Hands Free dialing via bluetooth impossible?

[Novakpv]

I finally shelled some money out of my pockets and upgraded to a data plan and bought the Droid X. 

With all of the statistics supporting how dangerous looking at your phone while driving can be, one would think that a bluetooth could unlock this smartphone to do handsfree operation.

I have read about this complaint on many other forums on the web and no one seems to have a solution.  There are no apps anyone has found that can fix this problem.

For Example:

If I am driving and do not want to have to look at my phone so as not to endanger my own life or the lives of others, I normally put on my bluetooth and turn it on.  During this time the bluetooth should pair with my droid, but this does not happen,

What happens instead, is that the phone lights up (indicating it senses the bluetooth), but the bluetooth will not pair.  I have to take my eyes off the road and take a hand off the wheel to unlock my phone.  Only if the phone is unlocked will the bluetooth pair.  Some users have been able to get around this problem by disabling the security on their phones, which could be a costly sacrifice if someone were to steal your phone.

This is unexcusable with this "SMART" of a phone.  Cheaper phones can be accessed by bluetooths even when phones are locked.

When can Verizon/DROID/Motorola fix this?

Also, the Droid X takes MUCH longer for audio to come through the bluetooth than cheaper phones that I've had.  The icon indicating pairing comes on right away, but audio coming through at a delay certainly indicates otherwise.

PLEASE fix these so we are all safer on the road!

[DroidFanatic]

I believe this is not affecting all Droid X handsets as mine does not have this issue, I am using the Droid X with Jawbone Icon headset and it pairs everytime, whether locked or not, however it is not compatible with my vehicle installed bluetooth. There are compatibility issues with some bluetooth headsets and contrary to popular belief in bluetooth they are not just all universal, some have incompatibilities. at one time my phone had pattern and unlock code levels of security activated at same time and my bluetooth still worked.

[Wildman]

The issue with this situation is when the password feature is enabled, when just the slide to lock is used theres no issues but when the password option is enabled the device doesnt always want to react to the bluetooth speed dial option but I really thought this wasresolved but I never thought to check because I ony use the slider, bluetooth not with me so I am going to have to check this out when I get home to verify.   Try turning off the password option and see if the issue goes away.

[gerio]

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Wildman wrote:

The issue with this situation is when the password feature is enabled, when just the slide to lock is used theres no issues but when the password option is enabled the device doesnt always want to react to the bluetooth speed dial option but I really thought this wasresolved but I never thought to check because I ony use the slider, bluetooth not with me so I am going to have to check this out when I get home to verify.   Try turning off the password option and see if the issue goes away.

HA!

Passwords have never been necessary for me, when I hand my phone to an acquaintance, they always ask how to unlock it.

Especially the iPhone owners.... 

Geri O

[Novakpv]

Thank you for actually paying attention to the details of my post.  The previous two replies did not. 

I have checked myself and yes the device works fine in regular lock mode, but I would like to have my security enabled.

[gerio]

I'm gonna start this response with my usual assertion that everyone proclaiming the dangers of dialing and driving are usually the same people eating meals as they drive, putting on make-up, changing the radio stations, singing along the radio, or conversing with the passenger(s). I hope this doesn't include you. 

The Droid X does hands-free bluetooth vice-dialing from the unlocked mode just fine. Perhaps your headset is the problem. I, too, am using a Jawbone. Not the Icon, but the older one before the Icon. It has done hands-free voice-dialing from the locked mode just fine since the day I bought it, which was the day they came out.

As impossible as it might seem that the problem is you or your headset, give it some thought before you condemn the phone as a dangerous device that will cause the entire driving population of the world to end up in a flaming heap because someone lifted a finger toward their phone (or food. or drink. or the make-up. or the radio. or the passengers. Funny how THAT never comes up....)

Geri "maybe just a little snarky"  O

[fmsm781]

Anyone that says that their PASSWORD ACTIVATED Droid X works with hands free dialing while locked is nothing but a bold liar! The Droid X and ANY Droid OS phone WILL NOT allow for hands free dialing while locked. This is a unsafe situation that needs to be fixed by the OS or a manufacturer that tweeks the OS. At this time I do not know of any Droid that works.

