Not to beat a dead horse, but I would like to ask all the new TL owners out there if they have used the handsfree link and what problems, if any, they have had.

This feature is a major reason I am considering buying an '04 TL, but thus far info has been scarce. Besides the Sony Ericsson T616 possibly having an echo problem, has anyone had any other problems or issues? Has anyone actually used the Handsfree link with other Acura recommended (or non-recommended) Bluetooth phones?

 

The problem is that the GSM phone-Bluetooth/2004 Acura TL combo is rare in the early stages. Give it time, and the reviews will come trickling in.

I am a huge bluetooth fan and have been using a Sony Ericsson Bluetooth handsfree in my minivan for about 6 months and I just love it. The greatest thing is making and receiving calls for 30 minutes and then realizing that I didn't even remember where I put my phone--very cool.

I own the Sony Ericsson T616 and the Nokia 3650. My car won't be here until Thanksgiving, but when it comes, I'll be sure to give a full review. I look forward to giving a comparison of these two phones with the Acura Handsfreelink.

I also am wondering how well it will work, but the combination we need to answer these questions is rare in the early going. I'm sure that after a few 2004 TL owners drive around long enough knowing that there is an unused toy in front of them, it will force them to take the pluge and enter the world of Bluetooth.

 

orange man if you could tell us how the t616 works once you get your car, that would be great...

 

It's going to be the longest month of my life waiting for this car, but when it comes I'll be happy to do so. I forgot to mention that I also have a T68i so I can report on all three of those phones.

 

I have lost the link to the page that describes the phones (5 or 6) that work with the TL Handsfree ... nor does it pop up in Google ... anyone know?

 

never mind, found it ... just bought mine, though, Anthracite and Ebony, Navi, and basics ... pick i tup in 2 weeks, damn I'm psyched! been enjoying the reading here, and it's helped my make my decision ... more later!

 

While sitting in a new TL at a Scottsdale, Arizona Acura launch party on 10/22, the salesman demonstrated the abilities of his personal cell phone thru the TL's Bluetooth system. We just pressed a talk button on the steering wheel and gave a few voice commands to the system and voiced our home phone number and were connected to the kids at home from the front seat. It all worked very smoothly and clearly. The phone number was displayed on the instrument panel. He pulled his cell phone out of the center console. No wires obviously. I just caught a glimpse of the phone screen with his carrier on it -- AT&T, but didn't catch what make of phone it was so now I'll have to search around to see what will work when and if I get the car.

 

I picked up an AT&T Wireless Siemens S56 cell phone to go with my Blue/Quartz auto. It's worked flawlessly with the Bluetooth integration in the car (for the week that I've had it), and I've now got it sync'd up with Outlook as well on my PC. The S56 can also take an IRDA beam from a Palm Pilot or other device to import phone numbers.

 

Where in TN are you?

Another guy, in another thread was saying he was told there were no anthracites in TN.

I think he was in Franklin.

 

From what I have heard all the listed compatible bluetooth phones work but the t610/t616 (same phone different carriers) has bluetooth issues and creates an echo. That phone is purported to have general bluetooth issues with headsets and the like as well. Apparently it is one of the reasons for releasing the t630 to replace those phones. Conversely I have heard the z600 (clamshell style SE phone) works beautifully with bluetooth. I think the general thing to do is either avoid the t610/t616 for the time being or just hang out till the z600, v600, t630 phones become available.

On a side note Verizon and Audiovox announced the 9900 phone which uses the new Qualcomm chip. Supposedly this chip natively supports bluetooth although NO ONE has been able to say the phone actually has bluetooth in it.

 

Chadr,

Where did you hear about the Audiovox 9900 and Verizon?

 

phonescoop.com has the announcement of the audiovox 9900 and then howardforums.com has forums for both verizon and audiovox and someone posted info on the Qualcomm chip that shows it has native bluetooth support. I guess the question is whether or not it will be implemented in the phone.

 

Out of curiosity, how does the phone sync with your computer? RF, IR or USB? Do you have to purchase any additional hardware/software to do this, or does it come with the phone?

 

\


Can you give us the direct link? Thanks

 

I have my 04 SS/Ebony and 2 phones "paired" with the car. Both of our phones (Mrs. and myself) are SonyEricsson T68i.

Both phones have been setup with the car. I have a wired headset, and a blue tooth headset (courtesy of AB.) And the wife says that the connection through the car's mics is the best she's ever heard on being on the eother end. Even with the window rolled half way down, going down the freeway. I can make the call, and talk without issue. It's also great to be able to turn up the person on the other end with the steering wheel volume control.

Something we discovered that's really cool about it. I was taking the boys to their Karate lessons. I made a call to the wife, and the 3 of us were able to talk to Mom at the same time. They could hear her; she could here all 3 of us. That is just awesome.

But, will that be a problem if you're in the car and you get a "private call" with a friend riding with you? No, as long as you keep the phone handy. You pick up the phone, hit the talk button (on the car) and say, "transfer" and it will send the call to the handset for privacy.

Same goes for if you walk to the car during a call, you get in, start it, hit the talk button say "transfer." The call goes from the phone to the car, and you throw the phone on the seat.

