| Bluetooth | | | | working with your PC. Adapters generally run |
| For those of you not familiar with the term, | | | | between $20 - $80 USD and can be purchased at |
| Bluetooth refers to a wireless protocol (or set of | | | | most PC retailers. |
| rules) designed for short range electronic | | | | Buying a Bluetooth Headset |
| applications (usually less than 30 feet in distance). | | | | Bluetooth headsets for cellular phones are |
| Although the technology has been around for | | | | generally very expensive when compared with |
| several years, Bluetooth support for PC users has | | | | conventional 'corded' PC headsets. Depending on |
| been limited due to hardware manufacturers | | | | where you buy your headset, you could spend |
| focusing on the more traditional 802.11 wireless | | | | anywhere from $20 to $200+ USD. If you're |
| network protocols (wifi). In reality, Bluetooth and | | | | looking for a relatively inexpensive headset that'll |
| wifi achieve different purposes and each has its | | | | simply enable you to make wireless VoIP calls |
| pros and cons. | | | | using your PC, I recommend looking on Ebay. |
| Cellular Telephone Bluetooth Headsets | | | | Although prices vary considerably on Ebay |
| The cellular telephone community has long | | | | between merchants for similar products, overall |
| embraced Bluetooth technology, developing and | | | | they are considerably less expensive than |
| refining numerous wireless devices. One of the | | | | purchasing the same headset from a telephone |
| more popular Bluetooth applications for cellular | | | | store. A word of caution about Ebay though; |
| telephones has been cordless headsets which | | | | ensure that you read the fine print associated |
| enable users to leave their telephone in their bag | | | | with shipping costs. Some Ebay merchants |
| or pocket while still being able to make and | | | | advertise Bluetooth Headsets for $5 USD |
| receive calls. Bluetooth headsets are generally | | | | however the real cost quickly rises to $35+ when |
| very lightweight, worn over one ear and achieve | | | | you account for their often exorbitant shipping |
| talk times from 1-4 hours before needing a | | | | charges. |
| recharge. | | | | 'Pairing' the Headset with your PC |
| Bluetooth PC Headset? | | | | Once your computer is 'Bluetooth enabled' and |
| So if cellular telephone users have warmly | | | | you've obtained a Bluetooth headset, you'll need |
| embraced Bluetooth headsets, why not the PC | | | | to 'pair' the headset with your computer in order |
| community? At the time of writing, this author | | | | to use it for VoIP applications. This is usually just |
| knows of no PC hardware manufacturer who has | | | | a matter of setting your headset in 'discovery |
| designed a Bluetooth Headset primarily for use | | | | mode' and allowing your PC to 'search' or |
| with a PC. However, there is nothing to prevent a | | | | 'discover' Bluetooth devices. The steps needed to |
| PC user from using a cellular phone Bluetooth | | | | enable discovery mode on your headset and |
| Headset with their PC. Keep in mind though, these | | | | adapter will vary between devices and should be |
| headsets were originally envisioned for cellular | | | | clearly explained in the documentation |
| phone use and may need a bit of 'tweaking' | | | | accompanying your devices. |
| before they'll perform as well as 'corded' headsets | | | | Adjusting your Audio Settings |
| on your computer. | | | | Depending on your hardware and operating |
| USB Bluetooth Adapter | | | | system, you may need to make adjustments to |
| Unless you own a relatively expensive notebook | | | | your audio settings after the headset is 'paired' |
| PC, odds are that your computer doesn't natively | | | | with your PC. In the Windows operating system, |
| support the Bluetooth protocol. If this is the case, | | | | this will involve accessing 'Audio Properties' through |
| you'll need an 'Adapter' or 'Dongle' in order to | | | | the 'Control Panel' and setting the audio and voice |
| make your computer 'Bluetooth enabled'. | | | | devices to your newly paired Bluetooth headset. |
| Bluetooth adapters are generally very small (a | | | | Again, adjusting these settings should be covered |
| few inches long) and insert into a vacant USB | | | | in the documentation accompanying both your |
| port on your computer. When purchasing an | | | | headset and Bluetooth adapter. |
| adapter it's critical that you buy one that supports | | | | Once you're up and running, you'll wonder why |
| the 'headset protocol'. The headset protocol is | | | | you didn't adopt this wireless headset solution |
| merely a set of rules which enables your | | | | sooner. The freedom to wander away from your |
| Bluetooth adapter to communicate with and make | | | | computer whilst maintaining voice over Internet |
| use of Bluetooth headsets in its vicinity. If your | | | | conversations is something you'll come to |
| adapter does not support the headset protocol, | | | | appreciate and love. |
| no amount of 'tweaking' will get your headset | | | | |