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Motorola intros Elite Sliver and Elite Flip Bluetooth headsets with NFC pairing (video)
Bluetooth headsets are normally the province of businesspeople so important they can't spare the energy to hold a phone to their ears or, perhaps, folks who just want to play CIA agent. If you find yourself in either category, Motorola's newest offerings will put what passes for a smile on your serious businessperson face. The outfit just took the wraps off two Elite series headsets, both equipped with NFC pairing, so one tap 'twixt phone and earpiece will have you ready to simultaneously drive and talk. You'll also get integration with My Motospeak, now capable of dictating text messages as well as hearing them read to you, HD-Audio, CrystalTalk noise cancellation and a roaming distance of 300 feet. While the Flip looks the part of your typical earpiece, the Sliver (above left) has decidedly more futuristic digs. Both will be available on October 24th with the Flip costing $100 and the Sliver fetching an extra $30 for its avant-garde design.We've got PR after the break along with a demo video -- because who doesn't love watching cartoon characters explain how NFC works?
Nokia outs colorful 603 handset, coupled with NFC-equipped Luna Bluetooth headset
The leaves in your yard may be transitioning to the more subdued hues of autumn, but Nokia's new 603 smartphone certainly isn't. Available in six different back cover colors, this new Symbian Belle handset is powered by a 1GHz processor and boasts a 3.5-inch, capacitive touchscreen with 640 x 360 resolution. It also comes with 2GB of internal memory, a 32GB microSD slot and five megapixel camera, along with full NFC and Bluetooth 3.0 capabilities. Speaking of which, the folks in Espoo have also taken this opportunity to unveil their new Luna Bluetooth headset -- an NFC-enabled, in-ear accessory that delivers up to eight hours of extended talk time, as well as a rainbow of colors (see an image after the break). As far as pricing goes, the 603 will set you back €200 (about $275), with the Luna headset sitting at €70 (around $96). Neither will hit the market until Q4 of this year, but you can find more information in the full PR, looming after the break.
Plantronics Voyager Pro HD headset knows when it's kissing your cheek
If you drive around all day bumping your gums with remote friends and colleagues, then you can't really get along with those more diminutive headsets on the market. That's where the fat and proud Voyager range from Plantronics comes in, with features like all-day battery life, a long boom, A2DP and an InstantMeeting app to connect you to conf calls on your iOS, Android or BlackBerry. The latest Voyager Pro HD model is the first to contain sensors that detect proximity to your jowls and allow the device to re-route calls appropriately. The Pro HD is available now at $100, which includes a year's subscription to the company's Vocalyst voice recognition service -- although we suspect a certain newcomer might have that area covered. The full PR is a click away. Update: We've just been reminded that the earlier Pro UC headset also had the sensors, so please ignore what it says above (and in the Plantronics press release) about the Pro HD being the first. Thanks, b-e-q.
Bose Bluetooth Headset Series 2 enters the marketplace, still makes you look like a crazy
Know how sometimes you'll be walking down the street when you encounter a seemingly crazy person talking to themselves? And you think, "But you're too well-dressed to be insane." That's when you see it -- the Bluetooth headset tucked neatly around their ear. Well, Bose is adding a newer, high-end option for this well-heeled crowd of faux lunatics with its Bluetooth Headset Series 2. The luxe, over-ear attachment doesn't discriminate as to your best side, coming in both right and left versions. There's a whole load of hyperbolically-named proprietary tech bundled into it to reduce background noise and adjust listening levels accordingly -- exactly the performance you'd expect at this $150 price point. Bose is offering this BT 2.1 headset now, so you can snag it if you're nearby one of its boutiques. Or, make like the rest of us and order it online. Official PR with all its audio jargon after the break.
Barely visible Bluetooth earphones from Novero spotted at the FCC
Walk along that sparse borderline between Bluetooth headset and pearl necklace and you'll eventually come across a company called Novero. It specializes in vaguely ridiculous bejeweled wireless things, but it has some serious products too -- including these surreptitious little Rockaway earphones that have just been approved by the FCC. They'll cope with hands-free calling, 5.5 hours of stereo music and 250 hours in standby -- plus they weigh just 10 grams. Perfect for any NYC cabbie wanting to flout the rules at 50MPH.
