The Mini Cooper Gets Bluejacked

[Pat Logsdon]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.engadget.com/entry/6180865774353843/' target='_blank'>http://www.engadget.com/entry/6180865774353843/</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/logsdon_20040326_mini.jpg" /> <br /><br />"In Europe, where phones with Bluetooth are fairly common, cool affordable cars are starting to roll off assembly lines with Bluetooth hands-free kits built-in. In the US, it’s a different story. There are only a handful of cars that come with a Bluetooth kit.<br /><br />Sure you can have an aftermarket one installed, but then something winds up sticking out, ruining the clean lines of your ride’s dash, no matter how pro the installation is. The Bluetooth Weblog, one of our blog cousins, has good news for all you hipsters craving a new Mini. A press release has just hit the web revealing (as often happens) that the new Mini Coopers will have a hands-free Bluetooth with noise canceling technology."<br /><br />The press release: "Clarity Technologies’ proprietary software suite includes multi-award- winning voice extraction and echo-cancellation software that adapts itself while capturing the voice of interest from background sounds (including other voices). This state-of-the-art technology is far more advanced than the more common noise cancellation approaches that simply suppress noise components. This makes the voice more intelligible to the human ear, more recognizable to computers and optimizes vocoders telecommunication devices and networks."<br /><br />I'm not sure that I'm a "hipster", but I'm finding the Mini more and more attractive - maybe enough to get one instead of a VW Golf V when the lease on my GTI is up. :mrgreen: But that's beside the point. I think it's pretty cool that wireless is making its way into cars. The BT here is obviously meant for phone use, but the "creep" of BT in cars puts one of my personal dreams closer to reality - a built-in WiFi AP and storage brick. :cool:<br /><br />What do you think? Is wireless in cars useful?

[rtrueman]

In my opinion, Bluetooth is a fantastic feature in a new car and one I'm sure to consider heavily. Why spend hundreds of dollars extra to have a nasty looking device installed on your dash that you can connect a phone to? As soon as you get a new phone, you will (most likely) have to replace this hands-free system. My lease is coming up on a Saab 9-5 and I keep looking at the Acura TL. Unfortunately, with a 10 month old and the desire to have another before the end of the next lease, I may need something bigger. One thing is for sure, my next phone will have Bluetooth (hear that Verizon!!!) and I want to use the phone hands-free in the car.

Rob

[Kevin Jackson]

What do you think? Is wireless in cars useful?

NO WAY! I would wind up wrapped around a telephone pole or in a ditch or over a cliff or something while I was checking my email, managing my .mp3s or soft resetting my PPC to establish a connection.

Seriously, though (not that I wasn't already being semi-serious) as much trouble as some of these idiots (and I use that term in the kindest possible way) have driving as it is, when you add anything else that's a distraction . . . let's just say that I would seriously start looking for a job where I could telecommute so I could stay off the road.

Just my 2cents

[McDeb]

It figures. I bought my MINI Cooper last summer. I hope that BMW will offer this to current owners as an installable upgrade.

[bibap]

I don't know if you used the word intentionally, but Bluejacking is quite the sport in Europe right now. See this link

www.bluejackq.com

[Pat Logsdon]

I don't know if you used the word intentionally, but Bluejacking is quite the sport in Europe right now.
Yup - I'm aware of bluejacking. I used it as a pun, along the lines of "carjacking". :mrgreen: Lame, I know, but hey - I gotta come up with a catchy title. :wink:

[eustts]

Bluetooth will be in my next car period.

[bikeman]

Keep in mind that there are much worse security issues with Bluetooth than "bluejacking". Such as as "bluesnarfing" and "backdoor" attacks whereby your personal data can be stolen! 8O For more info, go here (http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/02/11/HNbluetoothcracks_1.html?security). I got a T610 specifically to use the Bluetooth with my PPC, but now I leave the Bluetooth off unless I am actually connecting. Makes the Bluetooth headset almost useless. :(

[PR.]

What do you think? Is wireless in cars useful?

NO WAY! I would wind up wrapped around a telephone pole or in a ditch or over a cliff or something while I was checking my email, managing my .mp3s or soft resetting my PPC to establish a connection.

Seriously, though (not that I wasn't already being semi-serious) as much trouble as some of these idiots (and I use that term in the kindest possible way) have driving as it is, when you add anything else that's a distraction . . . let's just say that I would seriously start looking for a job where I could telecommute so I could stay off the road.

