Apple Discontinues iPhone Bluetooth Headset

[MacRumors]

Last week, MacRumors reader alansmallen noticed that Apple had discontinued their iPhone Bluetooth Headset, which had been released alongside the original iPhone in mid-2007.

At their recent iPhone OS 3.0 media event, Apple revealed that support for A2DP (stereo Bluetooth) will be included in the next-generation iPhone software. The iPhone 3G's hardware is capable of supporting A2DP, and upcoming iPhone models would of course also be expected to do so, but the original iPhone will be unable to support the technology.

Whether this means that Apple will be releasing a stereo Bluetooth headset or not remains to be seen, but it certainly seems to be a reasonable possibility.

Article Link: Apple Discontinues iPhone Bluetooth Headset

[overanalyzer]

Wireless earbuds with a built-in microphone and the click-button controls that the wired earbuds have would be interesting....

[mmzplanet]

If anything this guarantees something new is coming. I can't imagine them not selling some sort of bluetooth earbud.

[mkrishnan]

Originally Posted by overanalyzer

Wireless earbuds with a built-in microphone and the click-button controls that the wired earbuds have would be interesting....

I wonder if wireless earbuds can be made in a way that makes some sense. Perhaps a design with a magnetic charger like some phones have had recently?

I've fallen very off using my bluetooth headset (Motorola), but recently, I have been thinking about getting a new one with better noise canceling, like the Jawbone 2, merely because it would be useful when talking on the phone outside...

[Tallest Skil]

Originally Posted by mmzplanet

If anything this guarantees something new is coming. I can't imagine them not selling some sort of bluetooth earbud.

So based on this, we can expect a new iSight any SECOND now, since they stopped selling the iSight, too, right? Right?

This doesn't guarantee anything except Apple has somewhat admitted that their headset sucks (battery life, reception, etc.)

[leandromp]

Originally Posted by Tallest Skil

So based on this, we can expect a new iSight any SECOND now, since they stopped selling the iSight, too, right? Right?

This doesn't guarantee anything except Apple has somewhat admitted that their headset sucks (battery life, reception, etc.)

I agree with you.

[IJ Reilly]

Originally Posted by mkrishnan

I've fallen very off using my bluetooth headset

Ouch! Don't the instructions say, "never use while driving a motorcycle"?

[bacaramac]

I would hope apple releases something since they have that awesome battery indicator feature. Or allow third party manufactures the ability to use the battery monitoring feature with their headsets.

[OllyW]

They have probably realised that you look silly if you wear one.

[SFStateStudent]

Thank god; the Apple BT was the worst $40/$60 I ever spent. I threw it in when I sold my v1 iPhone, and the buyer was "like, uh I don't want it!" Too late, I already shipped it; and you WILL like it!

[Michael73]

I went through a bunch of BT headsets for my Blackberry. The funny thing is the last one broke about the same time I got my most recent car which has handsfree BT built-in. Nineteen months later I still haven't replaced my headset. I realized the majority of time I was on my phone was in my car during commutes.

I remember about a year or two ago there was some talk about Apple working on a so-called iCar which I think is along the lines of what Ford has in the Microsoft Sync. I really wish this project would be dusted off and worked on again...

[ehurtley]

I liked it with the iPhone 3G, because it didn't have nearly as much static. When I used it with my original iPhone, I swear I had to have my phone within six inches of it to avoid static. Kind of defeats the purpose of a headset...

But by then, the battery was so dead, it only lasted in *STANDBY* about six hours. Yeah, needless to say, I'll be waiting a few months after the release of any replacement to see how the reviews turn out.

[timothyjay2004]

Appleinsider is stating that it might have been discontinued for other reasons:

"AppleInsider has received a couple of unconfirmed tips that suggest Apple may have recently recalled existing inventory of the iPhone Bluetooth Headset for undisclosed reasons."

[mpeterson78]

Originally Posted by Tallest Skil

So based on this, we can expect a new iSight any SECOND now, since they stopped selling the iSight, too, right? Right?

This doesn't guarantee anything except Apple has somewhat admitted that their headset sucks (battery life, reception, etc.)

Didn't they stop selling the iSight because the camera was built into the desktop monitors and the laptops?

[Dmac77]

Originally Posted by mpeterson78

Didn't they stop selling the iSight because the camera was built into the desktop monitors and the laptops?

I also remember reading something about lead or arsenic being in them. I can't seem to find the article anymore though.

Don

[lazyrighteye]

Granted, it was/has been the only BT ear piece I have ever used - but it sucked.
Sure, it was small (which did not suck) and simple to use (which also did not suck) but the battery life (major suck) and price (lots of sucking here too - but par for the course with Apple accessories) made it one of the most useless Apple accessories I have ever purchased. I used t a few times because I could. But the practicality, for me, was not there.
I only bought one because A) I hate wires, B) the original iPhone's speaker was so quiet that it was completely useless & C) I had a gift card to the Apple Store.

I'd like to see the next gen iPhone come with BT ear buds w/ built-in mic.

[Old Muley]

Personally, I think the people who use BT headphones look like complete tools. No, let me rephrase that- the people who walk around all day wearing them on the outside chance they might get a phone call are the tools. I can see why the Apple version got the axe; it doesn't look a Braun electric razor, there's not enough chrome and it has no blue flashing LEDS.

[mac88]

Originally Posted by timothyjay2004

Appleinsider is stating that it might have been discontinued for other reasons:

"AppleInsider has received a couple of unconfirmed tips that suggest Apple may have recently recalled existing inventory of the iPhone Bluetooth Headset for undisclosed reasons."

Doesn't sound good does it? I wonder if they will ever disclose the reason?

[Stig McNasty]

I've used the Apple BT with my S E phone and it's great, standby's battery's fine, no static - maybe they're just cak when used with an iPhone

[bier-meister]

No harm, worst apple product I've owned. Always falling out of the ear, more likely to cause an accident than prevent one!

[BASE91]

We're closer to the BT problem being fixed. Now its time for apple to fix the BT on the iphone so I can use a BT headset with the phone in my pocket and not get major static.

[Maven1975]

Their headset was nice form factor wise, but the performance was horrid.

[tjcampbell]

This thing was overpriced. I hope they come out with some stereo Bluetooth headsets. I'd been interested in a set of those, however I am loving my new Sennheisers.

[mckvakk]

Hopefully there will be a great deal on refurbished or remaining stock. I love this set, but don't want to pay that price

[Tedeks]

Originally Posted by mckvakk

Hopefully there will be a great deal on refurbished or remaining stock. I love this set, but don't want to pay that price

I agree, but the real question becomes what is in the pipeline. I bet they have something brewing that will get announced later this year.