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Posts Tagged ‘stereo bluetooth’

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Jabra Bluetooth Speakerphone SP700 Review

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

I have used a few Bluetooth Visor Car Kits in the past only to find sooner or later (more sooner), I retire them to the Bluetooth graveyard located in a dark corner in the spare  room at home.   It always begins on a high  with a  promise to provide a ‘Hands-free’ but safe, convenient , compact, foolproof and law abiding way to receive and make calls while sitting in the comfort of a stationary or moving vehicle… However, eventually the honeymoon gloss fades and cracks appear to what first seemed a win, win situation.

Jabra SP700 Bluetooth Speakerphone

Jabra SP700 Bluetooth Speakerphone

So when presented with the opportunity to try yet another Handsfree Bluetooth in-car visor product I did not climb over the office furniture or rugby tackle fellow colleagues to be first in the queue.  However  on this occasion a particular feature of the Jabra SP700 caught my imagination – it claimed to offer  both voice and stereo music streaming direct from my Bluetooth enabled mobile phone to my in-car entertainment unit.

In the Box

The compact and stylish Bluetooth speakerphone also comes supplied with a visor clip that is already fitted, a USB charger cable, USB car charger and ‘plain English’ and compact user guide.

Jabra SP700 Bluetooth Speakerphone

Jabra SP700 Bluetooth Speakerphone Box Contents

Getting Started

Just connect the USB charger cable to a spare USB port on your computer and up pops an illuminated  red battery icon to indicated that it is charging. When fully charged this icon then changes to green.  If you do not have easy or regular access to a computer then think about  purchasing a USB Mains Charger and use the USB charger cable  provided in the box when not in the car.  On the front of the unit are a range of icons that illuminate to indicate what status the speakerphone is in.  I will discuss these in detail later.

There is no dedicated off/on button, and although not immediately obvious, this function is activated by  pressing  and holding the front of the speakerphone; 2 seconds to switch it on and  4 seconds to switch it off.  If like me, you tend to exit your vehicle and forget to switch the speakerphone off then do not worry, the SP700 has an auto-power off when the phone is out of its Bluetooth range.

Pairing the SP700 to your mobile phone couldn’t be easier; when you switch it on for the first time it automatically enters its pairing mode which is clearly indicated by an illuminated Bluetooth Status icon appearing.  Next, just activate the Bluetooth function on your phone and set the phone to “discover” the SP700, enter the pin code (0000), mount it to your car visor and you’re good to go!

Jabra SP700 Bluetooth Visor Car Kit

The Jabra SP700 clips neatly to your sun visor in the car

Controls

Now the SP700 is not big on controls, I have already mentioned the lack of an on/off button and it does not have any audio adjustment controls aside of a volume up & down button on one side of the unit, and there is also a FM transmitter button located on the opposite side.


Features

Now the SP700 provides the basic functions like any other like handsfree kit, as well as supporting extended features of some phone models like voice dialling – which as you may have already experienced is a potential Olympic Linguistic event in its own right.  Also the SP700 features advanced noise reduction and echo cancellation that insures excellent sound quality on both sides of the call.

When using the SP700 the current status is clarified by a clear voice announcement – available in 10 languages – a treat no doubt for those multi lingual potential users out there or those wanting to practice some basic phrases before arriving at their international holiday destination this summer!

The voice announcer switches from a female to a male voice for different status alerts.  However the announcement that caught me by surprise was the one that announced the caller ID of an incoming call – brilliant – and by pressing the front of the speakerphone I could answer or end the call.  The announcer also confirms when the speakerphone is switched off and also when it has made connection with your mobile  phone.

I found the clarity of the incoming call to be excellent by comparison to other Bluetooth visor speaker phones that I have used in the past, and I can confidently say that my voice was clearly received by my caller.  I must admit that my vehicle  suffers from very little cabin noise generally – however I also tested it in my wife’s 1.4 about town vehicle which isn’t a tractor by any means – but with mischievous and noisy kids in tow I still found the SP700’s speakerphone to be equally as impressive.

