More iPhone 3.0 fun..Tethering, A2DP, Skype with Bluetooth headsets

Cleve Nettles
|
April 05, 2009
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We're getting in some new reports of the functionality of the new iPhone 3.0 operating system.  The latest update has improved the performance and reliability of Apple's new features.  Internet tethering (screenshot of iPhone when tethering shown below) has become more reliable over USB and some people have even had some luck over Bluetooth.

The fun doesn't stop there.  Our tipsters got the A2DP Bluetooth working which, unlike the older, crappier Bluetooth, works across all applications.  iPod in Stereo?  Yep.  Pandora Radio?  Affirmative.  How about Skype?  Yes!  And it sounds great.

In fact, just to push this thing to the limit, they were able to do Skype on a stereo Bluetooth headset while on 3G, while tethered to a laptop!  Screenies below.

 

There was only one downer.  The regular AT&T phone on the iPhone wouldn't do stereo with the A2DP headphones.  For some reason, it only made a mono connection to the Bluetooth headset.  Skype definitely wins this round.

Comments (15)

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 05, 2009 - 3:47pm

Wow, that's awesome news. And it makes perfect sense.

By "regular AT&T wouldn't do stereo", do you mean that the phone call wasn't in stereo, or do you mean only one earpiece was being driven and the second was silent?

With wired earbuds, the phone call is in mono, but both ear pieces are driven with the same signal (or so it seems).

Str1f3 (not verified) | April 05, 2009 - 4:23pm

LOL, skype has been on the app store for the past week and already makes a better phone system than AT&T after two years on the iPhone!

Str1f3 (not verified) | April 05, 2009 - 4:25pm

Skype already makes a better phone than AT&T, LOL

Applegenius18 (not verified) | April 05, 2009 - 5:03pm

I can't wait until this software comes out! It will be so worth the ten dollars!

imagine engine | April 05, 2009 - 5:17pm

For those that are testing firmware 3.0 can you please confirm if OS X Leopard "Back to My Mac" feature works while tethered to the iPhone 3G? Is it running like PDAnet which basically turns the iPhone into a WLAN router or is it using a proxy configuration like iPhoneModem? The latter of which doesn't work with BTMM. Also while in tethering mode does it display the data usage? Is the WLAN connection WPA or the weaker WEP? Does the tethering work while connected with the data USB cable?

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 05, 2009 - 5:37pm

I think it only works with USB or Bluetooth, so no WLAN as far as I am aware (I haven't got beta OS 3.0). Good question about BTMM though

Seth Weintraub | April 05, 2009 - 5:48pm

its WLAN.  no data usage stats.  It is connected via USB

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 06, 2009 - 4:42am

This looks extremely promising. Loving the progress Apple seem to be making!
Now will there be bluetooth data transmission also or just audio streaming?

Matt Edwards
Burtonbytes Computer Repairs Burton On Trent

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 06, 2009 - 6:17am

You guys must be really advanced wherever you're from. Down here in Australia our telephones only have 1 mic built into them. My understanding is that 1 mic = mono. How you guys get your telephone calls in stereo sounds awesome!!!!

That is why you want a stereo connection for your bluetooth headsets right???

stephengeorge | April 06, 2009 - 6:17am

The 3G Apple iPhone is a marvel which has created the smiles of satisfaction on the faces of all those who have used this device. A technological miracle, this device has captured the attention of many faces in a great deal.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 06, 2009 - 6:19am

You guys must be really advanced wherever you're from. Down here in Australia our telephones only have 1 mic built into them. My understanding is that 1 mic = mono. How you guys get your telephone calls in stereo sounds awesome!!!!

That is why you want a stereo connection for your bluetooth headsets right???

By the way where do I get a bluetooth headset with a stereo mic?

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 06, 2009 - 6:20am

You guys must be really advanced wherever you're from. Down here in Australia our telephones only have 1 mic built into them. My understanding is that 1 mic = mono. How you guys get your telephone calls in stereo sounds awesome!!!!

That is why you want a stereo connection for your bluetooth headsets right???

By the way where do I get a bluetooth headset with a stereo mic?

Fall in Love Again (not verified) | April 06, 2009 - 7:25am

With the SKYPE app out, I have fallen in love with my iPhone all over again! I bought a US and Canada monthly plan and got a online number and since then I have hardly used any cell minutes! If this keeps working out as it is, I will be reducing my minutes plan with AT&T.

I think it really blows that it took SKYPE's involvement to make this advancement and AT&T did not jump all over this when they had a chance.

ipodtouchpro (not verified) | April 06, 2009 - 9:56am

To whoever is testing the beta of 3.0 can he confirm sending at least music to another mobile?

Josh Hawn (not verified) | April 06, 2009 - 3:43pm

I just went out to Best Buy and got the MOTOROKR S9-HD Bluetooth Stereo Headphones to work with my 3.0 beta 2 iPhone 3G! It's awesome!