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Supported Bluetooth technology features

Article ID: KB04010

Type: Support Content

Last Modified: 03-28-2012

 

Product(s) Affected:

  • BlackBerry 7 OS and earlier
Jump to: Environment | Overview
CollapseEnvironment
  • BlackBerry® smartphones
  • Bluetooth® technology
CollapseOverview

This document describes Bluetooth device features supported by Bluetooth-enabled BlackBerry® smartphones.

Headset Profile and Hands Free Profile

Headset Profile (HSP) or Hands Free Profile (HFP) support is required to enable wireless voice capabilities with most headsets and some car kits. When the HSP and HFP are both available, use the HFP because it offers more functionality and better performance.

Bluetooth Virtual Serial Port Profile

Accessible through the BlackBerry® Java® Development Environment, Serial Port Profile (SPP) support is for establishing a serial connection between a BlackBerry smartphone and a Bluetooth device with a serial port interface. Visit the BlackBerry Developer web site for more information.

Integration with the BlackBerry phone application

Bluetooth device functionality is seamlessly integrated with the BlackBerry smartphone phone application. During a phone call, to activate a paired Bluetooth device open the menu in the BlackBerry smartphone phone application and selecting Activate [BLUETOOTH device]. To also transfer the audio back to the BlackBerry smartphone, use the Activate Handset option.

During a phone call, if a paired Bluetooth device goes out of range, the audio is automatically returned to the BlackBerry smartphone's ear piece and microphone.

Muting

Some HFP and HSP-enabled Bluetooth devices, such as headsets and car kits, have an option to mute locally.

Media File Transfers

Bluetooth wireless technology supports BlackBerry smartphone media file transfers. To enable file transfers using Bluetooth technology, complete the following steps:

  1. From the BlackBerry smartphone Home screen, click Media.
  2. Select the media folder that contains the file to transfer.
  3. Locate the media file and press the menu key.
  4. Select Receive Using Bluetooth prior sending the files from another BlackBerry smartphone.

Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP)
This is a Bluetooth profile that allows the transmission of wireless stereo audio from one A2DP device (BlackBerry smartphone) to a A2DP receiving device (Car Audio System, Hi-Fi/Stereo system, TV or Bluetooth headphones), which is commonly supported by AVRCP (Audio/Video Remote Control Profile) enabling the use of track selection and Play/Pause functionality to the receiving and broadcasting device.  

The A2DP/AVRCP profile are known for streaming and controlling music content, which is simple to enable when using a BlackBerry smartphone by just establishing a connection with an audio source.

Note: Not all BlackBerry smartphone devices are compatible with A2DP/AVRCP, please see BlackBerry Website for more information of A2DP/AVCRP compatible devices. 

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