Bluetooth Stack revisited

[tbd@immigrantsong.de]

Now that we're likely to get a working solution for our Bluetooth worries thanks to TOWA it seems sensible to revisit the BT-stack implementation on the XDA II. I spent some time working through the Microsoft documentation to come up with this assessment.

All previous PDA's have used the Widcomm stack, which supports a multitude of BT-profiles,specifically the Serial Port Protocol, which it emulates as a COM-port. Unfortunately, the Widcomm stack does not support the Headset service, which is required for the phone. This is why the installation of the Widcomm stack on the XDA eventually failed -just couldn't support the headset.

The Microsoft stack actualy also supports the serial port profile, but uses a different implementation. Their BT-stack is socket based and aligned very close to the IRDA-implementation we all know from our PC's. Just as the PC generally requires that famous "IRCOM"-applet, so does the Microsoft BT-stack (this is basically what TOWA is working on).

The Microsoft Bluetooth stack is actually very flexible, which gives us hope of seeing the XDA II support more and more Bluetooth functions as time goes along.

[Merc]

But why did MS not implement the COM port? If it takes TOWA a week to do the job with limited resources, why couldn't MS have done the same? And if the MS Stack is flexible, why do they leave out functions when they release it?

[tbd@immigrantsong.de]

I'm sure MS could have done it, but the they didn't do it for IRDA either.

I think they are trying to push their implementation architecture upon us.

[otg]

Now that we're likely to get a working solution for our Bluetooth worries thanks to TOWA it seems sensible to revisit the BT-stack implementation on the XDA II. I spent some time working through the Microsoft documentation to come up with this assessment.

All previous PDA's have used the Widcomm stack, which supports a multitude of BT-profiles,specifically the Serial Port Protocol, which it emulates as a COM-port. Unfortunately, the Widcomm stack does not support the Headset service, which is required for the phone. This is why the installation of the Widcomm stack on the XDA eventually failed -just couldn't support the headset.

The Microsoft stack actualy also supports the serial port profile, but uses a different implementation. Their BT-stack is socket based and aligned very close to the IRDA-implementation we all know from our PC's. Just as the PC generally requires that famous "IRCOM"-applet, so does the Microsoft BT-stack (this is basically what TOWA is working on).

The Microsoft Bluetooth stack is actually very flexible, which gives us hope of seeing the XDA II support more and more Bluetooth functions as time goes along.
I would like to take this oppertunity to thank Towa for the great job he did with the TOM TOM gps bt issue. I will be getting my imate(xda2...) ppc soon, and I have the following questions, as I am quite a novus:
1. does the gps doohicky that Towa wrote enable the xda2 to work with the bt headset as a handsfree profile, since the xda2 only supports headset profile? or is it only to create a port so the tom tom can find it and work with it?.
2. If no to question 1, then I would like to share my expieriance with bt headsets, which I cannot understand untill this day and may be you can help?. I currently use a Nokia 6310 and previously was using it with the Ericsson hbh-20. Since, the Nokia phone did not suport voice activation or reject a call from the headset, I could only voice dial through the headset after I pushed a button on the 6310. So I thought, no biggie it was Nokia's fault since I successfuly voice dailed when paired to my friends t 68. Then I tried my 6310 with my other friends hbh-30 bt carkit, and wouldn't you know that the voice activation from the bt carkit's button worked like a charm (stumped. who to blame know, we always need someone to blame.) So, after that my third friend bought me the new Nokia clip-on bt headset, it works as a complete handsfree headset with my old Nokia 6310, rejecting, auto answer, voice dialing ... all from the headset. So, my question is do I have too many freinds? :) (just kidding), how do you expect the xda2 and the new Nokia clip on headset to communicate with each other?. In headset profile or handsfree profile?.
3. If your answer to question 2, is headset profile, then will we have to beg the "Great One" also known as "The Man" (as qouted earlier on gps bt forum of this site" Mr.TOWA himself, to write us another doohiky to make them work in handsfree profile.
p.s. In my opinion, anyone who has downloaded Towa's doohiky for gps and had a positive result, should donnate something for this hard worker.
Thank you, and sorry for being so boring.[/quote]

[tbd@immigrantsong.de]

TOWA's great app only fixes the serial port issue, by basically establishing a permanent virtual com-port using the functionality built into the Microsoft BT-stack. :D :D :D

Unfortunately, inmplementing a Handsfree profile will be much more complex, so don't expect a quick fix on that. I'm sure HTC and Microsoft are working on it, but I wouldn't expect a fix this year. :(

Regarding your BT-observations, it seems that the implementation of the profiles on each device is different and probably none of them are really complete.

I think the Bluetooth Org will have to do something to improve its performance and compatibility testing! :evil:

[otg]

Thank you for your kind reply.

[palmop]

Whenever I receive a call, it is automatically transferred to my SE BTH-60 headset, so I am using it handsfree mode actually. I can accept/reject the call thru the headset.

[otg]

Whenever I receive a call, it is automatically transferred to my SE BTH-60 headset, so I am using it handsfree mode actually. I can accept/reject the call thru the headset.

Handsfree profile lets you use the automatic feature, which automaticaly accepts and answers (after a you specify the number of rings) the call without pressing any button on the bt headset.
Also, the handsfree profile lets you use the voice dial feature by activating it from the bt headset and without touching the mobile phone. and other features...

Does, anyone have any expirence with new nokia clip-on bt headset and the xda2.

Thanks

[otg]

TOWA's great app only fixes the serial port issue, by basically establishing a permanent virtual com-port using the functionality built into the Microsoft BT-stack. :D :D :D

Unfortunately, inmplementing a Handsfree profile will be much more complex, so don't expect a quick fix on that. I'm sure HTC and Microsoft are working on it, but I wouldn't expect a fix this year. :(

Regarding your BT-observations, it seems that the implementation of the profiles on each device is different and probably none of them are really complete.

I think the Bluetooth Org will have to do something to improve its performance and compatibility testing! :evil:

Thank you again for your kind reply.
Sirs, I believe the time has come for me to beg the great one "TOWA" to write us a new doohicky, to make the xda 2 work in handsfree profile with handsfree bt headsets and others.

So, Towa, if your reading, have you ever had someone to beg you for something in writing?? :lol:

Must be nice bieng the man!!