Exploring Bluetooth on the IPAQ 910c
Posted by Julie on 08/14/08 in Featured Posts, Mobilitysite Reviews, Wifi / Bluetooth, Windows Mobile 6.1, iPAQ
The Bluetooth settings under WM6.1 are quite a bit different than earlier Windows Mobile operating systems. Setting up partnerships is much simpler, requiring a minimum of screen taps, but it is a bit disorienting. So far I’ve set up the following partnerships on the IPAQ 910c:
- Two different Bluetooth headsets – one is a very basic Motorola earpiece and the other is a Sony A2DP headset.
- Bluetooth ActiveSync partnership with my laptop (using a Bluetooth dongle)
- With my IPAQ hw6925 to exchange information between the two devices
To access Bluetooth Settings, you’ll tap Start > Settings > Connection tab > Bluetooth. With Bluetooth Settings, you find six tabs called Devices, Mode, COM Ports, Printer, File transfer, Security, and Image transfer.
You will notice that there is no Connection Wizard where you can choose the type of device or connection – the software seems to automatically determine the type of connection and choose the appropriate profile.
Devices
Tapping on a device shows the partnership Settings that can be used on the device. For instance, if I tap the DB-BT10CX device (which is my Sony A2DB headset), I see these Partnership Settings:
Mode
This tab is self-explanatory. When you connect other Bluetooth devices to the IPAQ 910c, you’ll need to make sure you turn Bluetooth on and made the device visible to other devices.
COM Ports
So far I have not set anything up in this screen. These COM Ports were automatically assigned when I created partnerships with these devices. The Avalon partnership refers to my IPAQ hw6925 and the Motorola HS820 refers to my very basic earpiece.
Printer
The IPAQ 910c comes with some native printing capabilities which I have not yet explored. Apparently, if your have a Bluetooth enabled printer, you can print from the device to the printer without having to purchase additional third party software.
File transfer
This tab simply allows you to change the default folder where Bluetooth transferred files will be placed on the device.
Security
This tab is self explanatory. Setting an authorization password here prevents anyone from secretly transferring files to your device. [what do you think of the typo on this page?]
Image transfer
Another self-explanatory tab, but a new setting that is unique to this device or to WM6.1.
Setting up a Bluetooth partnership
Setting up Bluetooth partnerships on the IPAQ 910c is easier under WM6.1 than it has been with any of my other devices. For the purposes of demonstrating how you would create a Bluetooth partnership, I deleted the existing partnership between my Sony A2DP headset and the IPAQ 910c and recreated it here. All you need to do is:
Place the device you wish to connect to into discoverable mode,
Then on the WM6.1 windows mobile device:
Turn on the Bluetooth radio
Open up the Bluetooth Settings Devices screen tapping Menu > Bluetooth Settings > Devices tab
Tap the Add new device…. option. The mobile device will search for Bluetooth devices and return the devices it finds in the next screen:
Tap the device to set up the device you wish to connect with and tap Next. Enter a Passcode that will be shared between the devices (if appropriate) and tap Next.
You will receive confirmation message that the connection was successful and then be prompted if you want to connect with the device.
About Bluetooth headsets
On conventional cell phones, pressing a button on a Bluetooth headset activates voice command software so you can issue commands directly to the device without having to touch the cell phone. Previous to WM6.1, voice commands could not be issued in this way and so you could not make truly hands free calls through a Bluetooth headset. Under WM6.1, you can now place handsfree calls through a Bluetooth headset. However, I found the sound quality to be very staticy and poor to the point of making voice activation useless. Turning the volume down low on the device by tapping the sound icon on the upper right hand side of the screen improves the quality somewhat and makes the voice activation adequate.
Setting up a Bluetooth ActiveSync Partnership
Setting up a Bluetooth ActiveSync partnership was easy but required a different approach. I have written a separate article, entitled “Using Bluetooth to sync your WM6.1 mobile device,” which you can find on my blog.
Coming up Next
Next I will explore WIFI on the IPAQ 910c. Those settings have changed quite a bit too!
Written by Julie · Filed Under Featured Posts, Mobilitysite Reviews, Wifi / Bluetooth, Windows Mobile 6.1, iPAQ
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Thanks Julie! Great article.
Hi Julie,
I am having a bad time with the bluetooth headset. I’ve tried a lower end Nokia, a medium end Plantronics and a high end plantronics bt headset. Then I purchased the hp headset. I can make receive calls and speak over the headset, but cannot hear any mp3 files etc… On my iPAQ 6925 all that worked; I even heard my fancy ringtones over the headset. For some reason on my 910c nothing else works but simple calls and even the fancy ringtone doesn’t come over the headset. Any ideas? Thanks.