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Apple bluetooth headset unpacking pics
When reader Nomad send us a link to pictures of his new iPhone bluetooth headset, we thought, "Eh, it's just a headset in a box. How cool can it be?"Pretty cool.It's packaged in a black, minimalist box, as expected. Inside is the headset itself, a combo dock (accommodates the iPhone and headset) with USB cable and a travel cable for the headset only.Nomad notes that when both the iPhone and headset are connected to the dock, the iPhone's display depicts the headset, as well as its current charge. Pretty nice. When connected to the stand-alone cable, the headset uses a magsafe connector.Leave it to Apple to make the act of charging a headset elegant.
Jabra's Cara Gold JX10 Bluetooth headset
The gilded touch hasn't evaded the mobile realm entirely, but it has been a tick since we've seen anything (well, anything worthwhile) come through that was Midas-approved. Bucking that trend is none other than Jabra, who is apparently readying a Cara Gold JX10 headset designed by Jacob Jensen. Reportedly, the device will be limited in production, will weigh less than ten grams, and will tout DSP technology to reduce background noise whilst chatting. Additionally, it should last through about six hours of talking before needing a recharge, and while we aren't much on wearing a BT earpiece around in public anyway, we'd be extra cautious with a $300 iteration. Check out a closeup after the jump.[Via Slashphone]
HTC's BH M200 on display at FCC
Well hello there Mr. HTC Bluetooth headset, how nice to meet you. Courtesy of the FCC, the (surprisingly glamorously photographed) 15-gram BH M200 slug is unveiled as a followup to their M100 headset and brings along a Bluetooth 2.0 radio with up to 8 hours typical talk time or 360 hours of standby thanks to a Lithium Polymer 2 hour rechargeable. It also packs a sporty lanyard to keep the nerd factor low between calls. No idea when or even if this will land Stateside but it sure looks promising now. Lanyard illustration after the break.[Thanks, Aaron R.]
Apple's iPhone dock includes Bluetooth headset charger -- but is it free?
See that dock? Yeah, it's the first official confirmation of a rumored Bluetooth Headset port which allows the dock to simultaneously charge both your iPhone and Apple headset. It was just posted to Apple's new iPhone Q&A page. What we don't know, however, is whether or not this is an optional dock or if it's the one included in the box (a "dock" is included with the iPhone). It's certainly not the stubby dock Apple pictured earlier. We're guessing it's a paid accessory which will likely cost you more than the Chinese knock-off.Update: Our sources let us know that it's included in the box with the headset -- no wonder it's gonna cost about $120.[Via TUAW, thanks Aaron P.]Read -- Included dockRead -- Q&A page
Lubix's UBHS-PH2 sports world's first MEMS display
Oh goodie, a world's first. This time it's courtesy of Lubix's UBHS-PH2 Bluetooth headset sporting Qualcomm's Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) display. The reflective display sports Interferometric Modulation (IMOD) technology to avoid battery-draining backlighting. Otherwise, we're just looking at the nub end of a stereo Bluetooth 2.0+EDR headset presumably offering the same A2DP, AVRCP, HSP, and HFP profiles available in their rest of their lineup -- which isn't a bad thing.Read -- Lubix UBHS-PH2 Read -- Qualcomm MEMS display
Third-party iPhone dock includes Bluetooth headset charging
Judging solely by the shots available, it's not hard to agree with the sect that firmly believes Apple's first-party iPhone dock won't reserve a charging spot for its Bluetooth headset. But hey, that's what Chinese knockoffs are for, right? A full seven days before the iPhone's launch, 4Ustuff purportedly has an iPhone USB cradle for sale that undoubtedly provides the means to dock / charge your BT earpiece. Whether or not it'll actually work with Apple's products (or ship, for that matter), remains to be seen.[Via Pocket-Lint]
Nokia's BH-803, BH-602, and BH-604 Bluetooth cans
Nokia just busted out three Bluetooth headsets this morning: the BH-803, BH-604 (pictured), and BH-602. The most interesting of the bunch are the big, "quick to charge" BG-604 stereo cans with AVRCP remote control over your Bluetooth 2.0 equipped audio device. Expect 'em to go global in Q3 for a bit less than €140/$187. The wee 11.3-g, BH-803 and the 11-hour talk (5-hours after a 15-minute charge) BH-602 headsets are priced for less than €160/$214 and €90/$121, respectively. %Gallery-4054%
Sony Ericsson unveils headsets and GPS addon in Berlin
Of course nothing complements a bevy of handset announcements like a similarly sized list of accessories, and Sony Ericsson has done itself proud today in that regard. Headsets -- both Bluetooth and wired -- were the order of the day with a smattering of GPS, desk stand, and FM transmitter thrown in for good measure. The HBH-DS200 is a pretty standard Bluetooth headset fare with shirt clip, a 3.5 mm jack to let you swap in your own cans (fantastic feature if you have a nice set at home) and up to 7 hours listening time; it'll ship in box with the W960. The HPM-90 is a wired set but has a unique display on the cord that lists incoming caller info and track title. Third and last in the headset lineup is the HPM-83, yet another wired headset but it eschews the standard earbuds for a behind the neck-style headband and large ear pads. Also on the music-related front is the MMR-70 FM Music Transmitter which broadcasts the tunes from your handset via FM to your car or other radio and the MDS-65 Desk Stand that charges, acts as an antenna for the radio, and will even play back your music with its built-in speakers. But the best in show may be the HGE-100 (pictured above left) which can connect to any Java-enabled K800+ handset and does double duty as both GPS navigation and headset.%Gallery-3973%
