Aliph Jawbone Icon Bluetooth headset launched in six lush flavors (Update: video!)
By Richard Lai 
posted January 18th 2010 12:01AM
posted January 18th 2010 12:01AM
Aliph™ Introduces Jawbone ICON™,
The World's First Truly Intelligent Bluetooth® Headset
The World's First Truly Intelligent Bluetooth® Headset
"New Icon for Personal Expression" Is Now Accessible to Everyone
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – January 18, 2010 – Aliph -- maker of the market-leading Jawbone® Bluetooth headset and inventor of NoiseAssassin®, the world's first and only military-grade noise-eliminating technology -- today unveiled its most sophisticated product yet, Jawbone ICON. Jawbone ICON offers unprecedented ease of use and audio quality as well as an industry-first software platform called MyTALK™ that lets users personalize and update their Jawbones via the web. Jawbone ICON will be available for $99.99 beginning January 18 in six unique design personas.
"In building the next generation of wearable computing, we focused maniacally on creating the world's best customer experience. We incorporated significant intelligence into the headset and as a result this is the simplest-to-operate Jawbone ever created, with a rich array of design choices to suit any preference or lifestyle. We like to call it a new icon for personal expression," said Hosain Rahman, Aliph's CEO.
Industry-first intelligence makes Jawbone ICON easy, convenient and personal
Jawbone ICON offers built-in intelligence and the ability to personalize with the click of a mouse using the all-new MyTALK platform, currently in private beta at mytalk.jawbone.com.
"Each customer is an individual, with unique tastes and preferences. With this in mind, we invented MyTALK as a place where people could go to get a richer in-ear experience. MyTALK is just a hint of the exciting ways people will be able to breathe life into their Jawbones over time," said Rahman.
"Customers also tell us they don't want to reach for their phone when their hands and eyes need to be elsewhere, like on the steering wheel and on the road. So Jawbone ICON uses its brains to now whisper important information like caller ID and remaining battery life into the user's ear," he added.
New personalization and convenience features include:
• MyTALK AudioApps let users personalize the voice that conveys information into their ear. French, German and Spanish languages are also available.
• MyTALK DialApps let users customize an easy access button linking directly to services of their choice such as free directory assistance, voice-to-SMS and voice dial.
• Simultaneous Multipoint lets users switch seamlessly between two calls on different cell phones.
• On/Off slide switch and one-button control delivers radical simplicity.
• Visual battery meter displays remaining battery life at top of iPhone screen.
Six stunning designs and personas deliver rich set of consumer choices
Jawbone ICON is smaller and lighter than its predecessors, and comes in six designs with lush textures and finishes rarely seen in consumer electronics.
"Design and self-expression have been at the core of every generation Jawbone to date, and now we launch an unprecedented suite of choices to match that personal style that makes you who you are," said Yves Behar, Chief Creative Officer of Aliph. "The materials, textures, colors and surfaces of the Jawbone ICON line produce rich and distinct watch-like or jewelry-like results. The six breakthrough Jawbone ICON designs need to be touched and seen in person to be fully appreciated."
"Each Jawbone ICON is infused with a unique and exciting look. Like characters in a film, each captures a different fun-to-wear persona," he added.
New leaps in sound technology sustain Jawbone's lead in audio quality
Continuing Jawbone's leadership in sound technology, Jawbone ICON provides improved inbound audio quality as well as upgrades to its battlefield-tested NoiseAssassin technology. Audio advancements include:
• NoiseAssassin 2.5 with wind reduction continues to provide the best noise elimination available.
• Innovative speaker design and signal processing improves inbound audio clarity and volume.
• Set-it-and-forget-it audio eliminates the need to adjust volume from one caller to the next.
Jawbone ICON Specifications
Talk Time: Up to 4.5 hours (varies by phone)
Standby Time: More than 10 days
Range: At least 33 feet (10 meters)
Charge: 80% charge in 35 minutes, 100% charge in less than 1 hour
Weight: 8 grams
Fit: 7 earbud sizes + 1 premium adjustable earloop
Accessories: AC power adaptor, micro-USB flex cable
Supports Multipoint: Pairs with up to 8 devices, 2 simultaneous connections
Supports Bluetooth: 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), 2.0, 1.2, 1.1
Packaging: 100% recyclable
Pricing
The MSRP for Jawbone ICON is $99.99. There is no charge for MyTALK.
Availability
Jawbone ICON is available starting January 18 at Verizon ® stores and on Aliph's website at www.jawbone.com. Distribution of Jawbone ICON will soon thereafter expand to Apple®, AT&T®, Best Buy Mobile® and other cellular carrier and retail stores nationwide. Jawbone ICON will be available internationally beginning in March.
Jawbone MyTALK is currently available at mytalk.jawbone.com as an invitation-only private beta. Jawbone MyTALK is expected to go into public beta soon.
