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Dolby’s Dimension headphones bring home theater sound to your ears
For more than 50 years, Dolby's brand has been synonymous with top-of-the-line audio (and visual) quality. Its innovations in the space, including recent technologies like the Atmos immersive sound, can be experienced in movie theaters and living rooms around the globe. But Dolby has become a household name without actually building its own consumer products. It's always worked with third-party manufacturers on the hardware used to deliver its tech to your ears. That changes, though, with the introduction of Dolby Dimension. They're a pair of over-ear wireless headphones designed with a particular set of people in mind: video-streaming binge watchers.
Pre-order Microsoft’s Surface Headphones on November 15th
Microsoft caught just about everyone by surprise when it announced new noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones earlier this month at its Surface launch event. The subdued white cans, priced at $350, are set to compete with the excellent Sony 1000XM3 and Bose Quiet Comfort II headphones. Microsoft has now revealed that pre-orders for the Surface Headphones will start on November 15th and ship on November 19th.
The best Bluetooth headset
By Marianne Schultz and Daniel Varghese This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. Read the full bluetooth headset guide here. After 80-plus hours of researching headsets and testing more than 18 models over the past few years, including testing three new models over 20 hours for the latest update, we've determined that the Plantronics Voyager 5200 is the best mono Bluetooth headset for making and taking calls, whether you're in a quiet office or a noisy coffee shop. The Voyager 5200 offers the most comfortable and secure fit and the best dedicated call-management controls of the headsets we tested. It also has better mic quality than stock earbuds or most Bluetooth earbuds, plus battery life that can last most of a workday. In our tests, the Plantronics Voyager 5200 provided the most consistently clear incoming and outgoing audio in a variety of settings. Its earhook design sometimes requires two hands to put on, but it's easily adjustable and comfortable enough to wear all day; its earpiece also provides a secure seal for optimal sound quality, and its battery gives you about 5 hours, 40 minutes of talk time. It's the complete package, unlike any other model we tested. The Voyager 5200 also has all of the software features that have made Plantronics headsets some of our favorites throughout the years, such as the capability to accept and reject calls with your voice. We recommend the Plantronics Voyager 3200 only if the Voyager 5200 is not available, or if the idea of possibly having to use two hands to put the 5200 on is a dealbreaker for you. The Voyager 3200 has a more conventional in-ear design that doesn't fit as securely as our top pick. Its audio—both incoming and outgoing—isn't as consistently good as that of our top pick, but the sound is clear enough in quieter environments. And although this model has longer battery life, it's only by 20 minutes or so. The Jabra Talk 2 isn't nearly as comfortable as our top picks, and its incoming audio quality isn't as good, but it's acceptable on both counts if you're on a budget. It also gives you much better mic quality for calls than you'd get from stereo Bluetooth earbuds that cost roughly $100. In our battery test, it offered almost 7 hours of talk time, lasting over an hour longer than our top pick.
OnePlus’ new headphones use magnets to pause playback
OnePlus didn't just have a new flagship phone to unveil today -- it's also got new Bluetooth headsets for its fans. The Bullets Wireless are $70 earphones that have magnetic buds that snap together to prevent tangles. When paired with a OnePlus 5/5T or 6, they also pause and resume music playback when stuck together and pulled apart, respectively. In the future, the company says it will add the ability to answer calls by unclipping the buds.
The best bluetooth headsets
By Marianne Schultz and Nick Guy This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer's guide to the best technology. When readers choose to buy The Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. If you're hopping on and off the phone throughout the day, or if you're typically talking on the phone while driving (despite the safety concerns), the Plantronics Voyager Edge is the best Bluetooth headset for most people. After putting in 50-plus hours of research and testing more than 15 models over the past three years—including 12 hours of testing and three new models for the latest update—the Voyager Edge continues to lead the pack with its combination of stellar sound quality, long battery life, excellent Bluetooth range, and comfortable fit.