Plantronics intros Marque M155, its lightest Bluetooth headset for smartphone users
Along with providing hands-free convenience for mobile users on-the-go, Bluetooth headsets serve a fine purpose for crazies, giving them something to point to when they're rambling incoherently to themselves. Now, the latest offering from Plantronics brings greater comfort and style to both types of users. The Marque M155 heralds the company's smallest and lightest headset to date, which weighs in at just 7 grams -- approximately the weight of a ballpoint pen. Designed specifically for Android and iOS phones (though widely compatible with more), the M155 offers voice-guided pairing assistance, customized apps and the ability to answer or ignore calls with verbal commands. What's more, all purchasers will receive a one-year subscription to the company's Vocalyst service, which offers the ability to send email, update Twitter, check the weather, listen to news feeds and more -- all hands free. Available in jet black or arctic white, the Marque M155 will retail for approximately $60 and is available for pre-order beginning today.
Skype update for iOS adds anti-shake, Bluetooth connectivity and ads for freeloaders
Skype's latest app upgrade brings a few substantial features, some good, one not so. Alongside a new anti-shake video call function (limited to the iPhone's back-facing camera), you can now pair Bluetooth headsets with the VoIP calling service, something apparently "long requested" from Skype fans. However, users have to fork out for credit to avoid seeing advertising that's also baked into the new version. The update's now up for grabs on both the iPhone and iPad, though there are reports of a few teething troubles, including missing credit and account details. We've also been experiencing issues, with the app unwilling to play nice with our Bluetooth headsets, though oddly, we can still hear the Skype call ring through. Hopefully we'll see another update that sorts this out soon -- till then, tap the link below for more details, or ogle a bit of smoothed out anti-shake action after the break.
Bose BT2 Bluetooth headset cruises through the FCC, unsurprisingly mum on specifications
We're surmising that Bose has at least one other thing on the docket for its September 15th press event, but for those who still think Bluetooth headsets are must-have accessories... well, this guy ought to be hitting store shelves soon. The BT2 just passed through the FCC's database, showcasing a left ear placement and letting us know that it'll be "powered by a rechargeable, non-replaceable lithium-ion polymer battery." We're guessing it'll be priced accordingly (read: incomprehensibly out of reach for most), and will have precisely zero specifications printed on the box. But hey -- would you really expect anything else? Stay tuned.
Jabra Sport bluetooth headset lets you work the Thigh Master during concalls
If you're secretly wearing Spandex bicycle shorts underneath your suit for on-the-fly workouts between conference calls, then perhaps Jabra's new Sport bluetooth headset is for you. Of course it allows you to answer calls, but what's cooler is the built-in FM radio and A2DP technology for wirelessly connecting to your MP3 player -- claiming to be the first headset to handle both. The company also threw in a free download of the Endomondo Sports Tracker for iPhone, Android or BlackBerry -- which is kind of like the Nike+ app, tracking runs and giving speed and distance updates. This $99 device will be sold by Sprint, Apple and T-Mobile, and available sometime in September along with a corded version, aptly named the Jabra Sport-Corded, for $69. Get ready to tear away those wool trousers and check out the full PR after the break.
