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Amazon Echo Connect gives you a smart speakerphone for your landline
Now here's something you weren't expecting from Amazon's Alexa-themed event: a device dedicated to those still using landlines. The just-unveiled Echo Connect turns an Echo into a speakerphone that lets you make land-based phone calls using only your voice. It uses your existing phone number and will even let you dial 911 hands-free -- important if you've injured yourself and can't reach a handset (yes, Amazon is clearly accounting for the "I've fallen and I can't get up" scenario).
The Supersmoker Bluetooth pairs an electronic cigarette with a speakerphone
We've been punked, right? This thing can't possibly actually exist. We've seen plenty of ridiculous inventions in our day, but a combination electronic cigarette and speakerphone? What the what? According to the people behind this abomination, the Supersmoker Bluetooth "aesthetically combines the convenience of electronic smoking with modern-day technology." (Given that there are bigger fish to fry here, we'll forgive them for calling a speakerphone "modern-day technology.") From what we can tell, the Supersmoker Bluetooth is real, and it's available now from a Dutch e-tailer in black, silver and gold for the princely sum of €84.90 (about $117). Oh, and it plays music, too.
Apple needs to fix this incredibly annoying Siri feature ASAP
Siri's phone integration is top-notch. I use it on a daily basis to place calls. So why after placing my call do I have to look at my screen and tap to place my call into speaker mode? If I'm using hands-free to place the call, you'd think the phone would continue in a hands-free mode after the Phone app takes over. Yes, of course, many people use Siri with "Raise to Speak." When this feature is enabled, users trigger Siri by bringing the phone to their ear and waiting for the Siri chimes. But for those of us at stoplights or sitting at our computer, it's often a lot easier to reach to the side and press the Home button instead. iOS does offer a speakerphone accessibility feature. But it is for incoming calls only. Outgoing calls, such as those placed by Siri, require taps on the speaker button. That same proximity sensor that detects "Raise to Speak" triggers should be able to sense that my phone, my cheek and, basically, my entire body are nowhere near the screen and automatically start the speaker. Me? I've filed an enhancement request at Apple's iPhone feedback page. I encourage you to do the same.
Divoom Bluetune-Bean is a handy portable speaker
The Divoom Bluetune-Bean is small, rechargeable Bluetooth speaker and speakerphone that is easy to hand-carry or pop into a purse. It's a bit too bulky for most pockets though, unless you wear cargo pants with pockets on the legs. The device is a little bigger than a jumbo egg and includes a metal ring grip. There are only two buttons: the on and off switch and one to switch to a phone call. You must firmly press and hold the buttons to engage them, which tripped me up initially. An absolutely tiny little hole lets the light through to show you that it's on. The light blinks when it's ready to pair. If the rubber cover moves at all, you can no longer see the light through the hole. I lifted the rubber to look at the mechanism and cannot orient it to show the light anymore; the hole is that small. The Bluetune-Bean charges through your USB port on your computer or plugged into a wall outlet. The Bean has an attached tab that protects its own mini-USB port. Divoom claims the charge lasts at least six hours and it never stopped working for me while using it. There is no way to tell how much charge is left in the device, so I recommend a daily charge, along with your iOS device. You control the sound through your volume control on your Mac or iOS device. I tested a wide range of music, including classical, rock, hop-hop, jazz and audiobooks. To the Bean's credit it reproduces high frequencies acceptably. At my Mac's highest volume, I got little distorted sound from the Bean. Full orchestral sound came through a bit muddy with the treble registers muted a bit. I use "Wandering Star" by Portishead to test the bass sound and the Bean pushed that out, again with a small, but insignificant amount of distortion. It plays any of your chart-topping favorites just fine -- as long as you don't care about a stereo experience. I think for most kids, this device is fine for sharing music or movie sound with friends. I just missed the channel switching in stereo sound. As a speakerphone, it reproduces voice clearly, so it's a good choice as an iPhone speaker. Audiobooks also have good clarity. The operating range seems to be a little over 20 feet before the sound degrades. A 