Aliph Jawbone 2 exposed

So there are a couple of big complaints about Aliph's otherwise-lauded Jawbone noise canceling Bluetooth headset: one, it's rather porky, and two, the charge connector is about as reliable as a Comcast installation appointment. Hang tight, though, because help is on the way -- help in the form of the Jawbone 2. The new model just broke through the FCC's surly bonds in full visual glory, showing a headset that maintains the distinctive industrial design of the original while getting just a bit smaller and adopting a new connector that looks moderately less sketchy. The last thing we all want to do is blow another hundred on the next best headset, but if this means we can run a teleconference standing next to a freight train traveling 40 miles per hour and do it in style, count us in.

[retro77 @ Apr 10th 2008 12:16PM]

That is one rusty ruler!

[Esat Dedezade @ Apr 10th 2008 12:24PM]

The jawbone absorbs the shininess from all metal objects around it, causing them to rust.

Sorta like rogue in xmen.

There's the door. I'll let myself out.

*Fire alarm*

Whoops. Can't go out that way.

[Earjels&Glue @ Apr 12th 2008 1:51AM]

I am interested in this new one as my old one is glued to the max. I reglue it about once a month so I can keep the charging part on. I use elmers or urethane type glue. It doesn't seem to matter.

The best thing I did was throw away the broken ear hooks and glue on an earjel. The jels look disgusting but when you put it in your ear it stays put. I had to glue it because the little ring swivels a bit and the gels moved just enough tom make me think it was about to fall out of the gel(and it was). Sometimes it would fall but with the gel glued in this is good for another few months anyway.

The technology inside is good and the thing holds a charge so I consider it as industrial strength as they come. I cant bear to drive and hold the phone to my ear so this beats the speakerphone.

The earhooks really suck so hopefully this has a better system.

i also agree about the volume control. Sometimes mine is just to loud even with my phone turned down. My phone sends out a ring to the earpiece and it can hurt.

[Flashpoint @ Apr 10th 2008 12:16PM]

UGLY.

Give it a glossy white finish and slap an apple logo on it and it will be "innovative" and "stylish".

[rlynd3 @ Apr 10th 2008 1:53PM]

really?.. that's the route your going with this?

[merf1350 @ Apr 11th 2008 8:35AM]

One, that's just cheesy BS to go the Apple fan-boy route.

Two, I believe the word you meant to use was Fugly.

[Victor @ Apr 10th 2008 12:21PM]

As a loyal Jawbone user, I want...

[Lowest Ranked @ Apr 10th 2008 12:27PM]

I've been using my jawbone for just over a couple decades and I have to say, I really don't mind just looking past this device.

[Neal @ Apr 10th 2008 1:07PM]

Decades?

You have had bluetooth for 20 years now?

[Neal @ Apr 10th 2008 1:12PM]

Nevermind I fail at sarcasm :)

[itlnstln @ Apr 10th 2008 1:13PM]

@Neal

You see, there is this comic device called a "pun." And, well, Neal, it brought you to your knees...

(See, Neal = kneel... nevermind)

[retro77 @ Apr 10th 2008 3:13PM]

@ LowestRanked: nice work!

[decypher44 @ Apr 10th 2008 12:22PM]

Any rumors on street date? The "hands-free" law in California comes into effect in a couple of months. The speakerphone on my Centro works pretty good, but I have to roll up the windows and turn down the radio prior to answering and talking. I know there are a LOT of other BT units out there, but I've always read the best reviews for the Jawbone. But, like the article says, I've found the Jawbone to be too big.

[Ryan @ Apr 10th 2008 12:24PM]

Can someone buy the FCC a new ruler? That thing looks terrible.

[Lowest Ranked @ Apr 10th 2008 1:02PM]

Why should we?

YOU do it!

[spyder91 @ Apr 10th 2008 2:25PM]

The FCC doesn't do the testing, it's done by third parties or the companies themselves and reviewed by the FCC. In this case, you'd want someone to buy "Compliance Certification Services Inc." a new ruler.

But they definitely need one...

[telepheedian @ Apr 10th 2008 6:51PM]

Maybe I should start my own testing agency... I'll be sure to keep you posted on any awesome things that come through.

[BrettB @ Apr 10th 2008 12:26PM]

While they're at it, maybe they can get a new backdrop. I wouldn't put that thing in my ear after having put it on that baby blue cloth.

[Jason @ Apr 10th 2008 12:37PM]

If these wankers can't put a mini-USB connector on their headset then I can't be asked to part with my hard earned dinero.

[Phoenix @ Apr 10th 2008 5:40PM]

Hell yes! I looked at the FCC provided pictures of the connection, and it's absolutely atrocious! If they went with a standardized connection like the rest of the BT world, it would be far better and would not suck so majorly.

