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Motorola's wraparound S10-HD Bluetooth headphones: for the Usain Bolt in all of us
Clearly, introducing one Bluetooth headset in a single day just isn't enough for Motorola. In addition to the Oasis, the outfit has also let loose the new S10-HD, a wraparound set that is marketed as Bluetooth headphones rather than a BT headset (though it's fully capable of acting as either / both). As expected, these guys are designed to withstand all sorts of sweat beads, enabling fitness junkies to keep on rockin' in the free world regardless of how steamy the conditions may be. We're also told that the speakers are recessed in their housing with a new ear cushion interface and hydrophobic acoustic mesh (fancy!), and silicon seals are in place around all of the electrical components. Should you receive a call while streaming tunes, it'll gently pause the music until your call is done, and afterwards it'll resume automatically. The S9-HD's proper successor will be landing in Best Buy locations starting October 24th for $79.99.
BlueAnt Q2 Bluetooth headset enables noise-free calls during Usain Bolt's sprints
It's not guaranteed to make you any smarter, but having such an intelligent little bird upside your ear may at least give you a minor boost in confidence. A full 1.5 years after the original Q1 made its debut, BlueAnt is introducing its Q2 Smart Bluetooth Headset. Aside from being able to cancel out noise while traveling at up to 22mph (read: Usain Bolt's average walking speed), the Q2 also touts a fully integrated text-to-speech feature that belts out news, weather, sports and the latest gossip from Microsoft's Bing 411. And if you just so happen to use a smartphone with Android 2.0 or newer, it'll actually read your text messages and emails aloud without you having to fish your handset out of your britches. It's available now at AT&T stores for $129, and just in case you're wondering, you can freak mall walkers out for five solid hours without needing a recharge. Not that we'd encourage such behavior. [Original image courtesy of Ryan Pierse/Getty Images]
Jaybird's SB2 Sportsband Bluetooth headset ain't afraid of no rainbow
Not wasting any time on trumping the original, are we Jaybird? Just a scant five months and change after introducing the eye-pleasing SB1 Sportsband Bluetooth headphones, along comes the SB2 for those who just like to live life on the vivacious side. In fact, the SB2 isn't all that different than the SB1 in terms of features, but if you're scouting a set with a little lot more flair, you'll find these available in nine fresh colors: Limonade Green, Sonic Blue, Orange Crush, Runner's Red, Toffee Apple Red, Midnight Black, Polar Blue, PowderPuff Pink and -- drum roll, please -- Snow White. You should know, however, that these also ship with apt-X onboard, which is said to "clean up" your jams while adding depth, bass and treble, and if your BT device has apt-X (or if you use an apt-X enabling BT adapter), these guys can kick it up a notch further with "CD quality output." Best of all, these are still priced at $99, making the toughest decision of all which hue to pick.
Jabra Stone goes exclusive in white for AT&T
Jabra's Stone is still one of the more stylish Bluetooth headsets ever to take on the market, but you know what makes anything more stylish? Painting it white. Sure enough, the white Stone looks pretty sweet in pictures, and it's an AT&T exclusive starting today for $129 in stores. That's a little steep for a headset, sure, but one small bonus is that buyers who complete a survey after picking it up will receive a $30 card good toward other products in the AT&T store -- so that takes the edge off the pocketbook sting, we suppose.
Sound ID's 510 Bluetooth headset has iPhone app to match
Occasionally, we long for simpler times -- times when "handsfree" meant little more than connecting a corded earbud to your phone and calling it good. Nowadays, of course, things are a little different: Bluetooth is quite literally everywhere, headsets have their own frickin' apps, and bone conduction tech is the real deal. Take this Sound ID 510, for example, featuring its very own iPhone app (which Sound ID made sure to get approved by Apple ahead of the actual hardware's release) that lets you control a number of settings, check your battery level, and find the set if you misplace it. To be fair, it's not the first time we've seen an on-phone companion app for a Bluetooth earbud, and something tells us it won't be the last; that's right, welcome to our frightening new reality. Look for the 510 to hit shops in early June for about $130.
