Act one

It was a shock, but at the same time, it was not. I think part of me always knew Jabra was lying the whole time. At this point, I was thinking about the support folks on the other side — with their canned replies and fake politeness. You see, we have exchanged a total of 25 emails with the Jabra Support Team trying to figure out why the $300 Jabra Evolve 75 stops working every time a meeting is started. Did they laugh at me while making me jump their hoops? Or did they cringe?

First, they were really sorry to hear that I am experiencing issues. They asked for a serial number and suggested that I use the USB dongle instead of a native Bluetooth to connect to my laptop. Next, they asked me to try the headset with a different device, like a mobile phone and suggested that I use the dongle instead of Bluetooth. Then they asked me to update my PC’s drivers and suggested that I use the dongle. When I told them my Mac OS drivers are up to date they asked me to install “Jabra Mac Suite”, which seemed to be itself broken, but hey, maybe it will fix the problem somehow? And then they suggested that I use the dongle.

Stop it, please!

Why do you keep telling me to use the dongle? I did not buy a Bluetooth headset to use it with a USB dongle. My MacBook comes with only two USB C slots and I am not going to clog one of them for no reason. Besides, it’s 2018 and your dongle is USB B. Am I supposed to carry an adapter in a fanny pack?

No, I do not have a “suboptimal experience”, the headset does not work at all. No, I do not want to enhance the “sound quality”, I can not hear a single word. No, I do not care if the dongle provides a connection over longer distances, my laptop is at arm’s length distance!

Wait a minute…

Are you saying the “Bluetooth” headset only works with the dongle? No? Good, because that is absolutely not how you advertise it. Yeah, sure I will find time for a troubleshooting session with your technician, thanks. We are finally getting somewhere.