[Chris in CA @ Apr 11th 2008 2:15PM]

I had a Jawbone- good volume, good noise control, but the ear-loop pushed the earpiece out of my ear, and it never felt comfortable. Then my Labrador puppy ate it, and that kind of solved that problem. Also, note to Aliph- they designed this connector that doesn't suck, people already have chargers for it, and works well. If you can't improve drastically on it, leave it well enough alone.

[Matt @ Apr 10th 2008 12:39PM]

The Jawbone is great at noise cancellation but the ergonomics aren't there and the quality control SUCKS. Doesn't fit in the ear very well, and both my original and warranty replacement jawbone developed the charging connector problem -- it gets stuck in the proprietary USB charging cable and literally gets pulled off the headset. It becomes impossible to charge the device.

[ian mcgrady @ Apr 10th 2008 1:48PM]

I bought a jawbone. used it with my nokia e61. nobody liked the quality and I couldn't hear people well.

switched to theboom. Wow. People say its the best they've ever heard me on the phone. This is even when i'm riding on an NYC train or NYC bus.

[jim nutt @ Apr 10th 2008 1:02PM]

I like my Jawbone, but it's starting to come apart on me. The little post the earpiece goes on came off with annoying regularity (until I superglued it on) and the black end connector (where the charger goes) just came off today. It snapped back in place, but now it'll be coming off regularly, I just know it. I'm with Jason, it needs a standard mini usb charge plug..

[Matt @ Apr 10th 2008 1:52PM]

Jim, I wonder if super gluing the charging connector in place would take care of the problem? I thought about doing that, but I didn't want to accidentally gluedshut the charging port.

[jim nutt @ Apr 10th 2008 8:04PM]

a bit of superglue gel on each side of the charging connector seems to have done the trick. Maybe the blooming thing will hold together long enough for the next rev to come out...

[Lowest Ranked @ Apr 10th 2008 1:05PM]

Sorry to break it to you but its showing 20mmx50mm, so yes, in fact it IS probably half the size of your head.

And another thing: no one clicks those links at the bottom of your comment, we just assume you put it there so we know instantly to skip your reply and view it as spam.

[Esat Dedezade @ Apr 10th 2008 1:26PM]

I concur with the second half of ^ person's comment.

[Eddy Alvarez @ Apr 10th 2008 1:27PM]

loved the first one (enough to go through 2 until i stopped using them because of failed charging connectors).
My dad went through 4 (works construction and needed the noise cancelling).

If the charging problem is really solved, i'm in.

[digitallysick @ Apr 10th 2008 1:52PM]

I have the original headset, it constantly disconnects from my iphone, and charging is impossible! Half the time it wont stay connected properly, i honestly don't know what to do about it because its almost un usable. I spent a lot on it and i am disappointed. Aliph support won't return my support emails about what i can do to fix it, or get it replaced?

[Mike @ Apr 10th 2008 1:54PM]

I won't own another Jawbone unless they do something with the ear clip. Those thin metal pieces break super easy. I finally got fed up with replacing them and switched to another headset. Other than the current jawbone being uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time (which is probably fixed if this is smaller and lighter) It's an excellent headset. I have an Apple Headset and it kind of sucks. no noise canclening and the battery life is horrible.

[Brad @ Apr 10th 2008 5:00PM]

I agree. The metal ear clip broke on mine as well. Also, the removable rubber piece that fits inside the ear also comes off sometimes if the Jawbone is kept inside a pocket, which means that it sometimes gets lost. Superglue might help that.

[CaptSaltyJack @ Apr 10th 2008 2:05PM]

I'm looking over all the complaints about the current Jawbone, and I'm wondering: are we talking about the same headset here?

I've owned mine since it came out. Actually, I had the grey one to start with, then bought the black one later and it seemed more sturdy (the headset "clicks" properly--and easily--when you press the surface, the grey one just kinda creaked and was very hard to press). But the sound quality is great, people have no trouble hearing me. Noise cancellation is quite good, but sometimes if it's too noisy, it makes my voice break up on the other end. There's no wind-proofing to speak of, but that's expected with no "fuzzy" cover over the mic.

It's not perfect, and it could be better. Still, though, it beats any other BT headset I've tried over the years. I have no problems charging it, nothing's falling apart on it, zilch. It IS a delicate headset, for sure, so you just need to be more conscientious when storing it.

[jim nutt @ Apr 10th 2008 8:10PM]

I don't think too many people have complaints about the sound quality, I know it's the only headset I can use in my Jeep with the top down. It's the build quality and some of the materials choices that are the problem. I've broken at least 5 of the ear loops (they sent one set of replacements for free, I bought another set) and the headset itself is coming apart (or was until judicious application of superglue). But it's still the best sounding headset I've tried (and I have 6 different headsets)

[frank @ Apr 10th 2008 2:13PM]

"...as reliable as a Comcast installation appointment"

Best. Analogy. Evar.

