08-03-2002, 03:00 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Headset hassles and Bluetooth aches
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/2165893.stm
This isn't an "anti Bluetooth" article, but it is a sobering reminder that sometimes the "simple" things required to use a product aren't so simple for everyone. I too was amazed that you need to press a button on the phone in order to engage the headset - doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose? Why not include a button on the headset that you could tap to transfer the call?
"As a journalist working in television production I make and receive dozens of calls every day. A Bluetooth headset that links to a handset via radio and has much improved sound quality would be a big help. Imagine my disappointment when I discovered that the "answer" button on the Ericsson and Bluetooth headsets must be pressed to pick up a call. This I am unable to do, making the gadgets next to useless."
Source: Thoughts reader who sent me a private message which I have deleted without first recording the name of the person for this message. Since I'm clearly unreliable, please use the contact form for all news items in order to ensure your moment of glory.
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08-03-2002, 03:48 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 110
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I actually thought that was a good idea, not having to reach for your existing phone, but simply touching the handset. Isn't that the point? Being completely free from the handset?
Colin Hughes does bring up a good point, however. The Sony Ericcson headset simply wasn't designed with elder users or disabled users in mind. Kudos to Motorola for providing alternatives.
William
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08-03-2002, 04:01 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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Re: Headset hassles and Bluetooth aches
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Originally Posted by Jason Dunn
I too was amazed that you need to press a button on the phone in order to engage the headset - doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose? Why not include a button on the headset that you could tap to transfer the call?
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I think the article is unclear on this. My reading was that you could hit a button on the headset, and that would do the trick, but that was also difficult for him to do. He wanted something where if the phone rang it would automatically answer without any intervention.
I can say that the Motorola bluetooth headset, which I'm using with my T68, has a button on it that can be used for answering or dropping calls. Opening the "boom extension" on the headset has a similar effect.
--bdj
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08-03-2002, 04:15 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 68
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Re: Headset hassles and Bluetooth aches
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Originally Posted by BigDaddyJ
I think the article is unclear on this. My reading was that you could hit a button on the headset, and that would do the trick, but that was also difficult for him to do. He wanted something where if the phone rang it would automatically answer without any intervention.
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This was my understanding too. I have a T68 with an Ericsson headset and I don't need to press a button on the phone to answer a call, I press a button on the headset. Can the newest Ericsson headset (30) be activated using the Magic Word function?
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08-03-2002, 05:29 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 90
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There seems to be a voice answer option under the Settings->Voice Control menu on my T68 - got no idea whether it works with the headset though.
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08-03-2002, 05:33 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 361
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BigDaddy is absolutely correct about the Motorola headset. When you receive a call, all you have to do is open the boom on the Motorola to answer it, and close it to hang it up.
Want to leave it on your ear? Then you must press the button on the side of the headset to answer a call, and then press the button again to hang up.
I'm not sure about the Ericsson headset, but the Motorola is the one all the AT&T stores in Seattle are selling. Here is the manual for everyone's reference:
(PDF) http://216.87.173.24/manuals/Bluetoo..._headset_E.pdf
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08-03-2002, 05:42 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 91
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Wrong!
My Ericsson T39M can automatically answer calls when a headset is attached.
You find the option under
4 Settings
2 Profiles
1 Choose profile
Portable Headset
or you can set the phone to automatically answer calls in other profiles.
4 Settings
0 Freisprechen (may read "Headset" or "speakerphone" in english version)
1 Answering mode
automatic answering
So there is total flexibility in the Ericsson implementation of Bluetooth.
There are so many uninformed "reviews" out there. Better check it out first before publishing it on this website!
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08-03-2002, 06:19 PM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 5
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It was me...
Jason,
I sent you the message! Its seems I took a stupid pill, didn't see that 'contact' heading, doh!  ops: (hey, I've got Glandular Fever....)
I own a T39m phone and that as already pointed out has a 'magic word' function however it does reduce battery life. Not that I have actually used it..... I think the jounalist might not have been aware about the 'magic word' function on some phones. However I think that the fact he missed these functions, in itself is an important point. Phone and bluetooth makers should make these features a bit more prominent in the literature, especially for those with special access requirements.
Still the issue of 'disabled' access to technology is an important one.....
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08-03-2002, 06:28 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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Re: It was me...
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Originally Posted by ejph
Phone and bluetooth makers should make these features a bit more prominent in the literature, especially for those with special access requirements.
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What I think is the real glaring weakness here is that the phone manufacturers, notably Ericsson, don't know how to support it themselves! You'd think they'd know about these options...
--bdj
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08-03-2002, 06:49 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Re: Wrong!
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Originally Posted by MarcTGFG
There are so many uninformed "reviews" out there. Better check it out first before publishing it on this website!
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Unless you want to loan me all your hardware, that's a little difficult to do. ;-)
But what I DO find amazing is that if it does work after all, like you're all saying, why didn't the tech support people he talked to tell him this? Seems a bit odd...
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