What exactly does the Phone Box option give you now?

Vertigo1

Vertigo1

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I've actually got the phone box option specced on my current car but really couldn't tell you what it gives me or whether I really need it.

I always assumed it was just a signal booster thing and also provided a USB socket to charge the phone from. In fact I'm sure this is all the brochure said originally.

Now however, the brochure has all manner of weird information:

"allows phone calls to be made without a mobile phone cradle"

Err, what? There is no cradle available for the A3 so are they saying you need the phone box to make phone calls at all?! Hardly!

"A hands-free facility as well as voice control for the phone functions via multi-function steering wheel"

Surely you have all this without the phone box option?

"The mobile phone is automatically recognised after it has been connected for the first time"

Surely this is also standard?
 
Got this on my Octavia and it's basically a place to shove your phone and it boosts the signal... apparently? Not sure exactly what it looks like on the A3 but the inside has a rubber bottom which stops the phone sliding about and a lid that closes, which mostly leads to me forgetting my phone when I get out even though the MMI screen did remind me that my phone is connected via bluetooth, but it does that even when it's in my pocket.
 
I agree that this feature has the least information on it, and I have yet to find a dealer who has a clue as to what it really does. As far as I can tell just signal boost and a USB charger socket. Not even convinced that it particularly boosts my signal and I haven't yet had the need to use the USB. So tbh it is the one option that I'd recommend not bothering with.
 
The USB socket (at least in my Octavia) is under powered anyway, I think it is limited to it 500mA so it's just enough to keep a phone going if you are using it but won't really charge it unless it's switched off. Better to use a good 12v charger instead.
 
Yeah I have it in my current car and always thought it was just a signal boost and USB charging socket.

I also don't find the signal boost any use whatsoever and get the same signal level on the phone even if it's in my pocket.

You're right about the USB socket too - it's way underpowered and takes an age to charge a smartphone. I miss the proper iPhone cradle in 8P as that was a full 2A and charged the phone as fast as the mains charger did. Serious step backwards from Audi with that one.
 
I charge my phone through the MMI socket anyway so no use for the USB. I think when I specced it I thought the USB would give me ability to play music through it from an HDD.
 
The Challinor said:
You need a MMI to USB lead to do that buddy. Also the USB charge only port comes with Tech Pack with Connect as well.
Click to expand...

It used to come with either the Phone Box option or the Connect option but these were mutually exclusive.

Since they ditched rSAP support for Connect these options don't appear to be mutually exclusive any more and the Connect option has no mention of a USB charging port in the brochure.
 
Vertigo1 said:
It used to come with either the Phone Box option or the Connect option but these were mutually exclusive.

Since they ditched rSAP support for Connect these options don't appear to be mutually exclusive any more and the Connect option has no mention of a USB charging port in the brochure.
Click to expand...

Oh right, my mate had his back in January and got the USB (with connect). Not like it's a deal breaker anyways.
 
I believe that when you use Bluetooth the phone call still uses the aerial in the phone and if you spec the Phone Box and place your phone in it then it uses the more powerful aerial in the car.
 
spiritualized said:
I believe that when you use Bluetooth the phone call still uses the aerial in the phone and if you spec the Phone Box and place your phone in it then it uses the more powerful aerial in the car.
Click to expand...

Yeah that's the idea but it's never seemed to make much difference in my experience.
 
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Shermo said:
The USB socket (at least in my Octavia) is under powered anyway, I think it is limited to it 500mA so it's just enough to keep a phone going if you are using it but won't really charge it unless it's switched off. Better to use a good 12v charger instead.
Click to expand...

Anyone know the mA of the AMI cable/socket when using an iPhone Lightning cable?
 
My Connect, MY 15 has a USB charging socket next to the MMI socket

Vertigo1 said:
It used to come with either the Phone Box option or the Connect option but these were mutually exclusive.

Since they ditched rSAP support for Connect these options don't appear to be mutually exclusive any more and the Connect option has no mention of a USB charging port in the brochure.
Click to expand...
 
Wish I knew about the USB coming with Connect. I take it MY 15 non-Connect Tech Packs won't have a USB?
 
gtiller said:
come back rSAP - it was a good idea. Shame the mobile phone manufacturers decided not to pursue it.
Click to expand...

From what I understand it was a Nokia creation and no-one else really bothered with it.

There are also all manner of issues with smartphones and data usage. The network providers try to keep a lid on tethering because they don't want people abusing unlimited phone data plans by tethering laptops or tablets to them, where you're likely to use far more data. If the phones supported rSAP this would be almost impossible to keep tabs on.
 
I use the USB all the time, I'm glad it came with connect (the brochure didn't mention it back then either). It's actually pretty high powered, certainly more than 500mA. Phone box is the same as it's always been by the sounds of it... signal boost + USB, though USB comes with connect anyway so I wouldn't bother with phone box personally. Not for those 2 options being the same price anyway!
 
Maybe they've increased the output current available on the USB then because the one in mine (phone box option, very early car) is pathetic and charges the phone as slowly as a standard PC USB port would.
 
Vertigo1 said:
Yeah I have it in my current car and always thought it was just a signal boost and USB charging socket.

I also don't find the signal boost any use whatsoever and get the same signal level on the phone even if it's in my pocket.
Click to expand...

Completely agree no signal boost at all. I miss the cradle I had in my 8P which made a noticeable difference to the signal. If anything the standard signal in my 8V seems to be worse than the 8P. Any ideas why?
 
My USB plug under the armrest charges my iPhone pretty quick. The MMI lead is plugged in to my iPod.
 
Silky-S3 said:
My USB plug under the armrest charges my iPhone pretty quick. The MMI lead is plugged in to my iPod.
Click to expand...

That's definitely good to hear - the one I have (phone box option rather than Connect) is awful and takes forever to charge my iPhone.
 
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