http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/ Engadget Comments for Cartel's CT-2000 in-car Bluetooth handset adds music control, can't shake the retro http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/Nov 3rd 2009 6:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/Nov 3rd 2009 6:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/Nov 3rd 2009 9:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/Nov 3rd 2009 6:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/Nov 3rd 2009 8:01AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/Nov 4th 2009 9:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/Nov 3rd 2009 8:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/
"Lexus is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation."

From

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexus]]>Nov 3rd 2009 9:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/
The styling and design at both Lexus and Toyota has diminished over the last decade. But Lexus takes the trophy for some of the most poorly designed human interfaces. The latest navi system is a prime example of something that looks good on the surface but fails to provide even the most essential of functions.]]>Nov 3rd 2009 10:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/
On another note, I would be curious to hear about how the domestic navigation systems stack up against the foreign ones. Obviously Toyota/Lexus share one, as do Honda and Acura I bet, but does anyone absolutely love their GM/Ford/wheover else navigation that has used any of these other ones? My brother has a Tahoe but I haven't really used it...]]>Nov 3rd 2009 11:21AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/
HOWEVER, overall usability is 100% better than BMW, Merc, and Audi (and now the NEW Lexus interior). I'm not sure who the brainless designers are that are insisting on dial, joystick, and mouse entry for car computer control, but they have missed the 21st century entirely. In the real world we're going nuts over adding touch interfaces to everything and car engineers are going nuts trying to remove them. In the process, they are making it harder to navigate and requiring users to spend MORE time looking at their screens and making driving more dangerous.

Honestly, I'm not a fan of this car. It drives like a Cadillac. I'm much more fond of the BMW's and Audi's. I bought it 'cause I wanted to try something different, gas mileage is impressive, the dealer is awesome, and got a good deal on it used (financial woes, as per normal these days). But I do LIKE the interior. Aesthetics, maybe not the best, but form/function is superior to most of the competition.

Back on topic, huh? Wired bluetooth handset? WTF? Of course the Lexus Bluetooth implementation sucks beans, so I actually MIGHT find a use for something like this. :)]]>Nov 3rd 2009 11:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/I was actually going to suggest that Lexus was taking cues from Mercedes. But they haven't quite sunk to the level of assigning completely arbitrary icons to each button.
I am basing this on my experience with aftermarket navi systems and the not-very-good-but-much-better-than-Lexus' Honda navi system.

Even the Honda navi uses a touch-screen interface for some functions and a 5-way joystick for others.

A $250 Nuvi outperforms the majority of these $2000+ integrated navi options.

I think what is indicated here is that the auto manufacturers (and some aftermarket companies, ahem Cartel) are significantly behind the technology trends. I love that Google has stepped in and undercut the economics of the entire industry.

Now if I could just get the new Google navi on my iPhone. :)]]>Nov 3rd 2009 3:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/
These days they seem to be making their big bucks from status symbol SUVs like the atrocious RX, LX and GX, pulling a page right out of the Chevy and Ford playbook. The soccer moms I see driving these tanks just make me sick.]]>Nov 3rd 2009 9:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/Nov 3rd 2009 12:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/Nov 3rd 2009 12:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/I have a lot of clients that don't like talking on their cell phone because they like their office phones better (comfort).
So, before you say it's useless, try to think of someone else that might like it.
]]>Nov 3rd 2009 10:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/cartels-ct-2000-in-car-bluetooth-handset-adds-music-control-ca/Nov 4th 2009 12:35AM