The Jabra SP700 has a classic, slim line design

The Jabra SP700 has a classic, slim line design

The best feature is the FM transmission -  A simple press of the FM transmission button illuminates the FM transmission icon and speakerphone mute icon, then kicks the voice announcer into action as she clearly tells you the FM frequency to tune your car radio to.  If this frequency is congested by existing  radio stations then you can make adjustments by 0.1MHz at a time using the volume keys, the announcer will recite the new frequency selected each time you make a change.  My radios’ RDS function displayed the word JABRA to indicate that I had sourced the correct frequency and I promptly saved it to a spare preset number.   This remains the fixed FM frequency unless you make a change as previously mentioned or reset the unit to factory settings.  The only thing I did not have time to test was how the selected FM frequency would stand up to long journeys whereby you may drift into localised radio stations sharing the same frequency; however, the ease I found in changing frequencies leaves me quite confident that such an event occurring would not be a major problem to resolve.

The Nokia E71 phone was used to test the SP700 for streaming music to my car stereo, on hitting the play button on the phone, music came belting out almost immediately through the car speakers.  The quality was fairly good, however I found that the SP700’s lack of audio controls came to haunt it as the volume controls previous used to adjust the FM frequency remain set to this function while in FM transmission mode,  so you have to rely on your in-car audio controls to equalize the sound and adjust the volume.  This sometimes is a problem when you switch back to the radio or CD mode as the volume can sometimes be far too high for those built in sources.

Taking calls using the FM transmission mode was a delight, however be aware that your calls may be picked up by a stranger who is tuned to the same FM frequency and in close proximity to your vehicle, so keep this feature just for music or calls that are not of a private or sensitive nature.  On a final point if you turn off your radio or forget to change the status of the SP700 back to its own speakers, then the SP700 automatically disconnects from its FM transmission status following a period of non-use.

The SP700 boasts up to14 hours talk time & up to 255 hours standby however after a week of testing I am yet to re-charge.

Conclusion

I must admit the SP700 has not changed my preference which is to avoid taking calls while driving if I can, however when circumstances dictate that this is unavoidable or for those of you or where this is a day to day necessity then the SP700 does not disappoint, mainly because of its ease of use, functionality, portability and quality.  The Ace up its sleeve however is the FM transmission that adds a more practical and up to date feature for all music lovers who have migrated their favourite playlists into the fashionable multi-media Bluetooth mobile phones that are currently available – a smart move by Jabra.

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Samsung SBH-650 Stereo Bluetooth Headset Review

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

Stereo Bluetooth Headsets haven’t always been the most popular accessory in the world, but now that mobile phones are becoming focused on music and video playback, more and more people are finding a need for a way to listen to their music in stereo, but without wires tying them to their phones.

Stereo Bluetooth Headsets allow you to listen to your music over a bluetooth connection and generally have a range of around 10 metres.  This means that you can put your phone down and wander freely around your house with out having to take your phone with you – great if your phone is on charge but you want to listen to your music without having to sit on the floor next to a plug socket!

The big names in Stereo Bluetooth headsets tend to be Sony Ericsson, Nokia and Jabra as these all tend to have a large range of headsets available. Other manufacturers such as Samsung also make stereo headsets but tend to concentrate on just a couple of models, and I’m going to review one of them here – the Samsung SBH-650 Stereo Bluetooth Headset.

Samsung SBH-650 with iPhone 3G

Samsung SBH-650 with iPhone 3G

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Bluetooth Headphones Buyers Guide

Monday, May 11th, 2009

When choosing Bluetooth Headphones, its easy to become overwhelmed by the vast range available. There are several styles available, do the same basic job, so whats the difference and what should you be looking for when choosing Bluetooth Headphones?

