The S3 has the PhoneBox fitted as standard which helps to increase the signal. There is also an option to have wireless charging, but can this be achieved retrospectively or is it a factory upgrade only? I ask because I have a Galaxy S7 and use wireless charging at home and work etc, so it would be great if I can somehow get the PhoneBox to do the same.

"Wireless phone charging with Bluetooth+ and Wi-Fi" is an optional extra. As I understand it, this contains Qi standard wireless charging and the Bluetooth+ is the signal boosting part, with additional connection to the outside aerial, sure it is on here somewhere. Otherwise, the box in front of the gear shift, is just a box. Both have the USB, AUX in and 12v sockets in the UK.

8 minutes ago, knfruitbat said:

"Wireless phone charging with Bluetooth+ and Wi-Fi" is an optional extra. As I understand it, this contains Qi standard wireless charging and the Bluetooth+ is the signal boosting part, with additional connection to the outside aerial, sure it is on here somewhere. Otherwise, the box in front of the gear shift, is just a box. Both have the USB, AUX in and 12v sockets in the UK.

Thanks for your reply. My understanding (if I've understood the owners manual properly) is that the PhoneBox in front of the gearshift provides a signal boost facility as standard on all models? I just wondered if the Wireless Qi option was something already pre-installed but simply requires a fuse adding in the fuse box etc, or if it was a completely different PhoneBox unit? I'm guessing it might be the latter? 

Don't know if this helps clarify the differences?

http://www.westgatemotors.co.uk/news/wireless-charging-the-skoda-phonebox/

My understanding is with current/recent cars if you have the "Phonebox", you also have the wireless charging. I believe the easiest way to check is look in the compartment, if it has phone symbol you have Phonebox.

Another point to remember though, some functionality is only available by using a USB cable, which will provide charging. I asked the dealer how it worked because I was worried that double charging might damage either my S7 or the wireless charger; he didn't seem to think it would be an issue, but didn't know how the car figured out which to use.

1 minute ago, knfruitbat said:

Don't know if this helps clarify the differences?

http://www.westgatemotors.co.uk/news/wireless-charging-the-skoda-phonebox/

My understanding is with current/recent cars if you have the "Phonebox", you also have the wireless charging. I believe the easiest way to check is look in the compartment, if it has phone symbol you have Phonebox.

Another point to remember though, some functionality is only available by using a USB cable, which will provide charging. I asked the dealer how it worked because I was worried that double charging might damage either my S7 or the wireless charger; he didn't seem to think it would be an issue, but didn't know how the car figured out which to use.

My car doesn't have a phone symbol in the box so I guess it doesn't have wireless charging. But thanks for the advice and feedback, appreciated. I'll carry on using the USB instead.  

Wireless charging was only an option on MY 2017 models I'm afraid, however at least one member on here has fixed a cheap wireless charging unit into the "phonebox" and powered it from the USB socket.

7 minutes ago, Prykey said:

Wireless charging was only an option on MY 2017 models I'm afraid, however at least one member on here has fixed a cheap wireless charging unit into the "phonebox" and powered it from the USB socket.

Thanks - I guess that plugging a seoerste wireless charger in to the USB socket kind of defeats the object lol. I was hoping to do away with wires and be able to close the box lid whilst the phone was charging. Never mind, it's no big deal, just one of those 'nice to have' options... 

Yeap, kind of defeats the object if you still have to plug it in anyway for the functionality.

You can close the lid with a cable plugged in provided the USB connector isn't huge as I put my iPhone in there and then close it and use the CarPlay UI. It does mean you tend to forget your phone when you get out though...

1 hour ago, BigBadRob said:

You can close the lid with a cable plugged in provided the USB connector isn't huge as I put my iPhone in there and then close it and use the CarPlay UI. It does mean you tend to forget your phone when you get out though...

 

On my 230 Vrs when I turn the Engine off I dget a display on the Radio Screen  " Remember to take your Mobile Phone "

 

It's activated by a Tick box Via the Car settings. 

3 minutes ago, Auric Goldfinger said:

 

On my 230 Vrs when I turn the Engine off I dget a display on the Radio Screen  " Remember to take your Mobile Phone "

 

It's activated by a Tick box Via the Car settings. 

 

So do I - after seeing it more than twice it becomes something that your brain (or mine at least!) simply blanks out... 

9 minutes ago, CheshireBumpkin said:

 

So do I - after seeing it more than twice it becomes something that your brain (or mine at least!) simply blanks out... 

Agreed. Usually I'm half way out the door before that message is on the screen and heading away from the car. SWMBO has started giving it the "Phone?" if she's with me. Works much better than a screen message  

I've seen a 90-degree USB cable of fleabay that will mean you can shut the lid. Might have to invest... 

These do just about allow the flap to be closed but it is fiddly. You need the short length lead otherwise you will not be able to fit the cable and the phone inside.

17 minutes ago, Sagalout said:

These do just about allow the flap to be closed but it is fiddly. You need the short length lead otherwise you will not be able to fit the cable and the phone inside.

They do a 15cm version which should be short enough? 

2 hours ago, FloatingBrick said:

I've seen a 90-degree USB cable of fleabay that will mean you can shut the lid. Might have to invest... 

 

Floating that looks like a female 90' angle. If so it will not fit. They also make cables where the cable goes out 90' to the side on one or both ends which may be more suitable, but need to check which way it is fitted to make sure the cable doesn't go in the opposite direction from the car connector, and fits your phone correctly. The picture is of the wrong connector but just to demonstrate what I mean.

 

Well spotted! Thanks. That's the type I'm looking for, just need to make sure the cable comes out of the left side of the USB (ie, towards the passenger side and not drivers side). I'll have a look on fleabay today 

Hi all. Hoping you can help me. My vrs has just arrived. I opted for the phone box with wireless charging and WiFi. I'm confused because I have to plug it in to the USB for android auto smartlink anyway which charges the phone anyway and the amundson has Wlan built in. I can't fit the phone in the phone box when it's plugged in to get the 20% signal boost so I'm wondering what the WiFi option was for which I paid a lot more money for ? I can't see any way of connecting smartlink for android auto without the USB? 

3 hours ago, higgo84 said:

Hi all. Hoping you can help me. My vrs has just arrived. I opted for the phone box with wireless charging and WiFi. I'm confused because I have to plug it in to the USB for android auto smartlink anyway which charges the phone anyway and the amundson has Wlan built in. I can't fit the phone in the phone box when it's plugged in to get the 20% signal boost so I'm wondering what the WiFi option was for which I paid a lot more money for ? I can't see any way of connecting smartlink for android auto without the USB? 

I'm using Apple CarPlay with Amundsen, currently there is no method of wirelessly connecting for Apple CarPlay on the system for iOS at least. The WLAN option is so you can create a WIFI hotspot for the kids but without the CarStick you will need to turn on the hotspot on your phone connect this to your Amundsen and then connect the kids to the Amundsen. It is actually a little confusing and one is left wondering why not just connect the kids to the phone hotspot. At least if you are using the phone hotspot you can still connect to the USB and keep it charged (using as a hotspot drains the battery rapidly) and still use CarPlay, if you use CarStick, you cannot connect the phone to use CarPlay. Don't have the car long but that is my understanding of it.

 

Anyone know if there are additional unused USB ports on the back of the head unit or elsewhere?

Edited 19 October, 20178 yr by MaddicIrl