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Ambrosa · Nov 22, 2002, 12:56 PM

I'm a fan of Bluetooth, so I decided to buy this new MS Bluetooth combo just to try it out on my Mac (PB G4, 10.2.2). I knew that it wasn't certified for a Mac and that it didn't have drivers, but I wanted to see how far I could get before I returned it.

I plugged the Bluetooth adapter into the back of my PB, and OSX picked it up immediately. Seeing some promised, I put the batteries into the mouse.

I went to the bluetooth icon in "System Preferences" and did a search for Bluetooth devices. It found the mouse and labeled it "Microsoft Mouse." I hit the "Pair" button, and it asked for the passkey.

Well, Microsoft's software must automatically take care of the passkey, because I could find no documentation for it. I tried a few of the numbers from the bottom of the mouse, but I had no luck.

Things looked to be going smoothly, but now I am stuck. Just want to see if anyone has any suggestions before I return this thing. If I can get any further, I would be happy to continue to post my progress for others. But for now, I'm just stuck

pjmurphy · Nov 22, 2002, 03:33 PM

almost all bluetooth items can utlize a passkey of 0000 (four zeros). try that!

Ambrosa · Nov 22, 2002, 04:29 PM

Tried it before...no luck

Thanks, though.

clarkgoble · 06:06 PM

Which bluetooth keyboard was it? Probably the drivers are everything. Even if the Mac can discover the device, you'd need something to know how to communicate between the OSX keyboard/mouse code and the bluetooth device. That requires a driver that isn't supplied.

I'd try contacting Microsoft. I bet they have a beta driver and their hardware department tends to be very good. I'm curious how well it works. I sent them a note on their "suggestions" page and would encourage everyone reading to do the same.

http://register.microsoft.com/mswish/suggestion.asp?

BTW - I halfway suspect that Microsoft is waiting on code from Apple. The reason that all those non-Apple keyboards can work with USB is because of the drivers built into OSX. Presumably despite a lot of Bluetooth support in 10.2 there aren't keyboard drivers.

Rumor has it though that new Macs will have Bluetooth built in and that they'll have Bluetooth mice and keyboards standard. So probably Apple is holding off until the new Macs are out and Microsoft is doing the same.

Ambrosa · Nov 22, 2002, 11:59 PM

That could be quite correct. Yet, since all Bluetooth devices use the same method to connect (pairing with a passkey), I would think that I could create the connection between the computer and the mouse / keyboard.

I would not, however, expect to be able to use the mouse or keyboard without drivers.

In essence, Bluetooth is like a serial port. Instead of connecting a wire between two devices, you connect via Bluetooth. This connection should not require drivers. Use of the device does require drivers, though.

FYI, it's the Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop for Bluetooth.

vasu · Nov 23, 2002, 12:18 PM

Did you try just making up a 4 digit number? When I paired my phone with my computer for the first time it asked for a 4 digit number and I just made one up, which I use from now os as my passkey

thesearcher · Nov 23, 2002, 12:54 PM

It's just as well those Bluetooth meeces don't work yet. A corded meece would probably get it's feelings hurt if it was replaced.

Retrograde · Nov 25, 2002, 02:35 AM

I'm definitely interested to see how this turns out as a bluetooth mouse is something I would love to see on my iBook.

Does anyone know if there is anyone else that makes bluetooth mice besides Microsoft? I did a search a while back and couldn't find anything except for the proposed one from Microsoft.

Ambrosa · Nov 25, 2002, 11:12 AM

Yea, I have tried making up a number. Didn't work.

I'm still trying, though. I'll try to keep everyone aware of my progress.

As for other Bluetooth mouses...

Microsoft is currently the only one. I'm sure that Logitech will soon follow, but as for now, we are stuck with a solution with no drivers that won't even connect yet.

martyrart · Nov 26, 2002, 08:21 PM

Have you pressed the button on the bottom of the mouse?

The cordless mice have a little pinsized button on the bottom that must be pressed and then you press the button on the reciever.

Could that be your problem or do you have to get by the keycode thingy?

Ambrosa · Nov 26, 2002, 10:44 PM

That's something I found strange. Like Microsoft's other wireless mouses, this mouse has a button on the bottom. However, the receiver does not have a button of any kind (as with most Bluetooth receivers).

Anyway, I have tried pressing the button in a variety of situations. Nothing.