Plantronics Explorer 395 Bluetooth headset review
At Engadget, we're used to playing with premium Bluetooth headsets like the Jabra Stone and Jawbone Icon, so it's only natural this $49.95 Plantronics headset would lower our expectations, but turns out it's not bad for the money. For starters, the actual earpiece looks much better than the renders we saw, with a retro look that we quite liked. We're also promised easy operation with few buttons -- the silver paddle-like button (with LEDs underneath) for phone calls and Bluetooth pairing; the black volume button on one side with five incremental volume steps; and the ridged power slide switch on the other side. You'll find a micro-USB port at the end of the silver button, followed by the ear plug underneath and the mic on the other end. Enough with the list of features -- read on to find out how well this headset performs.%Gallery-91753%
Plantronics goes chrometastic with Explorer 395 Bluetooth headset
Who says Bluetooth headsets aren't cool any more? Not Plantronics. Today, the California-based company released the Explorer 395 earpiece -- a $49.95 earpiece in both black and bronze flavors, and aimed at first-time Bluetooth users. How so? You get dedicated buttons for volume, power and phone call, which puts the confusing single-button-operated headsets to shame. Being a budget line, there's no fancy noise-cancellation technology offered here, although the 0.39-ounce weight and five-hour talk time (seven days of battery on standby) seem to give a good bang for the buck. Still, at the end of the day it's all about real-life appearance and audio quality, so we'll hold our judgement until we get a review unit later this week. Stay tuned.
Motorola announces H17txt Bluetooth headset with MotoSpeak
Looking for another reason to wear a Bluetooth headset all the time? Then you might want to consider admitting you have a problem, or you might want to get Motorola's new H17txt model, which can be paired with the company's new MotoSpeak text-to-speech application to read text messages aloud as they come in. That software is available for Android and BlackBerry initially, and will apparently even translate 150 different commonly used acronyms so things like l8r don't get read as l, eight, r. As for the headset itself, it's a fairly standard affair, with it boasting CrystalTalk noise-canceling technology, five hours of talk time and seven hours standby, and Bluetooth 2.1 compatibility. Still no indication of a price, but it should be available through Verizon starting today.
Spracht Aura EQ (the really real version) hands-on
We got a glimpse at Spracht's new Aura EQ Bluetooth headset back at CES this year, but in reality, we sort of didn't -- what was being shown back then didn't constitute final ID, turns out. The company's back at it here at CTIA showing something closer to what you'll be seeing on store shelves later this half -- though they only had one, and it wasn't in final retail packaging -- so we took a minute to check it out. It's using the same tricky earbud that we saw before, but the front of the unit has changed significantly -- gone are the matte ridges, replaced with a glossy black surface broken up by a few bumps that represent the range of the capacitive volume slider. If "understated" is the look you're going for, the Aura EQ is generally going to do the trick -- and even if you like something a little more edgy, it's got those funky points on the front and rear. Quite the crowd pleaser, eh? %Gallery-88965%
Kisai's Escape C Bluetooth receiver is very expensive, very Crapgadget
It strikes us as we post this that perhaps you need to be something of a Crapgadget connoisseur to understand the attraction that Kisai's Escape C wireless Bluetooth receiver holds for us. Available from Tokyo Flash (one of our favorite CG purveyors) the thing does serve a purpose: it'll receive Bluetooth from your phone, laptop, or whatever, and let you listen to music and / or answer calls with your non-Bluetooth headset. But, as always, the devil is in the details -- not only does the build quality look especially sub-par, but the way that they've re-imagined what should be a simple time display into a brain-teaser (hit the source link for that one) is totally hilarious -- and totally Crapgadget. Did we mention that this thing is $106? Not laughing now, are you?
