Why did Apple cripple the iPhone Bluetooth?

[Antaios]

iSync?

What I don't understand is why create and distribute software on every Apple Mac (iSync) that uses bluetooth to making sync-ing phones easier and then create an Apple Phone that is supposed to be an easier phone to use that also has bluetooth, but won't sync with the very own software you created to make things easier, talk about being annoyingly hypocritical.

 

[DMC-12]

Yeah, I've thought about this. Really, iSync in general is pretty frustrating. With my old RAZR V3xx, I couldn't sync any calendar events with my MacBook. I had to manually add everything onto my iPhone.

I really think that Apple will have to enable A2DP at some point, hopefully sooner rather than later. I am so sick and tired of using headphone cords while lying down or sitting down with a book.

Since the iPod touch kind of has bluetooth, maybe Apple has plans to finally decripple their handheld products.

 

[Jeremy W]

I just got a new Ford with SYNC, and the iPhone works flawlessly over Bluetooth. The only thing it doesn't do is text messaging. It downloads contacts, shows battery and signal status, and all of the other stuff.

 

[JeffTL]

i think the thing that really irritates me the most is the fact that there's no hands free dialing. Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't Apple headquarters located in California? The same state that passed a law this past July requiring you to use handsfree driving. I reside in California and hate the fact that I have to take out my phone and search for my contact while driving. Yes my headset works but I want to use voice dialing like any other 3+ year old phones currently do. Why Apple decided to not include this function is beyond me.

Perhaps they've seen the research about the dangers of driving while on the phone, and don't want probable legal liability (with ensuing bad PR) and certain moral guilt to boot.

 

[TMar]

I doubt it. Bluetooth syncing is only an option if you're in range of a computer. If you're within 10m of a computer, you could just use the cable and sync through iTunes.

That would be great if they gave you a 10m cable instead of the short one that will not even reach my desktop with my computer sitting directly underneath it. I'm not saying that bluetooth is the answer, just complaining about short cables.

 

[QuarterSwede]

From what I understand A2DP sucks the battery life down the drain. Apple surely doesn't want the iPhone only lasting 2 hours when listening to audio. I really don't care either way since the bluetooth stereo headphones I've seen aren't much better than the standard Apple earphones ( = crap). I didn't buy $99 Sony MDR-7609 headphones for nothing.

As for the other uses for Bluetooth ... not really sure. I've never shared contacts with anyone electronically and for all of the other uses I just sync. The only thing that does bug me is not having voice dialing. That one I really don't understand.

 

[Saladinos]

The most likely explanation is that it's a low priority software upgrade, like copy&paste.

It doesn't explain how Apple's trying to rule the world, but it's much more sensible. Apple's margins on iTunes are very slim - about 30% - and almost all of that is used to pay for the running of the store. The store is used to feed the popularity of the products. Just like the App Store, Apple's profits are insignificant, and probably reinvested in new servers and people to run the store.

They don't want to lock people to the iTunes store - they want to lock them to iPods and iPhones. Better Bluetooth support doesn't hurt that idea, unless it competes with some WiFi-based service for IPHN/IPT

 

[Psyxologos]

I manually imputed my contacts ONCE on my first phone and ever since I have been transferring them by bluetooth to my new phone. This is why I find this such a big disappointment.

@jkozlow3: I do not back my phone up, I do not see the reason for that. After using the Nokia PC suit a couple of times I just got tired of doing it. Is there any way to get the information from Nokia suite to use with the iphone (or something that iphone will work with)

@yetanotherdave: I use a PC

 

[9822679]

From what I understand A2DP sucks the battery life down the drain. Apple surely doesn't want the iPhone only lasting 2 hours when listening to audio. I really don't care either way since the bluetooth stereo headphones I've seen aren't much better than the standard Apple earphones ( = crap). I didn't buy $99 Sony MDR-7609 headphones for nothing.

As for the other uses for Bluetooth ... not really sure. I've never shared contacts with anyone electronically and for all of the other uses I just sync. The only thing that does bug me is not having voice dialing. That one I really don't understand.

I agree with this post, ive used a bluetooth stereo headset with a bluetooth transmitter and it KILLED my battery

 

[senorian]

Perhaps they've seen the research about the dangers of driving while on the phone, and don't want probable legal liability (with ensuing bad PR) and certain moral guilt to boot.

ummm, so if they've seen the research then why is there no voice dialing?? i have to do all this extra work to use the hands free when really it should just have been included since day 1. especially for a company headquartered in California.

 

[samab]

It has been discussed many times --- it's a business decision to leave stereo bluetooth out.

Consumer electronics companies (like JBL) pay a lot of money to Apple to get their products certified as ipod and iphone compatible.

http://www.jbl.com/home/products/pr...CA&Region=USA&cat=MME&ser=HMM&featureid=12362

If the ipod and the iphone have INDUSTRY STANDARD stereo bluetooth --- then JBL doesn't have to pay Apple any money for ipod/iphone certification.

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6449_7-6799489-1.html

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4229530.html

 

[9822679]

well played sir