[Charles Starrett @ Apr 10th 2008 2:15PM]

If you think the ruler is bad, check out the actual Test Setup photos: http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/oet/forms/blobs/retrieve.cgi?attachment_id=925817&native_or_pdf=pdf

[Xultar @ Apr 10th 2008 2:50PM]

I've purchased 2 Jawbones.

What I'd like most as a loyal customer is a better fit. My Jawbones hurt my ears like a mutha.

Can you work on the fit and the comfort factor?

[kroesjnov @ Apr 11th 2008 5:32AM]

Agreed.

While the quality of the unit itself is good enough for me, the ear loops are doing more harm then good; the spring they are connected to, and which is supposed to push the 'microphone' against your face, is actually pushing the speaker further away from my ear canal. This, and the design of the interchangeable 'ear cushions' will make it harder for me to hear the other side of the conversation, rendering the jawbone useless for me in the default setup.

I ended up doing this[1] modification to use the eargel of a AX2[2], which I use in combination with an original earloop. This will make the jawbone sit in my ear canal very nicely, and the earloop makes sure it does not fall off due to the weight of the unit, and makes it sit against the face very well; you can jump up and down, headbang etc and still have the 'microphone' connect with your face.

[1] http://discussion.treocentral.com/showthread.php?p=1160896#post1160896
sry, seeing the pics requires a login I am afraid...

[2] http://www.infosyncworld.net/resources/products/nextlink/nextlink_bluespoon_ax2_i02.jpg

[pacobell @ May 1st 2008 5:35AM]

@kroesjnov: Regarding the AX2 mod you did, how did you mount the thing? I tried just pushing mine into the Jawbone's "barrel", but that caused the eargel to distort in such a way as to cause the sharp contours of its base to stick out a bit and rub severely against the sensitive lining of my ear canal.

[The Dude @ Apr 10th 2008 3:00PM]

I saw the picture and thought, "What the fuck is a car's accelerator pedal doing on a gadget site?"

[Ken @ Apr 10th 2008 9:20PM]

You had the Ken Doll Super Farrari too?

yes, the brushed metal accelerator pad on that baby was nothing more than brilliant. I'm so glad to see that others appreciate its design prowess.

[Allen @ Apr 10th 2008 3:37PM]

Looks like a similar POS charge connector to me. My next headset will not be a Jawbone if it doesn't include a miniusb charge connector. It better be backwards compatible to the existing crap connectors if it is not going to be mini usb. I had to buy an extra charger for my weekend home.

[Amber @ Apr 10th 2008 3:40PM]

The Jawbone is a descent headset ... it does have great noise cancellation technology but I just think it falls apart too much ... the charging options suck and it is not the most "trendy" looking headset around.

I have moved on from the Jawbone to the Motorola MOTOPURE H12 ... I really like this one a lot. It has great sound quality, it looks good, and it is affordable.

Oh yeah ... and this Jawbone 2 .. what kind of look were they going for here?!?!

[Hoos @ Apr 10th 2008 4:30PM]

I like my current Jawbone.

But this new one looks like the textured aluminum ice cube tray in my freezer that originally belonged to Grandma (Hi, Grandma!).

Appropriate for freezers, alas not for my ears.

[Jim Goldstein @ Apr 10th 2008 4:51PM]

I'll give it a glance when its out but the current model is a disappointment in how it continually disconnects from the iPhone. I have to pair to my phone with every use. Total pain in the ass.

[Cassini @ Apr 10th 2008 7:37PM]

The thing I've heard about the Jawbone is that the buttons are more on the difficult side to press. We'll see if this new version is the same.

Lol, and who took that photo? Rusty rulers on a dirty, filthy table cloth. Classy.

[evil1605 @ Apr 10th 2008 9:08PM]

this would actually be jawbone version 3

the jawbone 1 was a wired version, jawbone 2 is the one out now.

thus making this jawbone 3 or wireless version 2

[andrew_beery @ Apr 10th 2008 9:52PM]

I wish they would add a volumn control, adp2 and figure out a way for those of us with beards to use with the noise cancelation... and how about a micro-usb connector so I don't need a special cable to charge

[dana @ Apr 10th 2008 10:38PM]

I have to throw in a thumbs down on the jawbone as well - yes it's uncomfortable and yes it's xtra dorky with the over the ear clip but my real problem is what use is noise cancellation if you can't hear the person on the other end. If i was some sort of mega-boss who just called people up barked orders and hung up then this would be fine but if you want to have a conversation well....

[fincan @ Apr 10th 2008 10:42PM]

No A2DP (I need that for my slingbox mobile), no standard charge port, no chance with my cash.