WirelessHeadset
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bluDANGLE makes wireless earpieces a little less wireless
What's cooler than wearing your Bluetooth headset wherever you go? Wearing it clipped to a lanyard wherever you go, that's what -- especially when that lanyard is made from 8 inches of 25 pound tensile strength magcord (i.e. elastic). That's the power of bluDANGLE, a curiously capitalized name for what is basically just a clip that turns your wireless device into a wired one, swinging in the breeze whenever you're not actually making a call. Normally we celebrate any attempt that encourages people to remove their earpieces when not in use, but we're not entirely sure having the thing dangling from your lapel is any less pretentious (check out the vid below and you tell us). But hey, for just $19.99 with a lifetime warranty who are we to complain? Makes a great stocking stuffer for your family's Bluetooth guy (or gal)!
Logitech's ClearChat PC wireless stereo headset does VoIP, too
What's the use in having a wireless set of cans to rock with and a separate contraption to make / receive Skype calls on? Exactly, thus the Logitech ClearChat PC was born. Of course, it's certainly not the first cordless set of stereo headphones to sport a microphone, but being that it's built on 2.4GHz technology, you can finally take your calling habits wherever you go in the house (well, within 33 feet of the USB transmitter) without fear of static ruining a good pep talk. Quite frankly, it's a little unsightly for our tastes, but those who can overlook that can pick one up (in the US and Europe, mind you) for $99.99 this May.
Brickhouse Security's two-way micro headset may never leave your ear canal
Unlike Brickhouse Security, we won't go so far as to call this thing "invisible," but when placed in the ear, all but the most eagle-eyed among us are likely to overlook it. The elaborately named Secret Service Invisible 2-Way Micro Headset comes with an easily hidden wireless transmitter that plugs into any mobile with a 2.5-millimeter audio output. Once rigged up, the wearer can have someone listen in on conversation in a room while also receiving input from said listener. Unfortunately, this likely Jack Bauer-approved gizmo demands a practically ludicrous $649.95, so it looks like we'll be sticking to brute force and walkie talkies here. Check out a demo video after the jump -- but be sure and kill the speakers first, alright?[Thanks, Tony M.]
Turtle Beach intros Ear Force X3 Xbox 360 headset
Turtle Beach has just expanded the headset options for Xbox 360 gamers even further, with it today introducing its Ear Force X3 unit, apparently the first wireless headset to boast independent volume control of amplified chat and game audio. You'll also get a "dynamic talkback expander" feature to automatically adjust incoming Xbox Live chat levels during loud gaming moments, along with features like automatic shut-off, bass boost, and a stereo expander to provide a "wider sound field." Of course, while they're designed for the Xbox 360, you can also simply use them as a standard pair of headphones with any other device. Look for these to start shipping early next month with a retail price of $99.95.
Halo 2 wireless battlefield communication
The clever and very observative fanboy SRU Phil spotted a little mistake over on Xbox.com's accessory page pertaining to the Halo 2 Halo 3 wireless headset. It's not called a Halo 2 headset guys and mistakes like that could so get a guy's hand chopped off or tongue ripped out. Unless of course the ad isn't a mistake and is really a leaked announcement. Maybe something along the idea that the Halo 3 wireless headset will come with a free copy of Halo 2 Vista. That's it! It's confirmed, buy the Halo 3 wireless headset and get Halo 2 Vista for free. Man, we're too good.[Thanks, SRU Phil]
Wireless Receiver for Windows available now
For those of you who can't wait to use your Wireless Racing Wheel, controller, or headset on their PC, we wanted to inform you that the Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows is currently popping up on store shelves. In fact, Fanblogger David Dreger (Illeisms FTW) came across some receivers in a local London Drugs on the 13th, and we've received a tip from reader Joseph that EBgames displays them as available. Although, upon calling his local outlets, they had none in stock. So, if you're looking for some Wireless PC gaming, hopefully you will be able to find the receiver with little trouble. Go forth and be fruitful, young fanboys.
Microsoft addresses wireless 360 headset issues
In response to complaints, Microsoft's Xbox Accessories team has publicly invited Xbox 360 Wireless Headset users to contact customer support if they have experienced problems with their voice-chat product. Geez, thanks for the PSA.It's curious that Microsoft would post this official invitation on its Gamerscore Blog, as it seems only to suggest that issues are more widespread than generally assumed. That is, as a consumer, if your headset is defective, the obvious reaction is to contact customer support, which (according to Microsoft) will replace or repair the unit. So why iterate that process on the blog?We appreciate the effort, but this message only makes us wish we could pair our third-party wireless headsets with the console -- and avoid the branded option altogether.