NuForce BT-860 Bluetooth headset: Wireless bliss
Apple fans who are looking for the perfect intersection of stylish design, great sound and wireless connectivity have a new Bluetooth headset to consider -- the NuForce BT-860 (US$79). I recently had the pleasure to try out this value-priced Bluetooth headset and found a lot to like. Design While Bluetooth connectivity has been embraced by a number of manufacturers for phone headsets, there still aren't a lot of wireless headsets designed for the purpose of listening to music. There are four primary Bluetooth profiles supported by the BT-860 -- A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile), HFP (Hands-Free Profile), HSP (Handset Profile), and AVCRP (Audio/Video Remote Control Profile) -- that make the device so versatile. A2DP supports stereo streaming of music from your Mac or iOS device to the BT-860 headset. This makes it perfect for listening to tunes streaming from your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. AVCRP gives the headset the ability to control any of those devices by pressing buttons on the side. HFP and HSP allow the BT-860 to control a mobile phone, supporting dialing, hanging up, and other common telephony actions. The BT-860 is quite attractive. Made from a soft-touch matte black plastic material, the headset has a very sleek look. The active controls are built into one of the earpieces, with flat + and - buttons for controlling volume and another pair for jumping between tracks in a playlist. In the center of those four buttons is an MFB (multi-function button) that is used for a number of functions: turning the headset on and off; answering, ending, transferring, muting or rejecting a call; and playing or pausing music playback. The headset is quite light -- 2.9 ounces -- and the lack of a connecting cable makes the BT-860 a joy to wear. I have a big head (7-7/8 hat size!) and wear glasses, both of which often make headsets a literal pain to use. The replaceable pads on the earpieces are soft on the ears, and the lightweight construction of the BT-860 is very comfortable. Functionality As with most Bluetooth devices, the BT-860 headset is easy to pair with either a Mac or iOS device. Holding down the MFB for about ten seconds puts the headset into a discoverable mode, after which time it appears in the list of nearby Bluetooth devices and can be paired. With a Mac, the headset can be set up as either monaural or stereo headphones and also as a sound input device. I tried using the headset with Skype with mixed success; it did work, but had a lot of static. It also destroyed the ability to listen to music from iTunes until I re-paired the headset to the Mac. The headset does a very good job with music. I played music with a wide dynamic and frequency range through the Bluetooth connection, and I was able to roam around the house out to about the 33-foot limit with music blasting into my ears. With my iPhone, I enjoyed being able to use Voice Control through the headset to make and receive phone calls. If music was playing when a call came in, or if I pressed the MFB to make an outgoing call, the music faded out. However, the monaural sound quality of the calls wasn't outstanding, and call recipients noted that my voice sounded somewhat echoey, tinny, and that higher frequencies seemed cut off. The microphone on the headset is built into one of the earpieces, which seems to make it less sensitive than other headsets that are designed specifically for talking on the phone. Let's just say that the headset is usable for phone calls, but many people will be displeased with the sound quality. The BT-860 comes with a standard USB to micro-USB cable and an AC adapter. The headset can be charged either by plugging the cable into the AC adapter or a powered USB port. Battery life of the BT-860 is very good. The company specifies an eight-hour lifetime between charges while listening to music -- I was able to stretch that to about nine-and-a-half hours before the headset gave up the ghost. In standby mode, the battery can last for a full ten days. Conclusion If you are looking for a pair of good Bluetooth headphones for use while watching movies or listening to music from your Mac or iOS device, the BT-860 might just do the trick. People who like the ambient noise isolation provided by in-ear headphones might prefer something like the $129.95 MSRP Plantronics BackBeat 906 headphone, which also features dual microphones for better sound quality on phone calls. The Jabra HALO headset ($129.99 MSRP), which I have not tested, is also in the same price range as the BT-860 and even resembles the NuForce device. The BT-860 is a new product, and considering the low suggested retail price at this point, I'd expect that the eventual price will be even lower. While the sound quality is lacking a bit for telephony, the product is solid for listening to music. For a relatively inexpensive set of comfortable Bluetooth headphones, I'd recommend the NuForce BT-860 without reservations.
