Well, I got the replacement headset from Amazon… which had exactly the same problem as the first one!

I called Logitech this time, and talked to a guy called David who was really helpful. We went through the process of pairing, connecting etc. Tried turning off anything else bluetooth in the area (i.e. phone and iPAQ); nothing worked. Apparently there is a known issue with their Mobile Phone Suit software that can cause a similar problem, but I wasn’t using that anyway, so that wasn’t the case.

After trying everything we could think of, David checked the product number (on the barcode) and apparently mine was one of the original release ones. They have upgraded the firmware since that model to make multiple-pairings and different profile support better. I’ve sent back the headset (to Logitech in CA this time), at my expense ($12.50!), and they’re apparently going to send me one of the newer models to see if that will work, so fingers crossed.

On June 10th, I pre-ordered a Stowaway Bluetooth Keyboard, from ThinkOutside, the guys who came up with the cool, accordian-style fold-up keyboard, and the single-fold keyboards now around the place.

This model, being bluetooth, was intended mainly for use with my iPAQ, and would have made email and document work easier and more effecient. I was also hoping to be able to try it out on my Nokia, but that was more for nerd-factor than anything else. So what’s happened?

Nothing. And a lot of it.

When I ordered it, I was under the impression that the keyboard was supposed to be released in about a week. It wasn’t. I emailed, they said it would be out by the end of June. It wasn’t. I emailed again, they said middle of July. It wasn’t. I emailed again, they said end of July for sure. Guess what? It wasn’t.

Apparently there’s a problem with the packaging or something at their factory, so they can’t ship them yet. I don’t really care. I wanted to be able to use it on the business trip I’m going on this week, so it’s not going to get to me in time. I’ve emailed them now and requested that they cancel my order and don’t bother sending me one. I’ll get one later if I can justify it to myself.

Pity – I was looking forward to trying it out.