Bluetooth

Alex recently built a new PC with an AMD 8 core processor. But he can't connect a Bluetooth PS4 controller to it. It can detect his cell phone, but not his controller. Leo says that if he can pair it to other devices, then he should try reconnecting it to the PS4 and see if there's an update to the controller. If there is, update it. Then try again!

Mike runs a CNC machine to create custom precision parts that he sells on eBay. He thought it would be cool to get a GoPro camera and mount it to his machine to grab some CNC footage of what he makes or to monitor the machine as it runs. But he doesn't have a cellphone, so how can he see the live feed? Leo says that's a problem. But Mike could use an iPod Touch and connect to it that way. So if he doesn't want a smartphone, the Touch is a smartphone without the phone and it'll have both Bluetooth and WiFi. That's the way to do it, and you don't need the most expensive one either. 

David wants to know if he can put Bluetooth stereo in the house and then listen to them from his computer? Leo says it depends on how close they are to the room. Bluetooth has a range of about 33 feet. If the computer doesn't have Bluetooth, then he can buy a Bluetooth receiver that can plugin and then pair it to the radio. But why do that when he can just listen to streaming audio online from services like IHeartRadio or Pandora? Or even his favorite radio station's website will have a listen now option.

Max is looking for a small and simple wireless printer that's easier to use. Leo says that most printers are wireless these days, connecting to the network. An inkjet is probably the best if one needs color, but understand that they'll need to use it regularly in order to keep the ink flowing without getting the heads clogged. If one seldom uses it, a color laser printer is the best bet, but the colors aren't bright and not for printing photos. 

Aaron's kids play a lot of Fortnite on the Xbox, but it's only a one-player game and he has two kids. So he bought a refurbished Dell computer for $150 and added a graphics card to it. Is there a way to hook the Xbox controller to the computer? Leo says you can, even wirelessly. But recently, the Xbox controller has stopped working even though it works with Microsoft's Xbox app. It doesn't work with Fortnite. Leo says to try using Bluetooth, but it's possible that Anti-Cheating features are blocking it because desktops may have an advantage through tricks and hacks like Aimbots.

Paul recently bought a pair of Aftershokz Trekz Air headphones. Leo says they are fine. Not great, but good enough. Paul complains though, that after ten minutes, the sound drops and gets garbled. Leo says that's a Bluetooth issue that's likely specific to that model. Worth returning or exchanging. Leo says he has the older version, which works well. He may want to try the Aeropex.  At the end of the day though, Bluetooth is just terrible, because it handles far more bandwidth than it was designed for. 

Jim has a Motorola car kit for Bluetooth, but his iPhone 8 won't pair to it. Leo says general Bluetooth software may have been updated beyond what the car can support. The two products are probably incompatible, unfortunately.

Sonny wants to know if wireless headphones are safe. Leo says that WiFi is inherently low power and there's no evidence that WiFi or even Bluetooth is dangerous to health. 

Caller is having network issues with his Windows computer and a minport driver via bluetooth. Leo says that BLuetooth is notorious for dropping out, forcing you to reconnect regularly. But since he's using the Epson EcoTank, he can connect via WiFi, and that's far better.