Do you use your cell phone on your shoulder?

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ArcticSilver

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Topic # 104426 18-Jun-2012 18:54

I have an issue with my phone (Lumia 800), where to the reciever, my voice becomes distant (like talking on a speaker phone from accross the room). This only becomes aparent when I use it leant, on my sholder (as to talk without hands). Trying to return it at Dick Smith has resulted in responses such as "maybe you're not suppose to use it that way" and "maybe you should buy a bluetooth headset", overall a general reluctance to send it away.

I plan on sending it to Nokia care (thank god its a Nokia!), which will hopefully resolve the issue, but I generally wanted to ask:

Do you think it is unresonable to expect my cell phone to work properly, leant on my sholder (ie between my ear and sholder, to talk hands free), provided I am not obstructing the speaker or mic?

bazzer

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Reply # 642939 19-Jun-2012 09:11

I would expect it to work, but I wouldn't feel hard done by if it didn't. It's not the "normal" way to use it.

Having said that, why is it not working? Is it distance from mic or something else?

Jaxson

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Reply # 642944 19-Jun-2012 09:18

bazzer: I would expect it to work, but I wouldn't feel hard done by if it didn't. It's not the "normal" way to use it.

+1 It's pretty common these days for phones not to work so well off centre as such. Often it's done that way on purpose to cut down on surrounding noise interference. If you have to use it hands free as such, then opt for a separate mic which I'm sure the shop/Nokia would love to sell you as an extra.

nutbugs

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Reply # 642954 19-Jun-2012 09:25

Agree with previous responses.

Personally I use either the headset that comes with the phone or a bluetooth headset. Not sure my neck would cope with using a phone like that these days!

alasta

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Reply # 642978 19-Jun-2012 09:59

Why not just take the suggestion to use a headset? Bluetooth headsets are cheap these days, and wired headsets are even cheaper.

Cradling the phone like that sounds uncomfortable, is likely to be bad for you long term, and creates a risk of dropping the phone.

Jaxson

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Reply # 642990 19-Jun-2012 10:11

Plus you'll get cancer of the shoulder too....

Behodar

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Reply # 642991 19-Jun-2012 10:12

I agree that the internal mic should still work when you're using it on your shoulder; I do that occasionally with my (non-Nokia) phone and haven't had any complaints.

ArcticSilver

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Reply # 643336 19-Jun-2012 18:16

Using a bluetooth headset isnt an easy option for me.

My scenario is usually that im working on a job and need to recieve a call from some one, related to the job. This is information I quite often have to enter into a computer/device while I am on the phone. This is when I need both my hands and this is where the audio issue, becomes a real issue.

Using a bluetooth headset would mean I would have to have one in my ear at all times, in case that call arrived, which is less than ideal. Not to mention I have tried bluetooth headset's in the past and none of them have fitted all that well.

ArcticSilver

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Reply # 643339 19-Jun-2012 18:18

I should add, I have been doing this for years, with all my previous phones (Nokia's, LG's etc). I have never experienced any problem while doing this.

I also know quite a few others in my profession that do the same without any issue. Personally I believe that this is quite common.

ArcticSilver

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Reply # 643340 19-Jun-2012 18:20

bazzer: I would expect it to work, but I wouldn't feel hard done by if it didn't. It's not the "normal" way to use it.

Having said that, why is it not working? Is it distance from mic or something else?

It's not the distance from the mic. I have checked, double checked and triple checked that the mic is not getting blocked, nor is it a different distance/angle to my mouth.

It seems to be an internal issue. I can also hear crosstalk via the phones speaker when this is happening.

ArcticSilver

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Reply # 643351 19-Jun-2012 18:28

Jaxson:
bazzer: I would expect it to work, but I wouldn't feel hard done by if it didn't. It's not the "normal" way to use it.

+1 It's pretty common these days for phones not to work so well off centre as such. Often it's done that way on purpose to cut down on surrounding noise interference. If you have to use it hands free as such, then opt for a separate mic which I'm sure the shop/Nokia would love to sell you as an extra.

Why would it being "off center" affect the noice cancellation?

jeffnz

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Reply # 643357 19-Jun-2012 18:33

I've tried using shoulder and face and it causes all sorts of issues I didn't have with non touch screen phones so either put it on speaker phone or use bluetooth handsfree.

Not sure I get your logic of having to have earpiece in all the time as all you need to do is put into ear when it rings much like you do with having to pick phone up. Takes a while to get used to new ways but sounds liek the bluetooth is designed especially for people like yourself.

I agree with other posters, not sure its normal for phone to be used that way although people do doesn't make it normal or how its supposed to be used.

A friend with Iphone does the same and is muffled when he does it so I'm assuming its a touch screen thing

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ArcticSilver

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Reply # 643458 19-Jun-2012 21:08

jeffnz: I've tried using shoulder and face and it causes all sorts of issues I didn't have with non touch screen phones so either put it on speaker phone or use bluetooth handsfree.

Not sure I get your logic of having to have earpiece in all the time as all you need to do is put into ear when it rings much like you do with having to pick phone up. Takes a while to get used to new ways but sounds liek the bluetooth is designed especially for people like yourself.

I agree with other posters, not sure its normal for phone to be used that way although people do doesn't make it normal or how its supposed to be used.

A friend with Iphone does the same and is muffled when he does it so I'm assuming its a touch screen thing

The screen turns itself off when I am in a call, I do not believe it is related at all to the touch screen.

Not to mention my previous 2 touch screen devices did not have this issue.

The problem with bluetooth is if I want to use the headset only when my phone rings I either have to ask the caller to wait for me to change over to the headset, or have it on all the time. Neither are ideal. Having it on all the time would also mean my phone would not ring, only the headset would.

blakamin

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Reply # 643475 19-Jun-2012 21:26

Don't have an issue when i do it on my s3 (while rolling ciggies and talking to the Mrs) ;-p

gzt

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Reply # 643552 20-Jun-2012 04:27

The problem with bluetooth is if I want to use the headset only when my phone rings I either have to ask the caller to wait for me to change over to the headset, or have it on all the time. Neither are ideal. Having it on all the time would also mean my phone would not ring, only the headset would.

A simple plugin hands free wired headset of either type will solve that. Plug in or remove at any time during or after the call.

gzt

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Reply # 643554 20-Jun-2012 04:52

The problem with bluetooth is if I want to use the headset only when my phone rings I either have to ask the caller to wait for me to change over to the headset, or have it on all the time. Neither are ideal. Having it on all the time would also mean my phone would not ring, only the headset would.

You might want to check that. Many phones have options to ring on both devices at the same time.

Also, many android sets can change seamlessly between BT and phone without interuputing the call.

No good reason windows can't do that as well so give it a go.