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Sony goes ape with A2DP stereo Bluetooth accessories
In addition to their new S-series Walkmans announced earlier, Sony also unleashed a whole suite of Bluetooth 2.0 accessories all supporting the A2DP profile for untethered stereo audio. Starting top-left and moving clockwise, we find the WLA-NWB1 Bluetooth adapter exclusively for the new NW-S700/S600 series players and on sale in Japan November 18th for ¥7,000/$59. With that installed, you can listen in from either the DR-BT20NX (¥20,000/$167) neck strap system or DR-NT30Q (¥13,000/$109) mini-cans each with microphone and support for a wide range of profiles for use with cellphones, handsfree kit, or any portable audio player. What's more, you can control any of those devices supporting Bluetooth's AVRCP profile. Also announced are the HWS-BTA2W (¥8,000/$67) transmitter/receiver and TMR-BT10 (¥8,000/$67) transmitter for enabling just about any device with Bluetooth stereo audio. Rounding things out is the big ol' 6-watt, SRS-BTM30 Bluetooth speaker (¥14,000/$117) which includes a stereo mini-jack with up to 15 hours of continuous playback off battery. These will all hit Japan October 21st. And when they land in the US, we might even proclaim that A2DP has indeed, arrived. See all the accessories in their biggie pic glory after the break.[Via Impress]
Logitech officially unveils FreePulse headphones
While we gave you the initial smattering of details last week, Logitech has officially announced the FreePulse headphones on its website, and currently lists them for a single piece of paper with Ben Franklin's mug on it. As you already know, these headphones use Bluetooth 2.0 EDR with A2DP to let you jam to your tunes at a range of 33 feet (i.e. Class 2), and can rock on the MP3 player of your choosing with its adjustable transmitter (though the iPod adapter attachments aren't exactly a hinderance for uptake).[Thanks, ventivent]
Etymotic's new high-larious ety8 Bluetooth headphones
Bluetooth headphones: great idea. Etymotic headphones: great idea. What resulted when the two were smooshed together by the Etymotic guys: the ety8 Bluetooth headphones, or, as we're already calling them around the office, the wireless abomination whose name shall not be spoke. The ety8s come with A2DP and AVRC Bluetooth profiles, an iPod adapter, a few eartips, and some pretty high quality 20Hz - 16kHz/ 1kHz sensitivity / 122 dB SPL output drivers, tacked on to some transceiver / controller boxes unsightly and ungainly enough to make you look like a serious fool, but not before sentencing you to two ears filled with some dowel-thick shafts of plastic, the whole of which looks more like a UN headset than an audiophile's jogging kit. The sad thing is we'll still probably buy them.
Logitech's FreePulse Bluetooth headset leaked
The FCC's handed us yet another tasty morsel today: the new Logitech FreePulse Wireless headset, and what a headset she is. The minuscule looking device features Bluetooth 2.0+ EDR with A2DP (huzzah!) to control your iPod (via a dongle, of course) if that's how you want swing it, or other A2DP-compliant devices like that swanky LG Fusic that you've got your eye on. And according to the user's manual the FreePulse will also play nice with other MP3 players too, like that just-released Zune, for example. Unfortunately, the friendly Feds didn't tell us when these 'phones would be released, nor how much they would retail for. We do have to applaud Logitech for coming up with a name better than those other Bluetooth iPod packages that we've already seen, like the D.Muse iBlue and the horribly named iMuff.[Via TGDaily]
HTC launches self-branded accessory line
If your HTC-branded TyTN just doesn't feel complete without the matching branded range of accessories, it looks like HTC feels your pain. Browsing on over to the company's European site, a couple of accessories have popped up with more promised in the pipeline: the BH S100 A2DP headset and BH M100 mono Bluetooth headset, both with expected August availability. Neither unit looks exciting, special, or different in any notable way -- just HTC branded. If you're into that sort of thing.[Thanks, Tim]
Switched On: Biting back for Bluetooth
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about the future of technology, multimedia, and digital entertainment:During the spring CTIA conference of 2005, a Switched On column expressed hope for Bluetooth. Bluetooth phones were becoming more broadly available in the US and headsets were becoming more affordable, trends that have continued. However, the potential of Bluetooth has been cut short by carriers that have disabled or "crippled" parts of it functionality. The two most common profiles that carriers have disabled are DUN (dial-up networking) which lets you use your Bluetooth handset as a wireless modem, and OBEX (object exchange), which lets you wirelessly trade files between your handset and PC.DUN is generally disabled to prevent users from taking advantage of data plans intended for the kind of relatively light data usage patterns of a smartphone, whereas some carriers, like Verizon, for instance, disable OBEX to prevent circumventing cellular-based transfer services. While carriers have eased up on some of the profile disabling, the Sidekick 3, for example, supports only headset and file sharing functions.Communicating Bluetooth compatibility has always offered a dilemma because the wireless technology encompasses several different benefits. Should the Bluetooth Special Interest Group go the route of the WiFi Alliance and offer one logo that might leave out details such as operating frequency, and speed or the PlaysForSure route and offer a confusing composite badge that details all the capabilities?
