Zivio Boom offers 10-hours of talk... before it breaks

Announced at the turn of the year, Joby's 13-gram Zivio Boom Bluetooth 2.1+EDR headset with 10-hours of talk time (300 hours standby) is now shipping. The obvious feature here is that extending boom, which grows from a base of 53.5-mm to a delicate 137-mm. That little trick puts the mic directly in front of your hot, steaming chat box which supposedly results in better audio pickup (no yelling!) to the benefit of those on the receiving side of the call (and around you). $130, that's how much.

[NHAnimator @ Aug 12th 2008 8:17AM]

"That little trick puts the mic directly in front of your hot, steaming chat box"

Isn't that line from a Harlequin romance novel?

[dobba @ Aug 12th 2008 8:19AM]

Slightly misleading and derogatory title. Hardly going to break if it's flexible or well manufactured.

Though with most Bluetooth headsets - you're gonna look stupid with one out and about.

[THJ @ Aug 12th 2008 10:21AM]

Extendable antennas on portable devices are like hard drives. It's not a question of 'if,' it's a question of 'when.'

[MW @ Aug 12th 2008 11:42AM]

So why is it everyone that uses one looks stupid? Aside from the fact that many of these damn things are ugly, but is it the mere fact that someone is using one or the fact that the units themselves (read headsets) look stupid? Personally I find it handy to use one even though I hate how they look. If I know I'm going to be on the phone for a bit ( more than 10 minutes ) I really don't enjoy pressing my treo against my head that long.

Just wondering about all the "people look stupid with them".

BTW, that things looks terrible.

[MW @ Aug 12th 2008 11:42AM]

So why is it everyone that uses one looks stupid? Aside from the fact that many of these damn things are ugly, but is it the mere fact that someone is using one or the fact that the units themselves (read headsets) look stupid? Personally I find it handy to use one even though I hate how they look. If I know I'm going to be on the phone for a bit ( more than 10 minutes ) I really don't enjoy pressing my treo against my head that long.

Just wondering about all the "people look stupid with them".

BTW, that things looks terrible.

[Ethan @ Aug 12th 2008 12:47PM]

People always say about my Nano "won't it just snap." It's a primary misconception and is really holding back technology.

[Tonicboy @ Aug 12th 2008 4:36PM]

here's a thought. if you're so paranoid about the boom mic breaking, then don't extend it. then it will perform equally to any other BT headset. simple common sense, people.

[Oliver @ Aug 12th 2008 8:39AM]

yeah... that's just kinda mean saying it's gonna break...

[From My Cube @ Aug 12th 2008 8:44AM]

it looks like those headsets you see on tv when they show "helpdesks" ...You know, the ones where people play helpdesk agents and actually enjoy their job.....not the ones who slave all day listening to idiots who opened email attachments from their grandmother who doesnt have digital camera or a computer.

[Douglas Bailey @ Aug 12th 2008 8:44AM]

Do you have reason to believe it will break?

I would wonder how easy it will be to extend the boom without pulling the unit out of your ear. Unless you are using two hands. :(

[dobba @ Aug 12th 2008 8:59AM]

Yeah, Thomas - you need to change the title. Wholly unfair to diss a product like that saying it will break after 10 hours use unless you have first hand knowledge that a decent amount of them will.

Way to piss on someone's business.

[dervheid @ Aug 12th 2008 9:04AM]

looks like something out of 'Thunderbirds'

first time that puppy falls out of your ear and bounces on the floor, it'll be goodbye mic.

[EB @ Aug 12th 2008 9:20AM]

I wonder if he meant break the bank. 130 dollars for a BT headset is little too much, for me anyway.

[Jon @ Aug 12th 2008 9:21AM]

About Frickin' Time! I have been waiting to buy a new BT headset since, as it turns out I really only need it when I am cruising down the interstate when the top is down. Not that I really want to talk to someone when I am driving, but it would be nice to have the choice. A boom mic is certainly a necessity with a convertible.

[Thomas @ Aug 12th 2008 9:25AM]

hehe, not misleading... they are based in shenzhen, China... they cannot find someone to manufacture the flexible boom mic... will not be ready for a while....

[Tonicboy @ Aug 12th 2008 4:34PM]

wrong. they are based in san francisco. only their manufacturing is based in china. the manufacturing. which exists. in fact, they are already in production.

[TL @ Aug 21st 2008 7:36PM]

designed in SF and made in China - okay, well the made in china part is why they'd break... the flexible boom mic is NOT in production - they cannot find a factory specialized enuff - i talked to an engineer in SZ.

[futurebird @ Aug 12th 2008 9:25AM]

It's looks pretty hot! Though who would have thought that in 2008 everyone would want to look like a telemarketer?

[Ellianth @ Aug 12th 2008 9:30AM]

So where in that article do you explain how the mic breaks after 10 hours?

[Jack @ Aug 12th 2008 9:39AM]

haha...look at the manufacturer's site...according to them, one of the reasons you should buy this is:

"Signal that you are on the phone: By extending the boom, you communicate to passersby that you are engaged in conversation rather than talking to yourself."

[futurebird @ Aug 12th 2008 9:46AM]

You may laugh, but this is a big problem. People look like mental cases when they walk down the street talking loudly to themselves. And this makes it harder to identify the actual mental cases.

[kastonie @ Aug 12th 2008 10:03AM]

thats some good engrish

[dervheid @ Aug 12th 2008 10:42AM]

No.

This makes it EASIER to identify the 'mental cases', as you put it futurebird.
Anyone actually using one of these walking down the street.

I use a BT h/set whilst driving. I'm in my car, I don't give a F**K whether anyone thinks I look like a twat or not. My little 'unreality bubble'.

[Daniel @ Aug 15th 2008 2:07AM]

will best buy carry these

[THJ @ Aug 12th 2008 10:25AM]

Reminds of a campaign my buddy and I came up with a few years ago when we were both the 'phone guys' for the company we worked for. Name was going to be either:

Headsets for Hobos

or

Bluetooth for Bums

We wanted to donate headsets to the local crazies that hung around near our building. Man talking to himself = crazy; unless there is a blue LED shining out his ear - then he's important.

Never really got past the incubation stage though.

[Nick @ Aug 12th 2008 2:04PM]

This title is quite misleading and should be changed. I remember reading a while back that this is made by Joby who also makes the Gorillapod (a great mini travel tripod). If the quality of the Gorillapod is any indication, this will be a great product.

It's been so long since the announcement of this that I was about to buy the new Jawbone. I think I'll give this a shot first since I really like the premise of the boom, with background noise being one of my biggest gripes about most BT headsets.

[Tonicboy @ Aug 12th 2008 4:44PM]

I agree. Engadget editors seem to have pithy comments and snarky titles as their primary motivation when writing posts, but their writing is pretty irresponsible sometimes. Did they play with the unit, have a chance to review it? Then is there really a need to condemn it to FUD in the blogosphere with no basis at all? Engadget is no longer a niche blog. They have millions of readers and need to grow up a little.

[dervheid @ Aug 13th 2008 5:49AM]

Quality of previous product(s) is not an automatic guarantee of quality of future (particularly non-related) products.

For example;
Harley Davidson. Great bikes, shite aftershave!