Mobile phone compatibility

[BobbyJim]

Is the S4 really in no way compatible with the HTC Desire or the HTC Magic? It doesn't appear on their lists...

[J_B204]

It's not that it isn't compatible, it is whether or not the phone supports Bluetooth sim access profile. I'm not sure HTC phones do, easiest way to test is to try pairing with any A4, it is works, it'll work with an S4.

[ScottyUK]

The list is even less reliable than that.

The list is phones they've tested which means many phones are compatible but simply not tested.

[Geordie Amanda]

My HTC Desire worked flawlessly with my 2010 A4 S line. Only after one of the major Android updates did the car stop reading my phone book properly (mot the 2.1 updrade but a slightly amaller one a bit later). I am not sure whether this a phone fault or a car fault, but when I have the car serviced I'll ask it to be looked at.

[The Polisher]

Got an HTC Touch HD, pairs up with the Audi Bluetooth no problems, and my car is 18 months old now.

Why don't you nip into a dealer, sit in a car and try and pair it up? Can take up to 5 mins to download your phonebook though.

[J_B204]

I agree with previous poster, going in and checking is the best plan, any A4 will do. Touch HD runs windows mobile unlike th desire which is an android phone.

[Zafi]

My HTC HD2 works with my 2010 A4.

I have over 450 contacts and the car syncs fine.

[firefly2008]

My HTC Desire worked flawlessly with my 2010 A4 S line. Only after one of the major Android updates did the car stop reading my phone book properly (mot the 2.1 updrade but a slightly amaller one a bit later). I am not sure whether this a phone fault or a car fault, but when I have the car serviced I'll ask it to be looked at.

lots of you are saying 'yeah, mine works ok' which is all well and good, but what if you have bought an htc Desire and now rueing that decision as it WON'T pair as the car says it is 'not compatible'?? rSAP is heavily weighted to Nokia, which I was replacing (Nokia make the kit in the car I believe).

looked on a Skoda forum for a solution after a google search http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/117938-howto-get-rsap-working-with-the-columbus-rns510-using-a-non-compatible-mobile/page__st__60

downloaded both files but the htc won't recognise the CAB files!! so, come-on smarties, someone out there MUST know how to make the car think its still happily getting on with the old Nokia and not a shiny new htc Desire. I'm beginning to regret upgrading now, as I have the car for two more years, and the option of simply bolting in a Parrot horrifies me!!! :zx11:

thanks!! Firefly

[firefly2008]

My HTC Desire worked flawlessly with my 2010 A4 S line. Only after one of the major Android updates did the car stop reading my phone book properly (mot the 2.1 updrade but a slightly amaller one a bit later). I am not sure whether this a phone fault or a car fault, but when I have the car serviced I'll ask it to be looked at.

ah!! so someone has managed to get a Desire to pair with the rSAP kit!! I take it you downloaded an upgrade to your Desire from htc website?? therefore there must be an install to the phone that would make it recognisable again to car.... just need to know where that is!! HELP!!!!!

[J_B204]

lots of you are saying 'yeah, mine works ok' which is all well and good, but what if you have bought an htc Desire and now rueing that decision as it WON'T pair as the car says it is 'not compatible'?? rSAP is heavily weighted to Nokia, which I was replacing (Nokia make the kit in the car I believe).

looked on a Skoda forum for a solution after a google search http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/117938-howto-get-rsap-working-with-the-columbus-rns510-using-a-non-compatible-mobile/page__st__60

downloaded both files but the htc won't recognise the CAB files!! so, come-on smarties, someone out there MUST know how to make the car think its still happily getting on with the old Nokia and not a shiny new htc Desire. I'm beginning to regret upgrading now, as I have the car for two more years, and the option of simply bolting in a Parrot horrifies me!!! :zx11:

thanks!! Firefly


Firefly,

CAB files won't work with a HTC Desire. The Desire runs the Android operating system whilst something like the HTC HD2 runs Windows mobile. CAB actually stands for CABinet - and contains other files that install onto Windows computers and phones.

I heavily customise my HTC Desire but don't have an A4...yet...I do have one on order (expected delivery early May) so I'll report back then! )Although to further confuse matters I have Android 2.3 installed on my Desire and the 'standard' software is 'only' Android 2.2.

J_B204

[J_B204]

My HTC Desire worked flawlessly with my 2010 A4 S line. Only after one of the major Android updates did the car stop reading my phone book properly (mot the 2.1 updrade but a slightly amaller one a bit later). I am not sure whether this a phone fault or a car fault, but when I have the car serviced I'll ask it to be looked at.


It'll almost definitely be the phone software update that caused the problem. Bluetooth implementation is notoriously patchy on HTC (Android) phones.

[a8 tech]

remember there are differing phone control units and generations B8 will be gen 3

rsap and handsfree

if your system is 3g hdd then insert the sim card in the 5f unit and this becomes the phone overcoming pairing issues via hffp and uplink problems causing poor sound quality from your phones gsm *** the sim will be used by the vehicle gsm (good tip for Iphone users and there limited function of handsfree only)


if hffp then you can only pair via hands free so if your phone is not supported then your goosed

remember handsfree is just extending the phone connection (allowing bluetooth connection but without using vehicles gsm aerial) and you still use the phones battery

sap allows the phone to integrate fully into the mmi and vehicles gsm

[firefly2008]

I've started a new thread on the subject!! may be an App looming to help with Android's lack of rSAP... thanks for response!

