Finally, A Bluetooth Headset That Works

I finally found one that works! One last shot, I thought I'd have a look at the Jabra FreeSpeak 250. They've been in the market for a while, and seem to be pretty popular, so they must be doing something right.

Eventually, I got the FreeSpeak to work perfectly with Skype on my iBook (you can even set Skype to use it, but the system to use normal audio out which is very cool). I also got it to work on my iPAQ, but it's shaky at best, and requires me to drop into a completely open Bluetooth profile, with all security and encryption of any kind turned off... but it works. It works beautifully on my Nokia 6230, even re-connects when the handset goes out of range and then comes back in (although if it's away for too long, then it won't).

I am yet to get it to work reliably with the Logitech diNovo Bluetooth Hub, but I am now resigned to the fact that the Hub sucks. I think either the Hub, or the WIDCOMM drivers don't really support the correct profiles to make the headset work, which is a pity, but I can live with that. I'm moving to a PowerBook soon as my main machine anyway, so then it won't be an issue.

Go to hell Logitech.

[Posted by wirelesspirate in /bluetooth. ]

Motorola Bluetooth Headset Sucks As Well

In my efforts to find a bluetooth headset (which I really wasn't expecting to be such and arduous task), I also tried (I think it was this model) a Motorola HS850. I didn't think I was asking that much of the headset - it just needed to be compatible with these uses:

1. Pair with my Nokia 6230 (for normal handsfree cell-phone operation)
2. Pair with my Logitech diNovo hub on my Windows XP desktop (for use with Skype)
3. Pair with the built-in bluetooth on my 12" iBook (again, mainly for Skype)
4. Pair with my HP iPAQ H5550 (for listening to music, and potentially for Skype as well)

Turns out that this is a tough ask, and the HS850 failed on the last three of those requirements! It paired up with the 6230 without a problem, but all of the others proved to be too much for it. Admittedly I didn't give it too much work, because I thought it felt like a flimsy little piece of junk, but still - it didn't work straight away :)

I took it back to the T-Mobile store the next day and exchanged it for the Jabra FreeSpeak 250

[Posted by wirelesspirate in /bluetooth. ]

Waiting, Still Waiting

Still waiting on that Logitech Bluetooth Headset... I sent it back to Logitech and they were supposed to be sending me a replacement, with new firmware, that will work with all my devices. It's been something like 2 months now and I haven't received it. I suppose it's pretty lucky that it's not urgent that I receive it - since it's been so darned long.

[Posted by wirelesspirate in /bluetooth. ]

Playing with my Logitech Bluetooth Mobile Headset

My headset got here today, Amazon don't mess around!

On first appearances - totally cool :) It is a big big/bulky when you put it on (sticks out from your ear a bit, and waggles when you flick your head around), but it sits nicely, and feels quite comfortable, so it's ok, and like I mentioned, I don't need it to be ultra-sleek anyway. The case that it comes with is really cool - doubling as a charging cradle and travel protection case. I plugged it in and got it charging while having a quick look at the manual. Nothing too interesting, basically one button handles everything, it's just a matter of how long you hold it down.

Pairing the headset with my phone (Nokia 6230) was extremely easy - just put the headset in discoverable mode (turn off, then hold down the magic button until the light flashes blue + red), then tell my phone to search for available enhancements (via the Bluetooth menu). A pairing code is required, but that's just '0000', as the manual states. Enter that and you're off.

Then I started noticing some problems... browsing around with the headset connected, I'd get the volume indicator come up randomly, repeatedly. Turns out that the headset was disconnecting and reconnecting every couple of seconds.

I thought I'd give it a go with my iPAQ (H5500). Very similar process, equally simple. Headset into discoverable, then on the iPAQ you go to the Bluetooth Manager, make a new connection, select 'Headset' as the type. You need to search for it, then enter the pairing code (0000) and you're connected. I chose not to bother with a secure/encrypted connection, since it's just audio.

2 seconds later, I hear the tone on the headset that says it's disconnecting, then another 2 seconds and it connects again. Same problem as with my phone - repeated disconnect/reconnect.

Since I was still at work at this stage, I decided I'd leave it until I got home to have a proper look at things.

When I got home, I had the chance to also try connecting to my PC. Now of the 3 different connections I have available, I at least expected my PC to work. I'm connecting a LOGITECH headset, to my computer, via the LOGITECH Bluetooth Hub. Guess what - same problem. I can pair it perfectly, and it thinks it's connected, but then it just disconnects and reconnects again and again.

I've emailed Logitech tech support, but from my experience, they're not very good. Amazon are going to have a return on their hands in the near future I think. Fingers crossed that the Logitech people just send me a new one or something, because I definitely think it's something wrong with the headset. 3 attempted connections; 3 of the same faulty connection problems; sounds like a firmware problem to me!

[Posted by wirelesspirate in /bluetooth. ]

The Bluetooth Triangle

After getting my diNovo and getting it set up, I suddenly had Bluetooth on my desktop PC. So - what to do, I couldn't very well just leave it there only running my mouse and keyboard, I had to see what else I could cook up. First step was easy: iPAQ.

