bluetooth question

i know this probably a dumb one, BUT if my local verizon store tells me that a phone is bluetooth compatible is that enough to go on as far as it working in my car with the bluetooth in i-drive? thanks

Originally Posted by wagonman

i know this probably a dumb one, BUT if my local verizon store tells me that a phone is bluetooth compatible is that enough to go on as far as it working in my car with the bluetooth in i-drive? thanks

No. Most but not all bluetooth phones work with BMW. Your dealer can give you a list of the phones that work or at least point you in the right direction. You can also call BMWNA for this info.

it might work as far as talking thru the radio, but it may not answer, call, show phone numbers, dial...... thru the bmw system. get a motorola 5xx series they will totlaly integrate to the system.

Originally Posted by wagonman

i know this probably a dumb one, BUT if my local verizon store tells me that a phone is bluetooth compatible is that enough to go on as far as it working in my car with the bluetooth in i-drive? thanks

Just drive your car over to the local Verizon store and try to pair the car on a demo phone.

I too had my doubts until a Verizon support person gave me this address: http://dts.vzw.com/how_to_use/bluetooth_car_kit.html
Click on the phone model in question and you will see which phone features are supported.

Which phone are you thinking about?

First hand advice will be far better than what the store tries to tell you. I have had good success with a Motorola V710 and Razor V3. The sucessor to the V710, the E815 should also pair OK.

Verizon phones will only answer and talk. All other phone functions are blocked. There is a class action suit against Verizon because they limit the functionality of Bluetooth in thier phones.

If you want full functionality, phonebook, caller ID, etc. then you need Cingular or possibly Sprint.

Actually, I think - due to the lawsuit - that Verizon has changed its Bluetooth implementation. Originally, Verizon's only BT phone was the Motorola V710, which would only make and answer calls. If you look at that link above, it looks like later versions of the V710 and the E815 will fully link with I-Drive, including the phone book.

Unfortunately, it looks like the LG phones will not fully link. Anyone have any luck with the Verizon LG phones? I currently have a (non-BT) LG phone which I LOVE - my favorite phone by far!! I'd like to get another, but only if it will work with my car.

SHAME on Verizon for limiting the BT functions of its phones - forcing you to buy additional services. I believe that if you search online, you can find downloads and instructions to "hack" your Verizon phone to fully implement BT.

Originally Posted by Asteroid

I too had my doubts until a Verizon support person gave me this address: http://dts.vzw.com/how_to_use/bluetooth_car_kit.html
Click on the phone model in question and you will see which phone features are supported.

They don't even list BMW.

Originally Posted by Spartacus_33

They don't even list BMW.

Wow, I have Moto E815 so I didn't even look for the others in list. For Verizon, at least now, your choice is V710 or E815. That's a beef I've had with Verizon, they don't get the cool phones.

Originally Posted by Salespunk

Verizon phones will only answer and talk. All other phone functions are blocked. There is a class action suit against Verizon because they limit the functionality of Bluetooth in thier phones.

If you want full functionality, phonebook, caller ID, etc. then you need Cingular or possibly Sprint.

that sucks about verizon, because otherwise i like them. i dont care about other features, only answering and talking is fine with me. i currently have a non bt lg phone which i like a lot. what would you recommend? kuni bmw service dept has mailed me the list of phones that works with the 06 530 xi t.

Originally Posted by wagonman

what would you recommend?

Look here http://www.bmwtransact.com/bluetooth...ble_Phones.htm

Originally Posted by Salespunk

Verizon phones will only answer and talk. All other phone functions are blocked. There is a class action suit against Verizon because they limit the functionality of Bluetooth in thier phones.

If you want full functionality, phonebook, caller ID, etc. then you need Cingular or possibly Sprint.

This is not true.

I have a Verizon pre-lawsuit V710 and also a Cingular Razor.

I get phonebook and caller ID with both of them. The functionality seems about the same.

I do not get text messaging with either of them.

The functions that Verizon crippled have to do with file transfers over bluetooth. I could work around most of that with a transflash card on with V710. When Verizon cleaned up the firmware that made it work OK with BMW, they also cripped ringtone transfers via the transflash.