Spread the word, but I think this would be a great, but small feature to implement for the iPhone: an "Auto-Bluetooth" option with an ON/OFF slider in the GENERAL --> BLUETOOTH settings.
Here's my philosophy behind it first: given that the iPhone doesn't support any voice activated dialing in which you would need a Bluetooth headset to be constantly connected to a bluetooth headset, and also given that bluetooth being on constantly sucks battery life, there is really no need to be constantly connected to a bluetooth headset. the "Auto-Bluetooth" option would do the following:
1. Auto-connect to the BT headset as soon as a call comes in.
2. Auto-connect to the BT headset as soon as one begins dialing for an outgoing call or else as soon as one opens the "phone" application.
3. Add an option (regardless of whether "Auto-Bluetooth" is ON) that would offer your bluetooth headset as an audio source. If tapped, bluetooth would be turned on, device connected, and audio transferred over..
Possible problems:
1. I can imagine some headsets might make beeps now and then to complain they aren't connected.
Solution/response: simply keep the headset in your ear but off. As soon as a call comes in turn the headset on. It will auto-connect, and probably won't take but a few rings total.
2. If #1 is true, then most users will prefer to stow the headset away, and will most likely turn it off during this time. If so, then when a call comes in, one would have to take out the headset, turn it on, then wait for it to pair.
Solution/response: Yes, but there are even more steps if one wants to transfer a call to bluetooth when the headset is stowed. So, it is certainly an improvement.
3. What about the lag-time (in general) waiting for the iPhone to power up bluetooth and connect to the call?
Solution/response:
a. As soon as a call comes in, the iPhone begins the powering up process of the bluetooth. By the time you hear the cal and are normally able to respond to it, it will have already paired with the headset.
b. If the phone senses it is taking too long to connect to the headset, then have the phone answer the call and have an audio message: "please hold...". This would be an option you could select, "Auto hold". While the person is on hold, the phone would simply continue ringing and/or intermittently vibrating to indicate the caller is on hold.
4. What if a call is dropped and I have to wait again for the bluetooth to power back up before I can redial?
Solution/response: as long as the "phone" app is open at all, bluetooth remains on.
From my experience so far, I've noticed that the Jawbone 2 headset pairs very quickly with the iPhone.
I'm sure there are some other things to consider here, but what does everyone think? If you like this idea, start spreading the word on message boards!
UPDATE: Even easier, just make it possible to have a shortcut on the home screen that toggles bluetooth on/off. How hard could that be?
Here's my philosophy behind it first: given that the iPhone doesn't support any voice activated dialing in which you would need a Bluetooth headset to be constantly connected to a bluetooth headset, and also given that bluetooth being on constantly sucks battery life, there is really no need to be constantly connected to a bluetooth headset. the "Auto-Bluetooth" option would do the following:
1. Auto-connect to the BT headset as soon as a call comes in.
2. Auto-connect to the BT headset as soon as one begins dialing for an outgoing call or else as soon as one opens the "phone" application.
3. Add an option (regardless of whether "Auto-Bluetooth" is ON) that would offer your bluetooth headset as an audio source. If tapped, bluetooth would be turned on, device connected, and audio transferred over..
Possible problems:
1. I can imagine some headsets might make beeps now and then to complain they aren't connected.
Solution/response: simply keep the headset in your ear but off. As soon as a call comes in turn the headset on. It will auto-connect, and probably won't take but a few rings total.
2. If #1 is true, then most users will prefer to stow the headset away, and will most likely turn it off during this time. If so, then when a call comes in, one would have to take out the headset, turn it on, then wait for it to pair.
Solution/response: Yes, but there are even more steps if one wants to transfer a call to bluetooth when the headset is stowed. So, it is certainly an improvement.
3. What about the lag-time (in general) waiting for the iPhone to power up bluetooth and connect to the call?
Solution/response:
a. As soon as a call comes in, the iPhone begins the powering up process of the bluetooth. By the time you hear the cal and are normally able to respond to it, it will have already paired with the headset.
b. If the phone senses it is taking too long to connect to the headset, then have the phone answer the call and have an audio message: "please hold...". This would be an option you could select, "Auto hold". While the person is on hold, the phone would simply continue ringing and/or intermittently vibrating to indicate the caller is on hold.
4. What if a call is dropped and I have to wait again for the bluetooth to power back up before I can redial?
Solution/response: as long as the "phone" app is open at all, bluetooth remains on.
From my experience so far, I've noticed that the Jawbone 2 headset pairs very quickly with the iPhone.
I'm sure there are some other things to consider here, but what does everyone think? If you like this idea, start spreading the word on message boards!
UPDATE: Even easier, just make it possible to have a shortcut on the home screen that toggles bluetooth on/off. How hard could that be?