 

Bluetooth Headsets Size and Shape

Design:
Bluetooth Headphones
come in a range of shapes and sizes. They range from the traditional "over the head" design, to adapters that let you use your own headphones. Each style has its advantages and dis-advantages:

Over the Head Vs Headband

  • ‘Over the Head’ is how headphones always used to be. They sit pretty securely on your head, and are normally very comfortable. Generally speaking, this style of headphone will cover your ears.
  • The ‘Headband’ style is a more discrete way of wearing your headphones. The band goes around the back of your head, making it less obvious that you’re wearing headphones. ‘Headband’ headphones are available in both in-ear and over the ear styles.

Earphones Vs Headphones

  • Earphones sit in your ear, where as Headphones sit on the outside of your ear.
  • As Earphones tend to be quite small, and the comfort of them can vary significantly. If possible look for earphones with changeable earbuds.
  • Headphones are normally the more comfortable wearing method and there is less risk of them falling out/off.

Fixed Vs Changeable

  • On some Bluetooth Headphones you have the option of swapping out the standard headphones for your own
  • If you damage the headphones on a fixed one you’ll need to buy a new pair of Bluetooth Headphones rather than just the earbuds/headphones

Combination

  • Some Bluetooth Headsets can double up as Bluetooth Headphones. This normally involves plugging in either an additional earpiece, or standard wired headphones to listen to your music in stereo.

 

Bluetooth Headsets: WeightWeight:
The smaller the headphones, the lighter they should be. If you’re going to be wearing your headphones for long periods, a lighter set will be more comfortable, but with less weight and smaller size, you may have to compromise on battery life and functionality. The weight of Bluetooth Headphones range from around 12g to over 310g!

Bluetooth Headsets: Battery LifeBattery Life:
Battery times on headphones are generally better than on standard Bluetooth Headsets as they can accommodate a larger battery. You will find that some headphones have upto a massive 32 hours talk time 19 hours music playback and upto 2 weeks standby time! If you’re going to be using your headset more for listening to music than calling, music playback time will be more important to you. If you are aren’t looking to use it that often for music, then opt for one with the longest stand by times so that it will still be charged even after short spells of not being used.

Bluetooth Headsets: Music
Music Control:
Bluetooth Headphones allow you to listen to your music in stereo, but only if supported by your phone. They work in the same way as a normal Bluetooth Headset, and will automatically pause your music when a call comes in. Bluetooth Headphones aren’t so great if you’re driving, but are ideal for using at the gym, or during sporting and leisure activities such as cycling. Most Bluetooth Headphones have music controls on them but not all. These controls allow you to control your music without having to touch your phone. In order to stream music to Bluetooth Headphones you will need to make sure your phone supports the A2DP profile, and if you want to be able to control your music playback, your phone will need to support the AVRCP profile too. Read our Bluetooth Glossary for more information.

Bluetooth Headsets: Charging
Charging:
How your headset charges can be quite important. A lot of headsets charge using the same connector as mobile phones, so its normally a good idea to opt for a headset that’s made by the same manufacturer as your phone. By using the same charger as you use on your phone, you won’t have to purchase a second charger for in the car, and you will only have to carry one charger around with you when you travel. Some headsets also support USB charging, making it easy to charge using a USB cable connected to your laptop if you’re out and about.

Bluetooth Headsets: Multipoint
Multipoint:
Multipoint is a relatively new technology in the world of bluetooth. Standard Bluetooth Headphones normally allow you to pair with 2 or more phones, but only one can be active at any one time. Multipoint Bluetooth Headphones allow you to connect and use two bluetooth devices at the same time. With Multipoint, you can connect the headphones to your Hi-Fi or Music Player and your Phone, and when a call comes in, the music will pause, and the call will come through automatically. You just answer the call as normal by pressing a button on the headset, in the same way as you would if the music was coming from the same device.

For more information on Multipoint and how it works, check out our guide to Multipoint

Bluetooth Headsets: Voice Dialling
Voice Dial:
Most current handsets support voice dialling. Activating voice dialling with Bluetooth Headphones is a case of simply pressing a button and saying the persons name that you want to call. Depending on your phone and headphones, it is possible to answer, end and reject calls all through voice control. For the best compatibility for voice dialling we would recommend Bluetooth Headphones made by the same manufacturer as your handset.