About Aliph
Aliph is committed to creating personal technology products that deliver an unsurpassed user experience. The company's flagship product, the award-winning Jawbone Bluetooth headset, first disrupted the industry in 2006 with its military-grade NoiseAssassin technology and instantly became recognized as the best Bluetooth headset available. In 2010, Jawbone ICON becomes the company's most innovative Jawbone yet; introducing unmatched ease of use, personalization, sound quality and design into the consumer marketplace.
Co-founded by Alexander Asseily and Hosain Rahman, Aliph is a privately-held company headquartered in San Francisco.
Media Contact:
Remi Adams
Aliph PR
415.230.7670
press@aliph.com
For more information, images and product demo, please visit www.jawbone.com or press.jawbone.com.
Disclaimer: product names, logos, brands, and other trademarks referred to herein are the property of their respective trademark owners.
"In building the next generation of wearable computing, we focused maniacally on creating the world's best customer experience. We incorporated significant intelligence into the headset and as a result this is the simplest-to-operate Jawbone ever created, with a rich array of design choices to suit any preference or lifestyle. We like to call it a new icon for personal expression," said Hosain Rahman, Aliph's CEO.
Industry-first intelligence makes Jawbone ICON easy, convenient and personal
Jawbone ICON offers built-in intelligence and the ability to personalize with the click of a mouse using the all-new MyTALK platform, currently in private beta at mytalk.jawbone.com.
"Each customer is an individual, with unique tastes and preferences. With this in mind, we invented MyTALK as a place where people could go to get a richer in-ear experience. MyTALK is just a hint of the exciting ways people will be able to breathe life into their Jawbones over time," said Rahman.
"Customers also tell us they don't want to reach for their phone when their hands and eyes need to be elsewhere, like on the steering wheel and on the road. So Jawbone ICON uses its brains to now whisper important information like caller ID and remaining battery life into the user's ear," he added.
New personalization and convenience features include:
• MyTALK AudioApps let users personalize the voice that conveys information into their ear. French, German and Spanish languages are also available.
• MyTALK DialApps let users customize an easy access button linking directly to services of their choice such as free directory assistance, voice-to-SMS and voice dial.
• Simultaneous Multipoint lets users switch seamlessly between two calls on different cell phones.
• On/Off slide switch and one-button control delivers radical simplicity.
• Visual battery meter displays remaining battery life at top of iPhone screen.
Six stunning designs and personas deliver rich set of consumer choices
Jawbone ICON is smaller and lighter than its predecessors, and comes in six designs with lush textures and finishes rarely seen in consumer electronics.
"Design and self-expression have been at the core of every generation Jawbone to date, and now we launch an unprecedented suite of choices to match that personal style that makes you who you are," said Yves Behar, Chief Creative Officer of Aliph. "The materials, textures, colors and surfaces of the Jawbone ICON line produce rich and distinct watch-like or jewelry-like results. The six breakthrough Jawbone ICON designs need to be touched and seen in person to be fully appreciated."
"Each Jawbone ICON is infused with a unique and exciting look. Like characters in a film, each captures a different fun-to-wear persona," he added.
New leaps in sound technology sustain Jawbone's lead in audio quality
Continuing Jawbone's leadership in sound technology, Jawbone ICON provides improved inbound audio quality as well as upgrades to its battlefield-tested NoiseAssassin technology. Audio advancements include:
• NoiseAssassin 2.5 with wind reduction continues to provide the best noise elimination available.
• Innovative speaker design and signal processing improves inbound audio clarity and volume.
• Set-it-and-forget-it audio eliminates the need to adjust volume from one caller to the next.
Jawbone ICON Specifications
Talk Time: Up to 4.5 hours (varies by phone)
Standby Time: More than 10 days
Range: At least 33 feet (10 meters)
Charge: 80% charge in 35 minutes, 100% charge in less than 1 hour
Weight: 8 grams
Fit: 7 earbud sizes + 1 premium adjustable earloop
Accessories: AC power adaptor, micro-USB flex cable
Supports Multipoint: Pairs with up to 8 devices, 2 simultaneous connections
Supports Bluetooth: 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), 2.0, 1.2, 1.1
Packaging: 100% recyclable
Pricing
The MSRP for Jawbone ICON is $99.99. There is no charge for MyTALK.
Availability
Jawbone ICON is available starting January 18 at Verizon ® stores and on Aliph's website at www.jawbone.com. Distribution of Jawbone ICON will soon thereafter expand to Apple®, AT&T®, Best Buy Mobile® and other cellular carrier and retail stores nationwide. Jawbone ICON will be available internationally beginning in March.
Jawbone MyTALK is currently available at mytalk.jawbone.com as an invitation-only private beta. Jawbone MyTALK is expected to go into public beta soon.