Just my 2cents


Here in the UK there is a law saying drivers aren't allowed to hold the phone while driving, you are allowed to use them with hands free sets tho...

Small companies that offer company cars will like these as they won't have to buy car kits and have them installed in lease cars

[CharlesWilcox]

750 mile until my next scheduled visit to the dealer. I will be laying down the $400 or so they want for this. It is a OEM upgradable accessory. And McDeb. you know that middle button on the left hand side of your multifunction steering wheel. You know that button that doesn't do anything. That's the answer button when you install the BT kit.

Trust me Pat. If I'm hip enough. You're hip enough.

[mashtim]

I started a thread a couple of weeks ago asking for info about any new cars that have BT in them (I wish I knew how to link to it), since I am currently in the market, and there seems to be quite the upsurge this model year.
To wit, we now can get the following with BT installed:

Toyota Prius,
Toyota Land Cruiser,
Jeep Liberty,
Acura TL,
Cooper Mini,
BMW 7-Series,
and I'm sure the list goes on, but those are all that I've come across so far. Oh, yeah, for those who live in Europe there is also the SMART car.

I love to see this, as it will really make phoning much easier for those of us who spend ungodly amounts of time in our cars. I mean, how cool is it that you just have to sit down in your car and hit a button on your steering wheel to answer a phone call now?

[bdegroodt]

I don't own a car, but in D.C. I use a service called ZipCar. They have a Mini Cooper in the fleet that we like to use, and I'd expect nothing less from Mini/BMW. That little car "gets" it. If I were a car buyer, I'd be all over that thing. Especially now that it's BT friendly.

[McDeb]

And McDeb. you know that middle button on the left hand side of your multifunction steering wheel. You know that button that doesn't do anything. That's the answer button when you install the BT kit.

That's what I was hoping. I've also noticed the area near the sunroof controls that will house the microphone. Yippeee! :way to go:

[Jason Dunn]

It figures. I bought my MINI Cooper last summer. I hope that BMW will offer this to current owners as an installable upgrade.

I called our local Mini dealership today, and he said based on what he knows, it will be an after-market kit that your dealership can install.

[Mike Temporale]

I'm finding the Mini more and more attractive - maybe enough to get one instead of a VW Golf V when the lease on my GTI is up.

Totally off topic: Keep the GTI. Or get a new GTI. :mrgreen: :way to go: 8)

[cdbeckman]

got it in my family's jeep, works wonderfully. Contrary to the claims here (that have no support for those claims), it's a heck of a lot safer to dial with voice recognition and then handsfree and all that then it is to try and pull out your phone and dial while driving (seen it done). Besides, the tech, atleast for jeep's version, is pretty slick and useful.

-cdbeckman

[wjlyerly]

I installed a Sony Ericsson HCB-30 bluetooth kit in my Mini shortly after getting it last summer. With a wiring harness straight from the UK, its integrated pretty well with the stereo system (display changes to PHONE and mutes music when connected).

It works great. When I turn on the car, the handsfree turns on and automagically connects to my t68i. All calls are now routed through the handsfree and play over the mini's speakers. The small controll pad (5 buttons) isn't too intrusive. A factory system would be great though, but I'm quite happy with my aftermarket add-on. (From the prices I've seen quoted over at mini2.com, its about half the price.)

Its great to be able to talk on the phone, have one hand on the wheel and still have a hand free to shift. It makes the twisties much better.

Its good to see that my next mini can come from the factory already bluetoothed.

[SassKwatch]

I guess I'm not only not a 'hipster', but just plain dense.

For those who advocate BT in a car, how do you intend to use it? I don't get it.(?)

[Kevin Jackson]

got it in my family's jeep, works wonderfully. Contrary to the claims here (that have no support for those claims), it's a heck of a lot safer to dial with voice recognition and then handsfree and all that then it is to try and pull out your phone and dial while driving (seen it done). Besides, the tech, atleast for jeep's version, is pretty slick and useful.

-cdbeckman

I'm not saying that handsfree phone use is less safe (although I have seen even those using handsfree headsets paying far more attention to their conversation than to the road) I was simply responding to the question regarding wireless use in general in the car. Too many people are too distracted on the road (eating, drinking, talking on the phone, changing the cd, shaving, putting on makeup, preening, reading, etc) and we don't need one more thing to add to those distractions.

