Nextar cuts the cord with solar-powered in-car handsfree kits
By Darren Murph 
posted Dec 30th 2008 8:02PM
posted Dec 30th 2008 8:02PM
Nextar Harnesses the Sun at CES to Power Bluetooth Headset and Hands-Free Cell Phone Kits for Driving
Two Advanced Technologies Provide Smart – and Green – Solution to Cell Phone Driving Usage; Items to Be Featured at 2009 CES along with Other Advanced Nextar Products
La Verne, CA – December 30, 2008 – Nextar™, a designer and marketer of bold and new consumer electronic products with mass appeal, is combining Bluetooth® technology and the power of the sun in providing a solution for hands-free cell phone usage while driving: solar Bluetooth car kits (models NXBT-001 and NXBT-002). Bluetooth 2.0 technology provides up to 30-feet of hands-free capability. The 'green' solar chargers recharge while a vehicle is driven, eliminating the need to have a charger plugged in during use. Nextar will feature the units at the upcoming 2009 CES in booth South 3 31753.
"Many states have passed laws prohibiting cell phone usage while driving, unless it is through a hands-free device," commented Eddy Zheng, Nextar founder. "By combining two advanced technologies, Nextar makes it possible for drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel while using their cell phones. Our Bluetooth car kits also have the added advantage of being solar powered, making them 'green' friendly."
With slim, fashionable designing, the units are engineered with Bluetooth v2.0 class 2 technology and have an effective radius of approximately 30 feet. They feature auto Bluetooth connection, pick up/off calling, last calling, voice calling, DSP for echo canceling and noise reduction, full duplex, and mute functions.
NXBT-001 offers 250 hours of standby time and 10 hours talk time when fully charged. It includes a LED signal display, supports profiles A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) and AVRCP (Audio/Video Remote Control Profile). These two profiles, respectively, define how audio can be streamed from one device to another and allows for a single remote control to control a series of A/V equipment.
NXBT-002 offers 150 hours of standby time and 6 hours talk time when fully charged. Additionally, it features caller name and ID display on a super-bright LCM screen.
Accessories for both models include a car adapter and bracket.
Model NXBT-001 measures 3.7" x 2.12" x 0.4", while model NXBT-002 is 4.09" x 2.16" x 0.6".
Pricing and Availability
These two new Nextar solar Bluetooth car kits will be available in Spring 2009 at leading retailers across the country and online. The NXBT-001 has an SRP of $59.99, while the NXBT-002 has an SRP of $69.99.
I just bought a Jabra, but this looks to easy.
ninth
So now engadget has assholes not only posting "first", but, "second" as well?
Anyway... I like this device. I'm currently using a generic hands free bluetooth just like this in my Chrysler300 and I hate the fact i have to charge it with the 12V. Solar power for devices that go on a car's windshield is ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT.
In fact, how hard would it be to make a car's windshield tint (or another part of the top of the car) photovoltaic? solar roofs would go really well on cars if done right.
... wow, 10 first comments (Except the third one, but not it's reply) are so much full of FAIL.
This is not new, I've been using similar product for the past 6 months.
Anycom Bluetooth 2.0 Solar Car Kit
http://www.cellularaccessory.com/sck-1.html
solar-powered in-car SHAVER
So much fail...I..can't...take it... ARGHHHGH!
The problem with the AnyCom solar car kit, and possibly this Nextar unit is that they only remember pairing with one phone at a time.
The reality is, I sometimes drive my wife's car. Why can't both our phones be paired with it?
Might be possible.
My headset connects to my wife's cell, if my cell shuts off, or is too far away.
I think they meant that it will only pair with one *at a time*, meaning if both cells were in the same car.
Still too bad, as calls should answerable on the unit, IMnsHO.
This looks really useful to me but the name is a bit misleading. I thought "cuts the cord" as in "stops production"...
Ya, This is Not Knew, i have also been using the Anycom Bluetooth Kit For a year Now and it works great! I only had to charge it the first time i got the thing, never again!
For a handsfree Bluetooth speakerphone that you leave in the car at all times, I almost prefer a solution tethered to the cigarrete lighter, without any internal battery. Or at least one with a really *weak* Bluetooth antenna/transceiver.
Otherwise, even when you're at home or office and your car is sitting in the garage, your cellphone could still be paired to the handsfree kit in the car if it's inside the 30ft Bluetooth radius. It's annoying to answer a call on your handset and not hear anything because your caller's voice is being sent to the car (and your caller in return hearing silence from inside the car instead of your voice). That is, until you realize what's happening and have to manually disconnect the Bluetooth.
Whereas if the BT speakerphone does not have a battery and only relies on your car's 12V power, then you can be sure that when you turn off the car it will also turn off and unpair with your handset.
Alternatively, a shorter Bluetooth radius (say 10ft or less) would ensure that you won't still be paired when you're out of the car.
Otherwise I do agree that a solar charging solution would be a good idea. The only issue I see is that many handsfree kits are designed to be clipped to the visor where they're right above your head and very close (to minimize background interference). Having a solar charge means you have to put the device on the dashboard which is farther away from your mouth (and closer to engine/road noise), or perched on the windshield glass which looks hokey.