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RSS feedsA reader wondered how he could be sure, before buying, that a Bluetooth headset would work with his PC for use with IBM Viavoice. Manufacturers’ websites ducked the issue. He saw an advert on Amazon for a Plantronics headset listed as ‘compatible with phones, PDAs and PCs’. But a few days later the listing had been changed to omit any reference to PCs.
Welcome to the big wide world of Bluetooth mess. I have tried several headsets, all of which work with a mobile phone, but none with a PC. As Plantronics assures that ‘any of Plantronics’ range of Bluetooth headsets can be used with a PC’, I borrowed an M2500 to check.
The Quickstart Guide only explained how to make the headset work with a mobile phone, not with a PC. Through trial and error, I eventually got my PC and its USB Bluetooth dongle to recognise and pair with the headset. Once, by happy accident, I got very poor-quality sound from the PC through the earpiece. Since then, I’ve had nothing. A setting somewhere is wrong – all I need now is to find it.
I have asked Plantronics several times if there is an instruction manual for users. After a month, all I have is the promise that someone from Plantronics will call me, but no-one has.
Bluetooth was conceived with the best intentions: a simple wireless connection tool that works over very short ranges (around 10m) so does not cause interference and is not susceptible to hacking from the street. The cellphone industry adapted it for wireless headsets and made it almost easy to set up. But connection to a PC is absurdly complicated and confusing to use.
Some headsets just do not have the firmware ‘profile’ needed to connect to a PC. They connect only to a cellphone. Often, this vital distinction is not made clear on the packaging. The only safe way to buy is to ask the shop for a ‘headset that connects to a PC’. At least you are then protected by consumer laws if they ignorantly sell you one that only works with a mobile phone.
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