Using a Bluetooth Headset with your PC

Bluetooth

For those of you not familiar with the term, Bluetooth refers to a wireless protocol (or set of rules) designed for short range electronic applications (usually less than 30 feet in distance). Although the technology has been around for several years, Bluetooth support for PC users has been limited due to hardware manufacturers focusing on the more traditional 802.11 wireless network protocols (wifi). In reality, Bluetooth and wifi achieve different purposes and each has its pros and cons.

Cellular telephone Bluetooth Headsets

The cellular telephone community has long embraced Bluetooth technology, developing and refining numerous wireless devices. One of the more popular Bluetooth applications for cellular telephones has been cordless headsets which enable users to leave their telephone in their bag or pocket while still being able to make and receive calls. Bluetooth headsets are generally very lightweight, worn over one ear and achieve talk times from 1-4 hours before needing a recharge.

Bluetooth PC Headset?

So if cellular telephone users have warmly embraced Bluetooth headsets, why not the PC community? At the time of writing, this author knows of no PC hardware manufacturer who has designed a Bluetooth Headset primarily for use with a PC. However, there is nothing to prevent a PC user from using a cellular phone Bluetooth Headset with their PC. Keep in mind though, these headsets were originally envisioned for cellular phone use and may need a bit of tweaking before theyll perform as well as corded headsets on your computer.

usb Bluetooth Adapter

Unless you own a relatively expensive notebook PC, odds are that your computer doesnt natively support the Bluetooth protocol. If this is the case, youll need an Adapter or Dongle in order to make your computer Bluetooth enabled. Bluetooth adapters are generally very small (a few inches long) and insert into a vacant usb port on your computer. When purchasing an adapter its critical that you buy one that supports the headset protocol. The headset protocol is merely a set of rules which enables your Bluetooth adapter to communicate with and make use of Bluetooth headsets in its vicinity. If your adapter does not support the headset protocol, no amount of tweaking will get your headset working with your PC. adapters generally run between $20 - $80 USD and can be purchased at most PC retailers.

buying a Bluetooth Headset

Bluetooth headsets for cellular phones are generally very expensive when compared with conventional corded PC headsets. Depending on where you buy your headset, you could spend anywhere from $20 to $200+ USD. If youre looking for a relatively inexpensive headset thatll simply enable you to make wireless VoIP calls using your PC, I recommend looking on Ebay. Although prices vary considerably on Ebay between merchants for similar products, overall they are considerably less expensive than purchasing the same headset from a telephone store. A word of caution about Ebay though; ensure that you read the fine print associated with shipping costs. Some Ebay merchants advertise Bluetooth Headsets for $5 USD however the real cost quickly rises to $35+ when you account for their often exorbitant shipping charges.

Pairing the Headset with your PC

Once your computer is Bluetooth enabled and youve obtained a Bluetooth headset, youll need to pair the headset with your computer in order to use it for VoIP applications. This is usually just a matter of setting your headset in discovery mode and allowing your PC to search or discover Bluetooth devices. The steps needed to enable discovery mode on your headset and adapter will vary between devices and should be clearly explained in the documentation accompanying your devices.

Adjusting your audio Settings

Depending on your hardware and operating system, you may need to make adjustments to your audio settings after the headset is paired with your PC. In the windows operating system, this will involve accessing Audio Properties through the Control Panel and setting the audio and voice devices to your newly paired Bluetooth headset. Again, adjusting these settings should be covered in the documentation accompanying both your headset and Bluetooth adapter.

Once youre up and running, youll wonder why you didnt adopt this wireless headset solution sooner. The freedom to wander away from your computer whilst maintaining voice over Internet conversations is something youll come to appreciate and love.

Nathan Smith

Nathan is the owner of bluetoothpcheadsets.com which contains information about using Bluetooth Headsets with computers (PCs) and netphonedirectory.com which deals specifically with PC to Phone and PC to PC VoIP.

