JulianSchrader.de

Handsfree: A Review of Apple’s Bluetooth Headset

My first mobile phone, a Nokia 3310, hasn’t been used much for talking, I only sent and received text messages every now and then. The next one, a Siemens S65, came with a Bluetooth headset. I barely used it, still stuck in prepaid world and receiving few short calls. Not beeing used to it, I didn’t miss the handsfree set when I got my Sony-Ericsson phone, the K800i.

On November 9, 2007 — four and a half months ago — T-Mobile and Apple finally offered the iPhone in Germany. And I’ve been their first customer here in Würzburg, half an hour before they officially opened their shops

iPhone changed everything.

Suddenly I could talk on the mobile without spending a fortune on every single minute. No prepaid plan anymore. Using the provided wired headset (iPod earbuds plus a mic/button attached to the cable) is pretty convenient on-the-go, but it’s not when I’m at my desk or in the car. Or at other places where I do not tend to listen to music from my iPhone.

Five weeks ago I purchased Apple’s iPhone Bluetooth Headset and used it every single day since.

How does it work with iPhone?

To put it bluntly: Great. The headset comes with a new, slightly bigger iPhone docking station. Connect it to your Mac/PC via USB, insert iPhone and put the headset in its place where a MagSafe-like connector waits to hold it.

Bluetooth devices need to be paired before you can use them together, right?

True. But Apple managed to eliminate this step: iPhone and BT Headset get paired automatically when you put them into the Dock. Clever as hell, if you ask me.

On incoming calls, iPhone plays the standard Marimba ringtone — I didn’t change it. Another ringtone is played via the headset. In case you left it in the Dock or laying on your desk, it will announce calls with a blinking green LED. Press the button on top of the device to answer the call, press it again to hang up.

Although I’m sure this will come with one of the next software updates, iPhone doesn’t support voice dialing yet. To make a call you’ll have to tap a contact on iPhone’s screen or enter a number via the on-screen keypad. When connected, iPhone will automatically transfer the call to your Bluetooth headset.

How does it work with my Mac?

First of all, the Bluetooth headset and the respective Mac need to be paired — unfortunately this is a little more difficult than pairing with iPhone.

Switch off Bluetooth on iPhone (Settings → General → Bluetooth), enter the Bluetooth Assistant on your Mac (System Preferences → Bluetooth → +-Button) and enter 0000 when asked for the Bluetooth password. You can switch iPhone’s Bluetooth back on safely as soon as the headset is connected to the Mac.

Note: It may be necessary to “unpair” the Headset in iPhone’s Bluetooth preferences to re-pair it afterwards. Just tap “Unpair” and put the headset back into the Dock. It will be re-paired automatically. Or — in case you don’t have the Dock or Bluetooth Travel Cable at hand — you can just tap “iPhone Bluetooth Headset” and enter the code 0000 to pair.

To use the Headset with iChat or Skype, just go into their respective Audio settings and switch mic and speaker to “iPhone Bluetooth Headset”.

Note: This option is only available as long as the Headset is paired and connected, but normally it’s not necessary to repeat this step after reconnecting the Headset — Skype and iChat seem to prefer it after an initial setup.

Each time you make or receive a VoIP call iChat or Skype will now look for and connect to your Bluetooth Headset automatically. Since the latter cannot be connected to iPhone at the same time, don’t put it back into the Dock. Putting it into the Dock disables it’s Bluetooth capabilities and it won’t do anything but charge.

Final Thoughts

You want to listen to music via iPhone Bluetooth Headset? No way. iPhone is not able to do so, music from iTunes on the mac sounds kinda crappy via Bluetooth Headset. Who want’s to listen to music with only one ear anyways?

Note: Actually, it even works with iPhone — using a little hack. Not suitable for daily use though: While on a call, go back to the home screen and tap iPod — the music will be played through your Bluetooth Headset. Unfortunately, you can’t adjust the volume separately, so it’s difficult to listen to music while you’re on the phone with boring people

The Headset is unable to connect to my Mac and iPhone at once, I’d love to have my Mac’s signals routed through iPhone somehow. This could keep the connection alive without having to turn Bluetooth on and off and re-pairing everytime when switching the device. While we’re at re-routing call signals: What about landline? I hate it when people call me on landline, since I can’t use my Blutooth headset…

Conclusion

Great device, very nice design, lightweight, feels good in the ear — I even forget it’s there until I receive a call. Battery life fits my needs: the headset didn’t run out of power yet, even on weekends with free talking to friends on T-Mobile or German landline, obviously there’s some smart power management working in the background.

I like it a lot and recommend it to everyone out there using Bluetooth enabled phones or voice over IP services.

Do you use a Bluetooth Headset together with your mobile and/or VoIP clients? Tell me what you think about it, I appreciate it!

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