20-something friend wandered in the other day and asked me if something was wrong with my Mac because the music he heard sounded "twangy and hollow." I showed him that I was using the Bluetune-Bean and not the internal speakers. He said, "Wow, I could use that!" Even though he thought the sound was unimpressive, the portability and small size of the speaker was immediately attractive to him. The rubber covering comes in a variety of colors, including blue, yellow, red, pink, black and white. It is neither water- nor drop-proof, although it took a couple of nosedives off my desk without any noticeable effect. It comes packaged with a metal carabiner, but I don't want to walk around with it bouncing off my hip, if attached to a belt loop. The Bluetune-Bean is 3 x 2 x 2 inches and weighs 12 oz. The speaker specs include 3 w output, 80Hz to 20,000kHz frequency range and 4 Ohm impedance. If you hold your hand over the speaker, you can get a minor hand massage, especially if the music has a solid bass line. Please be careful with this speaker if you have pets; it does look like a chew toy or ball, and that could be disastrous for you and a dog. The US$29.90 price makes the Bluetune-Bean an attractive companion to your iOS or any Bluetooth-compatible device. In my opinion, it's just not a "high-quality audio experience," as advertised. While I am not a fan of the quality of this device, there are 11 reviews from owners on Amazon who love it. Positive Notes Small and easily portable. Rechargeable battery. Comes with charging cable. Good colors with complimentary colored metal loop. Clear voice and acceptable music quality. Negative Notes Bulky design. Teeny indicator light. No indicator when device needs recharging. Not drop-proof. Metal loop adds unnecessary weight. No stereo experience Giveaway We have one bright pink Divoom Bluetune-Bean speaker to give away. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before January 7, 214 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Divoom Bluetune-Bean speaker valued at $29.90 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Braven 570 Bluetooth speaker / speakerphone / charger: Affordable style
Braven manufactures a line of portable Bluetooth speakers that also serve triple duty as speakerphones and iPhone chargers. Now the company is shipping the Braven 570 (US$119.99), a new and more affordable model of their stylish and durable speakers. Design Many of the Braven line of products share a common design meme. The Six Series speakers are made out of beautifully machined aluminum anodized in a variety of colors. With the Braven 570, the company has really outdone itself with the colors by bringing a total of six to the party. The review device came in bright green, and there are also black and white models in addition to vibrant blue, purple, or red. %Gallery-179859% The casing of the 570 doesn't appear to be aluminum; instead, it feels like a high-strength polycarbonate of some sort. This reduces the weight of the speaker, but doesn't detract from the looks of the 570 one bit. Like the other speakers in the line, the Braven 570 contains a set of speakers, a noise-canceling microphone and a battery that can either pump out tunes for a long period of time or charge up your smartphone. What's different between the different models? It appears that battery capacity is the main difference. The 570 comes with a 1200 mAh battery, the 600 has 1400 mAh of capacity, and the top-of-the-line 650 includes a whopping 2000 mAh battery. The price is also a differentiating factor. While the 570 is available for $120, the 650 has a price tag of $190, which is quite high for portable Bluetooth speakers. All of the Braven units use two custom HD audio drivers amplified by a pair of passive sub woofers. Output is at 6 Watts across the line. Like the speakers in the Braven Six Series, the 570 can be daisy-chained to other speakers to pump up the volume. A full charge is good for about ten hours of sound from the speaker, and it will take 2 to 3 hours to recharge the unit. The controls for the speaker are conveniently located on the ends, along with ports for charging the device or using it as a charger for your iPhone. Braven includes a USB to micro-USB charging cable and an audio daisy-chaining cable. Functionality I reviewed the Braven 600 last year and was quite impressed with the build quality and sound of the unit. The Braven 570 is a worthy addition to the product line, and one that is priced low enough to be accessible to most people in the market. The device emits a synthesized tone when powered up via a slide switch on one end. That's usually also your first experience with the sound quality and volume of the speaker. Pairing is simple and fast; you just hold down the speakerphone