All Hail the Vocal Minority

[Jerry Raia]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://laptopmag.com/Pundit/All-Hail-the-Vocal-Minority.htm' target='_blank'>http://laptopmag.com/Pundit/All-Hail-the-Vocal-Minority.htm</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/bluetooth.gif" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/><br /><br /><i>"I was on the phone with a Verizon Wireless press contact, talking about the company’s decision to restrict the Bluetooth implementation of its Motorola V710 phone. Up front I made it clear that I wasn’t pleased with that choice, but I thought that it was probably fair to let her explain the reasoning."</i><br /><br />While this is about the v710 you could easily substitute the MPx220 which is crippled in the same way and was done by Cingular. It is nice to see Verizon admit the truth but it doesn't help us much. Now in response we have this from SIG: <b><a href="http://laptopmag.com/Features/The-SIG-Speaks-Out.htm">The SIG Speaks Out.</a></b> In this article we find SIG trying to ride the middle saying the consumer will ultimately decide what is included but pushing for clarity in what a device will do and not do being shown upfront. I definitely think it should be made very clear what functions you get and don't get. This would be a step in the right direction.

[Kris Kumar]

Glad that you brought it up, wondering what (Hello) Moto is up to? :?
I hope they fix the Bluetooth pairing with serial devices like GPS sensors. Otherwise they are in for trouble.

Has anyone used the BT Keyboard with the MPx220?

[vincenzosi]

Just curious... Being an MPX 220 owner... How is it crippled by Cingular? So far I've used the built-in Bluetooth as a modem for my PPC and have used it with my headset... Am I just missin' something?

[Jason Lee]

I dunno.. it even supports file transfer... I don't own an mpx220 but i played with one at bestbuy. Not sure what's missing as it is the only smartphone i've ever seen and played with.

[vincenzosi]

It definitely supports file transfer; I can send files to my iPaq with it...

[Jerry Raia]

Well lets see what's missing on the MPx220:

OBEX File Transfer
Serial Port
Audio Gateway

Thats a partial list. Have you ever tried to browse files on your phone from another device without active sync? When I use my iPAQ4705 to look at my MPx220 the only thing that shows up is Dial-up Networking.

When 3/4 of the features of a protocall are missing I'd call it a bit crippled. Granted if the phone is doing all you want it too then its not a factor for you. :)

[vincenzosi]

OBEX File Transfer... I'm not really big on that one... I can send pictures from my phone to my PPC over BT, that's all I really care about in that regard. If I'm installing apps, etc., I'll do it with Activesync anyway...

Audio Gateway... Unless I'm mistaken, that's only for Bluetooth headphones, which I don't own and won't buy because it's just another thing I have to put on a charger....

Serial Port... You might have one there... But seeing as I have two cables it's really a moot issue.

I guess when I think of crippled, I think of something a little more commonplace being unavailable. As it is, I can hook a headset up, transfer pictures from one device to another, and use my 220 as a modem for my Ipaq, which is all I've ever used Bluetooth for anyway.

I definitely see your point, but a majority of users probably wouldn't see the 220 as crippled.

Now the 710... That's a horse of another color!

:Fade-color

BTW: Does it support the HID profile or am I never gonna be able to use a keyboard with it?

[Jerry Raia]

BTW: Does it support the HID profile or am I never gonna be able to use a keyboard with it?

Nope, left that one out too. Hopefully my next smartphone will be an unbranded fully functional device. Even if I have to go to Hong Kong to get it.

[vincenzosi]

You may not have to go that far, but you may end up paying out certain orafices for one. :wink:

Then again, you know what'll be great? I can save some money and get a non-bluetooth folding keyboard now because even if I got the BT one it wouldn't offer me extra functionality!

In a way, this is good news :-)

[SassKwatch]

Well lets see what's missing on the MPx220:

Audio Gateway
So, even an ordinary BT headset won't work?

I couldn't care less about fancy 'multimedia' headphones for music listening, but I had given *some* consideration to a BT headset for phone use....if only to get rid of the retractable cord Jabra headset I've had for a while now.

[Mike Temporale]

Well lets see what's missing on the MPx220:

Audio Gateway
So, even an ordinary BT headset won't work?

I couldn't care less about fancy 'multimedia' headphones for music listening, but I had given *some* consideration to a BT headset for phone use....if only to get rid of the retractable cord Jabra headset I've had for a while now.

No, I think Audio Gateway refers to music headphones, not handsfree headsets. That's just my un-educated guess. :wink:

[Jerry Raia]

No an ordinary BT headset does work. Mike is right. I use the HS810. My point was only that the things I find on just about every other BT device I have had are missing on the MPx220. That one might not have been the best example. :)

[SassKwatch]

No an ordinary BT headset does work. Mike is right. I use the HS810. My point was only that the things I find on just about every other BT device I have had are missing on the MPx220. That one might not have been the best example. :)
That's fine......and the answer I was hoping for. I just thought for a minute there I might have to become a member of the 'Vocal Minority' of Cingular MPX220 users.:)

[Kris Kumar]

Serial Port... You might have one there... But seeing as I have two cables it's really a moot issue.

GPS sensor on the Serial Port...sigh. :( I don't even know why they messed this one up. Since Moto has put out two firmware versions and has not fixed it, I am guessing that they did it on purpose.

[elehcdn]

Well lets see what's missing on the MPx220:

OBEX File Transfer
Serial Port
Audio Gateway

Thats a partial list. Have you ever tried to browse files on your phone from another device without active sync? When I use my iPAQ4705 to look at my MPx220 the only thing that shows up is Dial-up Networking.

When 3/4 of the features of a protocall are missing I'd call it a bit crippled. )

Actually, the issue is probably due as much, if not more as to limitations within the Windows SP programming, as opposed to anything that Moto or Cingular is doing or not doing.

[Jerry Raia]

I don't buy that. Why is the v710 also lacking as well? It's not a SP.

[Mike Temporale]

I agree with Jerry, it doesn't look like this is a Smartphone OS issue.

[drm]

Hi:

I use an MPX220 on/with AT&amp;T Wireless and get the following services:

OBEX OBJECT PUSH
AUDIO GATEWAY
FTP
DIAL UP NETWORKING

I have tried all four and they all work. So, insofar as AT&amp;T is concerned, I do not understand the prior comments.

DRM

[Jerry Raia]

So, insofar as AT&amp;T is concerned, I do not understand the prior comments.

DRM

Thats good to see. I was refering to a Cingular branded phone.