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Top Ten Bluetooth Headphones

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

As more and more of us are using our mobiles as our MP3 and Video players, and while the headphones that come in the box aren’t bad, they’re never the best. We’ve already put together a Headphone Buyers Guide, but what if you want to leave the wires behind and get yourself a set of Bluetooth Headphones? Well, to help you decide, here’s our top ten Bluetooth Headphones & Stereo Bluetooth Headsets.


Sony Ericsson HBH-IS800 Bluetooth Stereo Headphones
Sony Ericsson HBH-IS800 Bluetooth Headphones:
These are without doubt my favourite Bluetooth Headphones, hence they’re at number 1 in my top ten. Although it still has a wire, the IS-800 is pretty much the only headset that doesn’t feature a fairly bulky control unit. Instead this has a small, simple in-line control that allows you to answer and end calls. Battery life is impressive at upto 270 hours – especially considering how small this headset is! The only slight downside is that the IS-800 doesn’t have any music controls on, so you will need to control your music on your phone.

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LG Arena Essential Accessories

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

To keep your new LG Arena safe and working to its full potential you’ll need to get yourself a few accessories for it, but what should you get? To point you in the right direction we’ve put together must have accessories for the LG Arena.


LG SDT-120 Desktop Charging Cradle
LG SDT-120 Desktop Charging Cradle:
What better way to show off your brand new LG Arena, than to have it sitting proudly on your desk in this stylish Desktop Charging Cradle. Not only does the Desktop Cradle connect to your Mains Charger, but it can also connect it to your PC to transfer media to your phone. The SDT-120 can also be connected to your TV using the LG TV-Out Cable allowing you to view all your photos and videos on the big screen. For the keen photographers out there, the SDT-120 also has a tripod connection.

LG CCL-240 Leather Case

LG CCL-240 Leather Case:
This premium leather carrying case has been designed to perfectly fit your LG Arena, giving you added protection against everyday knocks and scrapes. Its Microfibre lining helps keep your phone looking its best by wiping away finger marks everytime you insert/remove your phone.


16GB Micro SDHC Memory Card

16GB Micro SDHC Memory Card:
Although the LG Arena has 8GB of internal storage, it will soon fill up if you’re using it as your MP3 player or storing videos on it. A memory card will increase the amount you can store on the device. 16GB is currently the largest card available and will take the total amount of storage on the phone to a massive 24GB.


MPS-300 Portable Speakers

MPS-300 Portable Speakers:
If you enjoy listening to your music when you’re out and about then these lightweight portable speakers could be just what you need. They’re colour matched to your LG Arena, and not much bigger. Thanks to some clever thinking from LG, these speakers will also work with your iPod, MP3 player or any other 3.5mm device, with out the need for loads of different adapters. Instead, just use the one reversible cable to connect the speakers to your device.


LG HBS-250 Bluetooth Stereo Headset

Bluetooth Headphones:
As you’ve got yourself one of the latest multimedia handsets, I’m guessing that you like your gadgets and like to be able to enjoy your music and videos where ever you are. A set of Bluetooth headphones will let you listen to and control your music from your phone with out the need to un-tangle your headphone wires, and will work upto 10m away from your phone.


LG CLA-120 Car Charger

Genuine LG Car Charger:
Make sure your Arena is always charged and ready to go. Simply fit it into the cigarette lighter port in your car and plug the tangle proof cable into your phone. Great for long journeys!

If you’ve not seen the accessory here that’s right for you, why not take a look at our full range of LG Arena Accessories.

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Stereo Bluetooth coming to iPod Touch & iPhone!

Friday, March 20th, 2009

UPDATE: Apple have confirmed that the iPhone 3.0 software update will be available to download on the 17th June and will be free for iPhone users and there will be a small charge for iPod Touch users. More Information

In case you may have missed it, yesterday, Apple announced a new version of its iPhone software (iPhone 3.0) that also runs on the iPod touch. While a lot of the new features will only be available on the iPhone, there are a few new features that will make it onto the iPod Touch.