button until the speaker emits a "sonar" sound, at which time the Braven 570 appears in the list of Bluetooth devices on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. To check available battery capacity, there's a button on the opposite end of the 570 with a battery symbol on it. Pressing that button shows a white light if the current charge is between 50 and 100 percent of full, a blue light if it's between 10 and 50 percent, and a red light for less than 10 percent charge remaining. I like that the Braven speakers always give you audio and visual feedback that they're turned on or off. Not only is there a startup tone when the 570 is powered up, but there's also a power down tone to let you know that you've properly switched it off. While the device is powered up, a small white LED pulses about once every five seconds to let you know it's turned on. When playing music or watching movies on an iOS device and using the Braven 570 as your speaker, you'll be pleased. The sound is bright, clear and full -- it's hard to believe this is a small, pocketable Bluetooth speaker and not a much larger or more powerful speaker. Like the Braven 600 tested last year, the 570 is a little less impressive as a speakerphone. Then again, I haven't been too overwhelmed with any Bluetooth speakerphone so it seems to just come with the technology. The Braven 570 is certainly usable as a speakerphone, it's just not going to impress you as much as it does as a regular speaker. Conclusion Once again, Braven has released a great-sounding Bluetooth speaker that is also usable as a speakerphone and device charger. With the lower price point of the Braven 570, the company should attract even more Apple fans into the ranks of happy Braven owners. Pros More affordable than the other Braven speakers Case colors are vivid and attractive Excellent build quality and design Music / movie sound quality is impressive Built-in battery pack can charge mobile devices Speakers can be daisy-chained for even more volume Easy Bluetooth pairing process; no pairing code required Cons Less battery capacity than the higher-end Braven speakers Speakerphone sound is rather muffled Who is it for? Anyone who wants the convenience of a battery pack and Bluetooth speaker in one well-designed package Giveaway We have a beautiful "Fiji Green" Braven 570 to give away to one fortunate TUAW reader. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before February 27, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Braven 570 speaker system valued at $119.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Ion unveils cellphone accessories for home phone replacement, speakerphones
If you've cancelled your home phone service, but still yearn for handsets peppered throughout the house, Ion's Bluetooth Cordless Phone Station could fill that void. Slotting a cellphone into the base, which also functions as a charger, allows a trio of satellite handsets to make calls using the docked device via Bluetooth and DECT 6.0 tech. If design and conference calls ares on your mind, Ion's rolled also out a saucer-shaped speakerphone system dubbed Talking Point. The glossy disc connects to smartphones via Bluetooth, packs a top-facing speaker and multiple microphones for capturing audio from several directions. Also tagging along is the Phone Station Plus, which packs stereo speakers, an LCD display and condenser mic, and allows Bluetooth-enabled cellphones to use it as a speakerphone rig. Journey past the jump for the press release, glamour shots and a handful of hands-on photos. Update: We've spoken to the folks at Ion and Talking Point is estimated to arrive this June carrying a $149.99 price tag. The outfit's Bluetooth Cordless Phone Station is penciled in for a September arrival and is set to ring up at $99. As for the Speaker Phone Plus, it's already available out in the wild. %Gallery-174755%
Soundmatters' $250 Dash 7 portable Bluetooth speaker to debut at CES 2013
Shortly after revealing the foxLv2 aptX Bluetooth speaker, Soundmatters is adding another member to its foxL range with the Dash 7. This pocket-friendly soundbar doubles up as a speakerphone and carries a $250 sticker, boasting pristine omnidirectional sound and also bundling an angled stand for direct on-axis listening. Tipping the scales at 200g, the Dash 7 stands just about 18mm tall and is designed to be nestled below your slate without restricting the view. The speaker plays well with the diminutive foxLo subwoofer too -- a pairing that promises to add some punch to impromptu parties. The Dash 7 will come in red, white, black and silver when it lands later this month, but the core specs are currently MIA -- a problem we expect to resolve as early as next week when we encounter the accessory at CES.