Today's hottest game video: 360 headset woes
Today's most-watched YouTube game video shows a gamer who is unable to connect his original Xbox 360 controller and Wireless Headset together on channel one. The demonstration implies that this is a widespread issue with no fix yet from Microsoft, although we haven't had any issues.The gamer shows the process of activating the headset and having a conflict with his original controller. He then repeats the steps with a new, extra controller and has no problem.It's like the I-Team without having to sit through the rest of the made-up local news. See the video after the break.See also: Joystiq video: Xbox 360 Wireless Headset review
Joystiq video review of wireless headset
Joystiq recently got their grubby little hands on the new Xbox 360 Wireless headset. Just to be nice to the Youtube generation, they've done away with the need for silly printed words and have created a video review of the device. For the record, I didn't really want one of these. I didn't really see the point. But now ... now I want one with a furious passion. Still, there are a few things to consider. One, this headset uses proprietary wireless technology (read: not Bluetooth), so you'll only be using it for your 360 (why, oh why can't someone make a Blutooth adapter?). Second, seeing how it wraps around the ear, I'm not sure how comfortable it would be for those of us who wear glasses. Three, it retails for $59.99 (though it can be found for less). Ouch. Still, it is a sexy little piece of kit. Anybody out there pick one up yet? What do you think?
How much juice is left in your headset?
So you've decided to cut the cord and purchase the new Xbox 360 wireless headset this weekend, good for you! But did you know about the snazzy new battery indicator that was enabled through the fall update?Well, our friend Major Nelson informs us that you'll be able to check not only your wireless controller's battery life, but the battery life of your new wireless headset too. And all of this battery information is easily accessible through the Xbox guide and is displayed in convenient icon form. So I ask, are you planning on picking up the new wireless headset and freeing yourself of the wires?
Mvox Duo Bluetooth headset and speakerphone
It's hard to believe this is a first (you listening China, Korea?) but Mvox is calling their Mvox Duo the "world's first all-in-one wearable smart communicator." Surely, it's not the fact that this Bluetooth headset can be used with your cellphone, hands-free car kit, or favorite VoIP application (yes, it works with Skype), so it has to be the fact that it does all that and contains a speakerphone. The speakerphone with "patent-pending small array microphone technology" is said to allow the device to offer near 100% voice recognition. In other words, it's designed to "grab the speaker's voice" while blocking-out the background noise. It can also be attached to the PC via USB cable which hopefully doubles-up as a charger. Available Q4 which could mean next week, for $199, list.
GN Netcom 9350 dual-function wireless headset now shipping
If you've been looking for a headset that'll work with your plain old phone service and also let you do that VoIP thing, you might want to take a peep at GN Netcom's new 9350 dual-function headset (or just look past it if you're on a budget). While GN's "future-proof" claim seems a little dubious, for $349 you do get a 300 foot range on 1.9GHz (think: "WiFi-friendly") with DECT 6.0 technology, as well as promised sound enhancements from the headset's noise-canceling microphone and DSP and IntelliTone capabilities. Expect to get about six hours of talk time when using it with a PC, or nine hours on regular phone duties, with a recharge time of three hours and forty-three hour standby time. If you really want to blow things out, you can also sync up to four headsets to a single base station for conference calls, which kinda negates the whole VoIP cost savings thing, but do your thing.
Microsoft announces prices, dates for Xbox 360 peripherals
Clever Microsoft's been stringing us along since May with the pricing and release dates for the launch of their new 360 peripheral line, but it looks like we've got the final details, announced today at the Leipzig Game Convention. The Live Vision camera will launch September 19th in the US and October 6th in Europe, either "alone" (for $39, which includes one month of Live Gold service, a headset, and Uno and TotemBal;) or bundled in the Video Chat Gold Kit (for $79, which includes 1 year of Live Gold service, headset, Uno, TotemBall, Robotron, and 200 Microsoft points); the Wireless Racing Wheel will go for $149 and comes bundled with a force-feedback edition of PGR3 when released in November; the Wireless Headset will launch at $59, also in November; the Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows will go for $20 in late December (remember, this is the one that lets you use your wireless 360 devices on your PC). Still no word on the grandaddy of all 360 peripherals, the HD DVD drive, but we think it's pretty clear by now what kind of price it should retail for, and when.
