CPR

PERFECT! Bluetooth audio/awesome stereo separation, & fidelity; probably better than the connected IPod

George Knighton

You have data (Acuralink) working? Earlier Blackberry models do not seem to do this.

CPR

The answer is NO; can't figure out why. It's the latest O.S.; Have an advanced data plan; go figure

George Knighton

Connecting to Acuralink was the problem with previous Blackberry releases, too. :-(

That's really too bad. I can't seem to find a PDA that I want that also has complete Acura connectivity.

jzacuto

Not being able to connect to Acuralink isn't a problem with the device or the OS, it's a provisioning issue with the carrier.

Most carriers require tethering plans to make this feature work. Some carriers, especially GSM carriers, will allow the device to tether with a laptop or Acuralink under-the-radar without a tethering plan if the connection consumes very little data.

As soon as the carrier becomes aware that you're using a tethering feature without a tethering plan and that you're consuming large quantities of data, they'll either bill you or contact you and ask that you subscribe to a tethering plan.

For example, I have a Storm 9530 which didn't connect to Acuralink until I subscribed to Verizon's tethering plan. I used it for the 30-day trial before canceling because it wasn't really of value considering the little bit of data Acuralink consumed for $30 a month in charges from Verizon.

On the flip side, I was able to connect my Bold 9000 from AT&T without a tethering plan and at no initial cost. However, I know from experience that if I tether the AT&T device to a laptop and try to pull down lots of data through web browsing or VPN/email, AT&T will lock out the service or bill me accordingly unless I subscribe to a tethering plan.

ferrcad

JZACUTO,

I also have a Bold 9000 from AT&T and have not been able to tether the unit for use with Acuralink... Can you possibly shoot me some steps to connect via the bold...

Thanks
Brian

George Knighton

According to acura.com/handsfreelink Blackberry are a problem with Acuralink.

I can get Acuralink now w/my E71-2. But it's buggy in other regards like importing the contacts, or even sending a single contact via Bluetooth.

Maybe I'll leave well enough alone and stop looking for anything better.

kehvein

According to Acuras web site... the 9700 does support it. As for the provisioning... the blackberry will tether with my mac just not acuralink.. hm..

flemo

With their reputation for providing the latest technology in their vehicles, Acura should come up with a solution for this.

bw5556

I agree. I'm no techie but it seems like it could be solved if the same characters we input into our dial strings on the Mac could be entered into the dial string for AcuraLink.

LubDub

But in reality, how often is acura link going to use your smartphone. If the OBD triggers an error it tells you the code directly. plug that code directly into google and voila! Otherwise, almost every dealer is going to say "you need to bring it in for evaluation"

jzacuto

As a rule, BlackBerry smartphones that do not include a *carrier* tethering plan will not connect to AcuraLink. You may be able to circumvent needing a tethering plan to use them with a laptop using programs like Tether (formerly TetherBerry), but AcuraLink isn't running the client-side software that you're using on your laptop.

I've gotten GSM devices (AT&T/T-Mo) to connect to AcuraLink WITHOUT a tethering plan, but never a CDMA (Verizon/Sprint) device.

Also, if your carrier notices you're using any smartphone to tether for data access and you're using large quantities of bandwidth, they can charge you accordingly per your contract. If you're not consuming a lot of data, they usually let it fly under the radar.