Jabra announces iPod Bluetooth adapter
Since Apple's still showing no sign of caving into consumer demand and releasing a Bluetooth-equipped iPod (even a proprietary solution would be a good start -- anything to get rid of that annoying white cord), more and more manufacturers are looking to fill the void with their own workarounds, and now headset giant Jabra has announced plans to throw its own hat into the ring as well. Jabra's "hat" will come in the form of a dock connector-compatible adapter called the A125s, which will work with both the video and nano versions of the iPod, and promises 10 hours of playback or 250 hours of standby time before recharging becomes an issue. Unfortunately for exercise enthusiasts, these won't work at the same time as your Nike+iPod kit, so runners won't be able to cut the cord unless Nike releases its own pair of headphones. You can expect this adapter -- which will join the likes of the D.Muse, icombi, and naviPlay -- to retail for around $75 once it hits stores sometime this August.
The Boy Genius Report: Canary is KRZR, getting launched September
Field report tidbits from Engadget's mobile insider, the Boy Genius.Well, well, well, Moto had to name the Canary something, didn't they? Looks like it's gonna go by the KRZR (what, now they don't even do vowels?), and we should see it launched in the September / October timeframe -- with A2DP support no less (not unlike the Capri). Stay tuned for more Cingular leakage by way of the Boy Genius!
Motorola's S705 SoundPilot do-all BT audio controller
Moto's really showing everyone how it's done at CommunicAsia this week, introducing a small army of phones, a PEBL-like power adapter, and now this. The S705 SoundPilot may not be the prettiest Bluetooth audio receiver we've seen, nor the smallest, but it's looking to be among the most full-featured: A2DP (wireless audio) and AVRCP (A/V control) profiles, a built-in FM radio with RDS support, LCD display for caller ID, and Class 1 Bluetooth good for 330 feet are all on the spec sheet. Even better, the S705 can hook up to your phone and music player on separate connections simultaneously and interrupt the tuneage when a call comes in. All told, that might just be enough sweetness to convince us to clip this monstrosity to our belts. Pricing hasn't been announced, but expect the SoundPilot to roll in Q3. [Warning: PDF link][Via Mobilewhack]
Motorola Capri, a.k.a. the RAZR slider, previewed
The guys over at PhoneScoop have sure made the site live up to its name today: not only did they get some serious hands-on time with Motorola's upcoming RAZR slider -- codenamed Capri -- they also got to preview the next version of Moto's much-maligned Synergy UI that will show up in such models as the Canary and the SCPL. At least on paper, the Capri seems to offer a very compelling feature set that will probably attract anyone into the RAZR lifestyle- you're getting a model only slightly thicker and heavier than its clamshell counterpart, but which sports a 2.0 megapixel camera, A2DP-capable Bluetooth, and what sounds like a greatly improved user interface. Especially noteworthy in the overhauled Synergy is an address book that seems to work much more intuitively than past iterations (remember the one on the StarTAC?), allowing you to organize entries by name and search for contacts using multiple letters. Although Phone Scoop was only testing a pre-production model, they have identified some potential problems to watch out for on the final version, such as the unusually crappy quality of what should be a decent camera, and most importantly, a spring-assisted slider that's difficult to activate due to the raised antenna bulge so familiar to RAZR owners. Click on if you want to peep a few more snaps, but you're really doing yourself a disservice if you don't head over to PhoneScoop for the full gallery and a very thorough write-up...
