Difference between Headset & Handsfree Profiles

[dnathan]

Hi Friends,

I've been trying to answer this question :

Q: What is the difference between BT Headset and Handsfree profiles?

for a long time, but I cannot find any proper answers.

Could someone please let me know, or point me in the right direction?

Many thanks.

D.A.N

[ghostmek]

I echo this question, anyone know?

[Michael]

Ok, here is the deal. Both profiles enable audio to be transmitted bidirectionally between two Bluetooth devices.

The difference is in what the two devices expect from each other in terms of capabilities.

Originally the Headset profile was designed to be the primary way to connect with....pay attention here....headsets.

The Hands Free profile was meant for devices like car speakerphones, where it was assumed there would be more buttons an easier to operate set of controls.

So in terms of capabilities, the Headset profile does the basics. Initiate a call, end a call. You can transfer audio from the phone to the headset in the middle of a call, too. That's pretty much it.

When you initiate a call from a headset, or try to transfer audio in an existing call, the headset tries to connect to the (one) device it is paired with. Prior to that, it had no connection at all, and the other device had no idea if it was even around.

Hands Free, on the other hand, can do much more. You can reject a call, redial the last number dialed, transfer audio back to the other device - and initiate and end a call, of course.

When you turn on a Hands Free device, it will look for any of the potentially multiple devices it is paired with. When it finds one, it will register with it so that the other device (presumably a phone), will know that it is there.

The headset and phone are now on more equal terms, and as such can do the more advanced functions like transfer sound back and forth.

This is an over simplifcation, of course, but it gives you the basics.

For me personally, unless I am using multiple devices, I prefer headset profile. But Hands Free is the default in all devices that support that profile as best I can tell.

[ghostmek]

Thanks, that was an excellent explanation.

You wouldn't happen to know which will be supported by the Nokia 6230? The Nokia Web page is vague on that one.

[Michael]

I am certain that it will support Hands Free, as that seems to be Nokia's preferred profile. I am pretty certain that it will support Headset, too, since my 6820 supports both.

[TheZodiac]

Originally posted by Michael
I am certain that it will support Hands Free, as that seems to be Nokia's preferred profile. I am pretty certain that it will support Headset, too, since my 6820 supports both.

How do you enjoy yoru N6820? I love integrated KB's. I was considering this - but I wasnt really sure. THanks :-D

[Michael]

Well, mine is an early unit, and for the Chinese market.

It is buggy, but usable. The bugs are minor things that are not all that big a deal.

For example, the Bluetooth headset volume adjustment screen pops up whenever the active audio connection is reestablished (which is often, if you go through menus).

Sometimes it forgets that it is supposed to auto-lock the keypad. Turning it off and back on fixes that.

The battery level indicator doesn't always reflect what it should after you have charged the device.

Speaking of the battery, the battery life seems rather poor when attached to a Bluetooth headset (I think an effect of using Hands Free by default).

The keyboard is nice, the keypad is decent. The two keys at the top of the device (power and a softkey) have a very, very poor feel. Sometimes feel like they don't move at all when pressing on them.

Display is standard Nokia 4k passive matrix.

RF is ok, but not as good as most of their recent phones (on 1900, at least).

Good looking. Fairly light. Email client works really well.

Have problems using it as a Bluetooth modem with my Sony Clie UX50, but have no problems with my iPAQ. I suspect the Clie, but can't be sure.

There ya go. No need to write a review now.