[shuntfield]

Car manufacturers are now building complex car kits into their vehicles.

The companies include:

Ford, Audi, BMW, Alfa Romeo, Peugeot, Vauxhall/Opel, Volkswagen, Mercedes, and other high end specification cars.

One of the functions, is that it pulls the phone book data from the phone via bluetooth.

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Background Information 

A lot of the Nokia E and N series, Symbian S60 handsets, do not carry the required bluetooth profile in their bluetooth stack.

The phone is missing the Phone Book Access Profile (PBAP) that allows the car to pull data from the phone.

Why the phones do not carry the profile is unknown. What is known is that using the Nokia 810 car kit downloader software, you can partly restore some of this functionality.

Additionally the Nokia 616 Car Kit Downloader will also function, along with the Ford Connectivity Downloader.

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Workaround 

The information is here:

http://europe.nokia.com/A4143881

You'll need to delete the existing pairing in the handset and the car, then install and run the application, don't just install the application and expect it to work, you must re-pair the handset and the car.

When it is installed start the application, and then re-pair the phone to the radio, this may then copy your contacts into the radio, be paitent, as it can take a few minutes to copy and setup.

It may copy the phone book over, but the Missed Dialled and Received calls may not work.

I have tested this with an Audi S3, A4, and A6 on a Nokia N82 and N95.

The Nokia E71, appears to have the profile and functions correctly with an Audi car kit, in Handsfree Profile mode.

The Nokia E71, when connected in SIM access profile mode is the same as the other E and N series handsets are requires the 810 or 616 downloader to be installed in the handset.

Installing the 810/616 downloader only restores phone book functionality, there are some software combinations on car and phones that work without the downloader.

It may also be possible for your car manufacturers franchised dealer to be able to update the software in your car so that additional features are available, they may charge for this service. Also updating software in the phone may also help, as Nokia may see fit to add the profile if they are able.

For some cars and handsets, when you are connecting with the SIM Access Profile function, you will still need to install the 616/810 downloader application as detailed above, as the phone normally switches off most of its functionality. The phone book will then normally function when you have installed the application.

The workaround only resolves the problem with the phone book. Problems such as random disconnecting which also is reported, are beyond the scope of this article.

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Edit: 24-01-09

I have noticed recently that random disconnecting can be caused if you have an Internet Telephony Service running in your handset. Also if you have the WLAN discovery setting enabled then this can cause the same problem - whilst I am not attempting to try and resolve random disconnects, it could be a reason for why this is happening.

I have recently installed a VoIP service in my handset and 100 mtrs from my home when the handset disconnects from this service at my house, the Bluetooth disconnects from the Car Kit, in my E71.

Edit 14-04-09

Audi also make a Bluetooth Sim Access Profile adapter for their Generation II and Generation III (Low) mobile telephone interface. (Audi Part No: 8P0051440) The SIM access service will require the 810 phone kit downloader application. With this on my kit I am getting disconnections with Bluetooth. To prevent this, I switch Bluetooth off and then on again prior to connecting to the kit, this resolves the disconnecting.

Edit 12-05-09

Further to the Audi edit above, I now have an Audi S4 2009 with the Audi Mobile Phone Preparation (high) for this to function correctly with phone book access the 810 Downloader needs to be installed, and running when the phone connects to the car every time it connects. Otherwise the phone book access does not operate.

Edit:12-06-09

You can also use the Ford Contact Downloader application from

http://www.ford-mobile-connectivity.com/ - select downloads then Select a Nokia E or N Series Device and download the contact application (this works fine in my Audi)

Shunts...

Message Edited by shuntfield on 02-Nov-2009 02:51 PM