Cardo Scala Rider G4 headset review: advanced noise cancellation for riders
We'll get this out of the way up front: riding a motorcycle on the road is a generally dangerous and frequently challenging thing. Doing so while dialing into a concall or grooving to some chill tunes is, well, not something we would exactly encourage. So, when we were given the opportunity to test ride Cardo's latest helmet-friendly Bluetooth headset, the Scala Rider G4, we were a little unsure of just how useful the thing would be for a conscientious, safety-minded rider. We took a pair of the headsets for a spin just the same and were left firmly convinced that this is a product worth giving up our in-helmet singing careers for. Click on through to read why, and for a demonstration of some supremely impressive noise cancellation. %Gallery-88850%
Samsung trots out Modus Bluetooth headset, complete with dual mics and multipoint
And you thought the Bluetooth headset was gone forever. Samsung Mobile's keeping the dream alive here at CTIA by introducing the "convertible-style" Modus -- a noise cancelling BT headset that's able to convert for Bluetooth stereo connectivity on a whim. It's also equipped with a pair of microphones and multipoint technology, the latter of which enables users to have the device synced to two handsets and respond to whichever rings first. Samsung's also tossing a stereo earbud headset in the box for those times when monaural just ain't cuttin' it, and the built-in rechargeable battery (which gets juiced via micro-USB) can go for six hours strong before petering out. Shame there's no mention of a price or ship date, but it's probably for the best -- remember that pact you made with your SO to keep your ear free of foreign objects?
BlueAnt intros rugged T1 Bluetooth headset, sophisticated Android app
BlueAnt's been slinking along in the shadows of the (thankfully) dwindling Bluetooth headset market for years now, and aside from that one voice-controlled V1 that popped two years ago, we haven't seen much from the outfit that really got our juices flowing. Until today, naturally. The rugged, May-bound T1 headset ($79.99) doesn't look drastically different (or smaller) than the aforesaid V1, but it's the firm's first to feature Wind Armour Technology -- something that's engineered to "deliver clear audio in wind speeds up to 22mph." It's also built to withstand the occasional drop and bout with dust / moisture, and in case that's not enough, it'll also audibly announce who's calling so long as they're in your address book. As you'd expect, A2DP streaming audio is fully supported, as is multipoint (which allows it to remain connected to two phones at once and respond to whichever rings first). In related news, the company also announced its new Q1 app for Android (due April 1st), which helps Q1 headset users by reading text messages aloud to you via a presumably flawed text-to-speech system. Hit up the source links for the fully skinny on each, or just hop on past the break for a pair of superbly informative videos. %Gallery-88732%
Jabra Clipper stereo Bluetooth headset gets official
Well, it just wouldn't be MWC without a few Bluetooth headsets to go along with the new phones now, would it? Thankfully, Jabra has come through with its new Clipper headset which, like Jabra's BT3030, packs a standard 3.5mm jack to let you pair it with your own headphones (although Jabra also supplies a pair of its own noise-canceling buds). Otherwise, you'll get some full, discreetly hidden controls on the clip itself, and a promised six hours of talk time and eight days of standby. No official word of a North America release just yet, but this one is expected to run £39 in the UK (or about $60).
Ask Engadget: Best noise cancelling Bluetooth headset?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Jonathon, who's currently preparing for a summer of fun with top dropped. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "I'm looking for a Bluetooth headset with the best noise reduction. I've got a convertible and would like to be able to have a conversation with the top down (at least around town, highway would be fantastic but probably unrealistic). So, any thoughts and / or suggestions?" BT headsets have come a long way since we first posted a similar question in 2005, so we suspect the answers here will be quite a bit different. Do you have a particular earpiece that you enjoy while cruising under the open skies? Don't hold back on us, now.
