Is it possible to retrofit mobile phone prep?

[ldzpmh]

Hi everyone,

Have just taken delivery of a new A6 Avant 2.0 TDI multitronic. Didn't bother to spec mobile phone prep, as in my previous A4 I didn't use it: the signal via bluetooth to my iPhone was generally pretty good and I thought it would be the same in the new car. However, it seems that maybe the A6 has more insulation or something, as the signal strength on the phone via bluetooth is definitely weaker than it was in the A4.

My question is whether it is possible to reftrofit mobile phone prep - either low or high, doesn't really matter - so that I can use the car's aerial to boost the phone signal? Does anyone know if this can be done?

Cheers,

Paul

[Guest 2]

I thought BT came standard on UK models?

Standard kit -

23
Seats
Split-folding rear seat backs
Standard seats in Milano leather
upholstery
including seat covers, head restraints and front
centre armrest. The leather is hard-wearing and
durable. Includes manual adjustment for seat
height, length, backrest angle, head restraint,
belt height and steering wheel reach and height
ISOFIX child seat mounting
for front
passenger (with airbag deactivation) and
outer rear seats
Audio and communication
MMI Radio Plus
including:
-
MMI control panel operating the MMI display
(6.5” retractable colour display)
-
2 SDHC memory card readers (up to 32GB)
and single CD player that supports MP3,
WMA and AAC
-
TP memo – automatically saves traffic news
when driving
MMI Navigation (SD card)
including:
-
6.5” retractable MMI colour display
with high quality map display including 7-digit
postcode recognition
- Voice control using whole words
- Dynamic route guidance
-
Additional display in the Driver's
Information System
Audi sound system
- 6-channel amplifier
- 180-Watt amplifying capacity
- 10 loudspeakers including subwoofer
AUX–IN socket
Mobile telephone preparation –
Bluetooth
interface: Bluetooth-compatible mobile
phones can be connected to the vehicle via
the interface, allowing handsfree calls via
the microphone

[EvilPostIt]

The ability to use the in car aerial to boost signal is provided by the mobile phone prep high option. This is done using rSAP (Remote SIM Access Profile) over bluetooth technology which is not supported on the iphone 4 upwards. Which means you would have to change phones to an rSAP compatible one or take the SIM out every time. So it may not be worth the bother.

[AGW82]

As Chris has said, Bluetooth (low) is standard spec (but I think you know that already from your post). I'm not sure about the actual retrofit but I believe that to use the inbuilt aerial you need the Bluetooth High option and a phone which supports rSAP (or put a SIM in the dash), there are plenty of posts around the iPhone and its lack of rSAP support, i believe there is a fix/workaround could be worth a look at this thread MMI Navigation Plus / Online Services / Mobile Phones (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?119062-MMI-Navigation-Plus-Online-Services-Mobile-Phones) I would check to make sure you are happy with the workaround before committing to any spend on retrofit upgrades.

[ldzpmh]

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I know that BT comes as standard, but as I understood it 'mobile phone prep - low' offers the opportunity to locate your phone in a cradle which is linked to the car's own aerial and boosts the signal, whereas 'mobile phone prep - high' gives you additional integration. Guess I could be wrong about that, though pretty sure that both were available as additional options when I was ordering the car. I knew about the sim card problems with the iPhone 4, which is one of the reasons I didn't spec 'phone prep - high' when ordering, and I thought that the in-built BT would give me good enough signal strength on its own. Am interested to find out what would be involved to install phone prep (either high or low) and whether it's in fact possible at all as a retrofit option.

Paul

[EvilPostIt]

Looks like your right about the hard wired approach. Here is the description from the Audi site.


Provides handsfree connection via Bluetooth using mobile phone aerial. Alternatively, it can use a cradle with charging facility for optimal reception via external aerial. Located in front centre armrest. Cradle available at extra cost – please contact your Audi Centre for phone compatibility

It may just be the cradle that provides this so maybe give your local dealership a call.

[AGW82]

A quick look around the net sugest you can retrofit both low and high, however most I've seen are DIY jobs, so it's really a question of if this is a dealer fit option or not? So as EvilPostIt has said, give the dealer a call and see what they say...