Nathan Currently lives in New Brunswick, Canada

500 Hour Yoga Teacher Training

Wholesale Playstation 3 - Accessory News

Accessories for wholesale PlayStation 3 will be appearing in their droves over the next six months, as third party developers try to cash in on the likely popularity of the new console.The only accessory to be included as standard is the SIXAXIS wireless controller - one of them will be included in the box with each PlayStation 3. As well as wireless operation, this accessory can also be used with a wired usb connection. This is how it will be charged. Earlier versions of this accessory were known as the Dual Shock 2, since the controller is a successor to the Dual Shock device, used as an accessory to the PlayStation 2.

Sony will also be selling a couple of other basic accessories. One is a memory card adaptor for the PlayStation 3. Armed with this, gamers will be able to connect their old PlayStation 2 memory cards to the new PlayStation 3. A remote control accessory, working over blue tooth, will enable control of the PlayStation 3 disc player. Lazy gamers won't even have to get out of bed.

But expect the most exciting developments to be coming from third parties. So far, there is not much to see. logitech are providing a Chill Stream controller for the PlayStation 3 - essentially identical to the ps2 Chill stream. It is due for release on November 22, and the price tag is set to be about $40. On a more pragmatic note, nyko plan to sell a cooling device for the PlayStation 3. It will bear the same name, 'Intercooler', as its counterpart for the xbox 360. But once the platform is established, the PlayStation 3 accessory market is sure to take off. without doubt we will see driving wheels, musical instruments for games like Guitar hero, and quirky new toys that we can barely even predict.

One disappointment is the lack of support for legacy devices. The PlayStation 3 is not guaranteed to work with hardware additions for its precursor the PlayStation 2. That means a lot of us will be stuck with a cupboard full of accessories that we cannot use with the PlayStation 3. We can hope that third-party developers will come up with some way of unofficially linking the old and the new - but do not count on it. So, the long and short of it is that we will have to wait a few more months to see a truly impressive range of accessories for getting wholesale Playstation 3. Sony message seems to be: first get your console, and only then begin the hunt for PlayStation 3 accessories.

Power Yoga Dvd

The Keys to Ultimate Beach Fitness

Everyone's talking about beach fitness. From women to men, everyone wants to look good when they're lying out or hanging out in the water. But to get your body in bikini or swim trunk shape, you need to find exercises that really work and help you with getting in shape. Even if you don't have a lot of time, however, you can succeed at beach fitness. Here are the toning tools and fitness tips you need.

The first thing you need to do for beach fitness is to figure out what your goals are. If you're looking to lose weight, you may want to weight yourself and create a weight loss target for your body. You might also want to measure specific parts of your body arms, waist, chest, thighs, hips, etc. to keep a record of where you are losing weight even when the scale doesn't say that you are. By creating clear goals, you will be able to assess your progress as you move along and motivate yourself when your willpower if flagging.

Next, you should start looking into exercises that will really target the areas that will be seen when you're on the beach. Here are a few beach fitness exercises that you can use no matter if you're a man or a woman:

* Squats
* Calf raises or dips
* Crunches
* Bench presses
* Push-ups

While this list seems short, it targets all of the major muscle groups in the body. And if you're pressed for time, it's the perfect way to still tone your body.

But beach fitness doesn't stop there. You also need to add a cardiovascular component that will help your body burn any excess fat and inches you might have. Try to include at least thirty minutes of heart pumping exercise three days a week. The national recommendation for weight loss is 45 to 60 minutes of cardio 5 to 6 times per week, but if you're not ready for that kind of time commitment, slowly work your way up. When you do cardio exercise, you should be working hard enough that you are breathing heavily, but not so hard that you can not talk at all.

When it comes to beach fitness, you need to make sure that you're eating a balanced diet that's low in calories in addition to your workouts. While it might seem like you could eat more, you need to create a calorie deficit in order to lose the inches that you don't want to show off on the beach.

Machelle Lee owns and operates The Invisible Gym in santa Cruz, CA. Her mission is to inspire people to become physically active and enjoy the benefits of a balanced, healthy lifestyle. For more information and questions you can visit her website. http://www.the-invisible-gym.com

Download Free Video Yoga