Here's the thing, my bluetooth headset supports A2DP (for some reason?), but that means the N900 is ALWAYS streaming audio from system sounds,etc. This causes my headset to only have enough juice to operate for ~4-5hrs on standby instead of the days it normally does with every other phone.

In short, how can I disable A2DP completely? Surely this is possible, since I have no problem enabling/disabling A2DP on a linux desktop when the headset is connected to it.

I'm bumping this..
When my bluetooth handsfree device is connected to the N900, the battery on the handsfree device lasts 2hrs MAX because the N900 is CONSTANTLY streaming ALL audio to it. Whether that is audio notifications for IM/SMS, or just a constant audio "buzz" from the N900.

This has been confirmed with at least one other handsfree device. Both of the handsfree devices last days on one charge when connected to any other phone/tablet/whatever you want to call it.

Is there really no way to only allow the N900 to send phone call audio to the handsfree device and nothing else??

I have a Jawbone Noise Assassin and I haven't had any problems with it.
Would it be possible to tell us what headset you have. It would be good to outline which headsets that are affected by this.

Good idea, I have this issue with both the Motorola H17 and the Plantronics Voyager Pro.

I cannot think of anything out of the ordinary I might have done to my N900 (as far as installing 3rd party applications) that might have caused this behavior.

I believe part of the issue might be that the handsfree devices I am using both support A2DP, and it appears that A2DP is a higher priority on the N900 than the 3.5mm and internal speakers. I cannot, for instance, play music out of the 3.5mm and have a handsfree device connected over bluetooth. The music automatically routes to the bluetooth device the second it connects to the N900.

I have the same problem that you guys, but when my N900 connects to my car stereo. Previously I had a Nokia 6131 which didn't support A2DP and it was fine, now whenever I start my stereo I have to change from streaming to the correct source 'cause the N900 is always transmitting.

A couple of days ago I saw a Motorola Droid which has the option to disable telephone and/or multimedia whith each paired device on the Bluetooth menu. I think that would be the correct approach.

Anyone has any ideas how to contact the developers through a more formal channel? Maybe a brainstorm?

Unfortunately this is the closest I've found to a "solution"... a stagnant brainstorm. Vote on it, and pray to your god that Nokia notices it

Thanks craftyguy! Just voted and started praying