Intro
This article explains why deliveries to unmodified iPhones do not work and how to set up an iPhone to enable Bluetooth.
iPhone does not support Bluetooth OBEX File Transfer
While the iPhone lets you use a headset to listen to music but the iPhone does not support file transfer or device-to-device networking. This is a common source of frustration for iPhone users for example when they pull out their iPhone to show off some photos to their friends and then one of their friends asks them to Bluetooth them the image, the iPhone user embarrassingly has to say sorry I can't do that.
In fact the iPhone does not support infra-red either and multi media messaging has only recently been added (a month ago, in a patch). It may be worth keeping updated, perhaps this important, common, Bluetooth functionality will be also added in future.
iPhone OS 3.0 adds support for iPhone-to-iPhone Bluetooth communication, but it does not use the industry standard OBEX method, so it does not interoperate with non-Apple devices.
(OBEX is used to transfer files between devices wirelessly via the Bluetooth protocol; Built into most modern handsets, allowing users to move music, video, and images between computers and their mobile phones, and from one mobile phone to another.)
Workaround
Unfortunately this involves hacking the operating system of your iPhone which depending on your country could be illegal, cause damage or may invalidate the guarantee/warrantee.
- The first step would be to Jailbreak your iPhone.
- Install the iBluetooth application to perform your Bluetooth actions.
BlueAd cannot recommend this course of action but it would allow the addition of a basic handset function that even most cheap £30 handsets come with as standard and turn what many consider just a flashy toy for teenagers into a more useful tool.
Final word
If you spot any inaccuracies in this article, can provide any fresh information related to this topic or have a request for a new Bluetooth related article please feel free to email us at support@bluead.co.uk.
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