ECOXBT waterproof bluetooth speaker keeps the party floating
Waterproof smartphones and cameras are pretty much commonplace these days, but what about accessories to accompany these aquatic electronics? Enter the ECOXBT from ECOXGEAR. Priced at $130 this IPX7 approved, rugged, floating bluetooth speaker box can not only withstand 30 minutes under a meter of water -- it also makes the claim of having 10 hours of battery life. In addition to keeping your favorite playlists dry, the ECOXBT doubles as a speakerphone for those oh so important floating phone calls from the deep end of the pool. So, whether you're on spring break splashing water on a boat or on vacation swimming around a Lonely Island, this water-resistant sound machine ought to go perfect with this thing.
Beats Pill Bluetooth speaker spotted at FCC and HMV: take one and call Dr. Dre in the morning
The Beats by Dr. Dre badge has usually been attached to headphones and the occasional laptop or smartphone. We've never really seen it attached to dedicated speakers, however, and that's where both an FCC filing and a sighting at UK retailer HMV's online store raise a few eyebrows. The House that Dre Built appears on the edge of launching the Beats Pill, a Bluetooth wireless speaker with four drivers and a shape that more than explains the medicinal name. While we don't know just how much of that signature Beats thump we'll get, we do know from the FCC that the Pill can serve as a speakerphone, carries an aux-in jack and will last for a typical 8.5 hours on its USB-rechargeable lithium-ion battery. There's also signs of a red version of Beats' Mixr headphones coming at the same time. HMV has publicly scoured its pages of any trace of a ship date or price for the Pill, but cached copies point to a £170 ($276) price and a release around September 28th -- not necessarily trustworthy figures, but they may be in the ballpark. Our only question is whether or not we'll get a dose of the Pill in the US. [Thanks, Germaine]
JBL freshens its portable speakers with Micro II, Bluetooth-toting Flip and Micro Wireless
JBL has been on a wireless speaker kick lately -- it might as well throw some truly portable models into the equation. Accordingly, two of the three speakers it's shipping today, the Flip and Micro Wireless, sport Bluetooth audio and a 5-hour battery to cut the cord. The Flip (seen above) is the multi-talented athlete of the bunch: its design can work either upright or on its side to stuff into small spaces, and a built-in mic provides speakerphone duties. The Micro Wireless' puck shape isn't as clever, but it fits a standard 3.5mm input jack and space to clip to a carabiner or lanyard. Both these and the Micro Wireless' strictly wired counterpart, the Micro II, have a bass port to improve the low-end frequencies that are so often missing in this class of speaker. Prices may be the real incentives here: the Flip is the most expensive of the trio at $99, while the Micro Wireless and Micro II are even lighter on the wallet at respective $59 and $39 price points.
'Free form' lens over mobile display could improve audio and haptics, says Motorola patent filing
It's hard to tell exactly what Motorola is thinking of here, but it probably isn't a billowing sheet of fabric stretched loosely over the face of a smartphone -- even if that's what it looks like. Instead, this appears to be a patent application for a "free floating display lens" that helps the panel of a mobile device to be used as a Beo-style acoustic speaker. The idea is that you can get louder and less resonant sound without having to dedicate more precious real estate to a larger traditional speaker unit. The application also talks about generating haptic feedback on the lens, using the same underlying piezoelectric structures that would power the audio. Creating vibrations this way could require "eight times" less voltage than current methods while also delivering a higher-amplitude sensation. Merge that with KDDI's weird vibrational speaker technology and the results could be deafening.