Motorola's new Bluetooth headset hides inside your ear
In case you need a stylish new Bluetooth headset to go along with your brand new Moto X, Motorola also announced the Moto Hint. Meant to be as discreet as possible, the Hint almost looks like an ear plug when worn. It's so discreet that the Hint doesn't even have buttons -- simply tap its capacitive-touch surface to answer or end calls. As for the volume, you have to adjust that via the phone. The Hint comes with a charge case that apparently gives it up to 10 hours of talk time. Though the Hint can be used with any smartphone, it was specifically designed to go along with the new X thanks to its ability to recognize the new Moto Voice. As a reminder, that means it'll recognize your custom voice prompt along with special phrases like "What's the weather?" and "Navigate home." The Hint even comes in six different design styles in fabric, leather and wood to compliment the X. Though we're not sure when the availability of the Hint is yet, it's set to be out this fall for $149.99 each.
HeadWatch is part smartwatch, part Bluetooth headset, totally baffling
Smartwatches are a dime a dozen these days, so if you're making one and want to get noticed, you'd better have an enticing hook. And, in the case of the HeadWatch, it literally has a hook -- one that anchors the main body of the device to your ear so it can double as a sort of hands-free headset. Seeking $300,000 of crowdfunding cash through Indiegogo, the HeadWatch is standard wearable fare, mostly. It's an Android-based, touchscreen smartwatch that acts as a companion for your smartphone, with a few frills like notification light strips and a temperature sensor thrown in.
Jawbone's second-gen Era headset is 42 percent smaller, comes with its own charging case
Wearables may have been the talk of the town at CES, but given that Jawbone just released the Up24 a month ago, chances were slim it was going to announce another fitness tracker so soon. Instead, then, the company is going back to its roots: It just announced a new version of its Era Bluetooth headset, with a markedly smaller design, a 10-hour battery and a bundled charging case. In particular, the new Era is 42 percent more compact than the last-gen model (see the comparison pic after the break), with a new earpiece that's said to fit more securely. On the audio front, Jawbone moved to tiny MEMS microphones and also overhauled its Noise Assassin noise cancellation technology with support for wider-band audio. You can also use voice commands to order Siri around, assuming you have an iDevice. It's on sale today in four colors starting at $100, though if you want that charging case, you'll need to shell out $130 for the bundle.
Outdoor Tech Tuis audio wireless headset slated for October
Summer's not even officially here yet, and we're already starting to see some products that are planned for release this fall. The latest example is a premium Bluetooth 4.0 audio headset with some nice features and great design. The Tuis (pronounced two-wees) Wireless Headphones from Outdoor Tech are expected to hit stores in October, just in time for you to beg for a pair for the holidays. Powering Tuis is a rechargeable Li-ion battery that will give you up to 16 hours of listening time or 19 hours of phone call talk time between charges. Tuis folds for portability, fitting into an included hard case for transport. If you're in a situation where you don't have access to Bluetooth, no problem -- there also a 3.5mm jack for that old-school wired look! Wired or wireless, you have full access to integrated music / call controls on the side of the headset. Outdoor Tech says that Tuis will be available for US$149.99. If you happen to be attending CE Week in NYC later this month, be sure to check out Tuis in person.
SuperTooth HD: An expensive Bluetooth speaker phone with poor feature implementation
The SuperTooth HD is SuperTooth's top of the range Bluetooth speakerphone. Last year I reviewed the SuperTooth Crystal speakerphone -- one tier down from the HD -- and was surprised with its ease of use and performance, but felt it was lacking somewhat in quality and design. Since then I've had the opportunity to spend some time with the feature-enhanced SuperTooth HD. At US$129, it's nearly double the price of the Crystal. Are those extra features worth the extra $60? Read on to find out! Design From a design standpoint, the HD has much of what is lacking in the Crystal. It's larger, which gives it a sturdier feel, and it isn't made from tacky, cheap plastic that plagues so many devices -- including the Crystal. It looks and feels like it was built with some sense of quality in mind. %Gallery-178155% There are three buttons on the device. The first is an on/off button, the second is primarily a direct-to Handsfree Assistant button (more about this later), and the third is a multifunction button (answer call / end call / voice dial & redial) that doubles as a large dial for volume up and down. Compared to the Crystal, these buttons are a pleasure to use. It's particularly nice to turn up or down the volume on a call using the dial. Similarly to the Crystal, the HD has a magnet on the rear so you can attach it to the included clip, making