Using Bluetooth on the W850i

The vast majority of modern phones now come with Bluetooth connectivity and the Sony Ericsson W850i is no exception. Bluetooth is a short-range, wireless data transfer service that is completely free to use. Its most common function is connecting handsets with wireless hands-free kits, but you can also use Bluetooth to transfer files to and from your home computer and with other handsets.

Changing your phone name

Before you start sending and receiving files, it is a good idea to give your phone a unique name and decide whether you want it to be visible all the time. By default your phone will probably be called ‘W850i’. You can change the name in the Settings; press the centre button to enter the main menu, then scroll down and right to highlight the Settings icon and press Select (Figure 1). Now press right to scroll through to the Connectivity tab on the far right. Bluetooth is at the top of the list so press Select to enter the Bluetooth menu (Figure 2). Scroll down to the bottom (or just up one line), highlight Phone name and press Select (Figure 3). Here you should see the word ‘W850i’; to change it, simply delete the existing text and enter a name of your choice (Figure 4).

Switching on Bluetooth

Enter the Bluetooth menu in the Connectivity tab of the Settings menu. The top item in the list is Turn on, so press Select and the Bluetooth icon shall appear in the upper left corner of your phone screen (Figure 5).

To pair with another device in order to communicate with it, you’ll also need to make sure your phone is visible. Once Bluetooth is switched on, you will be returned to the Bluetooth menu. Scroll down once to highlight visibility and press Select. Choose Show phone and press Select (Figure 6). Now your Bluetooth is switched on and your phone is visible.

Pairing your handset

Not every action involving Bluetooth requires your handset to be paired with the other device. For example, you can send files to other devices without pairing, but the advantage of pairing is that it gives you the chance to communicate with a paired device straight away without waiting for a search for Bluetooth devices to find it. By pairing your handset, you can also keep your phone invisible and still communicate with other Bluetooth devices.

To pair your handset with another Bluetooth device, such as a computer, mobile phone or headset, you’ll need to ensure that Bluetooth is switched on visible on both devices. Consult the other Bluetooth device’s manual for information on how to prepare it for pairing.

From the standby screen (you can get back there at any point by holding down the Back button for a few seconds), enter the main menu by pressing the centre button, highlight the Settings icon and press Select. Scroll right to the Connectivity tab highlight Bluetooth and press Select to enter the Bluetooth menu. Scroll down to My Devices and press Select (Figure 7), Now press Add, and OK to start searching for other Bluetooth devices.

The search shouldn’t take more than a minute and you should quickly see your other Bluetooth device named in the list (Figure 8). To begin pairing, highlight the device’s name and press Select. You will be prompted to enter a four-digit code of your choice to pair the device (Figure 9). This is a rudimentary security tool and it prevents another device from accepting pairing if it doesn’t have the same code. When pairing with a computer, you’ll be prompted to enter the same code as you entered on the handset to complete the pairing process (Figure 10).

If you’re pairing your handset with a headset, which obviously doesn’t have a keypad to enter a code in with, consult with the manual to find out which code is needed to complete pairing. If in doubt, try ‘0000’ or ‘1234’ as these are the standard codes used by the majority of Bluetooth device manufacturers.

Once the code has been confirmed, pairing will complete and from now on the device’s name will always appear in the My devices section of the Bluetooth menu (Figure 11).

Sending and receiving files

You can send pretty much any file over Bluetooth, such as pictures, audio tracks, videos, themes, bookmarks and saved webpages. To send files you actually need to have your phone’s Bluetooth connectivity switch on or visible. Press the centre button to enter the main menu, then highlight the File Manager icon on the right and press Select (Figure 12). Highlight the file you want to send inside its corresponding folder (Figures 13 & 14), press More and then highlight Send (Figure 15). Press Right and a menu will pop out from the right hand side. Highlight Via Bluetooth and press Select (Figure 16). This will begin searching for the other device and show a list of paired devices. Once it appears, press Select to begin sending.

To receive a file is even easier. Once the other device has started sending, you will receive a pop up message on the screen accompanied by an alert tone (Figure 17). This will tell you that a file is being sent and will ask you whether you want to receive it. Press Yes to accept it, then choose which folder you want to save it in by highlighting it and pressing Select (Figure 18).