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Enable audio in and out on Bluetooth headsets System
Apple's latest Bluetooth update (v1.5) and Firmware upgrade (v.1.0.2) allow you to connect your Bluetooth headset to your Mac. You must install both of these updates for it to work, and you must use the Bluetooth Setup Assistant to pair the headset otherwise it will not appear as an available sound input/output in System Preferences, or iChat AV's preferences. Download and install the firmware updater. It takes several minutes to upgrade the firmware so be patient. The update is compatible with Apple's internal bluetooth modules and the later model DLink usb modules. Install the Bluetooth 1.5 update which should appear in Software Update or can be downloaded here.

Go to System Preferences, Bluetooth and click on Set Up New Device. Select "Headset" from the list of devices to search for. If Headset does not appear in the list, you have not updated the Bluetooth firmware. Your headset should appear in the devices found list - select it and continue the process to pair it. Once paired, your headset should appear as an option in System Preferences, Sound, In and Out. If you only wish to use the headset with iChat AV, select the headset in iChat AV's own preferences.

Those of you hoping to use your headsets with Apple's speech recognition are out of luck - Apple mentions this in the notes to the Bluetooth update.
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Enable audio in and out on Bluetooth headsets | 28 comments | Create New Account
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Enable audio in and out on Bluetooth headsets
Authored by: jake48 on Feb 13, '04 11:50:51AM

Any experience with devices to do this?



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Enable audio in and out on Bluetooth headsets
Authored by: marook on Feb 13, '04 12:17:35PM

Yeah, a lot of devices is confirmed to work.

Sony Ericsson Headsets
Jabra 200
All BlueSpoon headsets

to name a few.

Basically, the headset need to suppport the 'headset' profile, and everything should be fine.

One issue is known, though:
Every time you 'connect' the headset, you need to change the audio-interface (for instance in iChat). A bit annoying, but they might get that fixed....

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/Marook



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Enable audio in and out on Bluetooth headsets
Authored by: ggarnham on Feb 13, '04 01:35:02PM

My headset (Motorola HS810) connects automatically when I initiate an iChat unless of course it is already in use by my phone.

Make sure that the headset is selected as sound in or out (or both) in iChat's audio preferences (under Video tab) and that "Microphone enabled" is ticked in the Audio menu (in the iChat menubar, not in iChat's preferences).

Gavin



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Stereo bluetooth headsets?
Authored by: 5chm31din6 on Feb 13, '04 01:07:41PM

Is there such a thing as Bluetooth stereo headphones that are for iTunes listening enjoyment (and not phone use)? I've been unable to find such a thing while searching with Google.com.

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Signature, schmignature.



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Stereo bluetooth headsets?
Authored by: foobar104 on Feb 13, '04 01:37:42PM

Bluetooth lacks the bandwidth to transmit good-quality stereo audio. The alternative is to put decompression hardware in the headphones themselves and just send the compressed audio at 128 kbps or whatever, but that's impractical right now due to size and weight issues. Headphones that work that way are big and bulky and uncomfortable.



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Stereo bluetooth headsets?
Authored by: ggarnham on Feb 13, '04 01:39:28PM

Not that know of - would love one though!

Sony Ericsson sell a bluetooth MP3 player though that I believe has the headset profile. It connects to your phone using bluetooth and mutes the music so you can take the call (on the MP3 players headphones). I wonder if this could be paired to the mac? The headphones are wired to the MP3 player though so you may as well just use normal wired headset.

I'm not sure the sound quality over bluetooth would be very good though - probably why there are no available products.



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Stereo bluetooth headsets?
Authored by: arizdave on Feb 13, '04 03:17:47PM

I travel and fly a-lot!!! I've love it if there was a bluetooth stereo headset that would be wireless and I could listen to itunes on my laptop while flying and working - or just sitting at the damn airport waiting for the flight



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Stereo bluetooth headsets?
Authored by: hderycke on Feb 13, '04 03:41:19PM

Hey, when I'm on the same plane as you, do me a favor and switch off that bluetooth transmitter, will you?

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E pur si muove



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compatibility issues
Authored by: mnb on Feb 13, '04 06:07:24PM

I was not able to get my Motorola HS810 working using an IOGear USB to Bluetooth adaptor.

I was able to pair it from within the bluetooth preferences, but I could not activate it as an audio in/out source or find it using Device Setup.

I was running the latest Bluetooth software, but obviously cannot install Apple's firmware update since it's not the DLink module. It appears you HAVE to use a DLink module in order to use a headset, which is rather lame.