[gerio]

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fmsm781 wrote:

Anyone that says that their PASSWORD ACTIVATED Droid X works with hands free dialing while locked is nothing but a bold liar! The Droid X and ANY Droid OS phone WILL NOT allow for hands free dialing while locked. This is a unsafe situation that needs to be fixed by the OS or a manufacturer that tweeks the OS. At this time I do not know of any Droid that works.

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Oh, please, the both of you stop. Yes, I read the password-protected part. And buddy, you are throwing around the liar word pretty bravely for someone perched behind a computer screen. Typical reaction from someone not hearing what they want to hear. Grow up already. 

You guys can't have it both ways. If your phone AND your headset are stolen, the thief could make phone calls if you had your way with this. So what's it gonna be? Sounds like you need a phone made by someone else. What are you waiting for?

Geri O

[Novakpv]

I did not "condemn" the phone.  I merely was trying to draw attention to an important issue.  And no I am not one of those people that drives unsafely.  That's why this is important to me.

[dirkbonn]

Novakpv,

If you're not using a car dock, try using the "car doc" app. I don't think the phone will require unlocking whenever you want to use it.

You stated:

If I am driving and do not want to have to look at my phone so as not to endanger my own life or the lives of others.....

Are you saying you NEVER take your eyes off the road when driving? For ANY reason!!!!    You're kidding, right?

[Novakpv]

Obviously you have to take your eyes off the road sometimes.  Minimalizing distractions is the issue.

[fmsm781]

Not only am I a consumer, I sell a product known as the Galaxy 1000, It is a bluetooth solution for GM vehicles to make Onstar Bluetooth capable in select vehicles. I have had more complaints abouth the Droid X and the Droid than any other phones, people want to be able to secure their email etc with a password, this is not possible and has resulted in many phones being returned. If you complain to Verizon they refer you to Motorolla, Motorolla says it is a security feature, I say that is a bunch of **bleep**! Please tell me what is at risk by having the ability to bluetooth dail?

Oh, please, the both of you stop. Yes, I read the password-protected part. And buddy, you are throwing around the liar word pretty bravely for someone perched behind a computer screen. Typical reaction from someone not hearing what they want to hear. Grow up already. 

You guys can't have it both ways. If your phone AND your headset are stolen, the thief could make phone calls if you had your way with this. So what's it gonna be? Sounds like you need a phone made by someone else. What are you waiting for?

Geri O

I'm not hiding, look me up if you like, You are making statements as if you are representing someone. You need to grow up and understand the risk we are speaking of, it is real!

Let me understand this, you think it is more of a risk IFI lose my bluetooth and my phone and somebody can make calls then having to unlock my phone EVERY time I need to make a call? Keep your day job because your line of thinking is screwed up! IF and I repeat IF I lose my phone wouldn't I call and have it disabled? You need to grow up and listen to the crap spewing from your mouth............

[gerio]

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fmsm781 wrote:

Not only am I a consumer, I sell a product known as the Galaxy 1000, It is a bluetooth solution for GM vehicles to make Onstar Bluetooth capable in select vehicles. I have had more complaints abouth the Droid X and the Droid than any other phones, people want to be able to secure their email etc with a password, this is not possible and has resulted in many phones being returned. If you complain to Verizon they refer you to Motorolla, Motorolla says it is a security feature, I say that is a bunch of **bleep**! Please tell me what is at risk by having the ability to bluetooth dail?

Oh, please, the both of you stop. Yes, I read the password-protected part. And buddy, you are throwing around the liar word pretty bravely for someone perched behind a computer screen. Typical reaction from someone not hearing what they want to hear. Grow up already. 

You guys can't have it both ways. If your phone AND your headset are stolen, the thief could make phone calls if you had your way with this. So what's it gonna be? Sounds like you need a phone made by someone else. What are you waiting for?

Geri O

I'm not hiding, look me up if you like, You are making statements as if you are representing someone. You need to grow up and understand the risk we are speaking of, it is real!

Let me understand this, you think it is more of a risk IFI lose my bluetooth and my phone and somebody can make calls then having to unlock my phone EVERY time I need to make a call? Keep your day job because your line of thinking is screwed up! IF and I repeat IF I lose my phone wouldn't I call and have it disabled? You need to grow up and listen to the crap spewing from your mouth............

