Toyota to expand BT

Orf · 09-03-2006, 02:56 AM

C/net Reviews had an interesting article on cars and Bluetooth.

Following communications, Bluetooth gets its teeth into in-car entertainment, navigation
Posted by: Kevin Massy

To date, Bluetooth has meant only one thing in the automotive world: hands-free phone calls. The short-wave radio technology enables drivers of high-tech cars to use their Bluetooth-enabled handsets to make and receive calls without taking their hands from the wheel. (Not all Bluetooth phones work with all Bluetooth-enabled cars: see our compatibility guide for details).

Now, however, it looks like the wireless technology is about to be applied to the other two key areas of in-car tech: those of entertainment and navigation. Over the past week, the digital music and auto blogospheres have been abuzz with rumors that Apple is planning to launch a Bluetooth adapter for its iPods to enable music to be streamed wirelessly to players equipped with an advanced Bluetooth profile known as A2DP, or Bluetooth 2.0. Last week, a spokesman for Pioneer, which is one of the first car audio vendors to offer A2DP-enabled head units, was quoted in an article saying that Apple "will bring out a Bluetooth adapter that will allow iPods to make a wireless connection." We have not managed to reach Apple for comment on this, and it may be that Pioneer's spokesman will have some answering to do to Mr. Jobs et al. for letting the cat out of the bag early, but the news seems credible. Earlier this week, Gizmodo featured a similar Bluetooth adapter for the iPod Nano called BluNa that has just been released by Anycom. BluNa snaps onto the bottom of the Nano (or any iPod with a dock connector) and enables tunes to be streamed wirelessly to any Bluetooth-enabled receiver.

Then yesterday, News.com reported on Toyota's announcement that it was to release a driver-friendly cell phone called the Timo, which will use Bluetooth to enable drivers to connect with Toyota's navigation systems and to contact the emergency services with the touch of a button. The latter function will presumably work in a similar way to built-in telematics services such as BMW Assist and GM's OnStar. The Timo is due for release in Japan in October, and there is no word yet on when or whether it will come here.

One thing seems certain, however: Bluetooth in cars is soon going to comprise a lot more than phone calls.

nyconrad · 09-03-2006, 10:00 AM

It makes sense that they start expanding BT's roll in cars since you can use BT to connect with laptops and pda's and use it as a wireless modem. Not such a stretch to have it connect to the car and do things like upload data to Toyota for servicing, track problems, etc.

Tadashi · 09-03-2006, 12:32 PM

I am surprised at the range of the bluetooth. My wife started up her car but left her phone in the kitchen about 15 ft from the garage and the car linked up to it.

I was thinking they would removed the blue tooth since many places are banning cell phone even with hands-free devices.

09-03-2006, 02:56 AM	#1
Orf Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Devonport, Tasmania Posts: 335 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: I-Tech Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	C/net Reviews had an interesting article on cars and Bluetooth. Following communications, Bluetooth gets its teeth into in-car entertainment, navigation Posted by: Kevin Massy To date, Bluetooth has meant only one thing in the automotive world: hands-free phone calls. The short-wave radio technology enables drivers of high-tech cars to use their Bluetooth-enabled handsets to make and receive calls without taking their hands from the wheel. (Not all Bluetooth phones work with all Bluetooth-enabled cars: see our compatibility guide for details). Now, however, it looks like the wireless technology is about to be applied to the other two key areas of in-car tech: those of entertainment and navigation. Over the past week, the digital music and auto blogospheres have been abuzz with rumors that Apple is planning to launch a Bluetooth adapter for its iPods to enable music to be streamed wirelessly to players equipped with an advanced Bluetooth profile known as A2DP, or Bluetooth 2.0. Last week, a spokesman for Pioneer, which is one of the first car audio vendors to offer A2DP-enabled head units, was quoted in an article saying that Apple "will bring out a Bluetooth adapter that will allow iPods to make a wireless connection." We have not managed to reach Apple for comment on this, and it may be that Pioneer's spokesman will have some answering to do to Mr. Jobs et al. for letting the cat out of the bag early, but the news seems credible. Earlier this week, Gizmodo featured a similar Bluetooth adapter for the iPod Nano called BluNa that has just been released by Anycom. BluNa snaps onto the bottom of the Nano (or any iPod with a dock connector) and enables tunes to be streamed wirelessly to any Bluetooth-enabled receiver. Then yesterday, News.com reported on Toyota's announcement that it was to release a driver-friendly cell phone called the Timo, which will use Bluetooth to enable drivers to connect with Toyota's navigation systems and to contact the emergency services with the touch of a button. The latter function will presumably work in a similar way to built-in telematics services such as BMW Assist and GM's OnStar. The Timo is due for release in Japan in October, and there is no word yet on when or whether it will come here. One thing seems certain, however: Bluetooth in cars is soon going to comprise a lot more than phone calls. __________________ 06 I-Tech Prius with Nav, Bra, MFD Hood and Camera. Laughing all the way to the bowser.

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09-03-2006, 10:00 AM	#2
nyconrad Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 220 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	It makes sense that they start expanding BT's roll in cars since you can use BT to connect with laptops and pda's and use it as a wireless modem. Not such a stretch to have it connect to the car and do things like upload data to Toyota for servicing, track problems, etc.

09-03-2006, 12:32 PM	#3
Tadashi Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Fort Hood, TX Posts: 794 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I am surprised at the range of the bluetooth. My wife started up her car but left her phone in the kitchen about 15 ft from the garage and the car linked up to it. I was thinking they would removed the blue tooth since many places are banning cell phone even with hands-free devices.