BRAVEN 600 Bluetooth speaker: Stylish, powerful, and it could be yours
Today is the day that BRAVEN's new SIX series of Bluetooth speakers hits the market, and in case you're curious about this new noisemaker, we've got a full review for you right here. Be sure to stick around until the end of the post, because you can enter to win a new BRAVEN 600 (US$149.99) of your very own. Design The BRAVEN 600 is a multitasker. Not only is it a Bluetooth wireless speaker that can be daisy-chained to other members of the SIX series, but it has a built-in 1400 mAh battery pack for charging up your iPhone when it's running low. It's also a speakerphone, and it packs all of this functionality into a nice-looking anodized aluminum case. That case can come in either mountain ash (kind of a nice silvery tone) or bright Moab red. On one end of the case is a USB port for powering your favorite electronic device, an audio out port, and a battery check button. At the other end is an audio in port (used in conjunction with the output port for daisy-chaining), a micro-USB port for charging the BRAVEN 600, and buttons for turning the volume up or down, enabling the speakerphone capability, and turning the speaker on and off. %Gallery-158299% All of this is packaged into a clear plexiglas box with amazing shelf appeal. Inside that box is a charging cable, an AC adapter the size of the one that comes with the iPhone, and a daisy-chaining cable. Charging the BRAVEN 600 takes about four hours. Functionality Pairing the BRAVEN 600 with an iPhone is an easy process; you simply slide a toggle up to turn Bluetooth on, after which the speaker emits a rather impressive synthesized tone to get your attention (there's another tone indicating that Bluetooth has been turned off). Next, you press and hold the speakerphone button for five seconds. The BRAVEN 600 appears on the iPhone's list of Bluetooth devices, and you tap the device name to pair the two. The BRAVEN 600 also appears on the list of AirPlay devices. As expected, this Bluetooth device works well when paired with a Mac. It appears as both audio output and input devices. After that, it's time enjoy your music, and you will enjoy it thoroughly. As opposed to many of the Bluetooth speakers I've tested over the year, the BRAVEN 600 actually sounds like an audiophile-quality speaker. There's a lot of depth to the sound from this device; the bass really kicks, yet treble tones don't get lost in the process. I listened to a variety of tunes from my iPhone, and all sounded great. On the other hand, I wasn't as impressed with the speakerphone capability. According to my fellow TUAW blogger Erica Sadun, it sounded like I was talking with a bagful of cotton balls in my mouth. That was what she sounded like to me as well -- the iPhone's built-in speaker phone provides much better sound quality for phone calls. I also wasn't too happy with the BRAVEN 600's abrupt handling of the call. Many Bluetooth systems I've tested, both for cars and home, do a nice job of fading out of music that is playing when a phone call comes in. With this speaker, there was just an abrupt jump to the ringtone. As I only had one BRAVEN 600 to play with, I wasn't able to test the daisy-chaining capability. However, I think it would be incredible to listen to music from a pair (or more) of these speakers. I liked the fact that I could press and hold the volume buttons on the speaker to have them act as previous / next buttons when shuffling through music or playing a playlist. Conclusion BRAVEN's new SIX series of Bluetooth speakers looks like it will be a winner. The BRAVEN 600 is joined by the 625S (shock-resistant, has a built-in LED flashlight, made for outdoor use) and the 650 ($189.99, more capable than the 600). I'm actually sad that I have to give this away to a TUAW reader, but it's a product that I would happily spend $150 on. Pros Excellent build quality and design Music / movie sound quality is impressive Built-in battery pack can charge mobile devices Speakers can be daisy-chained for even more volume Easy Bluetooth pairing process; no pairing code required Cons Speakerphone capability is sub-par Who is it for? Anyone who wants excellent music sound quality from a portable Bluetooth speaker. Giveaway And now it's time to give TUAW readers an opportunity to win a BRAVEN 600. To enter, fill out the form below completely and if you're the winner, we'll notify you via email. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before June 17, 2012 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a BRAVEN 600 Bluetooth speaker valued at US$149.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Jawbone Big Jambox review
It was back in February when we first caught wind a beefier version of Jawbone's Jambox, thanks to some less-than-stealthy ninjas at the FCC. Today it's officially here. Dubbed Big Jambox, this $300 Bluetooth speakerphone and "smartspeaker" is unsurprisingly a supersized -- yet still portable -- version of the new-age micro-boombox that the won us over back in 2010. Naturally, there have been some tweaks to go along with the bigger footprint, but all the core features including Jawbone's MyTalk apps and noise-cancelling know-how are in tow. Now that we've used it extensively for a few days, we're ready to answer some questions you might have. Does it follow the old adage that bigger is better? How will it fit into your lifestyle compared to the Jambox? And most importantly, is it worth the asking price?