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compatibility issues
Authored by: ggarnham on Feb 14, '04 06:45:22AM

I don't think you *have* to use the DLink - you just need to be using an adaptor that supports the headset profile. Maybe the IOGear doesn't have it.



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Enable audio in and out on Bluetooth headsets
Authored by: Robert Hancock on Feb 13, '04 06:42:05PM

A good description of the process but DON'T do this if you want to keep the functionality of a BT mouse (especially M$) or BT keyboard. A number of people (me included) are reporting on Apple's discussion boards and MacNN that the Apple BT 1.5 update disables some mice and keyboards (including Apple's own hardware).
I suspect a bug in the D-link firmware updater but can't prove it yet.
The BT 1.5 update works fine with the M$ BT adapter and M$ BT mouse but then there is no headset functionality. When using the D-link adapter (1.02 firmware flashed) I have also discovered that if you connect another audio device such as a wired USB headset while the BT headset (Jabra for example) is selected in Sound I/O, after the new audio USB device is disconnected, the BT headset loses all audio output until the Mac is rebooted.
In short, on my setup, this BT1.5 upgrade still needs a lot of polishing!



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Enable audio in and out on Bluetooth headsets
Authored by: Anidel on Feb 14, '04 01:03:17AM

I'm using a Pb 12" with internal BT module. I paired it with my Bluetrek 1.2 and it work perfectly fine.
It's just perfect to do an audio chat over iChat with it!
It's like using the cellphone...but for free :) (almost)

Anidel

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Anidel



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Enable audio in and out on Bluetooth headsets
Authored by: legacyb4 on Feb 14, '04 07:45:06PM

Is this the unit you have?

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?action=techspec&dpno=8053#scroll

At that price, definitely worth considering...



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Enable audio in and out on Bluetooth headsets
Authored by: atr on Feb 14, '04 03:06:56AM

With this, is there a way to enable the mac to become a full fledged phone (phone into the rj11 jack) can it be done w/o a bluetooth headset on a powerbook using the internal mic? Or does apple's modem lack that voice capability?



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Problem pairing Sony Ericsson HBH-35
Authored by: SKuypers on Feb 14, '04 04:04:13AM

Hi there,

Anyone been succesfull in pairing an Ericsson HBH-35?

I installed both the updates (I get headsets in the setup new device dialog but not in the pairing dialog though) and according to the specs the headset should support the required headset protocol but uptil now no luck with pairing it.

Stef



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Problem pairing Sony Ericsson HBH-35
Authored by: Bahi on Feb 15, '04 10:55:43AM

The Apple discussion forms show that people have successfully paired the HBH-35 with a Mac. However, you absolutely must use the Bluetooth Setup Assistant (from the Bluetooth icon in the menubar) to do so. Pairing using the Bluetooth pref pane in the System Preferences won't work for the HBH-35 or, from what I can tell, any other Bluetooth headset.

After you've used the Bluetooth Setup Assistant to 'set up new device', the device will be paired and should appear in the iChat audio prefs and also in the system-wide Sound pref pane in the System Preferences.



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Headset success report
Authored by: deanburchell on Feb 16, '04 12:00:46PM

I just thought I would report that I purchased a Bluetooth headset (ActionTec, $69, Circuit CIty) that works with both a 12" PowerBook and a G5 with the D-Link rev. B USB BT adapter. The G5 is also using a BT mouse and there were no problems while using with simultaneously while chatting in iChat. My first attempt. Followed the instructions at the beginning of this thread — installed the recent BT Firmaware updater and v. 1.5 of the BT software. The 'Headset' category appeared in the menu and paiting went smoothly. Now if only Verizon Wireless would offer a BT phone!



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Enable audio in and out on Bluetooth headsets
Authored by: storrence on Feb 14, '04 08:01:12PM

I have a 12" pbook 10.3.2 and flashed the internal bluetooth and ran the bluetooth 1.5 upgrade but my BT200 does not show up in the pairing. Doesn't show up in ichat either. Just says looking... but never finds. It's not due to interference because I've turned off other things that operate in the 2.4 range. I have a BT200 but noticed it says 'now compatible with nokia 3650 and siemens S55. I remember there were 2 different versions when I ordered it. This seemed to be the newer version but don't see why that would cause a problem.

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Steve



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Enable audio in and out on Bluetooth headsets
Authored by: cudaboy_71 on Feb 15, '04 01:16:20PM

read the manual. you must pair it just like you did with your phone--i.e. you must hold down the powerbutton until you get the sold blue light on the headset.

then you must enter the '0000' passkey when asked for it. its all in your freespeak manual.

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if it aint broke, break it!



