BluetoothEarpiece
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Bose unveils SoundLink wireless mobile speaker, fancies up A2DP for a premium (hands-on)
Ah, Bose -- give it an audio product and it'll be sure to add that seemingly unnecessary luxury feel, minus the hard hitting details. If you'll recall, the Massachusetts-based company had quietly pushed some new 'wares through the FCC this past week, but with not so much as a sliver of info. Today in the Big Apple, it finally let us in on one new item, the SoundLink wireless mobile speaker. Priced at $300 and up, this unit is a "portable" A2DP Bluetooth speaker weighing in at around three pounds with less than two-inches of depth -- basically, it's massive against similar speakers like the Jawbone Jambox or foxL v2. We had the opportunity today to spend a few minutes with this opulent gizmo, and you'll find all the details just past the break. %Gallery-133950%
Aliph Jawbone Icon 'The Ace' Bluetooth headset review
While Aliph was announcing its luxurious Jawbone Icon Bluetooth headsets earlier today, we've been playing with one of its six designs -- The Ace -- at our cozy London pad. Being the smallest and lightest Jawbone ever, the Icon's obviously challenging the likes of Jabra Stone with attempts to outperform in noise elimination, battery life, ergonomics and ease of operation. On paper, the Icon already wins on battery life and price, although the Stone has a charging dock good for six extra hours. What really matters, though, is the usability -- something the Stone had little of in a noisy environment. Read on to find out if Aliph has done it right. %Gallery-83293%
Aliph Jawbone Icon Bluetooth headset launched in six lush flavors (Update: video!)
Turns out that leak we saw of the Jawbone Icon was for real after all, but it was only one of the six designs straight out of Aliph's oven: (clockwise from top left) The Thinker, The Rogue, The Hero, The Ace, The Catch and -- our favorite -- The Bombshell. While these are the smallest and lightest Jawbones ever, Aliph has managed to cram in an allegedly improved NoiseAssassin and simultaneous dual-phone linkage, along with an onboard 'AudioApp' which vocally broadcasts battery level and caller ID. If you prefer a visual indication, the Icon also does a battery gauge on the iPhone -- a first on a non-Apple Bluetooth headset -- and apparently "Apple's aware of this" so a firmware update shouldn't kill this Palm Pre-style. We're digging the MyTALK website -- currently in beta -- where you can pick and install other AudioApps and DialApps (for the multifunction button; e.g. voice dialing, free directory assistance and voice-to-SMS) onto the Icon, and both will be free except for some DialApps which require subscription. Oh, and there are seven earbud sizes plus an earloop to keep everyone happy too. When you're done with picking, hit the Verizon stores for the initial launch today and pony up $99.99. Press release and video walkthrough of the MyTALK website after the break. %Gallery-83294%
Vertu V makes no concessions: $730 BT headset, $490 card reader, and $330 ballpoint pen
Because nothing says "I ain't afraid of no recession" like plopping down an excess amount of Benjamins for a Bluetooth earpiece, Vertu has unveiled its V accessories collection. $780 gets you a Bluetooth 2.1-compliant earpiece with 6 hours of charge time (same one we saw hit the FCC recently, we suspect), $490 for a USB memory card reader that as a consolation prize comes with a 2GB microSD card, and as for the ballpoint pen, asking price is a cool $330. For all three purchases, it's recommended you purchase the special leather case for protection -- and if these gifts are already comfortably in your price range, hey, why not? [Thanks, Shayjd]
Video: BudsGoBlue teaser hints at iPhone 3GS-controlling BT headphones
Itching to command your iPhone 3GS via voice control, yet aren't willing to wrap one more cable around your precious dome? Your wildest dreams could possibly come true next month, when BudsGoBlue launches an iPhone-friendly set of Bluetooth earbuds that should act as headphones and a BT headset. We're hearing that the loops on each earpiece are "completely flexible," and judging by the teaser video hosted up just after the break, they look fairly seductive, too. Hop on down and have a peek for yourself, won't you?[Via mobilitysite, thanks Toni]