Could also be worth contacting these guys.. VW Audi retrofit Bluetooth Handsfree car kit | Car Hands Free Kit (http://www.incarhandsfree.co.uk/vw-audi-oem-retrofit-bluetooth)

[johnsimcox]

I think you still need either rSAP or an aerial function built into the cradle connector to get the phone to use the car aerial. The iPhone has neither so all you will get through this route is an expensive (cradle is c£100 on top of the cost of the retrofit assuming one is available). Where is the phone when you are in the car. I have used both an iPhone 4 and iPhone 5 in my A6 and have no real problems with reception. Have you tried placing it wither in the space under the armrest or in the door pocket? Worst place in my experience is trouser pocket where the body act as a great shield for the signal.

[bmoster]

I concur with the previous post. I am using an iPhone 5 with the standard Bluetooth and have problems with signal strength or reception. Works really well.

[MFGF]

Even if you got the phone cradle retrofitted, the iPhone doesn't support external aerial connection via the connector, so you would be no better off in terms of signal strength. The only real benefit would be that the iPhone would charge while it was in the cradle. You may as well just buy a car charger for a few pounds.

Regards,

MF.

[AGW82]

Seems like we've reached a concensus that a decent phone is required before thinking about the retrofit... :firedevil

Sorry I love iPhones really... :rolleyes:

[EvilPostIt]

Seems like we've reached a concensus that a decent phone is required before thinking about the retrofit... :firedevil

Sorry I love iPhones really... :rolleyes:

I dont think many phones actually work natively with rSAP. I know the Lumia 920 doesnt and without some sort of routing hack neither does the Galaxy S3...

[AGW82]

I dont think many phones actually work natively with rSAP. I know the Lumia 920 doesnt and without some sort of routing hack neither does the Galaxy S3...

Galaxy S, S2, S3 and S4 should have native rSAP support without any hack required. (there was a brief issue when the S2 initially went to ICS). The Android operating system natively supports rSAP in it's code and has done for some time. However most manufacturers choose not to enable the functionality, so you have to root the phone and download the rSAP application.

I agree that there seems to be a reticence from most phone manufacturers and phone OS developers to add the function, not sure why though.. Maybe the VW Group need to start a campaign..

[johnsimcox]

Galaxy S, S2, S3 and S4 should have native rSAP support without any hack required. (there was a brief issue when the S2 initially went to ICS). The Android operating system natively supports rSAP in it's code and has done for some time. However most manufacturers choose not to enable the functionality, so you have to root the phone and download the rSAP application.

I agree that there seems to be a reticence from most phone manufacturers and phone OS developers to add the function, not sure why though.. Maybe the VW Group need to start a campaign..
... or many VAG needs to catch up with real world where rSAP is no longer a given from the phone manufacturers and develop a system that allows for native integration of the phone. If BMW can do it (although BMW relies on an inbuilt Vodafone SIM for all the data functionality) then why can't Audi? That said it may be that new Infotainment solution that VAG are deploying across all new cars starting with the Golf will resolve the issue. Presume the A6 will get it as part of the facelift.

[AGW82]

... or many VAG needs to catch up with real world where rSAP is no longer a given from the phone manufacturers and develop a system that allows for native integration of the phone. If BMW can do it (although BMW relies on an inbuilt Vodafone SIM for all the data functionality) then why can't Audi? That said it may be that new Infotainment solution that VAG are deploying across all new cars starting with the Golf will resolve the issue. Presume the A6 will get it as part of the facelift.


Something needs to happen that's for sure. But I guess the number of people that need this kind of integration between phone and car are small compared to the total demographic. I'm not sure BMW can do it, they have just avoided the issue. You can put a SIM in the A6 and get round the issue, Audi just missed a trick by not allowing a standard bluetooth device to connect when a SIM is inserted in the dash. I certainly wouldn't want to be paying for 2 SIM....(I don't know if you do pay for the Vodafone SIM in BMWs.?)

For me I think the answer lies at an application layer, where VAG, BMW etc can write a downloadable application to act as a service bus, and enables the full integration between car and phone, downloadable from iTunes, Play Store etc..

I've not seen anything about the new VAG infotainment solution, have you got any good links for info?

[AGW82]

A quick look round suggest the new A3 is coming with the new MMI system. However a quick look in the new A3 brochure suggests that there is no Google Maps integration and there is no mention of rSAP either...