Aliph Jawbone Icon 'The Ace' Bluetooth headset review
While Aliph was announcing its luxurious Jawbone Icon Bluetooth headsets earlier today, we've been playing with one of its six designs -- The Ace -- at our cozy London pad. Being the smallest and lightest Jawbone ever, the Icon's obviously challenging the likes of Jabra Stone with attempts to outperform in noise elimination, battery life, ergonomics and ease of operation. On paper, the Icon already wins on battery life and price, although the Stone has a charging dock good for six extra hours. What really matters, though, is the usability -- something the Stone had little of in a noisy environment. Read on to find out if Aliph has done it right. %Gallery-83293%
Aliph Jawbone Icon Bluetooth headset launched in six lush flavors (Update: video!)
Turns out that leak we saw of the Jawbone Icon was for real after all, but it was only one of the six designs straight out of Aliph's oven: (clockwise from top left) The Thinker, The Rogue, The Hero, The Ace, The Catch and -- our favorite -- The Bombshell. While these are the smallest and lightest Jawbones ever, Aliph has managed to cram in an allegedly improved NoiseAssassin and simultaneous dual-phone linkage, along with an onboard 'AudioApp' which vocally broadcasts battery level and caller ID. If you prefer a visual indication, the Icon also does a battery gauge on the iPhone -- a first on a non-Apple Bluetooth headset -- and apparently "Apple's aware of this" so a firmware update shouldn't kill this Palm Pre-style. We're digging the MyTALK website -- currently in beta -- where you can pick and install other AudioApps and DialApps (for the multifunction button; e.g. voice dialing, free directory assistance and voice-to-SMS) onto the Icon, and both will be free except for some DialApps which require subscription. Oh, and there are seven earbud sizes plus an earloop to keep everyone happy too. When you're done with picking, hit the Verizon stores for the initial launch today and pony up $99.99. Press release and video walkthrough of the MyTALK website after the break. %Gallery-83294%
Jawbone Icon Bluetooth headset leaked on Craigslist?
We know the rule of thumb is to not trust everything on Craigslist, but when an unreleased refresh of the cool-looking Jawbone Bluetooth headset pops up for sale, it'd be wrong to ignore it. HTCPedia managed to get cozy with Mr. Blurrycam and got a few shots of the supposedly forthcoming Jawbone Icon, which appears to don the same skin pattern as the Jawbone Prime but in a form factor similar to the original Jawbone -- quite an odd decision so we remain skeptical, but it'd be a welcoming addition for the market nevertheless. A couple of close-up shots after the break. [Thanks, Brian!]
Spracht Aura EQ hands-on
Another day, another Bluetooth headset. Well, not exactly. This futuristic accessory rocks a capacitive volume control, meaning you can turn it up to 11 with just a swipe of your finger on its outside. If that hasn't got you stoked, the Aura EQ has also collected a CES Innovation Award, which should reassure us that the built-in six-band equalizer and dual mics do the job they promise. Unfortunately, we can't offer any corroboration or dispute to their claimed usefulness since no functional units were on hand. What we can say is that the earpiece that enters your ear canal is quite threatening looking and never really fit us very well -- though there will be multiple adapters in the final package. Finally, there's a cool audio enhancement feature, which collects sound from up to five feet in front of you and amplifies it should you need to focus in a noisy environment. The Spracht Aura EQ is coming out within the first half of the year when you'll be able to grab one for $79. %Gallery-82513%
IOGEAR wireless HD system and other goodies hands-on
IOGEAR was showcasing a cornucopia of tech goodies at its table at Digital Experience. Front and center was a wireless HD streaming solution that seemed to work well enough. Of course, the two boxes were three feet away from eachother, and there were no walls in the way, so we'll have to reserve judgment until we can get our own hands on a pair. A prototype USB 3.0 PCI Express Card was also on display, as was a solar charging car Bluetooth speakerphone that sticks to windshields and charges as you drive. You can see the somewhat random selection of, uh, gear in the gallery below. Full PR and specs on the new stuff is after the break. %Gallery-81913%