Applications will be smarter and able to do more, Copy & Paste will be added for email, but probably the most exciting addition to the iPod Touch (and iPhone 3G) is the introduction of Stereo Bluetooth that will allow you to listen to your music using Bluetooth Headphones, Bluetooth Car Kits and Stereo Bluetooth Speakers.

Did you say Bluetooth? On an iPod Touch?
You might be thinking I’m going a little bit crazy as the iPod Touch doesn’t have Bluetooth. Well, no I’m not crazy, the iPod Touch 2G does infact have Bluetooth built in, but Apple chose not to use it.

When the 2nd Generation iPod Touch launched last September, several people decided to take it to pieces and examine the components. Amongst them they found a Bluetooth chip, that until iPhone 3.0, has been lying dormant. This new version of the operating system will enable the chip to allow Bluetooth connections for peer-to-peer connections and the use of Stereo Bluetooth accessories.

Great news for all you music fans who are fed up of getting tangled in cables. Looks like its time to dig out my Motorola S9’s.

Apple are still to confirm whether you will be able to control your music using controls on Bluetooth Headphones, or whether it is only going to play music, either way its still an unexpected feature that will be more than welcome on the iPod Touch & iPhone 3G. The only bad news is that Stereo Bluetooth is not going to be available on the first generation iPod Touch or iPhone.

iPhone 3.0 will be a free upgrade to iPhone users and is expected to be available in June this year. iPod Touch users will have to pay a small fee for the software, which I’m guessing will be around £15.

Read our iPhone 3.0 Beta Review here.

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Bluetooth Headset Buyers Guide

Friday, September 26th, 2008

When choosing a Bluetooth Headset, its easy to become overwhelmed by the vast range of headsets available. They all look the same, do the same basic job, so whats the difference and what should you be looking for when choosing a Bluetooth Headset?

Bluetooth Headsets Size and Shape

Design:
Bluetooth Headsets come in a range of shapes and sizes. They range from the more conventional "over the ear" with a boom microphone, to small "in the ear" headsets that are barely visible. Each style has its advantages – In ear headsets can be more comfortable, especially for those who wear glasses, where as "over the ear" headsets can be a bit more secure, with less risk of them falling off. All headsets can be adjusted to be worn on either the left or right ear.

Bluetooth Headsets: Weight

Weight:
The smaller the headset, the lighter it should be. If you’re going to be wearing your headset for long periods, a lighter headset will be more comfortable, but with less weight and smaller size, you may have to compromise on battery life. The weight of a Bluetooth Headset ranges from around 9g to over 20g.

Bluetooth Headsets: Battery Life

Battery Life:
Battery times on headsets have improved significantly over the last few years. It’s not unusual to find headsets with upto 12 hours talktime and upto 300 hours standby time. If you’re going to be using your headset more for making regular calls, talktime will be more important to you. If you don’t really make that many calls, but need a headset for when you do get the occasional call, then opt for one with a longer standby time.

Bluetooth Headsets: Music

Music:
Bluetooth Headsets aren’t just for taking calls. Stereo Bluetooth Headsets allow you to listen to your music in stereo (if supported by your phone). They work in the same way as a normal Bluetooth Headset, and will automatically pause your music when a call comes in. Stereo Bluetooth Headsets aren’t recommended if you’re driving, but are ideal for using at the gym, or during sporting and leisure activities. Most Stereo Bluetooth Headsets have music controls on them, allowing you to control your music without having to touch your phone. In order to stream music to a Stereo Bluetooth Headset you will need to make sure your phone supports the A2DP profile. Read our Bluetooth Guide for more information.

Bluetooth Headsets: Charging

Charging:
How your headset charges can be quite important. A lot of headsets charge using the same connector as mobile phones, so its normally a good idea to opt for a headset that’s made by the same manufacturer as your phone. By using the same charger as you use on your phone, you won’t have to purchase a second charger for in the car, and you will only have to carry one charger around with you when you travel. Some headsets also support USB charging, making it easy to charge using a USB cable connected to your laptop if you’re out and about.

