Bluetooth broken? I have a fix.

Question

Bluetooth is still broken in version 4.0.0.19550.  Not surprising.  Thankfully, unlike previous versions of Skype, there is a way to make Skype THINK it's a professional app in this version!  You heard it here first, folks!  The Skype Gods really have been listening to our prayers, and bestowed upon us a version of Skype that--while still broken--is slightly less broken than previous versions!  Glorious day!  As a consumer, I am humbled to know that the developers not only listen to us, but recognize and fix the problems we find for them! 
Alright, so, let's get this started, shall we?  How do you get your Bluetooth headset working on your Skype phone, and why isn't your phone/headset working properly?
I'll tell you now, that it's probably got more to do with Skype than whatever ROM/kernel you're running. I tried this on my stock 4.2.2 Nexus 4, and on CM10.1 stable, running Franco's Kernel r151, and a Nexus 7 that's been through so many different ROMs and kernels, I couldn't begin to tell you. The headset I'm using is the LG HBS730, which has served me well in all tasks on my phone other than Skype for Android. This is a long-standing problem I've had with Skype; the conspiracy theorist inside of me wants to believe it's because Microsoft wants to push their Windows phones by purposefully making their Android client stink, but the realist in me hopes that's not true (what with the wide range of Android hardware that the Skype Client would have to support). 
Okay, to get the headset working, I've done the following. 
1. Make sure your headset's paired.  And, before you start skype, turn your bluetooth headset off and wait until it disconnects.
2. I turn my phone's Bluetooth off and on again. Do not reconnnect the headset yet.
3. Sign into Skype (I'm using the version that was updated on July 10, 2013 (version 4.0.0.19550).
4. Join the call that your friend(s) are in. You will start to hear them over your phone's loudspeaker or the regular speaker.
5. Turn your Bluetooth headset on, wait for it to connect. When it connects, Skype should automatically recognize it, and start using both the mic and the earphones on the headset, and you should be able to talk normally.  You will notice the Bluetooth icon has now appeared in place of the loudspeaker icon.
Here are some things that will annoy you, though:
When you get a regular phone call, the Skype call will be put on hold. When you end the phone call and try to rejoin the Skype call, Skype will still see the headset as connected, but will continue to use the phone's speaker and microphone.
This is going to happen a lot, and here's how to fix that:
1. Leave the call, and sign out. 
2. Close the app from the little task manager thingy (If it's a Galaxy SIII, just hold the home button and swipe it away).
3. Disconnect the Bluetooth headset. You can turn your bluetooth on your phone on and off again real quick if you think that helps--I have yet to determine if it does.
4. Sign back into Skype, and join the call.
5. Turn your headset back on again, and Skype should connect to the headset.
5b. Sometimes, the bluetooth icon will appear active, but you will get sound from the phone and it will be using your phone's built-in mic.  Start from step 1 if this happens.
Sadly, for some bizarre reason, I have not been able to connect my headset to my phone, and sign into Skype with the expectation that anything will work, at all. I wish it weren't so complicated, but it is.
Oh, and FYI, don't bother with Skype premium. Group video doesn't work on Android phones OR Windows phones (even from Windows desktop to Windows phone, my friend and I tested; way to sell broken services, Microsoft!), so if you're on-the-go a lot, it's a total waste of money. Also, if you're bike riding, you're probably just going to anger off your friends in the Skype call with all the ambient noise. The mute feature on my headset is not recognized by Skype, so I have to dig my phone out of my pocket to mute it from the screen, but since Bluetooth headsets don't work at all on Skype for Android, I'm not going to hold the muting thing against them.
I hope this helps, but more than that, I hope that one day, Microsoft will restore my faith in Skype. But considering it took them this long to revise their app to the point where Bluetooth even pretends to work, I'm not crossing my fingers.  Exhausted from the endless consumer-abuse, I'm looking for alternatives.
Hope this helps, 'fellas.  
Gaius C.

Answer 1

Hmmm.. thinking the conspiracy theory of Microsoft nobling Android to sell their own phone operating sys is a good one as I can see no reason why Skype have not fixed this long standing, and very important issue. I have tried various versions of Android on various phones and headsets, the problem seems to be with all, only common factor, Skype on Android. I have seen no official response from Skype on any of the multiple forum threads discussing this problem. All I can say, in my opinion, is Skype is the problem, not an Android one, it's on your doorstep! Plantronics, who have supplied me most headsets, can only offer the advice that it worked fine on Skype Ver 2, and not worked properly since (when did Microsoft buy Skype?). I pay Skype for a service but they are leaving me with no alternative but to vote with my feet, Viber works and I think I need to start looking at all alternatives. Maybe I should look at Linux on the PC too!