Jawbone unleashes Big Jambox, beefs up its Bluetooth 'smartspeaker' lineup
We've had a shimmer in our eye for Jawbone's $200 Jambox, the itty bitty Bluetooth 'smartspeaker,' ever since it was released back in late 2010. So, imagine our delight now that the company has just stepped things up to a larger level with its new $300 Big Jambox. Measuring in at well over double the size of the original, the 2.7-pound speaker is still very similar in design and features the familiar perforated metal grill designs by Yves Behar -- starting May 15th, you can pick one up in your choice of Red Dot, Graphite Hex and White Wave. The larger footprint helps it to be more functionally capable than its sibling, yet it's still small enough to carry in one hand. On top, the unit sports playback controls in addition to the requisite volume and talk buttons, while on the side you'll find a USB connection (for software updates), power input 3.5mm jack, Bluetooth-pairing button and a power button. To pump out the jams, the Big Jambox features an airtight enclosure loaded with a duo of active neodymium drivers and opposing dual-passive bass radiators to handle all the wub wub you can throw at it. A 2,600mAh rechargeable battery will get you roughly 15 hours of totally wireless listening time (500 on standby), but -- as is the case with the original -- you still can't share that juice with your gadgets. Positively, Android users can take advantage of the Big Jambox's exclusive Companion app, which allows the unit to do tricks such like sync up with your G-cal to inform you about your appointments. Lastly, like the Jambox, the Big Jambox features MyTalk voice prompts / app compatibility, along with Live Audio DSP to give your sounds an immersive "3D" feel. Curious to find out more? We spent a full weekend with the new gizmo, and you can catch our full review by clicking here. Full press release after the break.
Plantronics Clarity Fortissimo speakerphone hands-on (video)
Music aficionados will recognize the term "fortissimo." It's used to signify belting out the tunes as loud as humanly possible, which is exactly what Clarity is hoping to achieve with its speakerphone that uses the name. The Clarity Fortissimo is geared toward those who are mobility-challenged, offering a massively loud 95dB speaker, huge buttons, voice activation, Bluetooth and DECT connectivity, and a large touchscreen display. The Fortissimo offers Plantronics' Vocalyst technology, which has the ability to push emails, messages and even social network updates. It also has a dedicated button that automatically dials Clarity's support center, where a rep can then program the phone remotely for you. Expect to see the Fortissimo available this spring -- we were quoted April / May -- and will retail for $500. We have images and video after the break.
Clarity reveals Fortissimo speakerphone for folks with mobility issues
It's not often that speakerphones grace Engadget's pages, but Plantronics' Clarity division has created a new such device tailored to the needs of folks with mobility issues and difficulties using their hands. Called the Fortissimo, it's got an outsized LCD touchscreen for easy viewing and prodigious voice command capabilities courtesy of Plantronics' Vocalyst technology. Vocalyst lets users send emails and texts, update social networks, and access other phone functions with the spoken word, and can connect with headsets via Bluetooth. Physical phone interaction's on tap too courtesy of air switches activated by blowing on them and oversized pillow switches that are as easily hit with arms and legs as they are heads and shoulders. Lastly, there's ClarityLogic customer service that gives company reps the ability to adjust settings and upgrade Fortissimo remotely. Clarity's showing it off this week at CES, and the Fortissimo will be released this summer. PR's after the break.