Yes, handsfree phone use is far safer than holding the phone -- and being able to dial without picking up the phone even moreso, however, it is those who will use the technology for more (and it will be done) that are making the roads less safe, not more safe.

[McDeb]

I called our local Mini dealership today, and he said based on what he knows, it will be an after-market kit that your dealership can install.

That's great. I wonder if I'll run into issues because I replaced the stock MINI stereo with an Alpine with XM. I'm guessing that since the stereo itself switches to "phone" mode, maybe I can utilize auxiliary on my Alpine. I hope. I hope.

[jimski]

I guess I'm not only not a 'hipster', but just plain dense.

For those who advocate BT in a car, how do you intend to use it? I don't get it.(?)

Um... to make and receive phone calls without touching your cellphone. Provided your cellphone has Bluetooth built in (as all cellphone should be REQUIRED to have) then you can bond it to your car and there you have it...hands free communication. No need for different cradles each time you get a new phone.

[YohanDK]

That's funny! I have an original Mini (anniversary cabriolet model from the Rover factory from 1995 -- you know, the small cute one) with a Nokia bluetooth connectivity set installed. It's just one button to answer and hang-up, and a volume control around the button. It's about 2x3 centimeters and it works perfect! I've had it working with Nokia, Sony-Ericsson and Siemens phones - all with no problems!

I highly recomend it to everyone with BT-phones!

[Arne Hess]

What do you think? Is wireless in cars useful?
I love it! My next handsfree kit for my car will be a Bluetooth kit for sure and if I will buy my next car, Bluetooth will be in my mind as well! Even if it is not the top prio (I even would buy a car/model without Bluetooth support) I will order it for sure right away from the manufacture if it is offered!
However, for me it still seems that Europeans still believe more in Bluetooth and also use/like/appreciate it more than Americans... :?:

But again, I will not buy a (Smart)Phone without Bluetooth anymore and this gives me a convenient way to connect it to my handsfree car kit! 8)

BLUETOOTH simply rulez and makes connections rocking!

[ctmagnus]

Slightly OT:

BLUETOOTH simply rulez and makes connections rocking!

So true. I'm rebuilding my iPaq and the Bluetooth setups are like butter. Much easier than even the ActiveSync setup where you drop the unit in the cradle for the first time and click next, next, next...

[PPCL]

and I'm sure the list goes on, but those are all that I've come across so far. Oh, yeah, for those who live in Europe there is also the SMART car.


Heya! :)
I own a Bluetooth Smart Car and Here in the UK Damiler Chrysler/Mercedes and Mobile Phone Manufacturer Orange, have teamed together to create a new version of the popular Smart car—The Orange City Coupe Special Edition. This small 2 seater, available in Europe only, has Bluetooth Handsfree Technology integrated into it. With a length of only 2.5 meters, a Mercedes Benz 74bhp/600cc engine that does 59miles to the gallon, and a top speed of 90mph you wouldn’t think that the car is worth driving…but I can tell you it is! I own one of these amazing cars and I love it to bits! It is so unusual yet so safe.

The Smart is primarily a Car for driving in the big city due to it being so economical to run (£7 a week covering around 400 miles) plus it can squeeze into the smallest parking space imaginable. Even thought this car is small on the outside it is huge on technology. The Smart is equipped with a softup/ softouch dual gearbox meaning you can drive it in automatic OR manual; you can change “modes” at the same time as you are driving at the switch of a button. The Clutch and gear changes are controlled electronically when driving in manual (Softip) making it almost impossible to stall or overrev the engine. It changes up and down, through the 6 speed transmission, in response to a gentle tap on the gear lever.

ESP or Electronic Stability Programme also protects you when you driving. ESP is an advanced safety programme which uses onboard sensors to recognize certain dangerous situations in good time and react to them in a certain way. For example when the rear end of the car threatens to break away; understeers, wheel spins or loses road contact, ESP is able to moderate the engine power and selectively brake individual wheels to stabilise the car and bring it back on track.

The Technology doesn’t stop there. Hidden in the cars “shell” is Bluetooth wireless technology. When you receive a call on a Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone or Smartphone, the call is directed through the microphone and speakers in the car. Using voice recognition capability built into your PDA or your mobile phone you can answer calls and make new ones while keeping your hands on the wheel.


http://www.pocketpclife.co.uk/images/becky/uhssmart.jpg