iMuffs Bluetooth headset for iPod and cellphone

Aight, people, we're not gonna lie to you and pretend these things weren't rather unfortunately named. Still, they promise Bluetooth integration between your iPod, your phone, and your ears, which is potentially a good thing no matter what they're called. When the phone rings, the iMuffs pause your tunes and answer the call, allowing you to speak through the integrated microphone. They charge by USB and reportedly will go for about 12 hours between charges. Controls live right on the headset itself for play/pause, volume, and track skip. They're not taking any orders yet, so no word on price for these — if you're curious, sign up on the website to get an email when they're ready to take your money.

[Thanks, Skip]

[DanAmpX @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

Sorry, that's just ugly looking.
Horrible

[Adam P @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

Muffs.

[Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

My Audiovox SMT5600 does this without any addons (unless you count the miniSD card), play music through the included headset and when a call comes in, it pauses and lets you talk and when youre done the music resumes. Seems much better than fumbling around with 3 bluetooth devices...

[Foxtailed @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

About time someone came up with this, not like it was a strech though. I just can't wait for Belkin or Griffin to come and do it right. I might consider these though. It saddens me though, ever since the iPod became popular electronic goodies (amoung other things) have lost all orginality in there names. Now's it's just iGenericItemName or PodItemName.

[Fletch @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

The website says their not available yet, but if one signs up they'll notify them by Email as soon as they're available for sale, furry muff, I can�t complain.

[petro @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

Unfortunately, this is another product that falls into the iDork catagory.

[defpol @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

I'm almost inclined to buy them just for the sake of getting a little "iMuff"...mmmmKay!

[SlackerDX @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

Do they work w/o the little transmitter? It would be sweet to use these with my Powerbook as well as the iPod and cellphone.

I feel like this is what was missing from Palm's LifeDrive: BT 2.0. It is the one feature missing from the iPod and sooner or later Apple is going to add it. Palm could have beaten them to the punch. Then again, isn't this always the story for Palm?

Sorry for getting off topic but it just got me thinking.

[Cuba @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

I've been waiting three years for wireless earbuds, at least this is a step in the right direction.

[Jon @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

If people are dumb enough to buy Ipods and keep throwing money APPLE's way, then they will jump to get these. I really hope they don't come to my store though.

I hate Ipod accessories and I perfer to sell better, higher quality materials. I refuse to sell the BOSE music player for the Ipod ($300) but I will sell the far more powerful KLIPSH 2.1 Pc speakers.

IPODS are for people with low self esteem- those who wanna fit into the group.
You can bet those skinny, lamers
will jump to get them.

[JPM @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

I wonder if you loose sound quality through BT but this product is exactly what I need on my bike !

[Disco Stu @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

To Jon:

I really think you should go see a therapist to discuss your own self-esteem issues.

Respectfully,
Stu

[Nick @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

This is a much better product, and is actually shipping now.

http://www.tentechnology.com/products/products_naviplay.php

(disclaimer: I know the developer of this product.)

[jon @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

STU


I think people who rely on cult icons to justify their existence are the real people who need help. I personally shop based on features, not what everyone else has. When you handed the store moe for your pod, you got JACKED!

[Jay @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

Wow #13 that product you suggested is the so NOT worth anyones $200, umm instead why don't you get the Griffin iTrip, and get a small radio..the equivelent of what they are selling for ONLy $30. So yeah your friend is screwed.

[Steve @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

Despite the name, this is really quite nice if the sound quality is good. I love my Skullcandy Link ( a must have according to many respected reviewers). The Link won't compare to iMuff as once you buy the Link you better not change cell phone manufacturers cause it's connector is dedicated, it has wires, and lacks iPod controls. The Bluetooth iMuff will work with any BT phone, has no wires, and has iPod controls. I spend hours at the beach and on the water doing business listening to my iPod and using my BT phone. I wonder how they sync the iMuff to the BT phone as well as the iPod? The iPod dongle is maybe just a radio transmitter for the iMuff's and the iMuff's only BT sync with the phone. I'll buy one!

[Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

OK, I have to step in and comment on Nick's product suggestion. It looks like the receiver that you plug your earphones into is about half the size of the iPod. And, as I just said, you PLUG YOUR EARPHONES into it. How does that help you with mobility? You couldn't ride a bike with that thing any more than you could with your phones plugged into your iPod. What am I missing here?

[Frank T. @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

Hey, Jon. I think people who rely on cult icons, you know, like pimped-out Cadillacs with enough amped out stereo equipment to make the ground shake, to justify their existence are the real people who need help. Stu was right, you need therapy, but I do not think you will get it. You have some problem with Apple computer and the ipod that is beyond logic and reason. Too bad for you. You resort to calling people who buy ipod names like "skinny lamers"! Man, you are warped. But you know little about technology and its interaction with culture! And never will. Too close minded. End of story.

[LinkK @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

This device looks great. I've seen some other photos floating around the net and it seems that people do not realize that these are for BOTH ears. They are regular wireless headphones! If you go riding your bike and stick your iPod in your backpack or pocket you can still ride hands free while listening. You can control the music ON THE ACTUAL HEADPHONES! and the best part is, if you have a bluetooth phone and someone calls you, you can receive the call on the headset and talk through it! Whats not to like about this thing.

With all that said and done though......huh huh heh huh....Muffs

[Nick @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

Hmm... the naviPLAY product, i can't see any benefit to this then just having the ipod in your pocket, what's the point of having a bluetooth dongle/receiver that's almost as big as the IPOD itself, a flash MP3 player are cheap now and with 1 gb SD cards under $100 anybody who's doing anything with movement like snowboarding, skating, running whateva...should be using this (as ipod's, MUVO's etc all have hd's with spinning platters inside)
The imuffs seem to have a good product, but for style I would give them a zero... and anybody who wears ear buds (other than for jogging etc) and say they sound greats needs a cat scan for signs of any brain activity!

[Bill @ Dec 31st 2005 9:17AM]

Icombi (airlogic) is coming out with a better version of this at CES Jan 2006. The styling is better, name is better and price is much, much, much better! Stay tuned; I'll report back more after CES around 1/10/06!

[Todd Sears @ Jan 7th 2006 5:11AM]

The icombi does have a nice look and capacity with other music mediums due to various adapters. But it currently does not have mike / headset support nor as easy to use headset controls. I will be interested to see their new product.