Technology

In June of 2009 I wrote an article about a feature of Windows 7 that I loved… but couldn’t at the time confirm would actually make it into the final release of Windows 7.  In fact I was unable to find any documentation on it at all, which led me to believe, late one night, that I might have violated a non-disclosure agreement.  The article was called Smartphones and Windows 7 – VERY Smart!

Fortunately the feature made it through, and here is how I set it up and access it.

1. Make sure your phone is properly paired to your computer.
2. Double-click on the Bluetooth icon in the Windows Notification Area.
3. Double-click on your Bluetooth Device (Alternately right-click on your device and click Control)
4. The Bluetooth Phone Operations and Settings window for your device will appear. 
5. Under Phone Operations click the Connect button next to the line ‘Use this computer as a headset or speakerphone for calls on your phone (Model Number).
6. On the phone you will have to accept the connection attempt.

Once I did all of that my phone rang… complete coincidence of course, but the timing was great.  I put on my headset (Microsoft LifeChat LX-3000) and answered the phone… the call came through over the headset.

I know that on the previous post the screen shot showed that I could enter a phone number to dial, hang up, and so on.  I suspect this functionality will differ by phone model; I still have my old phone configured and the screen shot is slightly different; having said that the dial-from-computer functionality never worked on the old one – always said ‘not supported by this phone’. 

Give this a shot… it is much easier to make calls without having to hold the phone to your ear for hours!

For more information about the Windows Springboard Series visit http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=8418918.