"Bluetooth 1.5 for Mac OS X provides support for Bluetooth enabled headsets and printers.

NOTE: Headsets must support the Bluetooth headset profile and printers must support the Bluetooth HCRP profile. In order to configure and use a Bluetooth headset, the Bluetooth module must have the latest Bluetooth firmware from the Bluetooth Firmware Updater application version 1.0.2 or later (http://www.info.apple.com/usen/bluetooth/).

For information about using Bluetooth 1.5 or about making your Macintosh Bluetooth-enabled, visit the Apple website at http://www.apple.com/bluetooth/."

I don't own any Bluetooth devices but welcome Feedback on Bluetooth 1.5 from those that do.

Reader Reports on Bluetooth 1.5 Update: (most recent first)

(added 2/10/2004)
" Hey! Great site! I just got a brand new Sony Ericsson 610 with T-mobile this last weekend. Stopped on the way home from buying the phone a got a Ambicom brand Bluetooth USB adapter. Got home, plugged in the USB adapter, turned on pairing, and used iSync to add all of my addressbook to my new phone right out of the box with out typing in a thing! Gotta love that!

I can also view the pictures and sounds on my phone on my desktop and drag and drop new pics and sounds onto my phone from my mac. My mac, by the way, is an almost stock 400 Mhz G3 running 10.3.2 and the newest Bluetooth update. I want a new mac but just can find a reason to justify it! This thing still ROCKS and does what I need it to do! Keep up the great site and all the hard work. You are THE site I go to before I buy things for my mac! THANKS!
Shaughn "

(added 2/9/2004)
" Downloaded BT 1.5 update to my Powerbook G4 Titanium 867MHz, OS 10.3.2. Could not set it up with an Ericsson HB65 bluetoothhandset. Used an AnyCom USB bluetoothadapter at my powerbooks end.

A friend recently bought an Powerbook G4 12", and that one didnt either find the headset, nor another cheap bluetooth headset. We updated to the 1.02 firmware, which surprisingly didnt seem to be installed despite being bought in late january. After that, the guide for bluetooth setup included headset as an alterrnative.

It seems you need to have either original Apple internal bluetooth, or perhaps (cant test) an Dlink USB adapter, and the 1.02 firmware, to make headset work.

I do however have printer as an option in the setupmenu on my Powerbook G4 titanium, with anycom bt adapter.
sincerely
Orjan Larsson
Sweden "

(added 2/9/2004)
" hey, I tried connecting my old Ericsson HBH-15 Headset and the Epox BT-DG02 BT adapter. Pairing the headset with my TiBook works like a charm, but I can't select the headset as a sound device. It also doesn't always show up with "active connection" in the Bluetooth system panel. It seems that the Epox BT adapter doesn't have a new enough headset profile.
greets, Elandrion "

(added 2/9/2004)
" Hi Mike, Just a few days before the Bluetooth 1.5 update I bought a Sitecom Bluetooth USB Adapter (CN-500) in a local PC store. I asked if I could test it in the shop with my G4 Pb and it worked.
I then installed it onto my B&W G4 400 with no problem, it still works even after the 1.5 Bluetooth Update, it has the right firmware for the moment I suppose. I do not see any mac/linux firmware updaters on the Sitecom page so if it will stop working in the future I will deal with that then.
Bjorn "

(added 2/9/2004)
" I got a Jabra Bluetooth headset free with my Sony Ericosson T610 mobile phone, but I don't use it that often. So I was interested that the latest version of the Mac OS X Bluetooth software allowed for the use of Bluetooth headsets. I had a little trouble at first. This was partially because I had misplaced the manual for the headset and couldn't remember how to pair it with a device.
And if I recall correctly, there wasn't an option for "headset" in the Bluetooth setup window until after I updated the Blutooth firmware, which was a bit confusing. But I was able to pair the Jabra with my powerbook and use it as an audio input device. It seems to work quite well, and it's given me a new use for the headset. (I'm using a 12" PowerBook with built-in Bluetooth and the latest version of Panther).
Evan E. "

(added 2/9/2004)
" Bluetooth 1.5 seems to work fine for me. On my PowerBook G4 17" I'm using my Ericsson HBH-15 Bluetooth headset with it and it works great. Once I paired it using the "Set up Bluetooth Device..." wizard I could simply select the headset as an audio input or output device in the System Preferences. When I select it the computer automatically connects to the headset and immediately starts using the headset microphone and/or speaker (one or both can be used).
When I select a different audio device it will automatically disconnect. Also, the volume control on the headset seems to control the system volume (although it only goes from 25% to 73% for some reason). I look forward to using the headset with iChat AV!

