Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Stereo Bluetooth support for the iPhone

In case you have already ventured into getting a Stereo Bluetooth headset for your iPhone or you are considering getting one, here is what you need to know:-
  • The original iPhone (1st generation) does not support the Stereo Bluetooth profile (AD2P), even if you upgrade to the latest OS 3.x, which means that only iPhone 3G and 3GS supports the AD2P profile (and the iPod touch 2nd generation)
  • You have to upgrade your iPhone to 3.1 firmware to be able to use the Voice Control from your Stereo Bluetooth headset and with that you also get a better WIFI performance on the device while using the Bluetooth headset.
  • The AVRCP profile is not 100% supported. The AVRCP provides advanced controls commands directly from the Bluetooth headset including: Pause, Play, Stop, Next, Previous . Currently the Next, and Previous commands are not supported. Which means while you are listening on your Bluetooth headset you will not be able to skip to the next track or move back to the previous track from your headset, you would have to control it directly on your iPhone.
Overall, I have been using the Backbeat 906, and I have been happy with it's audio quality so far on the iPhone 3GS, especially after I updated to 3.1.

If you can tolerate the limitations mentioned above, getting the stereo Bluetooth headset is very much worth it.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Response from AT&T


That's what came from AT&T:-
" ... As AT&T does not make any guarantee of coverage, which is indicated in his wireless terms and conditions, "

AT&T reply does not surprise me at all. I was expecting this. What I am surprised how in the world are they getting away with it. I can easily say that AT&T is the most company I have ever heard complaints about.

My argument was very clear:-
- I have a full bar where I live, so I make a phone call to make an appointment,
- Then, so I am put on hold for few minutes or so
- Then the call is dropped ....
- Now I have to do this all over again.

Why do I have to pay for these wasted minutes that ended up with a dropped call? AT&T failed to answer this question.

Thank you AT&T, and thank you Apple for not breaking this exclusive deal with AT&T

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Dropped calls and AT&T

It's getting to the point where within the first two minutes of every call I make 3-4 miles from where I live is dropped. It's official now that AT&T 3G infrastructure can not handle the load put out by the data usage of the iPhone. At the same time, we are still being charged for a broken service.

Since all of this is official now, and AT&T already publicized it's problem with it's network on YouTube, why are we still charged 100% for the the broken service. At least AT&T should not charge for any dropped call.

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Apple Touch and Nano

It's very clear from today's Apple announcements that Apple is looking to re-ignite it's IPOD Nano product line not only as a standalone player, but as a multi-purpose media device by adding the Video camera, and the pause-able FM radio capability.

But why didn't Apple add video camera to the iPod touch knowing its going to be a huge success? It's obvious that Apple does not want iPod touch with camera to take sales away from the iPod nano's with the camera. Apple wants to establish and wants sell in high volume before they offer the IPOD touch with the Camera since it will sell very well regardless. If Apple release both the IPOD Nano and the iPod touch with the camera at the same time, most people will buy the iPod touch instead. But delaying adding the Camera to the iPod touch will boast the ipod nano in the short term and will re-ignite it as a product line long term.

That's my thoughts on the reason Apple did not introduce the IPOD touch with the Camera now.