Apple Bluetooth Headset Goes Out of Range

[Jeff Campbell]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.tuaw.com/2009/03/23/apples-bluetooth-headset-gets-the-axe/' target='_blank'>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/03/23/appl...t-gets-the-axe/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"I'll admit it: I loathe Bluetooth headsets. It's impossible to walk around with one of those things protruding from your head without looking like a total tool. No one's impressed, Lieutenant Uhura. I'd like to think it was that reason that prompted Apple to stop selling the iPhone Bluetooth headsets, but it was probably poor sales. We don't have sales figures, of course, but I've never seen one in the wild."</em></p><p><em><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1237909171.usr105634.jpg" /></em></p><p>Well, I guess he never saw me on the freeway. I admit, I own one, but I rarely use it. I find the <a href="http://www.jawbone.com" target="_blank">Jawbone</a> to be a much better bluetooth headset than the Apple headset as far the fit goes. I do, however, &nbsp;like the fact that the Apple headset is small, and it worked surprisingly well for me, except for the annoying problem of it falling out of my ear. It never fit right and after a few minutes of use I had to adjust it again. And again. There is speculation that Apple is coming out with a new design for use in the rumored new iPhones in June. If they do, I hope they fix it so it stays in the ear!</p>

[Dyvim]

I tried the Apple BT headset but it wouldn't stay in my ear, and the range was horrible. Even if your phone was only on the opposite side of your body from the headset, it often would get poor reception. I know the problem isn't the iPhone's BT because my car's headset can connect to it from 20 feet away through the car body, a steel fire door and a couple walls. Anyway, I realized that for me the only BT headset I need is the head unit built into my Prius, which works great.

[Vincent Ferrari]

I tried the Apple BT headset but it wouldn't stay in my ear, and the range was horrible. Even if your phone was only on the opposite side of your body from the headset, it often would get poor reception. I know the problem isn't the iPhone's BT because my car's headset can connect to it from 20 feet away through the car body, a steel fire door and a couple walls. Anyway, I realized that for me the only BT headset I need is the head unit built into my Prius, which works great.

I have to say that I've heard similar complaints from owners that say that if they have the headset on their right ear and their phone in their left pocket, they start having drops and other issues. Not exactly a ringing endorsement.

I use a BlueAnt Supertooth Lite in the car and a BlueAnt Z9i in the office. Both of those are more than good enough for me. :D

[jmulder]

There is speculation that Apple is coming out with a new design for use in the rumored new iPhones in June. If they do, I hope they fix it so it stays in the ear!</p>

It wouldn't surprise me if Apple came out with a bluetooth stereo headset to go along with their new A2DP support in iPhone OS 3.0