About Aliph
Aliph is committed to creating personal technology products that deliver an unsurpassed user experience. The company's flagship product, the award-winning Jawbone Bluetooth headset, first disrupted the industry in 2006 with its military-grade NoiseAssassin technology and instantly became recognized as the best Bluetooth headset available. In 2010, Jawbone ICON becomes the company's most innovative Jawbone yet; introducing unmatched ease of use, personalization, sound quality and design into the consumer marketplace.
Co-founded by Alexander Asseily and Hosain Rahman, Aliph is a privately-held company headquartered in San Francisco.
Media Contact:
Remi Adams
Aliph PR
415.230.7670
press@aliph.com
For more information, images and product demo, please visit www.jawbone.com or press.jawbone.com.
Disclaimer: product names, logos, brands, and other trademarks referred to herein are the property of their respective trademark owners.
Does it support a2dp?
@dhw
Um, why would you want a2dp on a non-stereo headset?
@poisonfist Podcast.
"Sexy... or Super?"
Super sexy! I want them all!
@kLid
Watch the video over at cnet or take a look at the MyTALK website. When you turn the phone on, depending on what selection you pick, you get different voices and wordings. The bombshell is definitely sexy. ;)
@Aethix We have a video too! :)
Breaking...
Really?
Oh, wait. It's related to Apple. I get it now.
I find it a little humorous that one of the big new features with this jawbone is the fact that it can show remaining battery life directly on the iPhone but is being sold by Verizon.
Jawbone making predictions on what's to come?
@Aethix Oh snap! :D
@Richard Lai
After reading the full press release it looks like I may have spook too soon. It will be coming to Apple, AT&T, Best Buy Mobile, and other cellular carries soon after.
Still a little strange that they'd lunch it with Verizon.
@Aethix
The Jawbone Prime I bought was available on Verizon way before any other retailer or carrier made it available. I think Aliph has some sort of deal/connection with Verizon to give them preference for first availability.
Lush? More like Tush!
Four of those look like a Plumber's crack was cast, molded, and will now be stuck beside your ear. :-D
Plumber's Crack: Now in four elegant styles!
(Either that or they used décolletage for the model. Which is definitely more pleasant of a thought.)
Someone is using my moniker "The Thinker". I am reasonable, just give me "The Hero" Jawbone for my Palm Pre smart phone and we are even.
I don't understand how this is an update to their line. Looks more like a downgrade, aesthetically-speaking.
Am I the only one who finds it hideous?
@Arkv2 no me too
@Arkv2:
I still think the original Jawbone looks the best.
Still makes everyone using one of these things look like a tool bag.
Haha why did the guy in the video sound so salty, about choosing voices. " Not my cup of tea" Hahaha
@jasev01 I guess that translates to "He's British" for you guys.
@Richard Lai no its more like he sound like he was getting a bit frustrated and angry at it for no reason.
@jasev01 Let's just say it's been a long night. ;)
Half of these look like bras worn by Grace Jones
Breaking News, Hands On, Video, Pics, and a Press Release. Covered all the bases have we?
On topic: It's really nice looking though I fear that no matter of style will detract from headset users looking like complete douches.
It's 2010.!!!!!!and jawbone doesn't support a2dp music playback. ??!!
How weak. My $30 plantronics bt supports music. It simply pauses music n allows to answer call. Then immediately after call ends iPod kicks in. How sick. Get with the times jawbone.
@logic thinker:
Maybe supporting a2dp would have too many setbacks that it isn't worth the trade. Personally I like Jawbones cause they look good, and sound good not the best, but good enough. That's their business strategy, and it seems to be working... probably one of the most recognized/popular bluetooth headsets out there.
No music playback feature. Jawbone has a lot of catching up to do. Just like the zune, pre n droid are lagging.
So if I buy a jawbone. Over say a plantronics that allows music playback options for $30. Am I taking a step forward or backward in bt features n technology ??
I think noise cancellation is moving towards being on the phone itself .. but i guess thsi is a good stop gap .. advantage of being on teh phone is that the cpu power isnt sucked from the headset since your phone is probably plugged in to the car anyway.
Custom icons on the notifiaction bar are only for us Android users' and not iPhones!
that is way uglier than before. i prefer long and sleek to CHODE
Out with the old, in with the new...they might have got that wrong.
It's not about looks, sound quality, or A2DP, it's about industry-leading noise cancellation. I like to be able to take a client's call anywhere without them hear "attention Wal-mart shoppers" in the background.
That said, by their 4th gen Bluetooth headset, they should have added A2DP though. Mono is fine for podcasts.
Just went to the Verizon store today. All the Icons are "quarantined" to be sent back. Some sort of bug? Glitch? I dunno...
That's some gorgeous gear! However, IMO you'd still look like a narcissistic dork while wearing one in public.