Jawbone announces Icon HD headset with improved audio, 'Nerd' adapter for making PC-based VoIP calls
It's been the better part of a year since we've seen a new Jawbone headset, and in that time the outfit's clearly been focusing less on brainstorming cutesy names for its Bluetooth earpieces and more on tweaking the sound quality. The company just announced the Icon HD, whose wideband speaker is 25 percent larger than the original Icon's, and which lets you pause and play songs and podcasts by pressing a button on the headset. The real story, though, isn't the Icon HD, but The Nerd, a questionably named add-on that plugs into your computer's USB port, allowing the headset to field VoIP calls from PCs and Macs, in addition to ones coming through to your cellphone. The hook here -- aside from the added functionality -- is that it's a plug-n-play device that doesn't require any software installation. It's almost as if -- wait for it -- a nerd took the reins and set up wireless VoIP calling for you. The pair's on sale as a bundle for $139, and will hit brick-and-mortar stores soon. In other news, Jawbone's Companion for Android app, which displays headsets' battery life among other vitals, is now out of the testing phase and ready for general consumption. Full PR after the break.
New Xbox 360 Bluetooth headset unlocks business casual achievement (video)
The new Xbox 360 wireless headset has a form factor that ought prove familiar to anyone who has ever watched a businessman chew out his secretary while ordering at latte at Starbucks. The peripheral connects wirelessly to the console via its standard radio frequencies -- its similarities to a non-gaming Bluetooth headset are more than just skin deep, however, with the earpiece doubling as just that, making it compatible with Bluetooth-ready phones and PCs. This one says "Xbox 360" on it, however, to help you avoid accidentally being mistaken for a stock trader. The headset will go on sale in November for $60. Also newly announced is the Xbox 360 Media Remote, which controls streaming content, CD / DVD playback, and live TV viewed through the console. The remote will be available for $20 around the same time as the headset. [Thanks, Jason]
Turtle Beach unveils limited edition Modern Warfare 3 headsets, Simon Riley would've approved
Listen up, soldier. Engadget HQ was dismayed when lieutenant Simon "Ghost" Riley -- along with his skull balaclava and mondo communications headset -- saw an arguably unjust demise in Modern Warfare 2. That being said, if he could play the upcoming installment we'd bet it'd be with one of the four limited edition offerings from Turtle Beach and Activision. The headsets all sport the same night vision-esque design, but offer varying specialties. On the front line is the $300 Ear Force Delta; based on the XP500 programmable virtual 7.1 headset, it adds a custom travel-case and MW3 specific sound presets. Next up is the $150 Ear Force Bravo, a variant of the PX3, which offers the same presets as the former in wireless stereo. Following close in formation is the $130 Ear Force Charlie, a take on the PC oriented Z6A; it delivers discrete 5.1 with a grand total of eight drivers. Rounding out the reserves is the $100 Ear Force Foxtrot; a PX21 universal stereo headset that's also just received a fresh coat of battle paint. All of the gear will be available in October along with "bonus content," which gives you time to set aside extra funds for the game's November 8th release. You'll find photo-based intel below and more details in the PR past the break. At ease, soldier. %Gallery-128526%
Turtle Beach Xbox Chat Adapter gets the hands-on treatment, admirably untethers talkative gamers
Back at E3, Turtle Beach unveiled its wire-ridding Xbox 360 Bluetooth Chat Adapter bundled with its XP500 headset (a re-badged PX5), but there were no accounts of how the dongle performed. That's now changed thanks to Joystiq, who've gotten their lucky mitts on one of ten prototypes. Spoiler: they're really enjoying the little guy. Voice quality was reported as being "excellent" and the device easily paired with headsets. There's no annoying charging cable required either as the XBA juices off the controller, but only time will tell how that impacts battery life. The big quirk critics found was that its single button, which operates as a muting / pairing and on / off switch, was oft-engaged accidentally -- obviously not ideal for newb trash-talking. Sure, it's not totally seamless like Tritton's official digs, but Xbox aficionados should certainly be stoked about soon having options to ditch those chat cables for good.