Add Tech intros diminutive AD-HSM10 Bluetooth headset
Considering the multitude of Bluetooth headsets out there which claim to be the smallest this world has to offer, we're not apt to believe that Add Tech's AD-HSM10 is actually the most diminutive, regardless of what the firm promises. Nevertheless, this wee earpiece is indeed tiny, and since this little bugger only weighs five grams, you might just forget it's even resting in your ear canal. Reportedly, it can last through three solid hours of yappin' (or 100 hours in standby), and just in case you're not down with silver, there's also a titanium version out there. 'Course, it needn't be mentioned just how similar this thing is to Motorola's Miniblue H9, but regardless, those interested can snag one of their own in late January for ¥8,980 ($78).[Via Engadget Japanese]
Adtec intros diminutive AD-HSM10 Bluetooth headset
Considering the multitude of Bluetooth headsets out there which claim to be the smallest this world has to offer, we're not apt to believe that ADTEC's AD-HSM10 is actually the most diminutive, regardless of what the firm promises. Nevertheless, this wee earpiece is indeed tiny, and since this little bugger only weighs five grams, you might just forget it's even resting in your ear canal. Reportedly, it can last through three solid hours of yappin' (or 100 hours in standby), and just in case you're not down with silver, there's also a titanium version out there. 'Course, it needn't be mentioned just how similar this thing is to Motorola's Miniblue H9, but regardless, those interested can snag one of their own in late January for ¥8,980 ($78).[Via Engadget Japanese]
Nextlink reveals miniscule Invisio G5 BT headset
Nextlink certainly isn't the first company to boast about having the "world's smallest Bluetooth headset," but judging by some quick math, its Invisio G5 may actually be the most diminutive -- for the moment, at least. Measuring in at just 3.3- x 1.6-centimeters and weighing less than six grams, this wee earpiece has an abnormally high risk of vanishing, but at least it will last through some 20-hours of yapping if you do manage to keep track of it. The unit also comes with a protective charging case, and the Soft Spring technology purportedly enables it to "adapt perfectly to the contours of the ear." There's no definitive word on pricing nor availability, but a brief search revealed that this thing can be had for around a C-note at a variety of online stores.[Via TechDigest]
Callpod's Dragon Bluetooth earpiece sports 100-meter range
If you're cool with a circular gizmo flanking one of your ears, Callpod's Bluetooth earpiece is probably right down your alley. Aside from rocking a dual-microphone design, noise cancellation technology and multi-device pairing support, this headset promises to stay connected even if you stray 100-meters (give or take) from your mobile / computer. Additionally, you can count on 8-hours of talk time (300-hours in standby) to handle those all-night sobfests, and it's even firmware upgradable should the future hold some extras not yet available. If you're all ready to sign up, hit the read link and throw down your $119.95 -- Callpod says they'll be shipping soon.[Via Uber-Review]
Jawbone founder Hosain Rahman interviewed: "The market was crap"
Those design nuts over at PSFK recently talked with Hosain Rahman of Jawbone fame. The new headset is turning heads with its design chops and technical noise-canceling merit, so it's interesting to hear the impetus behind the upcoming product: "The market was crap and the offering sub-standard." Hosain's Jawbone headset, designed by Yves Behar, was built to be an alternative to the cheap Asian imports. The Jawbone includes frills like medical grade plastic, since a headset touches the skin for so many hours a day, and of course that vibration sensor (to activate the noise cancellation) and dual microphones are a nice step up from the average headset. Hosain views himself in the "audio gateway" biz, which sounds like a good place to be, with consumers increasingly tethered to iPods, cellphones and VoIP sessions, and Bluetooth convergence of all three imminent. Peep a Jawbone shakycam unboxing vid after the break, or hit up the read link for the full interview.