I have not yet had a single problem with the car, the Bluetooth, and the T68i. Say we are both in the car, and we both have our phones with us. Go to the Phone Setup menu, say “status” and is will tell you which phone is connected. There is a little symbol on the dash, but it only means a Bluetooth phone is connected. If you ask the system, it’ll tell you “James’ phone, is currently paired” or something like that. The words “James’ phone” is your voice. When you pair the phone, the car asks you to give it a name.

Same thing with the car’s phonebook. When you want to call “Daniel” it does not go to the phone’s phonebook. But rather TL’s Phonebook that you setup. You give a number, and say a name. The name is recorded digitally (up to 50) then when you say “Call Daniel” it repeats your request. But you’d hear your voice saying Daniel.

The system, as far as I’m concerned has been thought out pretty well.

I am STUNNED at how advanced the voice command system is. There is NO setup for your voice. You just hit the button, so the car is “listening” state your command, and the cars does it. The incredible thing, (and if you’re an engineer, or into electronics, or understand what it takes software, and hardware wise to perform these things) you will be AMAZED. Getting this thing to work the way it does, is no small feat. I wonder how it handles slight accents?

We’ve tried the voice commands with myself, my wife and my 2 sons saying them. The car responds perfectly to everyone but my youngest. His voice may be to high, and not have enough punch yet, for the system to hear him properly. Although he does get a kick out of the car doing something completely different, when he gives a command, or saying “pardon.” The car is politer than most f’ing humans. And definitely more polite than most of the kids he knows.

 

Rock Dog,

Thanks for the reply. Its good to hear the handsfree link is working well. Unfortunately it is hard to find the T68i since it is being considered an outgoing model, most folks are pushing the T610 and T616 which I have heard have an echo problem in the TL. So hold on to your T68i for a while.

I didn't know about the transfer feature. Very cool. I was wondering what you would do if you got a call you wanted privacy on with a car full of people.

 

Hello Chadr,

Do these phones have the (HFP) Hands Free Profile? Not only do they need to be Bluetooth enabled, but the phone needs HFP. I surfed the net, and couldn't tell if those phones had this functionality.

As for Verizon service. I doubt in the next year there will be a phone that will work with the TL. First, Verizon is using only CDMA technology. All the phones that Acura.com have posted are compatible with GSM phones. 2nd, Verizon doesn't have any bluetooth phones in their pipeline.

I have used the Siemens S56 for day to day use, it works fine. The buttons feel cheap but it has a nice blue tint, which matches the blue TL interior lighting.

 

Bollywood21,

Have you used your S56 with the TL yet? (I don't know if you have your car yet or are waiting for delivery.)

I've heard the Siemens works fine but I've also heard the S56 has a pretty short battery life. I need a phone that will last a couple of days with moderate use. Other than the cheap buttons (I agree on that), are there any other shortcomings?

 

1) I added to the original post. You might want to finish reading it.

2) The T68i has an echo problem, every now and then PERIOD. It happens. Since once or twice is NOT a problem. I have already had the wife say, there's an echo. I hang up and call back. But that happened before the TL, using just the phone.

Actaully this echo problem is more GSM (or even carrier) based, than a particular phone.

Yes the T68i has Hands Free Profile.

 

The audiovox isn't on the market and no one knows if it will actually even have bluetooth on it. They are scheduled for release before the end of the year so we will know then if they support bluetooth.

Honestly right now AT&T, t-mobile and cingular are your choices and there are several SE, Nokia and Motorola phones coming in the next 3 months that will have bluetooth support on them.

 

No, other short comings. It works well. I usually use this phone while oversees, but some of my collegues use this phone in the US and they are very happy with it. As for battery life, it is not as good as my old samsung flip top phone.

I believe there was a thread from above indicated that the S56 worked well with the TL. I have not used the siemens phone on a TL as yet. My del. on the car is not until late Nov, Dec. timeframe.

 

Bolly,

Let us know how it goes once you get your car.

I haven't ordered a TL yet, waiting to drive the 6 speed before I decide. One reason I have had automatics is because you can't use a cell phone (even with a headset) and drive a manual. The handsfree link makes it possible to drive a manual again for me. Hopefully this technology will catch on and become standard in the coming years. I'm sure it will cut down on the number of accidents caused by cell phones (I hope).

 

Sure the cell phone is out of your hand now. But what about the burger, the coke, that morning coffee, or your wanky???

 

Rock,

The things I've seen here in Houston, I think there are some folks that can drive with their wanky.... because both of their hands were busy doing something else. I've lost count of the times I've seen someone talking on the phone and drinking/eating something in heavy traffic. I don't like using a phone while I drive but sometimes I don't have a choice and even with a headset, it isn't easy dialing a number and keeping your eye on the road. I really like the idea of being able to speak the number and have the car do the rest. That way I can keep an eye out for the wanky drivers...

 

I bought a Bluetooth USB dongle for my computer, and use the sync software that comes with the phone (it supports Outlook and Lotus Notes).

It is capable of syncing over USB (you would need to buy an accessory cable for that), IR, or Bluetooth.

The phone can only have IR or Bluetooth activated at one time, so for me it was far more convenient to be able to leave the phone in Bluetooth mode.

Mike