Comments on: Bluetooth headsets

Question: Bluetooth headsets

suchatreat — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 06:59:38 -0800

Will either of these Bluetooth headsets (#1, #2) work with my Bluetooth enabled Powerbook for things like Skype, etc.?

By: u2604ab

u2604ab — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 07:25:03 -0800

Using the Bluetooth Setup Assistant on my 1.0GHz G4 powerbook, I get the message: "Failed to set up the headset. Headsets are not supported on your Bluetooth hardware."

This is before I'm even given the option to discover any bluetooth headset / earpiece. I'd imagine that if you don't get this message from your Bluetooth Setup Assistant, then any Bluetooth headset will work. You don't need a Bluetooth headset to get to the message I get. Good Luck. I wish I could use my Motorola HS850 Bluetooth Headset with my powerbook.

By: zsazsa

zsazsa — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 07:41:02 -0800

I don't know if it'll work with your Powerbook (I use Windows and Linux, and they'd work on both), but the HS805 should give you better sound quality if you have Bluetooth 1.2. I've talked to someone on Skype who had a Bluetooth 1.1 headset and he sounded pretty bad (telephone quality, rather than the high-fidelity usual with Skype-to-Skype calls). I just ordered the HS805 last night; I hope it fixes the quality problem. These are great deals on these headsets!

By: yerfatma

yerfatma — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 07:43:02 -0800

zsazsa, you can thank Consumerist. My wife asked this question by proxy for me. Thanks for the info.

By: yerfatma

yerfatma — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 07:45:31 -0800

Turning on the Bluetooth Assistant, I see the option to configure a headset. Sorry if this question was obvious, I'm just totally new to the topic and assumed these headsets were only for use by rich old guys on planes who need to bother me as soon as wheels touch tarmac.

By: bshort

bshort — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 07:59:04 -0800

So, did it work?

By: yerfatma

yerfatma — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 08:38:47 -0800

I won't know until the headset arrives. Sorry for giving the wrong impression there. The ordering worked (other than the fact Motorolla saw fit to disable copy-and-paste to make very, very sure I confirmed my email address).

By: BorgLove

BorgLove — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 08:59:34 -0800

They should work fine. When you get the headset it'll include instructions for 'pairing' it with your Powerbook, and then they can play nicely together. In my experience setting up bluetooth devices to work with my Powerbook has been pretty painless.

By: todbot

todbot — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 09:27:36 -0800

u2604ab, Your problem may be the Bluetooth module inside your Powerbook needs to have its firmware update. Apple offers a Bluetooth firmware updater that you may've received via System Update. But if not, you can download it from the link above. I had to do this on my Powerbook.