Phone King Bluetooth Phone Dialer

[Ed Hansberry]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.applian.com/pocketpc/phoneking/index.php' target='_blank'>http://www.applian.com/pocketpc/pho...eking/index.php</a><br /><br /></div>"Applian's Phone King Bluetooth Phone Dialer for the Pocket PC is now shipping! This is a great way to control your Bluetooth phone (like the Ericsson T68) from your Pocket PC. You can dial, send SMS, get caller ID, view live signal and battery strength, speed dial, and even design your own phone layouts. It's a great new way to operate your phone. Phone King supports Bluetooth headsets as well."<br /><br /><img src="http://www.applian.com/screenshots/pocketpc/phoneking/dialer.gif" /><br /><br />It is priced at $19.95 and has a 7 day trial. You need a bluetooth equipped Pocket PC 2002 and a supported bluetooth phone. Right now, the Ericsson T39, T68, T68i or the Nokia 6310 will work. (Ericsson T39 with headset is not currently supported.)

[aviator]

I've been using VisualIt's Simple Call for quite a while now and though it may not have all the features of this one, its half the price.

VisualIT have a pretty good Simple SMS program too.

[awierenga]

It doesn't look half as good as RunningVoice, how does it compare to RV?

[bdegroodt]

I like the idea of dialing any number you highlight from another application. Do you know if it integrates with Contacts so that I can tap and hold a name and have a menu selection of "Dial Contact" :?:

[Philip Colmer]

It doesn't look half as good as RunningVoice, how does it compare to RV?

There is a review of Running Voice coming up ... hopefully this will help you decide.

--Philip

[awierenga]

Don't forget to install the free Telebuddy upgrade when reviewing it...

[remon]

I tried this application and I like its features, but what kills it for me is that it is WAY too sluggish looking up a phone number from the contact list. This may only be a problem if you have a large number of contacts (I have well over 1,500 enties). But note that Simple Call, although not as feature rich, is very fast. Overall, I need "fast" more than bells and whistles.

[cessquill]

I'm connected to a Bluetooth GPS system when out an about. Can the iPaq connect to my phone at the same time, or is that not possible?

[cholcomb]

I'm connected to a Bluetooth GPS system when out an about. Can the iPaq connect to my phone at the same time, or is that not possible?

Acutaly I've been testing mPhone 2.5 for the last week and was going to do a review on it this weekend. It took a lot of testing to finaly get 2 connection to my phone that won't kill each other. Why 2.... Well the reason most poeple get a T68i with bluetooth is so that they can use it as modem. The probem was that if you follow the directions for mPhone it tells you to make a bluetooth connection to serial port 1, then connect they're software. This works, but when you make an internet connection to check your email, traffic, of MSN Messenger it kills you mPhone connection. I've finaly got it to where i can use them both and niether kill each other. The trick was to make a connection to serial port 2, connnect the mPhone software (selecting com 5 in the settings), make a conneciton to serial port 1, then make an interet connection. I think by default the internet conenction connects using serial port 1, that's why it kept killing my mPhone connection with default settings. One of the things I wish mPhone had is info about my phone battery, signal, voice mails and such. I will try to do a review with lots of pictures this weekend.

As far as I know you are allowed to pair up to 8 devices. I was wanting to do the same thing. I currently have a TeleType CF GPS and was wanting to switch to the Symbol bluetooth version so i wouldn't have to go through the process of swapping cards, starting software, waiting for connection and so on.

Does Running Voice allow you to only be connected to the phone / internet or both? From what I saw last time I looked at it you had to switch from one to the other. When I'm surfing the web I still want the PDA software to tell me that I've got a call coming in.

[hollis_f]

I'm connected to a Bluetooth GPS system when out an about. Can the iPaq connect to my phone at the same time, or is that not possible?I can be using my Emtac BT GPS and connect to GPRS via a BT phone at the same time. But that's using the DUN profile - I've not tried connecting to the phone via a BT serial port at the same time.

[cessquill]

Aha. Thanks. I'm using a socket (Emtac) Bluetooth GPS unit with the iPaq mounted to the dash. It therefore seemed logical to use it as the phone interface also and keep the T68 out of the way.