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But is it possible to make Mac behave as a headset?
Authored by: joaop on Feb 15, '04 08:28:46AM

It has bluetooth, speakers and a mic. Is there any way to
pair the Mac with the mobile phone as a headset, in order to
use the Mac's audio and mic to answer or make calls?



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But is it possible to make Mac behave as a headset?
Authored by: wrzlbrnft on Feb 16, '04 12:58:52PM

I guess not, because a normale mobile phone doesn't provice 'headset' feature
to paired devices.

Just pair your phone with your box and have a look into bluetooth preferences'
device monitor. There you'll finde the features your phone provides.

Good luck :)



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Enable audio in and out on Bluetooth headsets
Authored by: cj69collins on Feb 15, '04 05:19:26PM
I found this discussion about Jabra BT200 headsets. This helped me pair mine.
HTH.

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If God wished us to use Windows, he would allow us to come back from the dead...frequently.

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Enable audio in and out on Bluetooth headsets
Authored by: heyscriv on Feb 16, '04 03:35:02PM

I just purchased a Blue2 (OrangeMirco) bluetooth usb adapter because I had the older dlink adapters (dwb 120M) and I wanted to link my Jabra bluetooth headset for iChat. The package said it was compatible with the Jabra headsets, so I figured I'd give it a try and it works!

Obiviously the dongle firmware updater isn't going to work with this adapter, but I found, after alot of frustration, that you DO NOT need to use the Bluetooth Setup Assistant. When you place the headset into discovery mode ( i found the hint about pressing the on/off switch and volume switch together most helpful!) and use Pair New Device in the Preference pane, it works. You choose Other devices, then enter 0000 for the password. You will see that the Jabra BT200 listing will become bold and you can now use the headset in iChat. I don't see the headset listed in my Sound control pane, although I do see Headset in the output listing, but now the Audio icon shows up in my iChat window. I tested it between my desktop and iBook and I did hear audio.

At any rate, I am happy that I was able to pay a little less for a new dongle and can now chat without a keyboard. Also, I can still use this dongle on my windows pc because I didn't have to use a firmware update and disables this function.

Hope this helps others.



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Success report
Authored by: ddldreaming on Feb 16, '04 08:03:23PM

I just bought a Jabra Freespeak BT250 (successor to the BT200) from Expansys. So far it's worked flawlessly with my Sony-Ericsson P800 and my 12" PB. I talked with a friend for a while via iChat and it was happy with it -- for the first time, net-phone felt like any average mobile phone call (and the Macs at both ends were themselves connected wirelessly).

Sound quality is decent, although it degrades noticeably three meters or more from the laptop. The headset very comfortable; I've had it over my left ear for four hours now and barely notice it (and I'm wearing specs!).



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Enable audio in and out on Bluetooth headsets
Authored by: trevbuck on Feb 16, '04 10:21:45PM

I have tried to connect my " No Name " bluetooth headset to my G4 & a Dlink USB dongle using the Bluetooth setup assistant. It pairs ok , comes up in bluetooth prefs as a paired device but , is always disconnected and never comes up in Sound prefs as an audio imput device.

Also tried pairing straight from Bluetooth System Prefs ...paired , connected this time , but didnt come up as an audio imput device....so close....

Maybe its either not compatable with the no name headset, or my Pro sound card( MAudio Audiophile 2496) is not allowing it to be an audio imput.

The headset works fine with my Sony Erricson T68i.



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Enable audio in and out on Bluetooth headsets
Authored by: bsb@mac.com on Feb 22, '04 10:50:57PM
I have a Bluetake BT400 headset. It works great with my SonyEriccson T68i, and pairs through the new device setup "wizard." It takes a long time during the "retrieving more information about your device stage" ultimately ending with the message that the headset was successfully paired. Alas, there is no headset in the audio panel.
Here's the info from the Bluetooth panel's Devices tab. Curiously missing is anything listed under "Device Services"
Device Name: BT400

Device Address: 00-0b-2e-04-08-ee
Device Type: Audio
Device Services: 

Paired: Yes
Favorite: Yes
Connected: Yes

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bsb

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Enable audio in and out on Bluetooth headsets
Authored by: NeutronMonk on Mar 14, '04 11:00:27AM
Everyone with a bluetooth headset should read this bluetooth-or trying to. I found it very informative...

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Enable audio in and out on Bluetooth headsets
Authored by: dfbills on Sep 09, '04 12:25:02AM

My SonyEricsson HBH-65 works great on the 15" powerbook with built-in bluetooth. It never worked with the D-Link rev. A USB BT adapter and I thought it would never work period.



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