Many months ago, you may recall I mentioned soemthing about Bluetooth technology and its possible application in the RX-8. Well it turns out that Ford is going to intoduce it in the new Lincoln. This is a feature that was "rumored" to be possibly included when the RX-8 came out. Oh well, maybe next year. This would be a very valuable addition.

"Ford Motor Co. in November will start offering Lincoln customers a new hands-free calling system called Mobile-Ease. The system, which uses Bluetooth technology, will be a dealer-installed option on all 2004 Lincoln models.

Mobile-Ease will require Bluetooth-enabled phones. The system would allow drivers to answer or place a phone call by pushing a single button. Phone calls mute the vehicle's audio system and come through its speakers. The system does not require a cradle for the phone.

Mobile-Ease will cost $399 plus installation, which Ford said should cost less than $100. Dealerships set the installation price."

 

It's available as standard in some BMWs over here (UK) and I could be wrong but I think the UK 350Z might have it too. The spec says a built in handsfree system so it might be BT.

 

There are many technologies that never make it to certain markets. I read that my previous car, the 2001 Millennia S, was the first car in Japan to have built-in internet technology. It was off the Mazda Japan website.

That is something that I would think would be phenominal. Just think - use mapquest for directions, get e-mail, make calls, Instead of a NAV with DVD the options would be unlimited.

 

that option doesn't interest me too much

 

It's cool to see technology get thrown around. Still doesn't apply to me, and I would only want such things under heavy regulation (in park or vehicle speed of less than 2mph for a duration of time to use things like nav and anything involving a screen).

I'm for the hands-free cell phone conversations while driving I suppose. If you're against that and ever have a conversation with someone in the car while it's moving, you're basically a hypocrite. Plus people will grow distracted with driving frequently even without any stereo, conversations, etc. If you want to go down that route, just make everyone drive a manual transmission so they pay more attention to things

 

The new Toyota Prius will supposedly have bluetooth cell phone technology built into it.

 

The 2005 Acura TL is going to have this nicely integrated. To tell you the truth their application of BlueTooth is the BEST application of this technology I've seen so far. Very practical and really demostrated the power of this technology.

 

Lens, I know the top end Beamers have it, but haven't read anything on the Z car having bluetooth. As I'm keen to install a PDA with GPS this would be of great interest to me in the '8...

 

I know TSX already has this. As much as it's interesting technology, how many bluetooth enabled phones do we have here in the US?

bluetooth enabled PDA or laptop would of course, be another story.

 

I think there's a surprising number of bluetooth enabled phones available in the US. Of course, they're usually not the ones they're giving away for free with a cell phone plan, but the higher-end ones often have bluetooth.

 

Could you tell me which ones have bluetooth? Maybe I'm looking at the wrong sites for phones... I was searching T-mobile's website for phones that they offer...

thanks!

 

Try Sony/Ericsson T68i. I got mine from Cingular.

 

My Nokia 8910i has it and I use a Bluetooth headset in my car. I also have a BT USB dongle for my PC so that I can talk to the phone if I need to load graphics or whatever. BT works very well.

 

Since the 2009 has an option of built in bluetooth support, I believe as a speakerphone, has anyone been able to tell if the OEM bluetooth support is implemented in the stereo head-unit, or if it's a separate piece? I'm curious if it can be retrofitted to a 2004-2008 RX-8.