Motorola launches MOTOPURE H12 Bluetooth headset

As we'd heard hinted at in the past, Motorola has unveiled its new and glitzy MOTOPURE -- these names are getting so old -- H12 Bluetooth headset. Featuring Moto's CrystalTalk dual microphone noise cancellation, diamond cut metal housing, and 5.5 hours talk and 200 hours standby time, if the price's right, it'll likely find its way into ears everywhere. We like that Motorola has included a charging base plus a small carrying case that doubles as both charger and protective case for when not in use. As an added kindness, they've also thrown in a few ear cushions to make your wearing experience a pleasant one. This 12 gram wonder will set you back $99 after rebate -- of the mail-in variety we're afraid -- from your local AT&T store.

[waiownsyou @ Nov 6th 2007 4:29PM]

I think more people will fall in love with the Samsung WEP200

[Cagrino @ Nov 6th 2007 4:39PM]

My local AT&T store said it's an INSTANT rebate.

[Jonathan Keim @ Nov 6th 2007 4:40PM]

At least it wasn't MOTOPRE ;-)

(ROKR RAZR, ETC.)

[MR @ Nov 6th 2007 4:45PM]

Yet another ugly headset.

[ryantrevisol @ Nov 6th 2007 5:36PM]

The MOTOYAUH!

[Joe @ Nov 6th 2007 8:47PM]

Looks like a Jawbone clone.

[Jon Graft @ Nov 6th 2007 9:33PM]

Jawbone clone for sure...I wonder if this will pair well with the Playstation 3. :-) Wanted a Jawbone, but at my local Best Buy they are $160. :-(

[Matt @ Nov 6th 2007 9:54PM]

I just got home from getting one of these things. I had a Jawbone until my fiancee usurped it after she lost hers so I can do a proper comparison I think. Looks like a Jawbone clone online but in person I can assure you it does not.

First, this one actually has a metal surface instead of an aluminum-colored plastic surface as the Jawbone. Also, this headset is roughly 1/2 the size of a Jawbone. It's an inch shorter, 1/4 inch narrower and 1/4 inch thinner. I can feel the Jawbone on the side of my head but not this one.

It also has a multi-color LED indicator that indicates what you're doing on a call (standby, on a call, incoming call, etc.) or the battery status, or the charging status. It also has separate volume, power, and call buttons, which is nice.

I REALLY like that it is USB based for charging instead of the proprietary setup on the Jawbone. It is MicroUSB and comes with an adapter to MiniUSB (that you find on most digital cameras and newer cell phones). The charger is a direct MicroUSB connection, and is hardwired, so you can't plug it in to a spare iPod charger if you have one (though you can use the adapter for that with a standard->Mini USB cable). It comes with a table-top display charger and the case charger mentioned in the posting. The display charger is pretty weighty for its size - it won't slip off your desk. The headset hooks onto the display charger via the earbud so it won't fall off if you bump it, which is nice.

It came with >80% charge according to the lights so hopefully it will charge quickly. I plan to give it a good workout tonight and tomorrow and if it's good I'll keep it - otherwise it's going back.

The major selling point for me is that it is supposed to work in wind - and anyone who's used a Jawbone knows that's one situation where the darn things just don't work. Can't wait to give that a shot.

[Matt @ Nov 6th 2007 10:25PM]

Oh forgot to add two other bits.

I can confirm an earlier post that described the US$20 rebate as instant. The boxes have coupon stickers on them indicating an instant rebate until January (if I remember correctly). You peel it off and they scan it at checkout.

Also, the headset comes with a lapel clip that you can hook it onto so you don't have to wear it constantly. Just put it on your shirt buttons and hook the headset there, and you can put it on as needed. Rather a clever idea - something I always tried to accomplish with my Jawbone but never quite worked.

Going to give it a try now, it finished charging.

[Matt @ Nov 6th 2007 10:39PM]

Well...I'm not encouraged. I called my fiancee and talked a bit. Seemed like she couldn't quite understand me unless I spoke up.

Then called my work voicemail just now and talked a bit, turned on the bathroom fan, then turned on the TV, talked some with each on, then called back to see what it sounded like.

Couldn't hear the fan noise at all. With the TV, could hear it slightly in the background.

However, the sent voice quality seems to be pretty crappy. It was pretty distorted. The Jawbone never did that. I will give it a little more time but already it's not looking good just based on that.