CSR intros multi-microphone Bluetooth headset technology
The same folks bringing us the ultra sensitive Bluetooth / GPS hybrid chip are also looking to improve voice quality on vanilla Bluetooth headsets, and the firm has now collaborated with Dynamic Hearing to offer up a multi-microphone configuration. Available on the company's BlueCore-Multimedia platform, this VoiceField technology "uses two microphones to capture the speech of the headset user before it is lost amongst competing noise sources." Additionally, it was designed to suck down very little power and sport uber-low signal latency, and also includes acoustic echo suppression, automatic handsfree volume control, and programmable equalization in 33 frequency bands." Now, how's about making us look a bit less freakish while donning these things on our ear?[Via Inquirer]
LoPresti's CLEARBLUE Bluetooth headset for pilots: roger, Roger
We're not going to pretend to know the first thing about cockpit communications. Still, given our experiences with janky Bluetooth gear, we're feeling a bit uneasy about the new CLEARBLUE bluetooth headset for pilots. Developed by LoPresti, the device is said to automatically prioritize communications between four simultaneously connected devices: 1) ATC/Radios (highest priority), 2) Intercom, 3) Cellphone (is that even legal?), and 4) the iPod. Apparently, the system will be ready later this year and is designed to work with LoPresti's Fury aircraft which uses the iPod as both an in-flight entertainment system and -- get this -- the flight data recorder. We know what you're thinking, "surely they can't be serious." They are, now quit calling us Shirley. [Via Bluetooth Source]
Sound ID's SM100 Bluetooth headset tunes you into nature
We've got Bluetooth headsets that cancel noise, amplify voices, and make you look good not entirely cockamamie, but Sound ID's latest iteration actually gives you one less reason to ever take it off. The minuscule earpiece sports compatibility with handsfree Bluetooth profiles, around eight hours of talk time and 72 hours of standby, auditory and visual low battery warnings, dual omni-directional silicon microphones, and a trio of modes to fit your situation. It also touts a NoiseNavigation feature that magnifies and cancels appropriate sounds automatically, and just in case you get tired of only hearing face-to-face conversations out of one ear, the "Environmental Mode" actually brings in ambient noise in order to make you forget about the critter hanging off your eyeglass holder. Notably, the $129.99 SM100 even features a One2One mode that enables "Bluetooth communication between two modules" without the use of a cellphone, which should definitely appease the anti-social social crowd.[Via Slashphone]
Logitec's Bluetooth headset brings wired nostalgia
The best part of a Bluetooth headset should be its lack of wires, right? Not so if you're building the buds for Japan's Logitec. The LBT-HS200C2 Bluetooth 1.2 headset brings plenty of tether to your untethered stereo audio experience. At least that blocky slab supports A2DP stereo, AVRCP remote control and the ability to pair up to two devices simultaneously -- say, your Bluetooth-enabled DAP and cellphone. On sale in Japan starting late April for ¥7,800 or right around $65. [Via Impress]
Plantronics unveils Pulsar 260 stereo headset
Plantronics unveiled its newest stereo Bluetooth headset this week at CTIA, the "Pulsar 260." This wearable wonder is of the around-the-neck type, and comes with the pendant plus earbuds for taking calls form that nearby Bluetooth handset as well as stream stereo sound from any nearby A2DP stereo Bluetooth source. The new Pulsar 260 iPod shuffle-like (first generation, at least) design has integrated volume and track skip buttons for that Bluetooth music player / phone with built-in control functions supplied by AVRCP to boot. Sweet. Look for it in stores now for about $110.
Newton Peripherals ultra-thin MoGo Headset to charge via cellphone
Newton Peripherals is no stranger to the world of small and thin. So the miniscule size of their new MoGo Headset -- the "thinnest, lightest headset in the world" -- should come as little surprise. Still, at less than 5-mm thick with 6-hours of talk time and claimed "natural audio" sound, this Bluetooth 2.0 headset does indeed, impress. The headset can be charged in less than an hour via your laptop's PCMCIA or ExpressCard slot -- AC adapter is optional. Uniquely, however, is the tantalizing idea of storing and charging the thin headset via a slot integrated into (or onto) your cellphone (concept pictured above-right). Newton Peripherals is only in "discussions with one of the world's largest manufactures of wireless phones" at this point so who knows when we might see such a solution hit as product. Still, we likey eh Mikey?