All my other devices work as well (Ericsson T39, Sony Ericsson T616, Microsoft Bluetooth mouse and keyboard, other computers, etc). I only wish I had a Bluetooth printer!
-Tom R. "

(reports below were from last Friday Feb. 6th, 2004)

In reply to previous reports on problems applying the 1.0.2 Bluetooth firmware update (required for apple builtin bluetooth/Dlink DBT-120 B2 and later adapters to work with the Bluetooth 1.5 update apple says)

" At first when I tried to update the firmware on my PBG4 12", it said I had no supported hardware to update. So I restarted to make sure nothing strange was going on. I usually keep Bluetooth off, since I don't really use any Bluetooth devices. So I turned Bluetooth on, and behold, the firmware updater worked. (I think this was a past tip also on the BT firmware update feedback page) -- Luna "

" Mike, I am using a Palm Tungsten, Jabra BT-200 and Sony Ericsson on my Dual G-5. OS 10.3.2, Bluetooth 1.5. Everything seems to work nicely I was chatting with my sister in another state with iChat beta Mac->Mac using the jabra for audio in and out while listening to itunes at the same time.

The only hitch I find is the Jabra can only connect to one device at a time and after playing with it on my Mac for a few hours I had to re-pair the Jabra with my phone. I will probably have to pair it with my Mac again if I choose to use it in the future. It was nice chatting with a family member in another state and do work around the house. I had to chose the jabra for sound in and sound out after pairing using the sound control panel.
Douglas G. "

" Hi Mike, I bought a Motorola V525 phone last week and could not transfer any files :-(
Thanks to this update, everything works quite well now :-) I'm just expecting iSync to detect my new phone now
Tharith from Paris, France "

" I found it interesting.... The update says you are required to have the latest Firmware update (v1.02) installed. So, I thought I'd check that out since I have a iBook G4 with internal BlueTooth module. The Firmware updater claims I have no valid BlueTooth module, even though the readme stats it supports Apple's internal modules. (see updated comments below)

Oh well, the v1.5 update installed although I have neither a headset or printer to test functionality with.
Steven P.
(I asked if he had Bluetooth turned on and he later wrote)
Yup. The menu is visible, and I can turn it on/off and use the setup utility/etc...
Strangest thing... I gave up on it, and since then have had to reboot a few times (darn iBook G4 just likes to lock up when waking from sleep grrrrrr!).
I thought I'd try it again tonight, just for the heck of it, and it worked first time. STRANGE. I'd say I had tried it at least six times prior. "

Assuming that Bluetooth is turned On in the System Prefs/BT applet, maybe the internal module already has later firmware? (And the old "if it ain't broke - don't fix it" comes to mind). The page here on the Bluetooth firmware update from last year has a tip on forcing a firmware update via the option key, but personally I'd leave well enough alone if I didn't have any problems.

" Mike, I applied the Bluetooth 1.5 update to my Dual G5 w/10.3.2 with no problems. iSync Synchronization with my Sony Ericsson T616 still works flawlessly. Also I was able to pair my Jabra BT200 bluetooth headset to my G5.

Other than proving that the new bluetooth software support headsets, I don*t know exactly what benefit it provides. I can*t find any way to use the headset. I thought that maybe it would show up as an audio input or output device - but no such luck.
Bruce
(he later wrote)
Yes, it's the BTO internal bluetooth option.
I have another older Belkin long-range (100M) bluetooth dongle that I'll try later (it has a little flip-up antenna for longer range - it'll sync my phone anywhere in the house!). I can't figure out any way to make the system use this module instead of the internal one. I guess I'll have to unplug the internal module to test it. This Belkin one is over a year old so it may not support the new functionality. It always worked fine though with my phone (Sony Ericsson T616).
When I get a chance to test the other module I'll send you the results.
Bruce "

" I have a D-Link DBT-120 Ver B3 and the mac will not recognize it as a device for a firmware upgrade. (Bluetooth 1.5 says it requires the 1.0.2 firmware update) The D-Link shows up under Apple Profiler but no go. I would like to see if I use my Jabra handsfree headset with the new iChatAV. Are there any workarounds?
Bruce "

(Please include your mac model, OS version you're running, etc. in reports.) Maybe it already has updated firmware? (Assuming Bluetooth is turned On.) Although I don't own any Bluetooth devices (yet at least), I ordered a $39 D-Link DBT-120 (ver. B3) USB adapter that just arrived this morning. I plugged it into the G5's front USB port, and the Apple 1.0.2 firmware updater flashed it successfully.
Not sure if it will help (nor can I guarantee it won't cause problems) - but I asked if he had tried the Option key tip for the firmware update noted in the past page here of Bluetooth Firmware update reports.

