Filed under: Accessories, Hardware, iPhone, Apple History
Apple's Bluetooth headset gets the axe
I'll admit it: I loathe Bluetooth headsets. It's impossible to walk around with one of those things protruding from your head without looking like a total tool. No one's impressed, Lieutenant Uhura.I'd like to think it was that reason that prompted Apple to stop selling the iPhone Bluetooth headsets, but it was probably poor sales. We don't have sales figures, of course, but I've never seen one in the wild.*
It's also possible that Apple is up to something else. You'll remember that iPhone OS 3.0 touts support for A2DP Stereo Bluetooth connectivity among its features. The headset which shipped with the 1st generation iPhone had a built-in switch, similar to the one included with the current iPod shuffle. Perhaps a future model will control the iPod and answer calls over Bluetooth? If so, it had better be pretty cool.
*Out of fairness, I'll state that I live in a town of 4,000. Not exactly a hive of early adopters.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Chad said 10:03AM on 3-24-2009
I have to admit, I'm torn about Bluetooth headsets. I have a Jabra BT8040, and while I know I look like a tool using it, I absolutely love it... MUCH easier for long conference calls at work. And the best part about that headset is A2DP support, which means that after I finish installing iPhone 3.0 here in about 5 minutes, I can use it to listen to podcasts while I cook—and stop getting the headphone cord caught on the skillet handle.
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miguel said 11:03PM on 3-23-2009
"The headset which shipped with the 1st generation iPhone had a built-in switch, similar to the one included with the current iPod shuffle. "
Isn't the headset that shipped with the iPhone 3G essentially the same?
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Micheal said 1:54PM on 3-24-2009
I was thinking the same thing. And it's not the same as the one for the shuffle. The shuffle has volume controls, unlike the iPhone earbuds.
Rhen said 10:58PM on 3-23-2009
It's a good thing I sold mine yesterday :)
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Øivind said 11:30PM on 3-23-2009
There are actually people out there buying used bluetooth earpieces? That's quite disturbing. Perhaps I should start selling my old rectal thermometers. Do I have any buyers?
hmlong said 11:00PM on 3-23-2009
"Perhaps a future model will control the iPod and answer calls over Bluetooth?"
Yes! I don't use a headset now because I have to carry earbuds anyway. A Bluetooth headset with a "mono" option would be great for audiobooks, TV shows, podcasts, and other non-music media.
Better have a good battery, though.
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Dave Wood said 11:03PM on 3-23-2009
Well I had one of these from when I got my first (imported/unlocked) iPhone, up until about 4 weeks ago, when it 'vanished' out of my pants pocket. It was the best bluetooth headset I ever had, and it integrated with the phone better than any other. Used the same charger, and displayed it's battery remaining on the screen of the phone. I ordered a new one from Apple online, but the one that arrived had been damaged (presumably during shipping). I went to two retails stores to exchange it and neither had stock (now I know why). So I returned it bought a plantronics one, $149 (CAD), it sucked, returned it and am now using a Motorola H780. It's pretty good, but not as good as my old Apple one. Maybe one day it will show up.... Probably waterlogged.
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Hal said 11:10PM on 3-23-2009
If it's waterlogged it'll probably be OK. I washed and dried mine and it came out working perfectly. I've also done the same with earbuds.
Luca said 3:38AM on 3-24-2009
I waterlogged mine (was in pants pocket). I was so happy about it that i bought a new one and still consider it the best bt headset for the iPhone. Integration with iPhone is great and being able to see it's battery status on iPhone's display is great.
Hope they roll out a new model and don't just quit making one.
Brandon said 11:28PM on 3-23-2009
I ran into a few guys who had these during a tenure I had working at my old job. I would ask how the quality was and they always had SOME complaint about it, battery life, sound quality, etc.
I ALWAYS recommended they check out the Aliph Jawbone. Best quality I've ever used, plus it works with my ps3. One guy who had just bought the apple headset actually went back to the apple store to return it and buy the jawbone.
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punkassjim said 11:45PM on 3-23-2009
Well, there goes my hope of ever getting a satisfactory replacement. I've got one of these, and it's horrible. I mean, I love the form factor, it's really sleek, but the signal reception is so bad that I get static if my phone is in my hip pocket. I've been hoping they'd have a rev.B, but looks like that ain't gonna happen.
At this point, I'd just be happy if they enable voice-dial commands. Cause that's about all I'll ever get outta that one button.
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welchb said 11:08AM on 3-24-2009
I completely agree - the apple bluetooth headset is the biggest piece of junk I've ever purchased from apple.
Pros: The battery isn't bad, you have to like the on-screen battery indicator for power and charging. The design is nice (both visually and the charging dock, etc.)
Cons: The range is *awful*. The worst bluetooth headset I've ever owned, and I've worn out several. It's so bad I can't have my phone in my right front pocket and have the headset in my left ear. It is functional if the phone is in your hand or on your desk. Which half negates the whole point of a BT headset.
Love both my first gen iphone, love my 3g, love my MBP. But the bluetooth is trash.
idlejam said 12:02AM on 3-24-2009
The Apple Bluetooth headset has been discontinued according to their website for at least a couple of days now. With their addition of AD2P, hopefully we'll see an Apple take on a stereo bluetooth headset. Perhaps a la Sony HBH-IS800. Downside of the Sony units is their battery life, but the form-factor is hard to beat.
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samgross144 said 12:25AM on 3-24-2009
I've never seen one in the wild. Ever. And I live in DC, with a lot of iPhones and four (soon to be 5) Apple stores nearby. I guess the sales really were slow. I think Apple's got something good up it's sleeve. Maybe a stereo A2DP headset.
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Keenkreations said 6:54PM on 3-24-2009
I must totally agree with the one of the posters. Aliph Jawbone has a nice form factor and great usage!
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Greg said 1:16AM on 3-24-2009
I love this headset. I've had one since the they came out and it's been great. Sync's automatically with my iPhone, the charger stand that used to come with it would charge both your phone and headset. It's the best headset I've ever used. I hope they come out with something even better.
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punkassjim said 11:53AM on 3-24-2009
And you have NO problems with static if, say, you've got your phone in your pocket? That would be amazing, since I've had mine replaced three times, and they all had range issues.
Adam said 2:35AM on 3-24-2009
I don't quite see why people get so worked up about Bluetooth headsets and they way they look. They are not meant to be a fashion accessory. For me, the only time I use my headset is when I am driving. I put it in my ear when my phone rings or when I need to make a call and take it off when I am done. It does not live in my ear. I care about the quality of the sound and the battery life. If the price is right, I bite. In this case Apple had a product that was so outrageously priced that it had no chance. Sure new Bluetooth headsets may start at the $100+ range Apple was selling theirs in though they eventually find there way onto Amazon, Buy, or NewEgg at a fraction of that.
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Lee said 6:30AM on 3-24-2009
Why was Lieutenant Uhura upset?
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Because William Shatner!
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Tommy said 6:43AM on 3-24-2009
I work with 4,000 people, but we don't sleep in the building at night. Small town, except they live elsewhere.
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