it easy to attach to a car visor or other convenient spot. The clip also doubles as a mount for when you place it on a desk or counter. As mentioned in the Crystal review, the design is simple, but it's effective. Functionality The HD shares many of the same specs as its smaller sibling. Battery life (20 hours talk, 1000 hours stand by) and Bluetooth range (around 10 meters) are the same. Where the HD takes ground on the Crystal is with its louder speakers (with a 5.4 Watt class D amplifier), noise cancelation and dual microphones for better audio quality. There's also the HandsFree Assistant, but I'll come to that in a few paragraphs. Considering I didn't encounter a scenario where I needed the Crystal's speaker to be louder than what it has to offer, I'd say the HD's boost in volume is not necessary, but welcome. Particularly for those rare, but exceptionally loud environment moments. At top volume, the HD is incredibly loud. In fact, it's uncomfortably loud. But unlike the Crystal, there's very little distortion at full volume. The HD's class D amplifier and new speakers do pay off in this area. Full volume on the Crystal is a distorted mess. Similarly, in my tests with the Crystal, I didn't struggle with others hearing my voice. However, with the HD in those particularly loud environment moments, the noise cancellation did seem to help with clarity for those on the other end. Two of the biggest selling points of the HD are its voice feedback / interaction and HandsFree Assistant support from Dial2Do. Unfortunately, both are its biggest draw back. These two features represent a very bad attempt at Siri-like interaction from SuperTooth on the HD. First off, the voice commands (like calling a contact with your voice) require you to sync your address book to the HD. Unfortunately, this process is anything but simple. The HD spent a good few minutes copying my address book over, but from what I can determine, it can't use the formatting of an iOS address book, which means it doesn't recognise my contacts. I tried any number of ways to get this to work, but I hit a dead end. Visiting SuperTooth's website yielded poorly laid out support which was difficult to follow and didn't fix the problem. SuperTooth also says the HD's firmware can easily be updated, but there is no where on the site where you're told how to do this. Secondly, the HD's ability to send text messages, tweets and Facebook updates relies on Dial2Do through the HandsFree Assistant button. I'll only say this about Dial2Do: do not bother going there. If you have an iPhone, or any other smartphone, it makes no sense. I'd even hesitate to recommend it to those with dumb phones. In this day and age, there's just no point. Worst of all, all these features and more are built into Siri and iOS. And you can access Siri through the HD, though it's a two-step process to get there. Ironically, accessing Siri on the Crystal is a one step process. It begs the question: why try to replicate features in a speakerphone that the phone itself can perform significantly better? Conclusion It's hard to recommend the SuperTooth HD when two of its main selling points are basically obsolete to iPhone users. And with that in mind -- even though the HD has slightly better looks, a louder speaker and noise reduction -- you'd be crazy to spend $129 on the HD when you can get the SuperTooth Crystal for half the price and simply augment the powerful features that iOS already has to offer. Check out the SuperTooth HD and Crystal at the SuperTooth Store website.
Mophie Powerblu Bluetooth headset sneaks through the FCC
There's apparently more to life for Mophie than power packs, as the accessory designer has pushed its first Bluetooth headset, the Powerblu, through the FCC. In a shock to no one, the stand-out is a separate charging station to keep the earpiece going well past what its internal battery can manage: where the headset normally lasts for four hours of talk on its own, that lifespan grows to 30 when it's periodically revived through the mothership. Other traits will be familiar to anyone who's used to wireless earwear, whether it's a noise-cancelling microphone array, text-to-speech or voice commands. About all that's left after what we've seen is for Mophie to seal the deal with a formal launch. [Thanks, Dave]
LG's first VoLTE Bluetooth headset revealed: Tone + packs 'high-quality' audio codec
LG isn't short of a few Voice over LTE handsets, but this neck-hugging Bluetooth handset promises to offer similarly crisp voice calls, if the feature's available, without the need to fumble around in your pockets . The Tone + headset totes a pair of in-ear buds, is available in both white and black and will even vibrate in Battle Royale terror style when you receive a call. LG has built in a "professional grade audio codec", the aptX, to improve audio performance alongside that VoLTE compatibility. The headphones can event pair to two devices (even two smartphones) and read out your received SMS messages. You can expect the micro-USB rechargeable Tone+ to last around 15 hours of talk-time, or 500 hours on standby. Pricing is yet to be confirmed, but LG promise to launch the device in the US, Korea and China by the end of the month.