I'll go experiment.

[GadgetGirl]

I have not tried this software yet, but can it really dial the phone via Bluetooth and then hand off the call to a Bluetooth headset? I'm not sure if the phone would allow the hand off to happen, or if this is usually controlled strictly from the dialer software on the PDA or notebook. The website implies that this will work: With a Bluetooth headset, you can keep your phone in your pocket!

I have a T39 phone and the Jabra BT200 headset (which is awesome by the way). I tried other applications that will dial the phone using Bluetooth from my notebook, but then the call would never route through the headset. It seemed like the phone can only either talk to the notebook or the headset when initiating a call, but not both in sequence for the same call.

Not a huge deal since my PDA does not have Bluetooth, but it would be nice to figure out if this is possible before I buy a Bluetooth CF or a new PDA. Does anyone have more information on this?

[Janak Parekh]

I have not tried this software yet, but can it really dial the phone via Bluetooth and then hand off the call to a Bluetooth headset?
I know for a fact that the Running Voice GSM guys support this with the Ericsson T68(i) units. You need "active Bluetooth support" on the phone for it to work. The Nokia 6310, in particular, can't. Not sure about the T39 though.... you might want to email one or more of the Bluetooth dialer companies and ask.

--janak

[topps]

I have not tried this software yet, but can it really dial the phone via Bluetooth and then hand off the call to a Bluetooth headset?
I know for a fact that the Running Voice GSM guys support this with the Ericsson T68(i) units.
--janak

Yes, I've been able to dial from the 3870 to a T68i and have it hand off the call to an iCliq headset - works reasonably well, but much more smoothly and reliably on RV than on PhoneKing. I can't remember if I got mPhone to do this successfully or not.

I like RV interface - is better thought out and works quite smoothly. But it is quite slow to load and also slow to initially handshake with the phone. If you leave the iPaq on, then it is quite slick in intercepting SMS and receiving calls, and identifying them from your contacts list. However, if the iPaq is off then most of this does not happen...and leaving the iPaq on all the time is deadly to battery life.

I find that PhoneKing seems to load a wee bit more quickly but is tougher to navigate around - not as good an interface.

[topps]

I tried this application and I like its features, but what kills it for me is that it is WAY too sluggish looking up a phone number from the contact list. This may only be a problem if you have a large number of contacts (I have well over 1,500 enties). But note that Simple Call, although not as feature rich, is very fast. Overall, I need "fast" more than bells and whistles.

All three programs (RV, mPhone and PK) seem to fight with other apps...I have not played with them enough to discern a definite pattern but after running any one of these programs, if I power off and then power up the iPaq again, it often runs like a slug - not just a minor slow down but so slow you'd think it has actually frozen. Only a soft reset will fix this. Unloading the dialer app (whichever one) does not fix the problem.

I might try Simple Call, mentioned above. After all, speed is crucial - if these programs get in the way of me efficiently using my ipaq in other ways then they are not worth the few seconds saved of dialling or messaging time when making calls.

[topps]

I tried this application and I like its features, but what kills it for me is that it is WAY too sluggish looking up a phone number from the contact list. This may only be a problem if you have a large number of contacts (I have well over 1,500 enties). But note that Simple Call, although not as feature rich, is very fast. Overall, I need "fast" more than bells and whistles.

Hmm, I just took a look at Simple Call's site - does not seem to be any Trial option, just Buy...and with the generally poor level of success of these apps, I'm not inclined to buy more marginally effective software.

[GadgetGirl]

I have not tried this software yet, but can it really dial the phone via Bluetooth and then hand off the call to a Bluetooth headset?
I know for a fact that the Running Voice GSM guys support this with the Ericsson T68(i) units.
--janak
Yes, I've been able to dial from the 3870 to a T68i and have it hand off the call to an iCliq headset - works reasonably well, but much more smoothly and reliably on RV than on PhoneKing.
Well, it is good to know it is possible. Now I just need to find out if it will work with the T39. Thanks for the information.

[topps]

All three programs (RV, mPhone and PK) seem to fight with other apps...


