Least talked about feature of iPhone 3? Stereo Bluetooth 2.0 (AD2P)
The iPhone 3 rumormill is in hyperdrive right now but one feature that has been left largely uncovered is the new iPhone's use of Bluetooth 2.0. It isn't just the new iPhone either, both second generation iPhone and iPod will also recieve the software update to allow them to use Bluetooth 2.0.
The iPhone's new SDK will allow developers to do a lot with the new Bluetooth interface. You'll be able to transfer contacts as well as files and play games via the interface. You'll likely be able to print and fax from the iPhone wirelessly as well. Of course, you'll also be able to tether your MacBook using Bluetooth to use the Internet as well.
But the most appealing feature of Bluetooth 2.x is the A2DP stereo Bluetooth. This will allow you to use stereo Bluetooth headsets with your iPhone for both calling (via Skype too!) and just listening to your iPhone around the house without a cord. It will also work with compatible car stereos.
We've put it into practice with the Plantronics 590E headset and are really enjoying the quality of the digital sound as well as the freedom to not be tethered via a white cord to our own pockets. If you get a call you can switch over to the phone.app just like you can with the white headphones. Below you can see how the interface works in iTunes.
If you are interested in the headset,the Plantronics 590E is available at Amazon for a benny. They sound incredible but look, um...well. Other, better looking headphones are also available.
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Comments (27)
I'd like to see a streaming with AirPort Express over AirTunes.
I also would like to see a streaming with my home computer over Wi-Fi and 3G, so I would be capable of listening to a song that i have at home but not on my iPhone library.
I'd like to see it streams over AirTunes/AirPort.
I also would like to play a song thats in my home computer over Wi-Fi or 3G.
If you install the app called Simplify Media you can stream music from your iTunes library to your iPhone (WI-Fi or 3G) no matter where you are. As long as your computer is turned on, you can listen to your music without it having to be stored on your iPhone. The Touch is limited to Wi-Fi.
This works now with wired earphones. I see no reason it won'tcontinue to work via bluetooth once 3.0 is released.
Hopefully Apple will release something like that.
I'd like to see it streams over AirTunes/AirPort.
I also would like to play a song thats in my home computer over Wi-Fi or 3G.
im currently using a 16gb 3g iphone running 3.0 beta 5 and am able to stream pandora to my cars head unit (kenwood dnx 8120) over 3g.
if you are at home with airtunes, why not just use ya computer or appletv if you have one? i dont see the point of streaming from the iphone in this situation, also you can use the remote app to control that library as easily as the ipod app on the phone itself.
Still will work fine with my old iPod mini, so not a waste.
This is one of the BEST features coming. Wires just plain bite. I hear stuff on the BT headphones I have not heard before, even though I have been listening to the song for 25 years ...
It was built into the original iPhone and Apple just got off their ass and "allowed" us to use it.
My friends have been using A2DP Bluetooth in their cars for the last year at least. They keep saying why doesn't your iToy have it?
This is Apple playing catch up and making a big deal out of old technology.
what are you saying? youd rather they didnt add it?
Is this like Microsoft "allowing" us to use a stable operating system with Win7?
Adding features is part of the evolution of a product. That's why they call it 3.0, see. It's not like 1.0, it's two "point o's" better.
Even the RAZR has A2DP.
WinMo has it
Android has it
HTC has it
Nokia has it
RIM Blackberries have it
We are getting what should have been in 2.0
This isn't evolutionary this OS is playing catch up and allowing developers to Charge for features after an app has been purchased.
It's a way to make Apple meet their quarterly numbers.
Try taking a look at Google Android Cupcake it hasn't been out a year and it blows 3.0 away.
Quit defending Apple or they will never catch up and we'll be left with last years phones.
The same reason I gave up on Apple on the desktop arena.
Apple doesn't play well with suppliers or vendors and has pissed off way too many people in the industry.
Why do you think Intel is screwing them now.
Please...you have zero credibility now.
Not having BT streaming was a big disappointment when I bought my iPhone, though.
Intel is a bloated monopoly that doesn't want any competition. They are afraid Apple is going to release an Nvidia or ARM processor based computer. I say good for Apple.
Hey, guess what, Motorola, Nokia, Microsoft, RIM, et al, have been developing
cell phone software for a bit longer than Apple. Give Apple a couple years to
catch up on the details -- which they are well doing.
Maybe Android has been out less time, but they are a follower, like Linux,
not a leader. Apple redefined smartphones overnight. Can you say that for
Google -- or any of the others, for that matter?
Apple's not through -- they've just gotten warmed up. A lot of this stuff
was saved for future refinements -- they had to focus on doing the phone
right, in the initial iterations. And they did quite well -- most would admit.
Sunny Guy
iToy? You've obviously never owned an iPhone.
Best phone I've ever owned and I'm a Windows User.
GameKit is definitely something that I'm really excited about. I went over and played with some stuff one of my friends is experimenting with, and the interface and everything is just the shit.
GameKit is definitely something that I'm really excited about. I went over and played with some stuff one of my friends is experimenting with, and the interface and everything is just the shit.
just ordered this... this way I can use my SHURE E530 without a cord.... check out SAMSUNG SBH650
I'm pretty sure Apple would offer some wireless earbuds in white for over $100.
what about syncing iphone->itunes over the bluetooth?
Bluetooth is a low-bandwidth protocol, optimized for power efficiency. Syncing your iPhone to iTunes using Bluetooth would take hours. In optimal conditions, Bluetooth is less than 1% of the performance of the iPhone's USB2 interface. If your USB sync takes 2 minutes, a Bluetooth sync will take more than 5 hours.
I can see syncing via Wifi.... with caveats. 802.11g provides only 12% of the performance of USB2... in optimal conditions. Your 2 minute USB sync would take 16+ minutes using 802.11g... in optimal network conditions.
In short, for the time being, USB syncing is by far the fastest and most power-efficient option. Only once wireless technology matures will wireless syncing become a reasonable option for the vast majority of users.
As much of a fanboy that this makes me sound like, I'm interested in seeing if Apple releases bluetooth headPHONES (with a mic) and not a bluetooth headSET (like their current mic thing). Ever since this was announced I've been looking to get a pair of bluetooth headphones and in the meantime could just use them with my computer but haven't really found a pair that I like (aesthetically). I have Grados as one of my regular headphones so please don't say "Shouldn't the sound quality matter more?" I'm just looking for something wireless on-the-go.
There are a lot of options out there. Look for Bluetooth stereo headsets. Anything that will work with ADP 2.0 should work fine. Being able to connect to more than one device is very, very handy.
Motorola makes one called the S9-HD, I enjoy my Jabra BT8010. Jaybird has a nice one. Good luck on looks - that is not top priority for most users or manufacturers. Apple will surely be releasing one.
I have the Jabra BT620 headphones... The sound is great and the battery life is good too... They might flash a little too much but the price has dropped like mad (from $99 to $29 on Amazon or New Egg)
I was really shocked to hear my iPhone with OS 3.0 sending its iPod sound out over my Scion stereo equipped with their BLU Logic hands free system. Sounds great.
a wonderful option that works good
So am I, with an original iPhone, going to be out of luck with the A2DP profile?