Plantronics outs Voyager Legend Bluetooth headset with enhanced voice recognition, improved battery life
For the most part, the headsets we've seen from Plantronics this year have been aimed at gamers, but make no mistake, the outfit is still churning out Bluetooth earpieces for road warriors: the company just announced its fifth-generation Voyager headset, the Voyager Legend. In many ways, it's an iterative product, with longer battery life (seven hours, up from six), and more mics (three instead of two). It also has an elongated windscreen and is 25 percent smaller than its predecessor, though Plantronics claims the in-ear fit hasn't changed. Key internals include Bluetooth 3.0, not 4.0, and support for streaming over A2DP. All told, exactly what you'd expect from the latest and greatest BT headset. But even more important than enhanced performance and a more compact design, the headset responds to voice commands in a smarter way. Say, for instance, that you receive an incoming call and happen not to be wearing your headset (maybe you took it out to charge). You can put the earpiece in and the headset will automatically pick up the call. Or, if you're not wearing your headset you can have it route calls to the phone instead. As for answering calls, you can say "answer" or "ignore," and you don't even have to press a button to activate the voice recognition. The earpiece can also announce your caller's name, so long as it's in your phone book. Additionally, the headset responds to about 10 other commands such as "check battery" and "pair me," but in these cases you do have to press a button first. Rounding out the feature list is a new Android-only Find MyHeadset app that uses tones and geolocation to help you figure out where you last saw your earpiece. The headset is available today for $100, and the company is also selling a desktop stand and charging case, both priced at $30.%Gallery-164953%
New Nokia Luna Bluetooth headsets, now with wireless charging
So yesterday saw a whole bunch of new Nokia-related goodies. There were phones (of course), charging pillows, a slew of retailers offering charging stations, and a bevy of new apps. One thing that didn't get a mention was the new Luna Bluetooth headsets. These may look familiar, but in keeping with the trend, these now also support wireless charging. As always, you have a near rainbow of color choices, and can expect up to eight hours talk time and 35 hours on standby. The NFC-enabled headsets do also have a micro-USB port, should you find yourself away from wireless power options. Sadly, no word on pricing and availability at this time.
Hi-Fun's call-receiving Bluetooth gloves, hands-in (video)
Sometimes the most fascinating bits from a tradeshow come from those booth in between major manufacturers, and while we're certainly not claiming that the Hi-Call is "the best product at IFA" as its spokesperson suggested to us with a smile, they're nothing if not interesting. Hi-Fun's gloves are Bluetooth headsets -- or, well, handsets -- with the speaker built into the thumb and the mic in the pinky, so you can talk by doing the traditional "call me" hand gesture. Pairing is simple enough for anyone who's done the process on a more traditional headset -- the button is built into the top of the glove, along with a button to end the call. We took the gloves for a spin, as you can see in the video below, calling the rep's very confused boss. In spite of turning up the handset volume as loud as possible, we had a lot of trouble actually hearing something on the showfloor -- and the fellow on the other end seemed to be having similar issues, leading to quite probably the first time I've ever used the phrase "I'm sorry, I can't hear you, I'm talking into a glove." Hi-Call will be out in the beginning of October, just in time for the cold weather. It'll run you a not particularly cheap €49 for the pleasure of speaking into your pinky. Video evidence after the break.
