10/18/2005

The new Mikbox firmware version can now be downloaded from the support section or updated via OTA. Check the firmware history document  for detailed descriptions of changes. Also check the description of the prior version (2.15), as this one has been out for a while, but not officially on this server.

The Nextel integration is on hold for now. The entire interface is functional, but one part of the puzzle is missing: I don't know how to switch the audio path from the handset's internal speaker/microphone to the external (14+3 pin) connector, via software. I know a way to do it electronically, but that shuts down the data-interface, and is therefore not an option. If anybody knows how to do this or has useful documentation about it, please email me, you won't regret it. For now, there seems to be no point for me in spending more time on Nextel, especially since word on the street is that Sprint/Nextel will be all CDMA

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5/1/2005

New firmware Version 2.13 is now available for download, and will be shipped with all units starting now. New features: Call Waiting, Chain Dial, Code Skip. Read the firmware release notes for details.

 

3/8/2005

New firmware 2.11 is on all units shipped after 3/5/05. It allows to choose between different phonebook memories (phone or SIM), and also shuts down the phone after ignition is turned off, and wakes it back up, when car is started (works only with units that have hardware version 94 and later. There are some mikboxes with hardware version 89, 90, 91, where it might work as well. Contact me with your serial number to find out. To check HW Version and serial number, dial *VERSION# on V60/Timeport PSE, or *STVERSION# on StarTac PSE). Read the firmware release notes for details.

Don't try using the update server at this time. If you want to update your current mikbox, contact my via email. I am out of the country until at least March 25.

 

2/4/2005

To all people who are waiting the MB/Mot cables: I have plenty in stock now.

 

1/3/2005

I am off to the Middle East again for at least two weeks. I will have email access, but the responses might take a little longer than normal. Order processing will still continue.

 

12/14/2004

All emails, feedbacks, orders, from today and yesterday were lost, thanks to the (ex) web-hosting provider. If you read this you are already on the new server. The forms (order/feedback) don't work yet, and since the DNS takes a few days to propagate, I might not receive your email. If you need to contact me, please use the email address that is on the contact page. Sorry for the inconvenience.

 

11/26/2004

The Nextel software interface is completed. If you want to know if your Nextel phone will work with the Mikbox, and you have a serial data cable for your phone that is connected to COM1, you can verify it using this application.  

The next challenge is the physical interface...

 

11/24/2004

Happy Thanksgiving to everybody !!!

 

11/21/2004

New firmware version 2.09 now fixes all bugs for StarTac and Timeport that came up in the last few days (see below). Also, the lady that sits inside the voice control module now says "dialing" when she connects the call, and not "function not available at this time".

 

11/20/2004

While fixing some bugs, I will continue now with my initial number one priority, which some of you, who have been following my progress from the beginning, might still remember: NEXTEL PHONES.

I finally got around to continue playing with the Nextel phones, and was able to figure out the whole deal of placing calls, answering calls, detecting call status, as well as the whole push-to-talk enchilada. The only part of the puzzle that is missing (besides integrating the code into the mikbox firmware) is the physical connection of the phone. I don't know yet if a new armrest cable will be enough, or if I need to add some electronics to the mikbox. Stay tuned for more news on this.

 

11/20/2004

Today I installed the Mikbox in a 1999 Mercedes E Wagon. Thank you George for letting me play with you car ;-). The car was originally equipped with a StarTac phone kit, so the only thing added was the Mikbox and the connector cable for the armrest. The new phone is a Verizon V260. Since the signal is strong enough in our area, the cradle and compensator upgrade was not needed.

The StarTac PSE integration seems to work fine now. The functionality is not much different from the Timeport PSE integration, with the following exceptions:

Limitations of the StarTac PSE:

-No Caller ID is shown on the screen

-The "last calls" list is not downloaded when the phone is connected, but the head unit keeps track of the last calls itself

-All names from the phonebook are shown upper-case on COMAND head units.

 

Issues that came up and will be fixed with a Mikbox firmware update:

-Phonebook takes a minute to load into head unit under certain circumstances, if the phone is connected before the head unit is turned on

-Voice control module will say "Function not possible" when dialing, although the dialing works fine

-When dialing with an Audio30 head unit, the display doesn't change to the called name

-When terminating call from an Audio 30 head unit, it says "READY" although the call is still connected, when pushing "END" a second time, the call is dropped

 

11/15/2004

The new firmware version 2.08 now supports the StarTac PSE and is now being beta tested.

 

10/17/2004

The firmware can now also be updated with a serial cable that directly connects a laptop or PSE with the modular connector in the armrest. The update takes only about 20 seconds this way. Firmware files can be downloaded from this website (see support section).

Progress on the StarTac PSE: I was able today to sync up the phone book and answer incoming calls. 

 

10/12/2004

New Firmware Version 2.06 is on the update server now. This is the first version that supports V60 and Timeport PSE.

Having the COMAND made it real easy. I could recreate, isolate and fix all audio problems. Also, the phone syncs up more reliably now.

 

10/10/2004

For those of you who don't know and wonder why I haven't responded to emails during the last week: I have been moving, and it has been a major headache. The new mikbox lab is still covered with boxes. The worst part was when the computer that had the firmware development system on it, literally fell off the truck. Luckily the HD was still OK, and no data was lost. More units are already waiting to be built.

Finally I got a Euro-COMAND unit for testing. Now I am able to fix a few problems that I could not recreate before.

 

09/28/2004

The Timeport PSE integration is now very close to be completed. Most phone functions are integrated (such as dialing, answering, phonebook, caller id, call waiting). The biggest issue was the charging. In order for it to work, the Mikbox hardware needs to be slightly modified.

 

09/16/2004

The next batch of  units is ready. They are slightly different, to fit into a smaller case:

 

 

09/15/2004

Good news for all you people who are dying to get away from the TimePort phone. Today I successfully synced a V600 phonebook to a head-unit through a TimePort PSE (part number 682-0648), and placed an outgoing test call. It actually synchronizes faster than the V60 PSE. Everything is still running on a simulation right now, but at least  I can say now with confidence that by the end of the month this will be in beta.

 

09/14/2004

Verizon V710 is integrated and seems to work fine with the Mikbox

 

08/17/2004

I will be out of the country until the end of August, so my email responses might take longer than normal.

 

08/12/2004

If the dialup test for the firmware update fails, make sure that your service provider has "data calls" enabled for your account. Apparently Cingular disables that option by default, I don't know about other providers. So far all T-Mobile and Verizon phones seem to do it. Having the provider turn on this option doesn't cost any money, it might only be hard to find a competent customer service representative, who understands what you mean when you say "I want to use my phone like a modem, to establish data calls." Most support people will think you want to go online with your phone and try to sell you a subscription (if you don't already have one). But if you find someone who knows what a data call is, you are only 5 minutes away from the over-the-air update function to be working !!!

 

08/11/2004

I fixed some bugs (see firmware history). I need to install a bug-tracker on this website, to get things more structured.

 

08/10/2004

First pictures of a Mik-Box integration in a G-class here. Thank you David. If anyone in the Chicago area is interested in seeing it working, David is willing to show. Drop me a line on the feedback page for his contact information.

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07/28/2004

The first 10 production units are for sale now. The first 50 people on the pre-order list have been contacted. If you were among the first 50 people to sign up (I gave position numbers to the first 100 people), and you didn't get an email, please contact me.