I got my iPAQ transferring files quite easily, and after some tinkering with simulated COM ports and whatnot, I now have it so that I can do a complete ActiveSynch via Bluetooth, which is pretty cool I reckon. I just turn BT on on my iPAQ, then go to the synch program on it and say "Synch via Bluetooth" and off it goes. I have it and my desktop in a paired, trusted relationship, so they don't ask for any passphrases or permissions or anything now. I can right-click on files and say "Send to... Bluetooth device" and send a file directly to my iPAQ as well, which is handy if I just want to throw one additional file over there, rather than doing a complete synch.

When it was time to move overseas, I decided it was also time for a new phone (possibly a bad move, but that's another story about the tyranny of telecommunications companies and their strangle-hold on the market). I decided to get a Nokia 6230 for a couple reasons, mainly photos + video + bluetooth + tri-band. I installed the Nokia PC Suite 5, which includes the Nokia PC Synch and some other bits and pieces, and again, after some fiddling around with simulated COM ports, had it synching up with my PC (Outlook)'s Contacts and Calendar entries. Now I get 2 warnings for things, one on my iPAQ and one on my phone :). The best part though is that it means every contact number I have in my PC, is also available on my phone, which is a great thing to have.

So my Bluetooth Triangle consists of my desktop PC, which includes Bluetooth mainly to drive the keyboard and mouse, but which provides a central connection point for my phone which synchs in contacts and calendar items, as well as the ability to transfer photos and videos (and MP3s, since it has a media player built in), and my iPAQ, which does complete synchronisation with the desktop. I also can use my iPAQ to edit images taken with my phone's camera by simply 'toothing them over to it, working away, then 'toothing them back - easy!

[Posted by wirelesspirate in /bluetooth. ]

Bluejacking iPAQ-Style

Oh it's sweet - Contacts -> Send via Bluetooth -> scan for devices.

Haven't had that much luck so far, only had one successful send, and I didn't get to see who received that one either. Oh well, it's all fun and games.

(Did I mention that I'm posting this on my iPAQ, using vi, from an SSH terminal, through PocketPuTTY, sitting in my bed, wirelessly connecting to my local network and thus to my server? Didn't think so.)

[Posted by wirelesspirate in /bluetooth. ]

It Finally Arrived!

Well, believe it or not, I finally received my Logitech diNovo Media Desktop (keyboard and mouse)!!! I have to say, it's pretty darned cool - looks totally awesome and works a treat.

On the suggestion of a couple of reviews I'd read around the place, I didn't bother installing the Logitech Media Desktop, which looked like a bit of a joke, and I skipped using MusicMatch Jukebox because I'd rather use WinAmp, but I suppose I can live with Windows Media Player (so that I can use the Media Pad to control playback etc).

So - the installation you ask? Well, it wasn't too bad, but I did get a bit frustrated because at the end of the process (I actually did install MusicMatch, but then removed it again), the installation of MusicMatch, which is supposed to be completely integrated... crashed. Nothing nasty like a BSOD, it just sat there for an inordinate amount of time, until I called in the friendly neighbourhood Task Manager and politely asked the installer to leave. On top of that, it doesn't currently appear to want to uninstall cleanly, so I might actually have to run the install again, just so that I can get it to install properly... so that I can uninstall it. The irony.

Apart from that - it's a very cool combination, and so far I'm liking it. I think the control of Media Player from both the Media Pad and keyboard (they both have the media wheel thing) is awesome, and the display of current playing details on the Media Pad is a very nice touch. It's also pretty cool that you can hit a button and turn it into a navigation pad (Windows key, arrows etc) or a stand-alone calculator, but they are just extras given the package you're getting already.

Now I just have to wonder if there's anyone out there snooping every letter I type?...

[Posted by wirelesspirate in /bluetooth. ]

Bluetooth Logitech diNovo Coming Soon

Looks like next week some time, I should have one of these bad-boys to go along with a new PC. This keyboard is a pretty cool-looking thing, and it's bluetooth to boot :) It comes with a mouse (also bluetooth), to provide a complete wireless desktop.

The best review I have found of it is this one at OverClockers.com.au. Sounds pretty impressive, even if it does mean that I'll probably have to use Windows Media Player to control all my audio files etc - oh well.

One of the coolest things that I'm looking forward to using is the MediaPad, which acts like a remote for your computer, allowing you to control media playback, get email alerts and even MSN Messenger notifications. That should be interesting to try out.

I wonder how 'stumble-able' the signals between the keyboard, MediaPad, mouse and base-station are?... security problem?

[Posted by wirelesspirate in /bluetooth. ]

BluejackQ (with a Q)

This site about bluejacking is kinda cool - has some details about what bluejacking is, how to do it, and some devices that are good for it. It's not that complex, but it looks like fun. That's part of the reason I am going to make sure that my new phone will have Bluetooth.

[Posted by wirelesspirate in /bluetooth. ]