Samsung HM5100 Bluetooth S Pen makes a surprise debut in our Note 10.1 'press kit,' we pencil in a chat (hands-on)
Hidden among the higher-profile items at Samsung's Galaxy Note 10.1 launch today was a device that at first seemed familiar, but turned out to be far more than your everyday S Pen. That's right, Samsung's already capable stylus just got a major boost -- meet the BT S Pen. The device, which received no formal introduction during its host device's launch event, first appeared in the "press kit" bag that attendees received on the way out the door. It's similar in size and shape to the company's Galaxy S Pen Holder Kit, which serves as a sleeve for the standard-issue Note S Pen, but Bluetooth functionality, along with a microphone and tiny speaker, enable the lightweight plastic contraption to double as a wireless headset -- sure to come in handy with the SIM slot-equipped international Note 10.1 flavor. We caught our first hint of the pen's functionality upon discovering a bundled AC adapter -- that seemed mighty odd. The box also included an unusually beefy user manual and no fewer than five replacement "nibs" (read: stylus tips). Pairing took but a few seconds, and then we were on our way answering calls with a single tap of the talk button. There's also a built-in vibration mechanism, which serves to alert you to incoming calls. Sound quality was solid, but speaking into a pen admittedly felt a bit odd -- you may not draw as many stares as you would if speaking directly into a 10.1, but the seemingly unusual action may still turn a few heads. Otherwise, the S pen functioned as expected. The packaging is all we have to go off of at this point -- Samsung reps we spoke to didn't know to expect the device today, so there's no pricing or availability info to share. We do know that it's rated for three hours of talk time and 130 hours of standby, it weighs 21 grams, offers Bluetooth 3.0 compatibility and will work with Galaxy Note devices -- you could use it as a headset with other gadgets, though there wouldn't be much appeal. It also includes a micro-USB charging cable, with the port accessible just above the shirt clip. That's all she wrote for now -- apparently this accessory was available exclusively at today's event, and may not make its way to the US, if it's released at all. You can see it in action now though, in our hands-on video after the break. %Gallery-162550%
Sony Smart Wireless Headset pro hits retail with $150 price in tow
Don't let the name fool you, Sony's Smart Wireless Headset pro won't clip on your ear. That's because it looks and functions more like a traditional MP3 player, using its powers of Bluetooth 2.0 to communicate with compatible Android devices. The two-tone peripheral comes with a headset, four sets of earbuds, USB cables and a 2GB microSD card pre-installed (expandable up to 32GB) to let you store music. If the feature set stopped right there, this accessory would be just another underwhelming PMP, but factor in its text-to-speech functionality and you get a PDA of sorts to keep you abreast of incoming emails, texts and social media updates. The device will also let users receive incoming voice calls and even dial-out using a recent call list. It's hitting Sony's online and retail shops now, so if you've got a spare $150 and a taste for extraneous peripherals -- by all means, take the plunge.
Nokia ships Lumia 900 and Reaction Bluetooth Headset in China
Based on the amount of effort poured into iOS 6 in order to tailor it for users in China, one thing's obvious: it's a nation grasping for smartphones. Apple's seeing huge, huge upticks in spending from Chinese customers, and Nokia's sure hoping it sees similar. In the midst of untold turmoil, Nokia is sprinkling in a bit of positive news this morning -- news that the Lumia 900 is now shipping in China. The 900 marks the fifth Lumia smartphone to ship in the nation of 900 million mobile phone users, with white, black and cyan versions to choose from. Outside of the basic specifications, the Chinese 900 will also come preloaded with nation-specific apps such as Sina Weibo, QQ IM, Baidu Search and Alipay. Oh, and if a phone wasn't enough, the Nokia Reaction Bluetooth Headset is also launching there today, enabling you to finally make use of that NFC module. The Lumia 900 hardware will sell for RMB 4599 ($721) in Nokia's flagship store, Nokia brand stores and the nation's "top electronics chain stores."
Nokia Reaction Bluetooth headset slips out: 'acoustic' design packs ear detection, noise reduction (video)
While it hasn't gone public on Nokia's own site, its YouTube channel has thrown up a video of a new Bluetooth headset. The device, like previous Nokia inventions, can be paired to phones through NFC and also automatically transfer and answer incoming calls when it senses it's near your ear. It packs in three separate mics, background noise cancellation and "automatic volume control" that aims to forgo screaming into the earpiece. We'll update with more details once we hear from Nokia. Take a peak at the device after the break -- and sigh at the sight of the ill-fated Nokia N9.
HTC One X camera discovered to have remote shutter functionality with BT headsets
Here's something fun for HTC One X owners with a knack for Instagram photography. Recently discovered by ePrice on YouTube, the phone apparently features a remote shutter for its camera that's activated with some Bluetooth headsets. As Droid Life mentions, it can take a certain button combinations to get it working, but it's certainly intriguing for anyone wanting to rig this svelte slab of Ice Cream Sandwich to a tripod. You'll find a video demo after the break, but hey, if you've got a headset lying around it might be worth a shot. Let us know your results in the comments!