If any other readers try the Bluetooth 1.5 update (especially with printers or headsets) - let me know. (include system/OS/devices info in reports - thanks.)

(previous info/reports on Bluetooth 1.4.1 Update follows)

Bluetooth 1.4.1 Update Reports (Nov. 2003) Software Update in 10.3.1 shows a Bluetooth 1.4.1 software update (2.2MB). (For 10.2.8 users, Apple has a Bluetooth 1.3.3 update.) I don't own a bluetooth adapter or device to test it, but here's the info from the SU panel

" Bluetooth 1.4.1 for Mac OS X provides enhanced stability for Bluetooth connections. This release also improves performance with human interface devices (HID) including enhancements to wake from sleep. "

Reader Reports/Tips on the 1.4.1 Update: (most recent first)

"I have had long-standing problems with built-in Bluetooth on a PB G4 12", going back to 10.2.x. The most consistent symptom is a hang of the "blued" process, which shows in "ps" as an unkillable state "U" and causes ALL menu extras to beachball. Rebooting was the only fix when it got into that state. I dealt with it by turning Bluetooth off in the menu extra before I logged out or put the machine to sleep. A functional but annoying workaround.

Around the time of 10.2.6 or 10.2.8, things got a lot worse and I would get failure of the machine to wake from sleep. The Bluetooth firmware updater fixed that.

Then in Panther I couldn't keep Bluetooth turned off -- the menu extra would stay on or would crash SystemUIServer altogether. I had to remove the menu extra and always leave Bluetooth turned off.
Now with this update I have turned it back on and I appear to be back to square 1 -- unkillable blued process from time to time.
Tim M."

A G5 owner w/D-Link (rev A2) Bluetooth adapter noted problems after the update:

"After upgrading to Bluetooth 1.4.1 I lost connectivity to my T68is via a D-Link USB bluetooth adapter.
Mac G5 1.6 - Panther 10.3.1
Mike P.
(I asked Mike for details on the D-Link Bluetooth adapter)

The Bluetooth adapter is a Dlink DBT120 HW: A2
I've been using it now for 6 months prior to upgrading to the 1.4.1 without any issues. Phone is a T68is that I've also been using/synching for 6 months with iCal and iSynch. Only change today was the Bluetooth upgrade. I tried enabling the old phone support in the Bluetooth preferences panel without any results.
The iSync is the same since upgrading to Panther. Using iCal 1.5.1 since it was available with iSync 1.3
Mike"

It may not be related, but I remember the last Bluetooth firmware update from Apple mentioned in the requirements a rev B2 or later DBT-120 (his is an A2)
"A D-Link USB Bluetooth Adapter (DBT-120, rev. B2 or later)"
But if the Bluetooth 1.4.1 update required the firmware update, they should have said so. (May not be a factor at all though.)

" Mike, Last night's Bluetooth update brought back a bug on my PM G4 Sawtooth which had been fixed earlier. Starting with the 10.2 upgrade, the bluetooth menu bar list would show Bluetooth as always on, without the option to turn it off (I use a Belkin USB Bluetooth module). Otherwise everything functioned normally.
On my PowerBook G4 12-inch, however, everything has always been OK with the OFF/ON. Then about 6 months ago, as I recall, along came a Bluetooth update and it (the Sawtooth/Belkin adapter issue) was fixed.
It continued being OK through my recent upgrade to 10.3, then 10.3.1. However, with yesterday's update, its back to always ON. The PowerBook again continues to be fine. I'd like to know if any of my fellow readers have any thoughts on this.
Thanks and best regards,
Istvan F. "

I don't currently own a bluetooth adapter (or devices) but if any readers have a suggestion (or experience using the update with a Sawtooth with other brand/model of Adapter) let me know.

This reader said he saw reduced transfer speeds with the update:

" Hello from Down Under,
The new bluetooth update (V 1.4.1) does seem to improve stability, browsing devises is a lot quicker and more fluent, but transfer speed seems to have suffered enormously.

I tested transfer speed before the update between a 12" PowerBook and 15" Powerbook and and speeds were around 40Kb/s. After the update speed has dropped to 6Kb/s max. No encryption was used. Also, at times, after transfers have finished the Bluetooth menu item disappears.
Jeremy. "

If any other readers have seen performance drop (or not) let me know.