I'm wondering whether Acura releases updates to the TL's software and if so, how to get them. I know that I can't connect with Acuralink thru my iPhone 4 to get data (which is crazy, since I have an unlimited data plan thru AT&T), so how is this done? I feel like I'm missing out on features that I should have as part of the car's basic functions. Thanks.

 

There will not be any software updates. There will be update navi DVD's.

Somewhere online, there is a site that tells you which phones are completely compatible and which aren't.

 

You don't update the Acura's firmware via GPRS (phone) anyhow; that's only done at a dealer if a recall or major update occurs. Which is probably won't. While they screwed up (in my opinion) the tuning of the AWD system - it should be engaged at a stop and prevent rather than react to hydroplaning - it seems very solid.

The Nav system is too bulky to update via phone.

For AcuraLink and such, you need a dataplan and a phone with the DUN (Dial Up Networking) bluetooth profile... which includes many popular phones such as Nokias and iPhones, but excludes the vast majority of Android and many Windows Mobile phones. It's a phone limitation, not a car limitation.

 

I'm actually sitting at Acura 101 and they really don't know too much about tech things, they just follow the guides from the Acura website. One service person told me a certain function doesn't work, and I reassured him it does, I used it on the way here? LOL

I just got off the phone with AT&T. They have 3 data plans at this time. Only the highest package at $45 a month will enable the tethering process, for which we do not know works yet in the TL? Can anyone confirm this?

Furthermore, these guys don't even know about any firmware other than the Nav update, which deals with streets and road stuff. So RM, call AT&T and find out which package you have? I have the unlimited too at $29.99 a month, but I need to fork out another $15 to AT&T to get tethering which is not for me. Good luck, and post any info to help us.

 

This whole thing with the iPhone and AcuraLink is bigger than any of us.

Here's what I've found out about the iPhone and AcuraLink. TechnoCat is right when he says that Acura Link uses Dial Up Network (DUN) to communicate with AcuraLink.

However, I get the impression that none of the cell phone companies want to support DUN, because it means one or more additional devices hopping onto their cell phone data network. You're only paying for your cell phone to use their network. So, the cell phone companies don't want to support DUN, therefore the cell phone manufacturers don't implement DUN in their cell phones.

I think the iPhone only supports 2 bluetooth profiles, neither one is DUN.

It looks like some of the older cell phones (pre-iPhone), which were useless as web browsers supported DUN. This was OK with the cell phone companies, because it was almost impossible to browse the web on these crappy phones. So, the companies were not worried about data usage with these older phones and DUN was fine.

Even if you get the AT&T tethering plan for the iPhone, DUN is not the method being used for the data connection.

I think Acura could, if they put some effort into it, create an AcuraLink app for the iPhone, which would emulate DUN and ONLY connect to Acura's servers. If they did this, Apple might be gracious enough to allow such an app in the App store. Maybe. Maybe not.

Also, I have a friend who is even geekier than me. He swears that you can get the iPhone to use DUN if you:

1) Jailbreak
2) Install MyWi

The iOS4 Jail break has not been perfected yet. So I can't confirm if this is true that the iPhone could work with AcuraLink. But I might try this is 6 months time or so after they perfect Jail Breaking on the new OS. Still, even if this method worked, it would be a pain to use, the iPhone would be less stable, and you're also talking about an extra battery drain.

How ever you look at it, AcuraLink requiring DUN is a bag of hurt.