When I test-drove a MCS 2 weeks ago, the MA told me that it includes built-in bluetooth for handsfree phone use, but the software wasn't ready yet. He said that's what the middle button on the left side of the multifunction steering wheel is for. I did a search on NAM, and it looks like the consensus was that this is true, and that a "kit" would be available in October. Well, October's past. Does anybody know anything more about this? Is there any word on when this feature will actually be useable? It seems like a really cool feature to me, and I'll almost certainly buy a bluetooth enabled phone if the feature is activated in the car.

Cheers,
Fenian.

 

At Limerock this year, I spoke to a product design manager from MINI. He confirmed this was true and that also a kit for the ipod would be coming out as well. He didnt say when either would be out.

 

What exactly would a "kit for the ipod" do? I have an iPod and anything that could make it more convenient in my MCS would be a good thing. The iPod does not have any sort of bluetooth capability, though.

 

I've got a bluetooth phone AND an iPod!!

Now i just nees a Mini to go with it...

 

This will be on top of my Xmas list if it exists - thje bluetooth kit (assuming it works with the Nokia 3650)

 

dont like the bluetooth.
I would not preffer to have people sit in my car and hear the whole conversation during the call. sometime is good but most of the time i would not feel comfortable.

Get a blue tooth head set from sony ericsson. it works with all the blue tooth phone, i got one, really cool.

Bluetooth could be good if it has other function other than pick up the phone.
Good luck people

 

>>Get a blue tooth head set from sony ericsson. it works with all the blue tooth phone, i got one, really cool.

I hear that is a good one but I am happy shifting gears and answering calls on my SE t68i and my Jabra FreeSpeak headset. Nice combo.

I don't have a enhanced steering wheel but I hope that BT integration comes to the MINI :smile:

 

>>What exactly would a "kit for the ipod" do? I have an iPod and anything that could make it more convenient in my MCS would be a good thing. The iPod does not have any sort of bluetooth capability, though.

The iPod info can be found by going to http://www.mini.com and going to the MINI International site. From there you click on "THE MINI" and select "MINI PDA".

I've been asking about this since it showed up on the site. Nobody seems to know anything about it in the US.

 

Okay, that looks REALLY cool. But I still don't know what it has to do with the iPod. Unless you meant to say iPaq. Either way, that looks pretty sweet.

 

Wow. I have a 3700 - i wonder if they can order these parts? I;m gussing not... but one can dream.

 

Bluetooth is not company specific, so your 3650 should work just fine.

For those of you who can't wait, there's a relatively inexpensive bluetooth device that you connect to the stereo (it's quite small so it can fit anywhere, and you can use that to answer calls etc... if you don't want everyone to hear. My brother has one (he's a p800 guy) and he loves it. The only thing he said about it is that it was tough to install.

It's called the HCB-30...I could not link to it unfortunately.

But if the car already has the Bluetooth in it, you don't really need that, just if you can't wait.

Louay

_________________

 

Bluetooth is not company specific, true. However, there are 2 protocols for this operation "Handsfree" and "Headset" Most headsets, use... welll... the Headset protocol. However, the Nokia 3650 uses the Handsfree. You will notice most major BT headset providers will specify if it is Nokia 3650 compatible. This is the reason.

So i say again.. i hope it is Nokia 3650 compat. or to be more specific.. Handsfree Protocol compatible

 

interesting...I didn't know that. I thought that the only dif between Bluetooths was that theres BT1 and BT2 where BT2 can go further.

Nokia is a srange company. I've had many of their products but they never seace to surprise me. The 3650 (as well as 1 or 2 other models) are the only bt enabled phones they had (I don't know if you considered the N-gage bt enebaled OR a phone) but they already had the ear piece...so they made a bt headset that could only really work on the Ericsson (t68 at the time). I see the pros and cons of this, but I would think that they would develop both markets simultaneously...

I might go for the P900...but the P800 was just so big I reverted to the T610..it'll be hard to go back to the SUV of mobile phones :smile:

L

 

Bluetooth is the future of wireless. I have had my sonyericsson t616 phone & hbh60 headset for 3 months now and they rock. You can make and pick up calls with your phone in your briefcase. You can even surf the web on your pda (sony ux50) using the phone as the conduit. This is slick. Now if I could find a bluetooth headphone so I could wirelessly listen to the mp3's on my pda, I would be in geek heaven.

Peace Out

 

Just got back from my dealer and the Accessories MA gave me the new catalog and the Hands Free Phone System is listed on page 15. Now all we need is to have the phone work through the sound system with an external mic in the headliner, near the rear view mirror. Does anyone have any more info than the catalog?

 

I called my dealer today and ask them to check inventory on the Bluetooth module. He told none in the US yet. He did say that the item you identified on page 15 of the catalog is the kit everyone is waiting for. Hopefully they will show up in the next 3 months. I just had the BMW Bluetooth installed in one of my other cars and it works great.

 

does anyone know if this will become an included feature with the MFSW?

that would be nice.

Patrick

 

>>Just got back from my dealer and the Accessories MA gave me the new catalog and the Hands Free Phone System is listed on page 15. Now all we need is to have the phone work through the sound system with an external mic in the headliner, near the rear view mirror. Does anyone have any more info than the catalog?

Okay, for those of us who don't have a new catalog handy, could you tell us what information the catalog has about it? Price? Anything about install time? I talked to my MA 2 weeks ago and asked him if he'd heard anything about the kit. He said he hadn't heard anything official, but that the rumor was that it would be a very expensive install.

 

"HANDS FREE PHONE SYSTEM
Nowhere in the Book of Motoring does it tell you how to drive, eat a cheeseburger and call your grandma at the same time. And well it shouldn't.
Two hands on the wheel is the way to motor, but that doesn't mean you can't make a few phone calls. This Hands Free Kit with Bluetooth wireless technology allows you to handle calls through voice activation or through the dedicated control pad.
Put your Bluetooth phone in the boot (A), in the backseat (B), in a jacket pocket (C) or anywhere (D) within ten meters of your MINI and you still can make a receive calls while steering and shifting though the twisties.
84 11 0 302 897 $450.00"

There is an overhead graphic of a MINI and a ten meter circle in dashed lines around it. The (A),(B),(C),(D) are pictured within this circle.

Hope this helps.
Chris

 

my oh my $450.00??? You can get a handsfree kit for most phones, install it yourself and whatnot for $200 or less if you look. Although if you change phones frequently, your S.O.L.