Bluetooth Headsets: Multipoint

Multipoint:
Multipoint is a relatively new technology in Bluetooth Headsets. Standard Bluetooth Headsets normally allow you to pair with 2 or more phones, but only one can be active at any one time. Multipoint Bluetooth Headsets allow you to connect and use two phones at the same time – ideal if you carry a work mobile and a personal mobile. With Multipoint, both phones are connected, and when a call comes in, the audio is transferred to the headset automatically. If a call comes in on your other phone, you can easily switch between calls, just by pressing a button on the headset.
For more information on Multipoint and how it works, check out our guide to Multipoint.

Bluetooth Headsets: Vibrate AlertCall Alert:
There’s nothing worse than leaving your phone on silent in your bag or pocket, it’s very easy to miss calls, especially if you’re in the car. Some Bluetooth Headsets now have vibration alert, so when a call comes in the headset will vibrate gently on your ear to alert you. Some headsets now have a discreet LED light that flashes when you have an incoming call.

Bluetooth Headsets: Voice Dialling

Voice Dial:
Most current handsets support voice dialling. Activating voice dialling with a Bluetooth Headset is a case of simply pressing a button and saying the persons name that you want to call. Depending on your phone and the headset, it is possible to answer, end and reject calls all through voice control. For the best compatibility for voice dialling we would recommend a Bluetooth Headset made by the same manufacturer as your handset.

Now you know what to look for in a Bluetooth Headset, why not take a look at our range of Bluetooth Headsets.
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What is Bluetooth?

Tuesday, June 17th, 2008

Bluetooth is a way of wirelessly transferring data from one device to another. Bluetooth first appeared around ten years ago as a quicker and easier method of data transfer than infra-red. With infra-red you had to point two devices together in order for it to work (the same way as you have to point your television remote at your TV.) There were a number of problems with this kind of connection; it was unstable, slow and limited in its uses.

With Bluetooth, you no longer have to line up two devices, you just simply turn on Bluetooth and send to the device you want. Bluetooth technology was initially used for personal hands free kits. The lack of wires made it much more convenient – especially when driving. Over the last few years as prices have fallen and phones have advanced, Bluetooth’s increasing range and even faster speeds has meant it could be used for far more than just hands free kits.

Bluetooth Classes
There are different Bluetooth Classes which give an indication of the range over which data can be transferred:

  • Class 1 – up to 100m
  • Class 2 – up to 10m
  • Class 3 – less than 10m

In order to achieve data communication at these distances you will need both devices to be from the same class.

So what can it do?
Bluetooth is most commonly used for transferring pictures, music and ringtones between phones and connecting to Bluetooth headsets, personal hands free kits and car kits. As more and more phones become multimedia handsets, Bluetooth can also be used to stream music in stereo to wireless speakers and car kits using A2DP technology. With the introduction of Internet Telephony, Bluetooth headsets are now being used with Home PCs to enable wireless calling.

What Bluetooth Devices are available?

Listed below are some of the most popular types of Bluetooth devices available.