Nokia CK-20W Car Kit promises to bundle talk, tunes, and nav
In what seems to be a brilliant marketing maneuver, Nokia is hyping its new CK-20W Car Kit as the "first integrated hands-free solution to combine high-quality communication, music, navigation and push-to-talk in the car," when all you're really getting is a dash-mounted dock and a remote. According to Nokia, you need to supply your own GPS Bluetooth receiver if you want navigation functionality (they suggest the forthcoming Nokia LD-2 Navigation Pack), although music streaming and hands-free chatting are achievable right out of the box. The kit is compatible with most Nokia phones and even standalone MP3 players if all you want are some tunes, but adding the nav pack requires you to own a S60-powered device to run the Route 66 mapping software. Prices have not been announced yet, but both the car kit and GPS receiver are expected to be available next quarter.[Via Wired Blogs]
Sprint launches LG LX550 (Fusic)
There was little surprise in this one, but Sprint's officially launched that LG LX550 as the Fusic. Sure, maybe it's not the most skillfully named (or styled) phone we've laid eyes upon, but it's got EV-DO, A2DP, an FM transmitter and radio, 1.3 megapixel camera, and MicroSD (bundled with 64MB) for $179.99 after rebate and two-year contract.[Via Phone Scoop]
Sony Ericsson V630i 3G musicphone shows up in UK
Sony Ericsson keeps cranking out the high-style musicphones, and the V630i looks to be the latest edition to the line -- for UK Vodafone customers, that is. The phone, which eschews the Walkman branding used in other recent music-centric models, includes 10MB of internal memory, Memory Stick Micro support, a 176x220 display, 2 megapixel camera, trimode GSM support, and A2DP for Bluetooth stereo output. In sum, it reminds us a lot of another recent Sony Ericsson, the W810i, which has a similar feature set, but lacks A2DP (and that alone, of course, makes this one a new fave). [Thanks, Goku]
HP iPaq hw6915 PocketPC phone reviewed
We've been on the fence about HP's hw6000 line of Swiss Army phones ever since we first spotted the GPS-equipped iPaq hw6515 -- these models include everything but the kitchen sink, but they also force you to use that non-standard 240 x 240 screen. Still, MobileTechReview's in-depth look at the latest member of the family, the hw6915, makes us think we could overlook the square screen and lack of 3G data options because, well, the rest of this Windows Mobile 5.0-powered smartphone sounds like exactly what us convergence-geeks are seeking. According to MTR, the quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE handset impresses on many fronts, including its solid keyboard, powerful internal antenna, GPS performance, and best-in-class benchmark numbers. HP also throws in some nice extras, like helpful Today screen plug-ins, a full-featured wireless radio manager, the ability to location-stamp photos, and even A2DP in the Bluetooth stack, which isn't normally included in WM5 AKU2 devices out of the box. Besides the fact that this screen resolution may not support all third-party apps, the only real knock to this model concerns the camera's startup/shutter lags -- and if that's the worst thing to be said about a device that seemingly does it all, then we're totally sold.
Pioneer's DEH-P810 Bluetooth-equipped car stereo
If we had a car, we'd be all over Pioneer's new DEH-P810 Bluetooth-enabled head unit, which allows you to stream audio from your BT-enabled musicphone or the odd BT-sporting MP3 player directly to your sound system. This will be an especially attractive model to Windows Mobile 5.0 device owners, who have recently been able to cut the headphone cord thanks to the folks over at xda-developers, but still need a cassette adapter or FM transmitter dongle for listening in their cars. Little else is known about the specs on this unit, but the "phone" button would indicate that it can also route calls through your speakers, so it may include an embedded mic as well. We saw the DEH-P810 online for about $660, but the price was in yen, so we're pretty sure you're gonna need to import for now.