Thanks for the suggestion. The search continues...

josha · Nov 27, 2002, 02:20 PM

I just found a bluetooth keyboard/mouse today and had the same problem. Apparently, during the XP install, you set the passphrase for the keyboard (so I'd imagine you coulse use that), but the mouse doesn't have one...here's hoping, as it's a nice mouse/keyboard combo!

Josh

Retrograde · Nov 29, 2002, 06:32 AM

I was in London yesterday and had a look at the Microsoft Bluetooth mouse which they are selling seperately from the keyboard too (in case you don't want to buy both).

It certainly looks nice but I will hold off until a smaller bluetooth mouse debuts. I mean, I want to get rid of clutter and so want to add a wireless mouse to my iBook but then I have to buy this huge mouse which all in all is larger than my mouseman traveller with its cord and even when in its carry case!

So I will wait for a true portable bluetooth mouse: small and wireless. That is a market sector waiting to find a manufacturer.

Conrad · Dec 2, 2002, 12:38 PM

I played with the keyboard and mouse this weekend a bit. Even under XP they don't function very well. They're not usually recognized, and authentication is _required_. Authentication is implemented with a proprietary client that displays a code on the screen which the user has to type in on the keyboard. Authentication in XP failed 4 out of 5 times and I had to again pair the keyboard. The mouse was similar - instead you click a lock icon which then transmits the authentication code. What this means for us: even though the Mac can see the mouse and keyboard, there's no way to know a priori what the security code to authenticate is.

Reading the newsgroups shows that there's an additional problem: the keyboard and mouse _only_ work with the MS transceiver. Other transceivers can detect them, but can not establish a link. And the MS transceiver is bulky.

So, until MS releases Mac specific software for the Bluetooth Desktop I don't think it can be used on the Mac.

Conrad

Ambrosa · Dec 5, 2002, 03:35 PM

Thanks for that feedback. It was extremely helpful. I agree...sounds like we'll have to wait for Mac drivers. Guess I'll be getting a corded optical mouse in the meantime. Don't want to spend the money unless it's Bluetooth.

Thanks again,
Steve

Peter · Dec 8, 2002, 01:14 PM

After reading a review, is it true it costs around $200 ? Also it goes into sleep mode after 30seconds inactivity?
Why do people want bluetooth keyboards though? whats wrong with normal wireless keyboards?

Ambrosa · Dec 9, 2002, 10:45 AM

It cost me $150 for both the keyboard and mouse. Can't speak to the sleep mode, since I haven't been able to get the system working on my Mac.

I have tons of reasons for supporting Bluetooth. It is not just the wireless aspect that intigues me. If that was the case, then a wireless keyboard would be just fine.

I support it for being a standard (I hate proprietary systems). I like the fact that I can use a Bluetooth device with so many other devices (phones, PDAs, notebooks, desktops, etc.). I have a lot of vision for Bluetooth and other standard wireless technologies. I realize that it hasn't reached that potential yet, but it will (though, maybe not in its current form).

Unfortunately, Microsoft seems to be against all of this, since their Bluetooth devices are limited and basically act as plain wireless devices. Just another reason I now own a Mac.

Eug · Dec 21, 2002, 06:02 PM

People are reporting that the MS BlueTooth keyboard/mouse are lasting all of 2 weeks before the batteries need to be replaced.

icruise · Dec 21, 2002, 07:50 PM

Originally posted by PeterClark2002:
After reading a review, is it true it costs around $200 ? Also it goes into sleep mode after 30seconds inactivity?
Why do people want bluetooth keyboards though? whats wrong with normal wireless keyboards?

For that matter, what's wrong with normal wired keyboards? I can sort of understand the appeal of a wireless mouse since the wire can sometimes get in the way, and you are always moving the thing around, but I don't really see the appeal of a wireless keyboard in most situations.

Eug · Dec 21, 2002, 08:06 PM

Originally posted by Icruise:

For that matter, what's wrong with normal wired keyboards? I can sort of understand the appeal of a wireless mouse since the wire can sometimes get in the way, and you are always moving the thing around, but I don't really see the appeal of a wireless keyboard in most situations.

I find the cables get in the way much less now, even with the keyboard, and a too-short keyboard cable is never a problem anymore.

israces · Jan 25, 2003, 08:33 PM

*BUMP*

Has anyone heard any new developments on this? Maybe anything about 10.2.4 having better bluetooth support since the new PB have bluetooth built-in?