Bluetooth Dongles
Bluetooth Dongles
Bluetooth dongles vary in size, range, and specification. When choosing your dongle it’s important to consider that not all dongles support all bluetooth functions. Bluetooth Dongles have a range of up to 10 metres or up to 100 metres. If you are looking to connect a Bluetooth headset to make and receive voice calls you will need to make sure it supports the Headset and Handsfree profiles. See the Bluetooth glossary for information on Bluetooth Profiles.
Mono Bluetooth HeadsetsPersonal Handsfree
The Conventional Bluetooth Headset. These come in a range of shapes and sizes, but what should you look out for when choosing one? Most headsets have the same features; they will answer and end calls, dial the last number you called and activate voice dialling on your phone, as well as adjust the volume of the speaker. The main differences are battery stand by times, weight and call quality.
Stereo Bluetooth HeadsetsStereo Handsfree
A fairly new device in terms of Bluetooth headsets. With a stereo Bluetooth headset you can connect it to a compatible Bluetooth device and have your music play in stereo – the same as it would through normal stereo headphones but without the wires. When a call comes in your music is paused while you take the call and resumes when the call is over. You get all the same features as a standard Bluetooth headset, but depending on the model you may get music control features too. For stereo streaming your phone will need to support the A2DP profile. To control your phone’s music playback your phone will need the AVRCP profile. See the Bluetooth glossary for information on Bluetooth Profiles.
Bluetooth Simple Car KitsSimple Car Kits
Simple Car Kits are becoming an extremely popular way of safely using your phone whilst driving. With no complicated installation needed, simple Bluetooth Simple Car Kits are battery powered and are normally clipped to your sunvisor or sit in you car’s cigarette lighter socket. These give you the same control over your calls as a personal handsfree but instead of sitting on your ear, they act as a loud speaker in your car. More advanced models will have an LCD screen so you can see the name or number of who is calling you.
Bluetooth Simple Car KitsSimple Car Kits
Simple Car Kits are becoming an extremely popular way of safely using your phone whilst driving. With no complicated installation needed, simple Bluetooth Simple Car Kits are battery powered and are normally clipped to your sunvisor or sit in you car’s cigarette lighter socket. These give you the same control over your calls as a personal handsfree but instead of sitting on your ear, they act as a loud speaker in your car. More advanced models will have an LCD screen so you can see the name or number of who is calling you.
Multimedia Bluetooth Simple Car KitMultimedia Simple Car Kit
A lot more simple than the name suggests, these have exactly the same functionality as a standard Simple Car Kit, but with a built-in FM Transmitter so you can attach your MP3 player by cable or stream music via Bluetooth from your phone through to your car stereo for high quality sound. Depending on the kit you chose, you can have the callers ID or song information shown on your car stereo display. For stereo streaming your phone will need to support the A2DP profile. To control your phone’s music playback your phone will need the AVRCP profile. See the Bluetooth glossary for information on Bluetooth Profiles.
Professionally Installed Bluetooth Car KitProfessionally Installed Car Kit
Professionally installed car kits will give you the best possible experience while using your phone hands free in the car. They have a separate speaker and microphone, and with some extra adapters can be routed through your car stereo. Most Bluetooth kits have an LCD screen so you can see who is calling before you answer. Some kits will also allow you to transfer your phonebook contents to the car kit so you can make calls with out having to touch your phone at all.
Professionally Installed Bluetooth Multimedia Car KitProfessionally Installed Multimedia Car Kits
As the name suggests, these have exactly the same functionality as a professionally installed car kit but as they are connected to your car stereo you can stream music from your phone or MP3 player for high quality sound. Multimedia Kits will normally give you full control over your music and some will have the option to connect non-Bluetooth MP3 players. For stereo streaming your phone will need to support the A2DP profile. To control your phone’s music playback your phone will need the AVRCP profile. See the Bluetooth glossary for information on Bluetooth Profiles.
Bluetooth GPS ReceiverBluetooth GPS Receiver
Sat Nav is the latest must have device on your mobile. Bluetooth GPS receivers can add Sat Nav functionality to your phone. The features on a GPS receiver are pretty standard and the only things you would need to bear in mind are size, weight and most importantly compatibility with your phone. Not all handsets will support the required GPS software.
Bluetooth Stereo SpeakersBluetooth Speakers
Bluetooth speakers offer the same kind of functionality as Simple Car Kits but are designed to be used in the home. Some models have LCD displays that can display album art and keys to answer – end calls. For stereo streaming your phone will need to support the A2DP profile. To control your phone’s music playback your phone will need the AVRCP profile. See the Bluetooth glossary for information on Bluetooth Profiles.
Other Devices
The list of Bluetooth enabled devices is growing all the time. Other devices that now come with Bluetooth technology include cameras, camcorders, keyboards, mice and photo frames to name a few.