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Actually, you are the one with a vested interest in this topic, sounds like your job is on the line selling the equipment you mentioned (and even with my sarcastic response, I agree, it sounds like a good product to have). And nowhere in this conversation did I mention my day job. Nor did I qualify risks. I'm offering rebuttal. 

If you were so concerned about distracted driving, you would campaign for shutting down drive-throughs at fast-food places, banning radios and personal listening devices from moving vehicles, and limiting passengers to 2 per vehicle to limit conversation distractions for the driver. Don't know how you can tackle that applying make-up while driving thing, I'll have to give you pass on that one.  (Seriously, all of the above are real problems. I drive a lot on that aforementioned day job, a lot of that spent driving a semi. And you would lose your mind at some of the things I look down and see. ALL THE TIME.)

Oh, yeah, forgot about the texting while driving problem. That is THE MOST serious problem with drivers and cellphones that there is today. You got a solution to that one, smart guy? 

I drive with my Droid X on a car dock. No passwords. No problems. Life is not bad.

The last word is yours, you have my word. Make it a good one.

Geri O

[B33]

Yea Ha.!  Geri you should receive the Congressional Medal of Honor But i'll give you a Koodo instead as you Deserve it. Keep up the good work  as sometimes it's needed.

Man Has To Know His Limitations:

[Toyota4x4van]

fmsm781, I'm a little confused.  It's already been determined that disabling the password lock and just leaving the slider lock in place will work and allow bluetooth dialing, but you've said that you want the phone "password" locked at all times for security reasons.

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fmsm781 wrote:

IF and I repeat IF I lose my phone wouldn't I call and have it disabled?

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Then why do you need to keep it password-lockedat all times?  Leave it unlocked when in the car (you can still use the "slider" lock, just not the "password" lock) and bluetooth dialing works fine; problem is solved, right?  And security is not as big of an issue as you initially claimed, since you just admitted that if you lose you phone you would simply call and have it disabled, right?

Allowing access to a password-locked phone, through bluetooth or any other means, effectively bypasses the whole point of a password-security lock on the phone, making that "security" worthless. And if that were the case, then there would be numerous posts on this site and others ripping into Motorola & Verizon for allowing such an obvious security hole.

You can't have it both ways; total security and total access.  That's a contradiction in terms.

Oops, didn't realize that the OP's last post was clear back in December!

[draya06]

Ok. whether or not they ever take their eyes off the road is so beyond the point. Stop harping on it. As for the blue tooth issue, I never really noticed it. I don't keep my bluetooth on, so when I decide to use my head set, I have to unlock my phone to turn my bluetooth on (yes I'm aware this means taking my eyes off the road). So my phones unlocked when I make a call. After reading this post, I had to play with it. If my phone is locked, with bluetooth on, my headset pairs, but will not let me activate voice dialing, it will however redial the last number I called without unlocking my phone. Why is that?

[fjewett1]

I read a post by a Company rep on the Motorola Forum for the Droid X that the phone intentionally cannot be unlocked hands free by the bluetooth device.  This was determined to be a security issue for their phones.  The simple solution is to not code lock the phone when you plan to use it for hands free dialing.  This is how I use my Droid X, with an older Moto H710 BT headset, easy pair, good recognition and volume. 

Only Issue I have is the SLOWWW response of the OEM voice recognition software.  Still trying to find an App that I like better.

[Wildman]

Here is a work around that may be worth a try, disable stock lock passwird and try AppLock from the market, you can set what apps require passeord and which one dont... I use it and it has worked well for me...

Check it out here... https://market.android.com/details?id=com.cc.applock&feature=search_result

[droidsw]

I just read this compete post, including the jabs. I know it's a little late to chime in and it was already put to bed, but I like reading my own posts, so here goes.......

I too use the car dock, which supercedes the lock issue.

Yes, you have to push an icon to activate Voice Command.

But, I ALWAYS pair my bluetooth headphones before I put it in drive, removing the only real potential for real distraction.

Can't see the safety issue.

When I'm not listening to music through my phone, my truck stereo has a remote, which STILL requires I take my eye off the road to see the stereo readout.

The second it takes to push Voice Command could be the second that someone pulls out in front of you. But, so could all of the other examples mentioned in the other threads, including smoking, adjusting a mirror, setting the cruise control and on and on.

Just isn't a safety issue when used with a car dock.