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Desktop As a Cellphone Extension?

Posted by timothy on from the ring-it-on dept.

spaceman375 writes "Like many slashdotters, I've given up on landlines and have only a cell account. The problem: when I am home I don't want to carry my phone on my person, AND I don't want to have to run (possibly up or down stairs) to answer a call. Landlines solved this with extensions. I could go buy an xlink or other Bluetooth-to-POTS solution, but that takes money for equipment. My desktop has Bluetooth, as do my laptop and cell. All I want is a program that can use my cell's Bluetooth to make and receive calls from my Linux PC. I can do this with asterisk or related programs, but that is like buying UPS when I just need a taxi ride. Yet all I can find are programs that either use 'presence' to shift other-sourced calls to my cell, or ways to use a Bluetooth headset when receiving a call on a PC. Has anyone found a way to use their desktop to make and receive calls through their cell via Bluetooth?"

10 of 199 comments (clear)

  1. Let me get this straight... by MikeV · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You don't want to be bothered with carrying the phone with you (the easiest solution), and don't want to be bothered with having to run up or downstairs to answer the phone, so your idea is to what - answer it from your PC, which if you're away from it would STILL necessitate you having to rush to it up or downstairs to answer??? Just pocket the stupid phone and be done with it.

    1. Re:Let me get this straight... by malkir · · Score: 5, Funny

      Do you really want to imagine the general /. population naked?

    2. Re:Let me get this straight... by PopeRatzo · · Score: 5, Funny

      I also carry my wallet and cellular phone, a programmable calculator, as well as a passport and handgun (with extra clips) at all times in the house. I use a standard ziplock plastic bag and a lanyard around my neck when I'm in the shower. Sometimes, my wife gets angry because it pokes her in the eyes when we're having marital relations, and it did cause a bit of a problem for my late first wife (may she rest in peace) when I once left the safety off. You have to be prepared should local law enforcement demand to see your papers, or if the need should arise to make a cellular call, solve a differential equation, prove my status as a natural-born US citizen, stop a charging Kodiak bear or retrieve a phone number from one of the many slips of paper in my wallet.

      You never know, and it's best to always be prepared.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    3. Re:Let me get this straight... by Demena · · Score: 5, Funny

      Robert Heinlein is that you?

    4. Re:Let me get this straight... by Jstlook · · Score: 5, Funny

      Isn't it obvious? He uses the handgun to prove he's a natural-born US citizen.
      He uses the credit cards to stop a charging Kodiak bear, since they only maul tourists.
      Besides, with a cellular phone, a programmable calculator, a phillips screwdriver, and a short piece of string (or the lanyard), even Macgyver could encourage the most obstinate of bears to charge his wife, instead of him.

      --
      ---jstlook ---For that is the way of Elves, for they say both yes AND no, and mean every word of it. --- J.R.R.T.
  2. Grand Central by cps42 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I understand you dont want to run for your phone -- Bluetooth won't reach up and down stairs, so linking phone and computer are likely not going to solve your problem. Why not use Grand Central http://www.grandcentral.com/ and a Skype number? Have Grand Central ring your cell and your Skype number at the same time. Then whichever you're closest to, you can answer.

    1. Re:Grand Central by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      Grand central isn't available to the general public yet.

      They have been opening it up to those on the waiting list over the last few days, but overall it's still a closed site.

    2. Re:Grand Central by chipschap · · Score: 5, Interesting

      You don't need to pay for a Skype number; get a Gizmo account. That works perfectly in conjunction with Google Voice (formerly Grand Central). Google Voice will ring your cell phone and your Gizmo SIP number simultaneously. This makes for a completely free solution (but people will have to learn to call your Google Voice number). You can also make free domestic calls from Google Voice, via Gizmo. Google Voice will ring your Gizmo SIP number and then connect your call. Of course, the other option, as many here have stated, is to put your phone in your pocket and be done with it.

  3. Let me get this straight by Pokey.Clyde · · Score: 5, Informative

    You neither want to carry your phone with you, nor do you want to have to actually walk somewhere to answer it. Are you really that damn lazy? It's a damn phone. Stick it in your pocket and be done with it. Shit, do you need help tying your shoes, too? Get a helmet and go on about your life.

  4. windows mobile to XP (and Vista) by blackest_k · · Score: 5, Informative

    http://www.inspectmygadget.com/2007/04/30/use-your-computer-to-receive-your-mobile-phone-calls-via-the-hands-freeheadset-profile-using-bluetooth-wm5/

    Ok theres a windows solution for windows mobile phones (it looks like it should work for other mobiles).

    now who can find a linux solution.

    --
    Blarney Quality Restaurant, Plants