By David Ponce
Mercedes recently announced the release of a dandy telephone module, with Bluetooth? (SAP-Profile). The SAP stands for SIM Access Profile, and it makes a world of difference in terms of ease of use. Once your phone has paired with the device once, it never needs to do so again. As soon as you’re within range, the module will recognise the phone. This will enable you to not only make calls using the car’s multifunction steering wheel, audio system, and central display in the instrument cluster, but it will also give you access to your contacts and the ability to read SMSs. What’s more, this specific type of Bluetooth connection transfers cellular reception away from the handset, and to the car’s antenna, which will boost signal sensitivity several-fold.
The downside is that Bluetooth SAP-Profile works only on some mobile models, such as the Nokia 6230, 6230 and 8800, as well as the Siemens S65, SK65, S75 and SL75. Pricing is as follows: as a closed-box system in autonomous design for 373 euros (German price, including VAT), or as a handset with handrest and passive cable-connected receiver for 406 euros (German price, including VAT). Contact your Mercedes dealer for local availability.
[Mercedes Bluetooth Module] VIA [Gizmologia]
