Nokia's HS-12W Wireless Stereo Headset

Not sure how this one slipped by us, but Nokia's coming out with a new pair of Bluetooth stereo headphones called the HS-12W Wireless Stereo Headset that are designed specifically for use with their new 8801 fashionphone. The headphones'll actually work fine with other Bluetooth-enabled gadgets, too, but you can only rock out in stereo if you use a phone or an MP3 player or whatever that supports a stereo Bluetooth profile like A2DP (our suggestion: learn what that is now, since you'll be hearing it a lot around these parts). They're positioning this thing to ride the crest of musicphones that are coming around the bend, and besides being able to automatically interrupt what you're listening to when you get a call, the HS-12W also comes with a small one-line LCD that can display track and caller ID info (or also let you know when you've received a text message) and a built-in FM tuner. Should be out in Q3 of this year.

[fabulously @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

as I know, sonyEricsson's bluetooth devices are better than others'. Nokia's inside bluetooth(I have a symbian model) sucks.

[Marijn @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Does anyone else share the feeling that it's a little pointless to have a bluetooth headset with wired earplugs? Not quite wireless ...

[Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Its very usefull if u have a 6600 symbian phone which is mono with the head phone plug.

[chudd @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Nokia probably thinks that most people prefer earbuds to bigger headsets, even fully wireless ones. But you�re right, it does sort of kill the point. A good pair of earbuds is probably a better answer. And maybe a cordster to keep track of them (I love mine)

[num10ck @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

maybe its just me, but there's no mention anywhere of these things having a microphone? is it same to assume it does? does it recharge through the phone, or do we need another wall wart for this thing too? is bluetooth smart enough to turn this off when you get into your bluetooth car?

[eMarrs @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

I have been waiting for a nokia headset SORT of like this. The image headset is basically this, but with a color screen instead of the little bar screen. When my last bluetooth heaadset broke, I just bought a new non-bluetooth headset. It was just too much waiting for the image headset. (it has continually been postponed)

[DennisQ @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

This is exactly what I've been looking for - I *think*. What the pictures don't show is how the earbuds connect to the remote. I'm hoping you can swap in any earphones. I sure hope those crappy nokia earbuds aren't hardwired (though I bet they are so that you can have a mic inline).

Regardless, I doubt the LCD will work for most non-Nokia phones beyond the Caller-ID.

[Brian @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

#4 - Are you saying all Nokia 6600 series (including the 6620 which I have) produce mono sound with the earbud headsets available from nokia.com? I've heard the cheapo clones off of ebay are mono only and the expensive ones direct from nokia are, in fact, capable of stereo.

If that is not the case, are you sure the 6600 series supports A2DP?

[hobgoblin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

#8 not very likely that you can swap them out as the small square box on the line on one of them is most likely the mic for the handsfree function.

#3 either your trolling you you dont get it. most likely the wires are so short that it will hang down to about your chest and nothing more. ie, just enough for the buds to reach each ear.

you should then be able to put the phone anywhere without having to worry about a long wire pointing out where it is. like say having it in a pants pocket or similar.

#6 check the image, there is a small box below one of the buds, perfect posision for a handsfree mic. as for recharging, your guess is as good as mine. i just wish that they would bring out batterys with induction coil charging so that you could have a electromagnetic surface or something that you just put the item on to charge it. no need for connectors or anything like that :P

the perfect universial charger. alltho it may be one hell of a noice emitter for all i know.

[GL @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

This article has been on nokia.com for over 6 months, cant wait to get it though. My dad can then listen to radio on his MOTO RAZR