Bluetooth headset finally on the way
Xboxic points X360F to this Amazon UK listing for the much vaunted Datel Bluetooth headset. Amazon currently has the item available for pre-order, with a release date of June 30th. I'd take this release with a grain of salt though: the original date from Datel was March 17th. Datel's awful website still makes no mention of the product at all. Of course, let's not forget that it's still awfully pricey at about $105 US for the adapter/headset package. Hopefully, Datel will get a clue and realize that some people already have a headset and just need the Bluetooth adapter. I mean, it's not like people have been making adapters themselves... [Via Xboxic]
360 rumor roundup: peripheral madness
So our good friends over at Joystiq have apparently buddied up to an "insider" at Xbox manufacturer Microsoft (sorry Bill, it wasn't our idea), plied him/her with some promotional swag and design ideas, and come away with details on all your favorite 360 peripherals, including the highly-anticipated Live Vision cam. Still set to launch on September 19th, the XLV camera will reportedly cost $40.00, and included in that price are a wired headset, the card-game-turned-Live-Arcade-hit UNO, and a free one-month Gold subscription to get you hooked on introduce you to the online service. Joystiq's mole also revealed the following price points for accessories to be released during the "holiday season": $60 for a wireless headset with 30-foot range, another $60 for a 256MB memory module, and $20 each for various game-themed faceplates or a wireless adapter to make 360 gear compatible with your Windows PC. We're still waiting to hear such details as the prices of the wireless racing wheel and HD-DVD add-on, or whether Microsoft will release an un-bundled version of the webcam, so here's to hoping that Joystiq's new friend comes calling again real soon.
Rumor: 360 wireless gaming receiver $20; wheel $130; headset $60; camera $40; Halo and Forza faceplates $20 [update 1]
Thanks to a reliable source from Microsoft, we've learned some important details about the new peripherals announced for the Xbox 360, including pricing and a few Halo faceplate (non)specifics. Check out the leaked info and prices below: 360 wireless gaming receiver (which enables wireless 360 controllers, headsets, and wheels on your PC): $20 Wireless racing wheel: $130 Wireless headset: $60 Xbox Live Vision Camera (with headset, one month of Live Gold, and one arcade -- presumably Xbox Live Arcade -- game): $40 New faceplates for Halo (with the Master Chief on 'em, but not Halo 3 specific) and Forza (no word on connections to the sequel): $20 each 256 MB portable memory unit (MU): no official price yet, but definitely not four times the cost of the older 64MB MU Besides acknowledging that the PC is "the biggest gaming device of all," MS appears to be setting an agressive price for its most relevant new PC accessory, the wireless gaming receiver (at least in comparison to the outrageously priced 360 wireless networking adapter). Unfortunately, no price was revealed as of yet for the USB-based HD-DVD add-on.We've speculated in our recent podcasts as to what would happen to the various 360 SKUs when price drops inevitably occur. An interesting theory bandied about by prolific Joystiq Contributor epobirs (on our earlier bump-to-256MB-MU post) was that a $20 price drop for the Core system, coupled with a $20 price drop on the 64MB MU, would finally allow folks to pick up a capable non-Premium bundle for the original $300 Core price point. (Not a bad way to undercut PS2 memory card prices, too.) We hope to get official confirmation on this info in the not-too-distant future.[Update: Sorry, had the camera price wrong in the headline; it now matches the price of the bundle listed in the body of the text below.]See also: 360's Mem Unit getting a bump to 256MB? (Comment from epobirs) Use 360 wireless peripherals with a PC Engadget & Joystiq's live coverage of Microsoft's Xbox 360 E3 event Joystiq / Engadget podcasts from Day One and Day Two of E3 2006
Hands on with the Xbox 360 Live Vision, Wireless Headset, and Racing Wheel
Microsoft's Xbox 360 HD DVD drive wasn't the only device we checked out at their post-press conference exposé. We also got to take a look at the Live Vision, Wireless Headset, Racing Wheel and Wireless Gaming Receiver up close and in person. Unfortunately for us, we were told these were all hand-built product mockups that apparently wouldn't withstand the wear and tear of a thousand or more press and partners manhandlings with chubby greasy party hands. Well, who cares, we touched the headsets anyway and they felt pretty nice, fairly light, if not a little fragile. Guess that's what we get for playing with the mockups though, right? Click on for more.
