Joby introduces Zivio Bluetooth headset with boom mic

Generally speaking, boom microphones run counter to the logic that a Bluetooth headset should be as small and discreet as possible, but Joby may have stumbled upon a solution that brings the audio benefits without making the sides of our faces look too ridiculous. The Zivio Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR headset features a small, stylish body just 53.5mm in length and a retractable metal stalk for the boom; when it's fully extended, you're looking at a 137mm long wonder with the mic conveniently placed directly in front of your pie hole. The idea is to maximize the voice to background noise ratio while maintaining some semblance of fashion, and if the actual product holds true to the press shots, it looks like they may have succeeded. Look for an official unveiling at CES next week.

[Gus Jenkins @ Jan 3rd 2008 2:33PM]

VIIV, anyone?

[Gus Jenkins @ Jan 3rd 2008 2:33PM]

If it comes in black, I'm so there.

[paragraph @ Jan 3rd 2008 2:35PM]

Thats just one of the things holding me back.

The problem i have is the fact that that little boom looks like it's going to break the thrid time i use it.

:\

I'll take my chance sounding like crap with my cruddy motorolla til i hear more how durable something like this is.

[eddie @ Jan 3rd 2008 2:36PM]

is it just me or is this ugly as hell

[CaptSaltyJack @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:00PM]

I'm with ya. Actually it's just the color I dislike. The design is cool, but it's a horrible color for a gadget. Black, white, and aluminum should be the initial offerings, with other colors like this one coming in later.

[Billy K @ Jan 3rd 2008 2:38PM]

I like it. I think it'll go well with my iPhone (assuming it plays nice).

Eddie, it's just you.

[eddie @ Jan 3rd 2008 2:46PM]

:) guess so

[imacmatt09 @ Jan 3rd 2008 2:41PM]

I would be scared to talk too loud, the mic may snap off.

[DJWhiplash2001 @ Jan 3rd 2008 2:53PM]

They could add a second mic to the outside to add true noise cancellation. Granted, your voice will catch the outside mic, but if you only take the difference and amplify it, you'd come out with a much greater voice to background noise ratio.

[nxtiak @ Jan 3rd 2008 2:54PM]

Looks like those Microphones singers use in concerts when they have to dance a lot.

[Brian @ Jan 3rd 2008 2:54PM]

"Joby may have stumbled upon a solution that brings the audio benefits without making the sides of our faces look too ridiculous."

Nope, all bluetooth headsets make the sides of faces look horribly ridiculous. I'll probably be modded down for saying so on a gadget site, but I can't even have a conversation with someone while they're wearing one of these things.

[paragraph @ Jan 3rd 2008 2:58PM]

I guess you are right, a wedge of plastic in your ear isn't to terribly sane ;)

[Hax Or @ Jan 3rd 2008 4:14PM]

Such a fresh noob. Geordi LaForge would be upset.

Do you have this problem with people who are hard-of-hearing with their over-the-ear devices?

Thankfully, most people are tired of holding their hands to their head constantly.

[Brian @ Jan 3rd 2008 4:31PM]

No, I have a problem sitting across from someone while I'm having lunch with them and a little blue LED on the side of their face is blinking every 4 seconds. You know you don't have to wear the thing on your face while you don't have a phone call, right? Bringing disabled people into the conversation is irrelevant - that's not a phone. What, are you going to miss the landing window for the space shuttle if you take your telephone off the side of your head while we're eating our Subway? Maybe you shouldn't have left your office. Driving in your car and want both hands free? Maybe even by state or local law? That's a completely different thing.

[Jonathan Bergeron @ Jan 3rd 2008 2:58PM]

Why not just hold the phone to your ear? Then you won't have to spend another $100+ on something that makes your expensive cell phone sound like crap.

[Shiftlock @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:08PM]

Yeah, and for that matter, why use a cell phone at all when analog corded phones sound better. Oh, yeah, maybe CONVENIENCE?

[Joe @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:22PM]

It's illegal in June to do so while driving.
Bluetooth headsets is here to stay.

[theboss @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:27PM]

Remember a lot of folks have business/multimedia like phones. For example, the Blackberry, Iphone, Samsung F700, Motorola Q, Nokia E61, etc are all inconvenient to hold to your face due to their size and shape and mic placement. Also doing so smudges the heck out of the screen. It is very convenient to have bluetooth or just normal wired headsets with these phones. I don't see the issue with a normal wired headest you can keep in your pocket and just pull out.

[speedyrulz8 @ Jan 3rd 2008 4:55PM]

The bluetooth headset while driving laws always seem silly to me. The act of having a conversation on the phone is what makes the driving more dangerous, not the act of holding the phone up to your ear. Mandating 2 hands on the wheel at all times would do more for safety than mandating bluetooth headsets, but it is equally ridiculous.

[klew @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:36PM]

Someone's been watching Torchwood.

[Frankenstein Black @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:39PM]

When can I get me one of those Stargate Atlantis headsets? The darn thing is practically invisible, boom mic and all (sry no pic)...

[decypher44 @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:41PM]

I've been waiting for someone to come out with one of those. They look damn sleek!

[bob sakamano @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:43PM]

i love it

[Frankenstein Black @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:48PM]

Oh yea, I forgot about Cellinear (a whole cellphone the size of a dime in your ear!) $ McCaw's dream ;^)...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irGrzLtplsM

[boss sauce @ Jan 3rd 2008 4:18PM]

Unless you only use this in your car, you're a bluetard.

[whatishalo? @ Jan 3rd 2008 4:45PM]

:thumbup: That's the best thing I've ready in a while!

[whatishalo? @ Jan 3rd 2008 4:45PM]

:thumbup: That's the best thing I've read in a while!

[The_Steven @ Jan 3rd 2008 4:19PM]

Can I get it implanted under my skin?

[whatishalo? @ Jan 3rd 2008 4:46PM]

...and I am an engadgetard...

[Marklar @ Jan 3rd 2008 5:38PM]

I've been waiting for something like this for a long time. I can't stand the sound quality on every bluetooth headset I've tried and I can't use a wired handset because my phone (HTC Startrek) doesn't have an adapter available for the proprietary usb port.

Also, I think they look rather slick. The final plus is that the website shows these are made by the same folks who made the Gorillapod which I'm a big fan of.

I'll be getting one of these when they out.

[Berto @ Jan 3rd 2008 6:14PM]

I'm so proud of David haha... Who knew he'd be doing things like this? :) ...granted, he's not the only one who worked on this, but still way cool

[U. Betchya @ Jan 3rd 2008 10:32PM]

A: Required performance equipment for every ABBA tribute band member.

B: "Wow, my official Jetsons Super Spy Head Fone has finally arrived!"

C: For doctors too squeamish to actually feel for an enlarged prostate, they can now listen for it.

D: "Hello, Kitty?"

E: Spy snap of latest Warner Bros. Speed Racer prop.

F: Some of the above.