HTC Tornado available from O2 as the Xda IQ
As of today, Brits have access to one of the hottest Windows Mobile 5.0 smartphones on the market, thanks to o2's much-anticipated release of the Xda IQ. Better known as the HTC Tornado (or the Cingular 2125 / T-Mobile SDA / Qtek 8310 / Orange SPV C600), this quad-band GSM worldphone sports both Bluetooth and WiFi, a 200MHz processor, 2.2-inch QVGA screen, 1.3 megapixel cam, miniSD slot, and EDGE data capabilities. The best part is that AKU2, with its sweet, sweet MSFP, will be available for download at launch, so customers can get their push email-on right away -- and even their A2DP, thanks to the godsend of a .cab assembled by the good folks over at the xda-developers forum. Even though this handset is already available, our best efforts have been for naught when it comes to finding a price -- a little help, UK readers?
A2DP finally available on WinMo 5.0 AKU2
Hallelujah! After what has seemed like an endless wait, coupled with a crushing letdown by Microsoft, Windows Mobile 5.0 users who've upgraded to the AKU2 firmware can finally listen to stereo audio in glorious, wireless freedom. Users of numerous WM5 devices over at the xda-developers are reporting success with a series of files and registry hacks, posted by sas90850 and assembled into a handy CAB by Khuanchai, which enable the A2DP Bluetooth profile that was so conspicuously absent on the current round of AKU2 updates. Khuanchai's file can be found by following the "Read" link, and before you freak out, you need to register as a forum member before you're able to even see the download. Now if you'll excuse us, we need to hit the local electronics store and pick up a pair of BT 'phones, pronto.[Via Smartphone Thoughts and the::unwired]
Motorola Q to have A2DP support?
It seems we didn't quite pore over the Motorola Q FCC draft user's manual as well as we'd initially thought. In fact, it looks rather like Motorola may have actually added Bluetooth A2DP support to the Q, like, totally without telling us. Then again, this could just be dummy copy or text pulled from another manual as a placeholder -- we just don't know. Still, with all the delays plaguing this thing's launch, it'd be nice to know that there's a little nugget awaiting us at the end of the wait, even if it's something as simple as additional Bluetooth profiles (on a Verizon handset, no less).[Via MS Mobiles]
G-sat BTH-820 / BTA-830 Bluetooth audio hands-on review
We had the chance recently to review the GlobalSat Bluetooth Entertainment Pack. And for kicks, we took 'em up on the offer to see just how well this thing delivered on the promise of bringing CD quality stereo audio to any media device with a standard 1/8-inch minijack. The pack consists of two devices: the BTH-820 stereo headset which attaches to your uh, head and the BTA-830 Stereo Audio Gateway which attaches to your device. Both are Bluetooth 1.2.First, get to know your Bluetooth profiles ‘cause that little bit of info tucked away in your noggin could save you a bit of trouble and dough too, someday. Afterall, we're just crossing a digital divide whereby most new musicphones will feature everything you need to enjoy Bluetooth stereo sound while remaining fully in control of the music; pause, skip, volume, and the like, without ever touching the handset. Problem is, vendors just aren’t making it easy to figure out what their wares are packin’. So listen up kids, if you want in on stereo audio and wireless control of your device then both the Bluetooth headphones and device must support...
Kyocera K822 musicphone with A2DP
With the flurry of phone and mobile industry announcements this past week (Engadget Mobile even outposted the original once or twice), you'll have to forgive us if we didn't catch some of the more, um, run-of-the-mill handsets revealed at CTIA, but hey, that's what the weekends are for. Truthfully, the Kyocera K822 isn't really all that ho-hum, as it sports both a 1.3 megapixel camera and 30MB of memory complemented by a microSD slot for pics and tunes (MP3/AAC/WMDRM), packed into a clamshell design with dual color displays. Other niceties on this tri-mode CDMA model include Bluetooth 1.2 with A2DP, FM radio, and external media controls, as well as a pretty attractive $140-after-subsidies price tag.