Spar's Zephyr portable Bluetooth speaker lineup streams your music, charges your phone
Say hello to Spar -- a newcomer to the land of wireless audio. Today, the company is officially accepting pre-orders for its Zephyr lineup of rechargeable Bluetooth speakers. The portable units are similar to others such as Jawone's Jambox, offering wireless music streaming, speakerphone functionality and portability, but also feature the ability to juice up your smartphone over USB. In total, you'll have a your pick of three Zephyrs, priced from $99 to a moderate $160 (including cables, a case and a charger). First up is the "pocketable" 300 model, which has a 12-hour battery and a black paint scheme (along with red and blue for a limited time). If that won't cut it, the slightly larger 500 variant packs 18-hours of battery life and comes in choice of white or black. Rounding out the bunch is the aluminum-housed 550; it features a massive 28-hour battery and comes in a either silver or black. If you're willing to give this new kid on the Bluetooth-block a try, the Zephyrs are set to ship by year's end and you'll find more info at the source link below. Full press release after the break.
Invoxia NVX 610 desktop VoIP phone for iPhone and iPad hands-on (video)
If we're going to spend $599 on a phone, it needs to offer unparalleled audio quality, absolutely seamless device integration, and a drop-dead gorgeous design. Invoxia, a new entrant to the world of VoIP telephony, claims to have created just that, with its NVX 610. The desktop unit uses an iPhone (or iPod touch or iPad) app as its control interface -- the hardware itself includes only touch-sensitive volume, mute, speakerphone, and voicemail keys. With the exception of accessing your iOS device's address book, however, all of the phone's hardware is self-contained. Calls are processed using the built-in ARM Cortex-A8 processor, and can be made via Skype or any third-party SIP. You can also take incoming iPhone calls using the handset or speakerphone, but all outgoing calls are processed using VoIP, not your iPhone's mobile network. We took a peek at the NVX 610 at IFA, and definitely liked what we saw. Jump past the break for our initial impressions, and a (somewhat noisy) intro video from Invoxia CEO Serge Renouard.%Gallery-132121%
Jabra Freeway Bluetooth in-car speakerphone hands-on
Jabra was parading its Freeway in-car speakerphone last night at CTIA so we took a chance to watch the show. So what separates it from the myriad of like devices? Well, for one it sports 3 speakers for decent stereo audio quality -- for a change -- a couple mics to reduce ambient noise, a motion sensor that turns the set on automatically when you hop in the car, and voice control for just about every control on the device. Talk time is touted as 14 hours with 40 days standby time and retail pricing looks pinned at $129. Our demo included some music playback in a very noisy space, and while the high end sounded a bit harsh we were suitably impressed coming from a rather thin and light device. Follow on for a few more pics of the Jabra Freeway. %Gallery-119617%
Jabra's CES 2011 extravaganza: Extreme, Cruiser2, Speak 410, and more (hands-on)
With all the madness going on here at CES 2011, we somehow managed to find Jabra's booth and got a hands-on look at its new gear. As you recall from just yesterday, Jabra debuted its line of Skype-certified Bluetooth headsets and speakers. The Extreme (99.99), Easy Go ($59.99), Speak 410 ($159.99) and Chill for PC headphones all play nicely with Skype -- all that's standing between you and VoIP nirvana is a quick and easy install of software preloaded on the USB dongle. Be warned though, the devices only work with Windows PCs, and we didn't get the impression that said fact is apt to change in the near future. The Cruiser2, for $99.99, is a speakerphone system for your automobile that -- surprise, surprise! -- acts as a Bluetooth speakerphone, allows you to play tunes on your connected device via an FM transmitter and even talks to your smartphone's contacts and tells you who's calling. In addition to all the BT goodness, we got to see its new line of wired headphones; Chill, Rhythm, and Active will be priced at $24.99, $34.99 and $49.99, respectively. All of Jabra's gadgets are available now save for the Speak 410, which'll be here in Q1. Head past the fold for the pics! %Gallery-112886%