Jaybird JF3 Freedom Bluetooth stereo headset shipping next week, enhanced with new cushions
Jaybird's been pretty quiet about its latest Bluetooth offering. In fact, the company actually sneaked a few of its JF3 Freedom sports headphones into some stores back in April, but they quickly ran out of stock -- we imagine it was either a test run or the product needed some tweaking. Regardless, we've just been informed that the JF3 will finally be available to all starting next week, with Jaybird's online store currently taking pre-orders for $99 a pop (including free delivery), followed by wider availability at retail stores in late July. What's more, these sweat-proof stereo buds are now enhanced with new blade-like silicon ear cushions -- head past the break to watch Jaybird founder Judd Armstrong ecstatically shake his head to show off the secure fit. %Gallery-126241%
Turtle Beach's XP500 headset brings totally wireless 7.1 to the Xbox 360, PX5 is mildly jealous
Turtle Beach's PS3-oriented PX5 performed great in our recent review, and just after we've arrived at E3 the company has announced another new release for the show: the XP500 for the Xbox 360. It's essentially a PX5, featuring the same design and programmable Dolby virtual 7.1 goodness, but with a Microsoft loving green trim and a rechargeable Xbox 360 Bluetooth Chat Adapter -- the latter plugs into your controller for some wireless chatting action. This makes it the only other completely wireless Xbox headset besides the Tritton / Microsoft cans we got a glimpse of last week. The XP500 will cost $260 -- $10 more than the PX5 -- when Turtle Beach releases it this fall, but current PX5 owners can just purchase the $30 Chat Adapter to join the fun. In addition, TB is also announcing the $30 XL1 as a replacement for your Xbox's standard headset -- you can view its full-on stereo glory alongside the XP500 in our gallery below. We'll hopefully grab some ears-on time with all of the new gear while we're here at E3. %Gallery-125261%
External voice box prototype helps cancer, stroke sufferers regain speech
A team of UK scientists has developed a headset that can bring voices back to those who have lost their speech due to injury, cancer, stroke, and other maladies. They hope the prototype -- which uses magnets positioned in the user's mouth or tongue -- will take the place of low-tech solutions like throat valves, which have the tendency to get clogged. When he or she speaks, changes to the magnets' movements are detected by the device, which associates specific facial movements with corresponding words (the device currently has a vocabulary of about 50). The whole thing is still pretty clunky, as evidenced by the image at right, but the researchers are working on cramming the technology into a device roughly the size of a Bluetooth headset. They're also working on a way to implant magnets into the tongue of the wearer -- positioning the magnets in the wearer's mouth is proving to be one of the largest difficulties in implementing the technology.
Bluetrek releases lightweight Carbon: world's first carbon fiber Bluetooth headset
When this rather smashing little piece of gadgetry made its way through the FCC last week, we didn't have a whole lot of details to share about the "world's first carbon fiber Bluetooth headset." Well, Bluetrek's making the Carbon official today with a $70 price tag and a full set of specs. The thing weighs in at a mere .25 ounces, touts Bluetooth v3.0 support, and allows for four and a half hours of talk time or five days on standby. It also comes with a set of four earbuds in different sizes, so anyone can rock the lightweight headset no matter how big, or small, the ear hole. The Carbon is now on sale at the source link below. Full PR after the break.
Motorola's Droid CommandOne Bluetooth headset gets pictured
Motorola's CommandOne Bluetooth headset made a rather uneventful entry at CES this year, but toss a Droid badge onto it, and you've got something else entirely. To our knowledge, this is the first Bluetooth headset to get its own dedicated ticket to the ongoing Droid party, and according to Moto and Verizon's marketing material, it's a "headset so smart, it texts handsfree." There's no word yet on when it'll be splashing down (nor for how much), but we'll be sure to let you know as soon as we find out.
Bluetrek Carbon headset hits the FCC, proves hard to damage but easy to disassemble
We've seen Bluetrek's Bluetooth headsets be twistable, touchable, skinny, and smart. Now they're going light -- and fancy. The Bluetrek Carbon has hit the FCC, showing off a carbon fiber boom (pictured again after the break) and construction said to create an exceedingly light result. Looking at the FCC's teardown photos it's clear to see that the stalk there is actual carbon, not some lame appliquè and, with the body of the thing being barely wider than a micro-USB port, it shouldn't look too gaudy hanging out of your head. There's no mention of price or availability (the FCC doesn't trouble itself with such matters) but we're guessing you don't have much time left to get your ear ready for this kind of piercing sophistication.