The Mago Bluetooth headset
If you're ready to score that Mago luxury handset, you'll be glad to know that a matching Bluetooth headset has now been announced. Like peas in a pod, the newer Mago headset has deft curves and straight lines like Mago phones and kinda reminds us of Bang & Olufsen somewhat in the design department. The newer Mago headset is made of titanium, making it quite the light object to be hanging off your ear of choice and features the usual noise canceling features similar to that of Bang & Olufsen's Earset 2. No pricing or availability yet on this unit yet, unfortunately.[Thanks, Rick]
BluRing links your iPod to your handset
This sounds like a half-completed statement, but bear with us here: "icube will begin marketing a Bluetooth peripheral called BluRing that links the Apple's iPod to a cell phone so calls can be received while listening to music without the need to take out the phone." Umm, okay. We're not sure how that could work, but let's assume that the BluRing product has some sort of microphone built-in. Yep, check. Ok, whew -- we feel better now. The icube BluRing will come with a remote control (with embedded mic) with a connection to the iPod's 3.5mm earphone connector found on all iPods to date. While we're not sure most customers will want to abandon the iPod's signature clickwheel for music navigation, the BluRing can also be used to "select songs and adjust volume on the iPod." Hmm -- seems like this product really (really) wants to marry an actual iPod and a Bluetooth accessory (with wires to boot). Seems kinda complicated to us, with all all tangly wired mess potential and everything.[Via textually.org]
Sagem releases world's tiniest Bluetooth headset, the H4
In the quest to continue driving down the size of cellphone handsets these days, the quest to make the tiniest (and hopefully most usable) Bluetooth headset is not far behind. Remember when the Nextlink Bluespoon was claimed to be the world's smallest Bluetooth headset? Those days are long gone and Sagem has announced that it now has the world's smallest Bluetooth headset. We better call the Guiness Book of World Records (at least for today), as the Sagem G4 claims that it "could be" the world's smallest (nice cop out), at 35 x 18 x 12.5mm -- and weighing just 8 grams as well. Performance, you ask? Sagem claims 5 hours of talktime and 100 hours of standby, and charging time is only 1.5 hours to boot. Cost? 53 British pounds, or about $103 greenbacks in U.S. currency, but right now, there's only a teaser at Sagem's website -- and it's supposed to be available some time this week.[Via Pocket-lint]
Sony's high-end DR-BT50 Bluetooth cans love your cellphone
Just in case Sony's compact DR-BT21G headset didn't exactly float your boat, or you just like having the best of the best when given the option, the high-end DR-BT50s should fit the bill. Rather than taking the wraparound approach, these cans feature the typical over the head styling, an adjustable headband, 17-hour battery life (200 in standby), and a sleek black / silver motif. As with its little brother, you can answer and end calls with the press of button, and while not conversing via its handsfree profile, you can tune in to your mobile's music as it supports A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, and HSP. As expected, you'll find all the playback controls right on the earcup, and those interested can snag this Bluetooth headset / headphone hybrid for $230 when it lands in April.[Via AkiharabaNews]
Sony's Bluetooth DR-BT21G wraparound headset does A2DP, AVRCP
While Sony's DR-BT21G was given limited facetime during CES, the wraparound stereo Bluetooth 2.0 headset is getting all official on us, and will now join the long list of other A2DP-friendly devices that Sony's known for kicking out. Sporting a behind-the-neck, foldable design, the 63-gram headphones come in black or white motifs, support A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, and HSP protocols, and boast a built-in microphone and control button in the earcup to pull double duty as a handsfree communicator. Aside from the receive / end call button, users can expect to control audio playback functions from the side of their dome, and considering the respectable 11-hour battery life, finding an AC outlet shouldn't become too much of an issue. No concrete information in regard to price or availability just yet, but we're hearing to expect these in April for around the $130 mark.[Via Akiharaba News]
Com One intros WiFi radio, Bluetooth speakers and headset
Wireless-happy Com One looks to be doing its best to cover the two big wireless fronts at CES this week, trotting out its previously announced WiFi-based Phoenix radio (now in black) alongside a set of Bluetooth-based speakers and a new Bluetooth headset. The retro-styled Phoenix radio will let you pick up Internet radio stations or podcasts from anywhere with a WiFi signal, as well as play MP3s or WMAs from an attached USB drive or MP3 player -- no memory card slots though. Phoenix's own "Phoenix Service" will also let you check the news and weather forecast before you roll out of bed. On the Bluetooth front, the descriptively-named Bluetooth Multimedia 2.1 Speakers will let you pump tunes from any audio source with a 3.5 mm or RCA audio output to the pint-sized speakers with one less wire, while the company's Mic Clip Bluetooth Stereo Headset will give you some A2DP goodness and an embedded microphone so you can go hands-free. There doesn't appear to be any word on pricing or availability for the Bluetooth accessories just yet, but the Phoenix WiFi radio is available now for $249.
