discovery Application, Generic Access, Serial Port, Generic Object Exchange,
Audio streaming Bluetooth profiles.

We recommend that you contact your car dealer or car manufacturer because they will be in a better position to know what phone models are supported by your device.

We hope that you find this information to be helpful.

If you have any additional questions, please contact us. To ensure proper
handling, please continue to use the current subject line.

Thank you for choosing Nokia for your mobile needs.

xxxxxxx
E-mail Specialist
Nokia Inc.

+++END OF Nokia's email response 5/21/07+++