2000tara wrote:
Called AT&T, they didn't have a clue, in fact they told me they didn't think this phone had auto-connect feature!! I said im pretty sure it does
You are correct, and that person is clueless. AFAIK, its part of the Bluetooth standard for paired devices to auto connect if the device is within range and powered on. Pretty much any device with Bluetooth is designed to do this.
Bluetooth is a bit of the "wild west" as far as different phones, accesories and other devices (like car stereo units) all being compatible with each other. There are just too many manufacturers trying to get all their devices to play nice together. And the manufacturers often don't adhere strictly to the standards. It depends on the phone, and depends on the device being paired to.
I've experienced the same thing with my HTC One X. I actually have an older HTC phone that auto connected perfectly to my 2012 Subaru Impreza, every time I started the car. The One X doesn't auto connect, period. I contacted HTC, had to escalate the issue to get anyone to listen to me, and they walked me through the usual: try factory reset, try to update the firmware, try safe mode. None of it worked. The HTC rep was very nice about working with me over the course of several day (giving me time to try each of the various "remedies", then calling me the next day to see if it helped). But in the end, aside from him reporting the issue, nothing ever came of it.
Ford Sync in particular seems a little gamey with compatibility. In the config files for my One X, all Ford Sync systems are prevented from auto connected, so they must know there is an issue. I also know that Ford took a big hit in Consumer Reports reliability ratings this year, with the primary reason being complaints about Ford Sync. I'm guessing your phone is simply not compatible with your car stereo as far as the auto connect feature.
If that is the issue, all you can do is report the issue to Samsung. Escalate the issue or talk to a manager if they just try to give you lame excuses. Then hope it gets fixed in the next firmware update. Not much else you can do.
You might try a factory reset, or to swap the phone out with a replacement (you get 30 days to swap for a brand new one for no charge, if there is a defect of any kind). But I have a feeling its not a defect that will be fixed by getting a new GS3, but a problem with the Bluetooth stack itself (and compatibility with your particular cars).
Guess im going to try to call them again
