You won't like the answer, but perhaps your search will be simplified if you generalize the problem: https://xkcd.com/2055/.
Ask HN: Is possible to have a Linux setup where Bluetooth just works?
11–17 of 17 posts
Re: Ask HN: Is possible to have a Linux setup where Bluetooth just works?
#12On laptops it usually works. I would not recommend any BLE pointer devices .. they usually suck. Probably same with keyboards. Chipsets which are going to attempt to share the radio between Bluetooth and WiFi tend to fail miserably at this which can lead to bad Bluetooth performance and thus noticeable delays with keyboards and pointing devices.
It's really terrible in cars in connection with android. I assume because no one tests older cars with newer phones.
Android Auto works most of the time when it doesn't change the UI language to french.. but it's not wireless.
I just want Bluetooth to die already and get replaced with something simpler that is designed to interoperate and is actually good at this.
Re: Ask HN: Is possible to have a Linux setup where Bluetooth just works?
#13You won't like the answer, but perhaps your search will be simplified if you generalize the problem: https://xkcd.com/2055/ .
As usual xkcb is accurate. The different protocols which Bluetooth is made of are very complex and IMHO error prone to implement and test against each other.
Sometimes I get the impression that people keep on developing Bluetooth when it would make more sense to restart from scratch.
Re: Ask HN: Is possible to have a Linux setup where Bluetooth just works?
#14It doesn’t work as flawlessly as you think in other OS. In macOS I have trouble with non-apple bluetooth devices all the time.
Re: Ask HN: Is possible to have a Linux setup where Bluetooth just works?
#15It doesn’t work as flawlessly as you think in other OS. In macOS I have trouble with non-apple bluetooth devices all the time.
One anecdata: I've not had a problem with non-Apple Bluetooth devices in over a decade (covering watches, speakers, headphones, audio recorders, gps devices, POS printers, label printers, etc.)
Re: Ask HN: Is possible to have a Linux setup where Bluetooth just works?
#16Bluetooth is generally terrible, Apple had to build on top of it to make it a tolerable experience.
Educate me, what did they build?
Re: Ask HN: Is possible to have a Linux setup where Bluetooth just works?
#17Bluetooth is generally terrible, Apple had to build on top of it to make it a tolerable experience.
Educate me, what did they build?
AFAIK it's mostly not open sourced, but from what I recall the H1/H2 chips used in the devices improves and augments a lot of functionality. It includes a bluetooth modem among other things, and the result is much improved performance and pairing. On the software side I think (possibly also facilitated by the chip) Airpods also utilize a feature for switching between devices using your Apple ID. I think Apple automatically syncs bluetooth settings between your devices.