One program that can also do BT dialling, that has not been mentioned so far is Pocket Informant. This is a very fast and enormously powerful PIM app. Does much more than BT dialing as most of you know...but it will also do some basic BT dialling - not super slick in this regard but not bad compared to the dedicated diallers...and so much better as a PIM.

The best thing is that it is well behaved (plays well with others) and does not slow down my machine.

[topps]

All three programs (RV, mPhone and PK) seem to fight with other apps...


The best thing is that it is well behaved (plays well with others) and does not slow down my machine.

One other comment about RV not being that well behaved is that it does not have a proper File | Close option. I know that that is how PocketPC apps are supposed to be designed according to the MS specs...but in this case, where it is not playing nice, it would be more important to be able to remove it fully from memory.

What is worse is that it is difficult to Nuke - Gigabar will shut it down but only after some grumbling.

[hollis_f]

I have not tried this software yet, but can it really dial the phone via Bluetooth and then hand off the call to a Bluetooth headset?
I know for a fact that the Running Voice GSM guys support this with the Ericsson T68(i) units.
--janak
Yes, I've been able to dial from the 3870 to a T68i and have it hand off the call to an iCliq headset - works reasonably well, but much more smoothly and reliably on RV than on PhoneKing.
Well, it is good to know it is possible. Now I just need to find out if it will work with the T39. Thanks for the information.It is possible, nay - easy. I use mPhone (used to use SimpleCall but it had problems with my Loox - all the fault of the cruddy BT on the Loox) with a 3970 T39m and Motorola Headset.

[awierenga]

All three programs (RV, mPhone and PK) seem to fight with other apps...


The best thing is that it is well behaved (plays well with others) and does not slow down my machine.

One other comment about RV not being that well behaved is that it does not have a proper File | Close option. I know that that is how PocketPC apps are supposed to be designed according to the MS specs...but in this case, where it is not playing nice, it would be more important to be able to remove it fully from memory.

What is worse is that it is difficult to Nuke - Gigabar will shut it down but only after some grumbling.

I have absolutely no problem closing running voice from the file dailog or from gigabar, it is removed from memory when closed.

[cessquill]

OK - just a thought - if a mobile cannot cope with connecting to more than one device at a time, and hence has to break the connection with the PPC to take a call on a headset, couldn't the headset be connected directly to the PPC with the PPC passing through data, or might that result in a significant delay (or is the connection issue not with the mobile, but with the Bluetooth design)?

Have been trying to weigh up the best bluetooth phone software, but with some of them not giving trial versions it's a little difficult. Managed to find an old version 10 day trial of Running Voice (which took some looking for). mPhone looks more popular, but didn't seem as well designed.

[aquanaut]

Prior to version RV v2.5 and the Pocket Plugfree version 1.2 (included with latest firmware v15x) on the Loox, I had lock-ups when either the t68 was out of range or lost a gprs connection. Shutting down RV was also very slow and sometimes needed a soft-reset.

RV v2.51 now works great on the loox -- fires up the bluetooth radio on it's own and consistently establishes a connection to the t68 handset. The loox has a hardware slider switch for bluetooth (on/off). Flick it off and RV drops the BT connection. Flick it on, and after 30-seconds or so, the BT connection is reactivated. This is clearly how the device was originally intended to work from the beginning, very slick. This also works if the handset is out-of-range or turned off, then back on again.

And the program now shuts down gracefully in under five-seconds.

AFAIK RV does not take incoming calls or sms messaging during active gprs sessions.

Cheers

[Janak Parekh]

RV v2.51 now works great on the loox -- fires up the bluetooth radio on it's own and consistently establishes a connection to the t68 handset.
Oh, this is very cool! I was holding off buying RV because I didn't want to deal with the hassle of turning the Bluetooth radio on first everytime. Now I think I just may have to get it. :)

--janak

[aquanaut]

janek, if you do get it and have any problems settting it up, let me know -- the manual is written for ipaq. to set up on the loox:

After bonding devices, set up internet connection using plugfree: devices, open handset, tap the internet 'service'. Complete the connection, then hang up. Now, go to Connection Manager, and reset the 3 boxes 'internet settings', 'work settings', 'work'. Close connection settings, soft reset loox.

