Bluetooth headset tips and ideas Feb24 '08

I recently obtained a Bluetooth wireless headset for use with my iPhone.

Photo of me wearing a wireless headset

Everyone knows it's great to use these while on the phone, but did you know you can pair it with your Bluetooth-enabled computer as well? The headset then acts as your computer speakers, for input or output.

Screenshot of Mac OS X Preferences

Since I am often sitting in front of my computer when talking on the phone, it makes sense to have the headset paired with both devices. Then I never have to switch headphones. The headset stays in my ear, and I can seamlessly switch between phone audio and computer audio without ever removing it.

This is ideal, but you can't have the headset receive audio from multiple devices at once. For example, while talking on the phone, I can't also send music from my computer to the device. It only works with one device at a time. (Why you'd want to have multiple audio sent to it at the same time is another question entirely.)

What would be great is if it could act like the latest automobiles equipped with Bluetooth in-dash. For those cars, when you're listening to music and a phone call comes through, the music gradually fades out while the phone ring fades in. It's a beautiful integration.

iPhone audio includes music

Remember that iPhone audio includes music, or anything else producing sound output, coming from your iPhone. I say this because you may not realize you can easily listen to music or YouTube videos with the same wireless headset that you use for talking on the phone.

UPDATE: There does not seem to be a way to specify output speakers for iPhone music or other audio.

Bluetooth needs more attention

I feel that Bluetooth is not used nearly enough as it could be, these days. It's a remarkable technology, enabling instant wireless communication via proximity.

For example, every time I have to use cords to connect a device to my computer, I ask myself, "Why can't Bluetooth handle this?" Apple themselves are great at using the latest technologies, but I'm still having to manually connect my iPhone to my Mac to sync it.

I understand Bluetooth transfer rates are probably slower than being connected physically, but at least give me the option. Sometimes I only want to sync a couple of songs.

Categories: Bluetooth , Ideas , Tips , Wireless

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I agree with you on the capabilities of bluetooth. I would like to be able to listen to music and take calls on a bluetooth headset from my Iphone ... Read more.

matthom is published and produced by Matt Thommes - an independent publishing enthusiast, mobile blogger, content creator, informative writer, web developer from Chicago. Never one to conform, Matt intends to promote the effect the web has on our lives, in an effort to intensify, instruct, and clarify all that is happening around us.

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