My phone is a Nokia E50 non-camera.

[cubs @ Nov 6th 2007 11:37PM]

Thanks for the updates Matt, keep us posted.. I'm looking into getting one.

[Matt @ Nov 6th 2007 11:29PM]

A final comment for the evening...Just had a long talk with my fiancee, stuck my head right up next an air conditioning unit, she said it sounded great the whole time (this was cell phone to cell phone), with a slight amount of hiss when I was against the AC...So I guess it's better than I thought from the phone call to my voicemail. Cheers!

[Scott @ Nov 7th 2007 1:12AM]

Matt,

Thank you for your updates. Is the ear bud an actual ear bud or an ear canal type device like on Shure headsets/earphones and the Samsung WEP410? Basically, does the earpiece go into your ear canal?

[rtdunham @ Nov 7th 2007 12:38AM]

in reporting new devices like this one, weight should be a standard spec along with battery life

[Matt @ Nov 7th 2007 8:02AM]

rtdunham, the weight is supposed to be 12g.

Scott, the speaker goes in your outer ear very similar to the Jawbone - it does not go in the ear canal like a set of Shure or etymotic earphones.

I'm currently leaning towards taking it back. Had several more conversations with my fiancee and with other things (played around with Google 411 for a bit) and while the person / machine receiving the call seems to be able to understand me fine, when I turn the volume all the way up as I'd need to in noisy surroundings, the speaker is audibly clipping. I have to turn it down to about 1/2 way to keep this from happening, which sort of defeats the purpose of it being able to get loud in the first place. I'm going to talk to the AT&T store where I bought it and see if I can return it at any factory AT&T store (as I am away from home on travel) or if I can only return it at this one, because I'd like to give it a little longer of a try before I make my final decision. It looks like according to the AT&T website I can return it anywhere so that's good.

[datac99 @ Nov 7th 2007 1:09PM]

It's funny when you click on 'MATURE' cuz' Google thinks you misspelled MOTOPURE... Heheheh old people are grose.

[Bryce @ Nov 7th 2007 10:35PM]

I bought mine today and while the circle does look like a wired Jawbone clone, but the rest of the headset does not. The design looks horrible on my face and the materials are don't feel as quality as either version of the Jawbone. As for the copy cat circle, I wonder if Jawbone owns that IP?

In terms of performance, so far very little apparent noise elimination in my car and in crowds. Voice integlibility has been poor at best for my caller. So far the only good point is that it holds up decently (not great) in wind. But how often am i really standing in wind gusts?

Bottom line: Jawbone is still the winner... seems like every company in headset space is coming up with some sort of "noise reducing technology" but I haven't seen one that can hold up like Jawbone. Hopefully they continue to be the thought leaders in an other wise dull and boring space.

[Nelson @ Nov 9th 2007 1:36AM]

I bought the H12 on Tuesday...and returned it today.

I looks better and is "smoother" to use than the Jawbone, but the noisecancelation was so bad that I'd have to say it's almost non-existant.
It picked wind, voices, and street noise.

Jawbone=1
Motorola H12=0

[christy @ Nov 10th 2007 4:31PM]

I used the jawbone for around 6 months and was excited to see a "noise cancellation" bluetooth from motorola. I was VERY disappointed with my purchase. It is not noise cancellation at all. The headset has crystaltalk technology like that in the V9 phone. You can hear your caller loud and clear but the caller does hear background noise. At the same pricepoint as the jawbone the jawbone is a much better quality headset. All the extra buck buys you on the H12 headset is the look and feel. Its a "very attractive" headset and is very light to wear all day as I do. I expected much more from motorola, hopefully they will set up to the plate soon.

[Cars @ Nov 10th 2007 11:04PM]

While the noise cancelation may not seem as good next to a single really loud source compared to a Jawbone, the H12 seems to work great in real life conditions.. I like it alot. Very comfortable, really nice size, USB charging. Works great in the car, and my car is a noisy piece of %&!#@$&*. I don't drive and try to talk with my radio blasting. ;) though.

[jtdcg @ Nov 14th 2007 12:42PM]

Bummer that this thing is not looking to pan out as much as it was anticipated...cnet reviewed here:
http://reviews.cnet.com/headsets/motorola-h12/4505-13831_7-32741652.html