[Geordie Amanda]

ah!! so someone has managed to get a Desire to pair with the rSAP kit!! I take it you downloaded an upgrade to your Desire from htc website?? therefore there must be an install to the phone that would make it recognisable again to car.... just need to know where that is!! HELP!!!!!
The download was probably from Orange as I think they have to vet and tweak any software update to make it compatible with their phones (obviously mine is from Orange). But I can't say categorically that the phone stopped working immediately after the update. It seemed to work fine for a short while and intermittently start to play up. I wasn't certain if it was the hilly terrain I was drving through at the time or something else. In the end it wouldn't download the phone book properly (I have over 500 contacts-mostly work) and even after a full re-pairing of the phone it doesn't download the phone book properly. It does still work hands free without a hitch though. :)

I should ask a collegue to try and pair theri Desire with my car I guess.

[J_B204]

The annoying thing with all the phone operators is that HTC (or any other phone manufacturer) updates the phone software but then has to release it to the phone operator. The operator then loads all of its 'rubbish' onto the software and even restricts some capabilities - hence I always try to install region/operator free software.

However, if your phone is locked to a particular operator you are stuck with using their updates.

[HotChip]

I'm the proud owner of an HTC Desire and the soon-to-be proud owner of a new A4 with low phone prep. Am I right in saying that I won't be able to use my phone with my new car?

I will me mighty disappointed if this is the case.

HC

[J_B204]

HC,

Not necessarily, depends on what version software you are using on your desire, afraid the only definitive way of knowing is to try to pair the phone!

[HotChip]

I'm running 2.2 Froyo. Not getting the new car until the end of May and I'm dreading the first attempt at pairing.

I'll post my finding then. Fingers crossed.

HC

[firefly2008]

Go to Audi with phone and try it. If the Audi uses same rSap as vw you may be in trouble. See my other post for possible solution coming to all good app stores soon.

[jonesey]

I'm running 2.2 Froyo. Not getting the new car until the end of May and I'm dreading the first attempt at pairing.

I'll post my finding then. Fingers crossed.

HC

Your HTC Desire will work fine with the bluetooth phone prep on your new A4. I am using the same handset with a new (Nov 2010) Audi A4 2.0 TDIe Teknik.
I did have problems pairing it on the first day as the handset kept on disconnecting when synchronising the phone book. Turned out that I had my contacts linked to the built in Facebook app and the phone was trying to upload the associated photo from Facebook via bluetooth and the phone prep was dropping out. Disabled the FB app and all works very well, including multiple phone numbers (work, home and mobile) for each contact.

I recommend you get a Brodit clip for the A4 dashboard and Brodit active phone holder for the HTC Desire. Keeps the phone charged and safe/legal to use while driving and and its swivel mount is useful for Google Navigation if you do not have the SatNav option on the A4.
There are some very useful car mode apps available too for the HTC Desire/Android handsets which automatically activate when the phone pairls with the car phone prep. I use Car Home, see screenshots here:http://market.android.com/details?id=spinninghead.carhome

[HotChip]

Thanks for that Jonesy, you've put my mind at rest. I don't sync with my FB account anyway so it shouldn't be a problem.

On the phoneholder, I thought the low phone prep option allowed you to control the phone though the MMI, thus doing away with the need to touch the phone for dialling and answering i.e. perfectly safe and legal? Would be good for Google Nav right enough..

HC

[jonesey]

Yes you are right about controlling the phone book, dialling and and answering calls through the MMI. However sometimes you need a keypad when using voicemail etc and using the MMI rotary control for this is a pain. Also the android car app gives you 18 hot keys across 3 pages which you can flick through with a brush of a finger. The hotkeys can be set to Google Nav, Google Maps and there are other vehicle related apps plus favourite numbers at a single touch.

[HotChip]

Ah ok. Thanks again for your help.

Only 14 weeks to go until quattro time!


HC

[theskyfox]

Guys, is the mobile phone system built into the Audis good? I had to get it retrofitted into my current car (Got a parrot system) but the new one is gonna have the bluetooth as standard. Im assuming that i have to pair it with my phone,then itl auto-resync every time i get in the car, and auto mute the radio to answer the calls? (all things my parrot does at the moment!).

-Andrew

[jonesey]

Guys, is the mobile phone system built into the Audis good? I had to get it retrofitted into my current car (Got a parrot system) but the new one is gonna have the bluetooth as standard. Im assuming that i have to pair it with my phone,then itl auto-resync every time i get in the car, and auto mute the radio to answer the calls? (all things my parrot does at the moment!).

-Andrew
Yes, the built in bluetooth preparation works exactly as you described.
The phonebook memory will store up to 5000 contacts, but only 2000 can be uploaded from the phone via bluetooth. The MMI with SD card interface will allow you to update/edit the phone book by transferring the phone book file to from a PC via the SD memory card.