Handsfree dialing with Treo 650 and a bluetooth headset?

July 5, 2007 4:43 PM

I've been scouring the various Treo forums and can't seem to find a definitive answer. It isn't clear to me that you can initiate a voice activated call wirelessly with the 650. I'd settle for speed dial.

I'd like something low maintenance where I don't have to touch the Treo? Voice quality doesn't have to be exquisite - I'd rather it be easy to place and receive calls and have it keep a charge for longer than average.

And I don't want too expensive as the Treo is old and will probably be replaced within the year. Anything fit the bill?

posted by Patrick Graham to shopping (5 comments total)

My reading of the forums suggests that Palm screwed up their implementation of bluetooth and bluetooth devices are unable to initiate a call as a result, no matter what the application.
posted by aubilenon at 5:14 PM on July 5, 2007

was afraid that is what they did. I guess I'm settling for speed dial and a decent bluetooth.
posted by Patrick Graham at 5:22 PM on July 5, 2007

aubilenon is right. you can set up voice activated dialing on the treo itself - but no way to control it via bluetooth. Living in NOVA / DC, it's illegal in the district to drive while talking on a cellphone unless you're using a headset.

This was the definitive reason as to why I got rid of my treo. Of course, I can't do it with my iphone now either - but I don't care!

All joking around aside, my solution was accidental. I installed a Pioneer AVIC-ZI nav/stereo in my car that pairs up to the cellphone. You sync your contacts into the AVIC-ZI, and it places the call on your cellphone for you. Don't ask me how it does it, but it worked just fine with the Treo (and the iPhone).
posted by matty at 5:43 PM on July 5, 2007

and I should clarify... the AVIC-Z1 is voice activated. I just say 'telephone book' and it brings up my contacts on the screen - then I just touch the contact I want to call and ta-da! the process isn't totally voice activated, but much easier than messing with the cellphone.
posted by matty at 5:45 PM on July 5, 2007

Here's your definitive answer:

No can do on the bluetooth-initiated voice dialing. You're going to have to touch the Treo.

Your best bet is to setup Favorites (speed dials) in the Phone app. I also rely on Butler for its Keylauncher functionality...access your Favorites from anywhere, in any other app on your Treo. If you have "Call Home" setup in your Phone app Favorites with a QuickKey of "H", just hold down that H at any time to call home, without having to be in Phone.

The same programmer also has an awesome Treo launcher called Initiate. Quickly searches Contacts and any other content (files, pics, etc) on your device.

(No afiliation here, just a fan.)
posted by Bradley at 7:25 PM on July 5, 2007 [1 favorite]