Ted Leung on the air
Ted Leung on the air: Open Source, Java, Python, and ...
Ted Leung on the air: Open Source, Java, Python, and ...
Mon, 10 May 2004
Mac audio channels
I've been doing some more VOIP experiments with X-Lite. One thing that I've discovered both with X-Lite and iChat AV is the necessity of a headset. Unless you have a headset, the echo is really bad which makes it much harder to use these tools effectively.
Now I have a pretty good amplified telephone headset, which can also plug into the Powerbook, and switch back and forth between the two input sources (its supposed to be able to mix them as well, but I haven't gotten that to work). The problem is that this headset is no good for music, so I have to switch back and forth between stereo headphones and the phone headphones. This means pulling plugs and putting them back in -- a pain when you get a call and the wrong gadget is plugged in. So I'm looking for a solution for this problem
I've read that you can use a bluetooth headset as input for iChat (don't know about X-Lite), which seems like it would be a good solution to this problem. Here's how I hope that it works: I use the BT headset for VOIP and iChat AV, but music audio (iTunes) goes to the regular speaker output. I have no idea if it works this way, but that would be ideal.
Even better would be to pick up a feature from BluePhoneMenu, and have the use of the BT headset pause iTunes.
The Mac is becoming my telephony center - iChat AV, VOIP, cellular (although the braindead BT on the Nokia 6310i means that I'm due for an upgrade as soon as T-Mobile starts rebates on the Nokia 6600), and someday soon, regular telephony (probably via PhoneValet). With this much audio stuff going on, it would be nice not to have to yank plugs all the time.
Then again, a low tech solution like a y-adapter might work too, especially if it had a switch to pick sides.
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[computers/operating_systems/macosx] |
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9 Comments |
Stay away from T-Mobile. Their coverage and reception quality is about as bad as it gets. It's our new corporate standard, and any time I call someone who has T-Mobile, the quality is terrible. Checkout howardforums.com. It's a forum about phones and service providers.
Posted by Dan Leung at Tue May 11 06:22:03 2004
Posted by Dan Leung at Tue May 11 06:22:03 2004
Stay away from T-Mobile. Their coverage and reception quality is about as bad as it gets. It's our new corporate standard, and any time I call someone who has T-Mobile, the quality is terrible. Checkout howardforums.com. It's a forum about phones and service providers.
Posted by Dan Leung at Tue May 11 06:22:13 2004
Posted by Dan Leung at Tue May 11 06:22:13 2004
The folks at Rogue Amoeba may have an application to help you route your audio the way you want to.
Posted by John P. Speno at Tue May 11 07:28:42 2004
Posted by John P. Speno at Tue May 11 07:28:42 2004
Though Dan's mileage clearly varies, I switched from ATTWS to TMo in January (usage is primarily here in the Chicago area, and some in Southern IN). I did it for the decent GPRS pricing and a good family pack for myself, and have had no coverage issues. Indeed, at my home the converage is much improved.
With the additional roaming on Cingular's NW, however, this may change. But I've been well satisfied.
I've heard bad things about TMO's coverage in the SG area, but with a high geek quotient, it could be hard any way you look at it.
I have a 6600, btw, and am well pleased with it for the most part.
Posted by Eric Sinclair at Tue May 11 07:37:18 2004
With the additional roaming on Cingular's NW, however, this may change. But I've been well satisfied.
I've heard bad things about TMO's coverage in the SG area, but with a high geek quotient, it could be hard any way you look at it.
I have a 6600, btw, and am well pleased with it for the most part.
Posted by Eric Sinclair at Tue May 11 07:37:18 2004
Supposedly T-Mobile coverage is much better (than AT&T) here on the island, which is where most of the phone usage is. We have a new store which will give me a loaner to try, and I definitely plan to do that before buying. I want to be on a GSM network, so that limits choices. Plus I want a new phone.
Posted by Ted Leung at Tue May 11 21:12:02 2004
Posted by Ted Leung at Tue May 11 21:12:02 2004
John,
Thanks for the tip. That stuff looks very interesting.
Posted by Ted Leung at Tue May 11 21:12:40 2004
Thanks for the tip. That stuff looks very interesting.
Posted by Ted Leung at Tue May 11 21:12:40 2004
Yes, certainly am. Mostly for the iSyncing of my AddressBook and Cal to the device (and todos, though the lack of categories on the 6600 has the same inhibiting factor as it did on the Sidekick - I sense a need!).
I've also used it as a tethered GPRS modem periodically, though mostly on the train (which made it harder to keep signal, as there are some badly (for me) placed dead spots.
What it still lacks is some of the final bits of detail (I don't think I can send SMS from it yet, for example); but it's more than good enough, and I quite like it. I've hit a few bugs which I need to write up; look for log entries soon...
Posted by Eric Sinclair at Wed May 12 08:16:21 2004
I've also used it as a tethered GPRS modem periodically, though mostly on the train (which made it harder to keep signal, as there are some badly (for me) placed dead spots.
What it still lacks is some of the final bits of detail (I don't think I can send SMS from it yet, for example); but it's more than good enough, and I quite like it. I've hit a few bugs which I need to write up; look for log entries soon...
Posted by Eric Sinclair at Wed May 12 08:16:21 2004
Working around occasional failures among iSync, iCal and the Nokia 6600. Not gracefully, but at least successfully.
Posted by Trackback from ...pickhits... at Sun May 16 11:06:30 2004
Posted by Trackback from ...pickhits... at Sun May 16 11:06:30 2004
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