The problem with Bluetooth (headset) devices

I have a lot of bluetooth devices connected to my iPhone and iPad. Mostly headsets, speakers or keyboards.

They are getting really good these days. For example i love my logitech slim keyboard for the iPad or my new Parrot Zik headset.

No Wire, No Fire...

The problem is simple though.

Once you have paired a bluetooth device to more than 1 destination device (let's say your iPhone and then your iPad or your iPhone, your wife's Phone and your computer), you can't easily decide and control which of those 2 or more devices are going to get connected first. For example my i will turn on my headset and i will not know if it will connect for sure to my iPhone first or iPad first.

The Only real way to turn bluetooth devices you don t want to get connected and then turn on your Bluetooth  device with the destination device left.

Bad experience

Some have brought a solution by creating patterns to switch from one device to another (by example by double click on a button). But

1. you have to remember which button/pattern

2. it does not guarantee you that the next device you will connect is the one you want (e.g. if you have 3 devices connected like 2 iPhones and a Mac which will be the next one?)

The only good way i found so far was created by Logitech on this Wireless Keyboard which has 1 click access to 3 different devices: 1 button for each 3 device. You press #1 you are connected to device 1, #2 you switch to device 2 and #3 switch to device 3

And i guess this is how this should be solved, until it is cheap enough to build for each bluetooth device a digital display which will enable that elegantly (maybe by touch or swipe)

 

Someone listening?

Comments

[Vianney Lecroart]

Hey, I was happy to see you @leweb even if we didn't talk.

BTW, I really miss your tickets on TC France :/

I looked at the other BT keyboard from logitech http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/bluetooth-illuminated-keyboard-k810?crid=26

But it seems that it doesn't handle Mac (only ios).

It seems a nice way to handle the problem you describe.

[coque iphone 4]

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[TechGlobeX]

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[Aileen]

I just struggled with setntig up ActiveSync over Bluetooth with my T-Mobile Dash. I had an issue with getting the ActiveSync service to show up on my Dash. I'd pair the devices but when going to sync up it'd say something like there is no PC running ActiveSync . Anyway, I reinstalled ActiveSync AFTER setntig up all of my Bluetooth drivers and such on my PC. Then when I re-paired the devices it actually gave me the ActiveSync service on the Dash. Hopefully that helps someone out there!

[Arif]

I'm a true Kindle fan, and passed my snecod generation Kindle to an adult daughter when I bought the latest device last year, and we share the account. I only occasionally read on my iPhone, which syncs automatically to my Kindle. Most of the books I buy now, I buy for my Kindle.