Bluetooth Glossary

This Bluetooth Glossary will explain more about the different profile types and help you to understand bluetooth compatibility.

Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP)
The A2DP profile describes how stereo quality audio can be streamed from a media source. A typical usage scenario can be considered as the “walkman” class of media player. The audio source would be the music player and the audio output is the wireless headset. A2DP defines the protocols and procedures that allow the distribution of high quality audio content in mono or stereo.

Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP)
AVRCP is designed to provide a standard interface to control TVs, Hifi equipment, etc… This profile is used to allow a single remote control (or other device) to control all the A/V equipment that a user has access to. AVRCP defines how to control characteristics of streaming media. This includes pausing, stopping, starting playback and volume control as well as other types of remote control operations.

Bluetooth Profiles
Bluetooth profiles are general behaviours through which Bluetooth enabled devices communicate with other devices. Bluetooth technology defines a wide range of profiles that describe many different types of use cases. In order to use Bluetooth technology, a device must be able to interpret certain Bluetooth profiles. The profiles define the possible applications.

Dial-up Networking Profile (DUN)
DUN provides a standard to access the Internet and other dial-up services via Bluetooth wireless technology. The most common scenario is accessing the Internet from a laptop by dialling up on a mobile phone, wirelessly.

Generic Object Exchange Profile (GOEP)
GOEP is used to transfer an object from one device to another. The object may be any object such as a picture, document, business card, etc. The profile defines two roles, a server that provides the location from which an object is pulled or pushed, as well as a client that initiates the action. GOEP provides a generic blueprint for other profiles using the OBEX protocol.

Hands-Free Profile (HFP)
HFP describes how a gateway device can be used to place and receive calls for a handsfree device. A typical configuration is a car using a mobile phone as a gateway device. In the car, the stereo is used for the phone audio and a microphone is installed in the car for sending outgoing audio of the conversation. HFP is also used for a personal computer to act as a speakerphone for a mobile phone in a home or office environment.

Headset Profile (HSP)
The HSP describes how a Bluetooth enabled headset should communicate with a mobile phone or other Bluetooth enabled device such as a computer. When connected and configured, the headset can act as the remote device’s audio input and output interface.

Human Interface Device Profile (HID)
The HID profile defines the protocols, procedures and features to be used by Bluetooth enabled HID, such as keyboards, pointing devices, gaming devices, and remote monitoring devices. Sony Ericsson handsets support the HID profile.

Object Exchange (OBEX) Protocol
OBEX is a transfer protocol that allows devices to exchange files, such as Images, Videos and Music Files

Pairing
The process of establishing a new relationship between two Bluetooth enabled devices. During this process a passkey is exchanged either before connection establishment was requested or during connecting phase. Some devices will need to be put into “pairing mode” before pairing can begin.

Passcode
When pairing devices, it is strongly recommended to use a pass code to authenticate incoming connections. Also, in certain connection situations you may desire additional assurance that you are connecting to the device or person you expect. A pass code can normally be any combination of keys (letters or numbers). Do use caution as some devices do not map characters similarly. Passkeys are valid only for the connection and may be different for other devices or users.

Personal Area Networking Profile (PAN)
PAN describes how two or more Bluetooth enabled devices can form an ad-hoc network and how the same mechanism can be used to access a remote network through a network access point. The profile roles include the network access point, group ad-hoc network and personal area network user.

SIM Access Profile (SAP)
SAP allows devices such as car phones with built in GSM transceivers to connect to a SIM card in a Bluetooth enabled phone. Therefore the car phone itself does not require a separate SIM card.

Synchronization Profile (SYNC)
The SYNC profile is used in conjunction with GOEP to enable synchronization of calendar and address information (personal information manager (PIM) items) between Bluetooth enabled devices. A common application of this profile is the exchange of data between a PDA and computer.

Pairing Mode
Most Bluetooth devices will need to be put into pairing mode before it can be linked to another device. During pairing mode the device will send out a signal that will allow it to be found by the device that is trying to link to it. By having a pairing mode it prevents unauthorised users from accessing a device.

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