Settings > Connections,open Flexport GSM. Change device to "[0080375E4185DUN]" or similar, then switch to connections tab. You should see only one 'connection' denoted with an *. Tap it to open it, make sure settings are correct -- 'gprs', APN, DNS, and under 'advanced', dial number (e.g., *99#). I disabled both compression options. Password required is enabled. Click OK, then Finished. Now, with loox BT hardware switch in 'on' position, start RVGSM. After 30-seconds, you should see your handset's information in the RV status box.

cheers

[cholcomb]

OK I don't get this. RV has more feature (ie. gets phone signal strength, carrier, battery) but lacks on some simple features that mPhone has like (1- you can connect to the phone for the phone data (you must choose to use com5 not com6) and internet. 2- you when you are surfing the web it will still let you know that you have a phone call or sms coming in. 3- if the PDA is off and you have bluetooth set for wakeup then the PDA will turn it self on and start ringing when you get a phone call or sms.) When is some one going to make a program that we actualy want?

I bought a LOOX buggy little basterd hopeing that I could use this device as my phone too. Then FSC goes and cancels the GSM/GPRS module after they release the product telling every one that is buying it that this module is coming out. I think FSC owes every one that bought a LOOX a free copy of some software that lets us use our PDA's as phones, problem is which one? RV looks great, mPhone has some better more critical features.... what else is out there?

[aquanaut]

Chris,
I tried to duplicate your dual bt serial port trick on a Loox (v152) running mPhone v2.6. mPhone works on Com5. I can also establish a bt/gprs connection using the standard [008152004DUN] connector. Both of these are accomplished without first starting up pocket plugfree.

During an active gprs session, mPhone is unable to connect without the t68i (firmware R6A0012) dropping the gprs connection... and visa versa.

-ConnectionManager settings are [008152004DUN], Work Settings, Work.
-Bluetooth services incude 'access serial ports' and 'access the internet'.
-Devices were paired using COM5, then connected to mPhone

Anything I missed?

[cholcomb]

Chris,
I tried to duplicate your dual bt serial port trick on a Loox (v152) running mPhone v2.6. mPhone works on Com5. I can also establish a bt/gprs connection using the standard [008152004DUN] connector. Both of these are accomplished without first starting up pocket plugfree.

During an active gprs session, mPhone is unable to connect without the t68i (firmware R6A0012) dropping the gprs connection... and visa versa.

-ConnectionManager settings are [008152004DUN], Work Settings, Work.
-Bluetooth services incude 'access serial ports' and 'access the internet'.
-Devices were paired using COM5, then connected to mPhone

Anything I missed?


Make sure the first thing you do in mPhone is go to settings then connect there using COM5. The connect menu never worked for me. Once I had that connection I was able to open pocket IE and have it open an internet connection, then of course I would open Messenger to get it online also. I will check the versions of my LOOX, I know I haven't put the latest firware on there, I will do that this week (forgot my sync cable at the office). I will also check the firware version on my T68i and mPhone. The mPhone I'm using is the 14 day trial. I will post my review with pictures on how I did all of this Monday.

I since have also tried the Phone King software... Not impressed. It couldnt read my battery level, I can only dial if I use the Speed Dial feature (it won't dial if I enter a number in the dail pad and click Talk). Also the call log could be better, it should list Out Calls, Missed Calls and In Calls. Plus I think it is essential to show not just the time but the time and date, also you should be able to enter notes about a call and it would be nice to go one step further and take the call log and be able to select a call, enter notes about that call and insert it into you pocket Outlook calendar. But hey that's just my 2 cents worth.

[aquanaut]

I think Rappore fixed some outstanding issues with their bluetooth stack (v1.2) included with the latest FSC firmware update (v15x). With this update, the BT hardware on/off actually works. For example, with RunningVoice open, you can switch BT off when not needed, then back on (takes 30-seconds or so to fire up the Loox's BT radio and reacquire connection). Unfortunately, I can only get six-hours usage out of the Loox with RV and bluetooth on all the time, so the hardware on/off switch is a useful work-around. How does mPhone compare on battery life?
cheers