Technology package.
Includes HDD-based MMI Satellite Navigation Plus and MMI Touch with navigation data (flash memory),
electrically extending, high-resolution 7-inch colour display with 800 x 480 pixel resolution, high-quality representation of the
navigation map as 3D ground model with topographical map colouring, display of many sites and city models in 3D, choice of
3 alternative routes provided, split-screen mode for route information (manoeuvring points, points of interest on motorways,
TMCpro on route), detailed junction map and lane recommendations, dynamic route guidance (where available), voice control
system (whole-word entry of address in one sentence), additional arrow display in the Driver’s Information System; including radio
with triple tuner and phase diversity, flash memory for music (10GB), MP3, WMA, AAC and MPEG4-capable DVD player which can
also be used for music and video DVDs, 2 SDXC card readers (for up to 2TB). MMI Touch: a touch-sensitive panel on the rotary/
push-button control for intuitive operation of the MMI without taking your eyes off the road; context-related entry of letters and
numbers for navigation destination via handwriting recognition with acoustic acknowledgement, selection from address book,
entry of telephone numbers or search for media files; simple movement of navigation map and selection of points of interest.
Only in combination with Colour Driver’s Information System (9S6) on SE models

[johnsimcox]

Something needs to happen that's for sure. But I guess the number of people that need this kind of integration between phone and car are small compared to the total demographic. I'm not sure BMW can do it, they have just avoided the issue. You can put a SIM in the A6 and get round the issue, Audi just missed a trick by not allowing a standard bluetooth device to connect when a SIM is inserted in the dash. I certainly wouldn't want to be paying for 2 SIM....(I don't know if you do pay for the Vodafone SIM in BMWs.?)

For me I think the answer lies at an application layer, where VAG, BMW etc can write a downloadable application to act as a service bus, and enables the full integration between car and phone, downloadable from iTunes, Play Store etc..

I've not seen anything about the new VAG infotainment solution, have you got any good links for info?
Regardless of market all BMWs with navigation have a data SIM from Vodafone fitted and the first three years are free. After that there will presumably be a charge but I have not seen that listed anywhere and would only start to be levied in late 2014/early 2015 at the earliest.

I'll try and find a link to the interview in Autocar that talked about the new navigation system. Another key aspect will be that maps and software updates will be available every 6 months and free for the first three years

[AGW82]

I'll try and find a link to the interview in Autocar that talked about the new navigation system. Another key aspect will be that maps and software updates will be available every 6 months and free for the first three years

Excellent, thanks. Interesting news about the maps and software updates....

PM me the link if you want... I think I've taken this thread too far off topic..

[EvilPostIt]

Galaxy S, S2, S3 and S4 should have native rSAP support without any hack required. (there was a brief issue when the S2 initially went to ICS). The Android operating system natively supports rSAP in it's code and has done for some time. However most manufacturers choose not to enable the functionality, so you have to root the phone and download the rSAP application.

I agree that there seems to be a reticence from most phone manufacturers and phone OS developers to add the function, not sure why though.. Maybe the VW Group need to start a campaign..

I think it might be seen as an old technology possibly and that effectively hi-jacking the phone via Bluetooth could be a security issue... But it is extremely frustrating that when a sim is inserted you cannot switch off the Bluetooth override!

[AGW82]

I think it might be seen as an old technology possibly and that effectively hi-jacking the phone via Bluetooth could be a security issue... But it is extremely frustrating that when a sim is inserted you cannot switch off the Bluetooth override!

Looking at the sticky from the top of the board it looks like Audi may have rectified their original mistake.... iphone fix for 2012 and data sim fix (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?132615-iphone-fix-for-2012-and-data-sim-fix)

[AGW82]

Looking at the sticky from the top of the board it looks like Audi may have rectified their original mistake.... iphone fix for 2012 and data sim fix (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?132615-iphone-fix-for-2012-and-data-sim-fix)

OK, so you've already seen it... I'm guessing this doesn't help then.

[johnsimcox]

I think it might be seen as an old technology possibly and that effectively hi-jacking the phone via Bluetooth could be a security issue... But it is extremely frustrating that when a sim is inserted you cannot switch off the Bluetooth override!
Especially as in North America putting the SIM in the dash slot does not disable bluetooth. Why Audi cannot simply modify the software for the rest of the world to do as they have done in the US is anybodies guess

[EvilPostIt]

That sticky doesn't provide a fix, just a workaround so you can get your phone book while using another sim in the car.

Although this topic may have now turned into that one now... Sorry for the divert!

[harryg]

Must admit I now use a Nexus 4 phone and do not have any signal problem might be only applicable to apple phones.