The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) today announced the Phone Book Access Profile (PBAP) and enhancements to the existing Hands-Free Profile (HFP 1.5). These new profiles will greatly improve phonebook and dialing handling in the car, making it more convenient and straight-forward for drivers, car manufacturers and phone manufacturers to use Bluetooth wireless technology.

With the Phone Book Access Profile, the information from the mobile's phone book will be made available in the hands-free car kit making it accessible to the user. The user can simply download and browse the phone book from any mobile phone or PDA. The Hands-Free Profile 1.5 is updated to include common features from the mobile phone such as enhanced call control, phone status indicators, response and hold, and information about subscriber number. In addition, audio quality is enhanced.

The Phone Book Access Profile and the Hands-Free Profile 1.5 will soon be available to Bluetooth SIG members. New products including these enhancements are estimated to hit the market later this year. The first products will mainly be mobile phones and after-market car kits. Embedded Bluetooth car kits will most likely be seen on the market at the earliest in 2007, since the car development cycle is longer than that of mobile phones and after-market accessories.  

Several car manufacturers currently offer Bluetooth hands-free solutions, including Audi, BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Honda, Saab, Toyota and Volkswagen. After-market car kits for virtually any make or model of car are also available from a variety of manufacturers, including Motorola, Nokia, Parrot and Sony Ericsson.