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Sony's Xperia Ear voice assistant arrives in November
When Sony announced its Xperia X family of smartphones earlier this year, it also snuck in a quick mention of a curious device called the Xperia Ear. When paired with a smartphone via Bluetooth, the wireless earpiece is said to let you tackle all manner of tasks by issuing verbal commands. We're talking dictating messages, searching the web, getting directions, checking your schedule, the weather, the news -- all that stuff. Sony hasn't really talked about the thing since, but today at IFA it revealed the accessory will launch this November "starting in select markets," though its price is still a mystery.
Jarvis is Intel's smart earpiece, and it takes on Google Glass without a display
The next stop on Intel's wearable train is a smart earpiece, dubbed Jarvis (hello, Iron Man). The hardware listens for voice commands and can act as your personal assistant -- and it replies, to boot. You can make appointments cross-referenced with your calendar, check messages and set reminders. To prompt the device to listen for actions, users just say the words, "Hello, Jarvis." Mum's the word on price, but Jarvis is set for release sometime this year.
Apple seeks patent for hearing aids that deliver speech at an even keel
Although they're called hearing aids, they can sometimes be as much of a hindrance as a help. Catch an unfamiliar accent and the attention might be on just parsing the words, let alone moving the conversation forward. Apple is applying for a patent on a technique that would take the guesswork out of listening by smoothing out all the quirks. The proposed idea would convert speech to text and back, using the switch to remove any unusual pronunciation or too-quick talking before it reaches the listener's ear. Not surprisingly for a company that makes phones and tablets, the hearing aid wouldn't always have to do the heavy lifting, either: iOS devices could handle some of the on-the-fly conversion, and pre-recorded speech could receive advance treatment to speed up the process. We don't know if Apple plans to use its learning in any kind of shipping product, although it's undoubtedly been interested in the category before -- and its ambitions of having iPhone-optimized hearing aids could well get a lift from technology that promises real understanding, not just a boost in volume.
Sensixa e-AR duplicates the inner ear, knows if you've fallen and can't get up
No, it's not a Philippe Starck-designed hearing aid, although we kind of wish it were. What you're actually looking at is an over-the-ear sensor, dubbed the e-AR, made to mimic the human vestibular system. In layman's terms, this 3D accelerometer-equipped device, crafted by Sensixa, is capable of recording real-time information related to posture and orientation, much like the inner ear does, which is then relayed via an embedded low power radio to a remote receiver. The tech, which we spied passing through the FCC's gates, has already undergone several trials for sports and is now being eyed for use in geriatric care. (Take that, Life Alert pendants.) Interest piqued? Then feel free to peruse the rest of the filing and provided user's manual at the source below.
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?
PlayStation 3's Bluetooth headset slims down, shines on, adorns ears later this month
My, what a difference a couple years makes. As we suspected, Sony is updating its old Bluetooth headset design with a decidedly more elegant model. Here's what we've got: dual mics, USB pairing, in-game status indicator, a charge cradle that doubles as a desktop mic, and of course, a giant mute button for when you have only moments to smack yourself in the ear and curse loudly about your good-for-nothing teammates. It's also smaller and glossier -- and rocking the same $49.99 price tag. When's it arriving? Soon, later this month. When is that, exactly? Have patience.
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]
Thanko's Bluetooth earpiece / wristwatch for the on-the-go, shameless tech professional
Thanko has given us much joy over the years, from e-cigarettes to necktie / spy cameras. But the Bluetooth Headset Wristwatch? Hell, this one looks almost useful: your watch can be popped out of the wristband to do double duty as a Bluetooth earpiece. Charging for two hours via USB will give you around four hours of operation, depending on whether you're using it to make calls or listen to music. Available in Japan for roughly $90.
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%
Helium Digital HDBT-990 Bluetooth wristband gets reviewed, given 3.5 Jack Bauers
Looking to get a Bluetooth earpiece without actually upping your tool factor by 40x or so? Good luck. Helium Digital's so-called alternative (that'd be the HDBT-990 Bluetooth wristband) was recently reviewed by our iPhone-lovin' pals in the Great White North, and while they found it to work well when it came to handling calls without actually using the speaker and microphone within the iPhone 3GS, everything else about it was ho hum at best. There's no inbuilt LCD for watching Caller ID streams, the mini-USB jack was "flimsy," and there's still the issue of this unit being at least somewhat unsightly. It's also $90, which puts it just north of the all-important "ah, who cares" range for most of you price-conscience consumers. Hit the source link for their full impressions, but don't be shocked if you come away still in search of the aforementioned mystery device.
Vertu V makes no concessions: $730 BT headset, $490 card reader, and $330 ballpoint pen
Because nothing says "I ain't afraid of no recession" like plopping down an excess amount of Benjamins for a Bluetooth earpiece, Vertu has unveiled its V accessories collection. $780 gets you a Bluetooth 2.1-compliant earpiece with 6 hours of charge time (same one we saw hit the FCC recently, we suspect), $490 for a USB memory card reader that as a consolation prize comes with a 2GB microSD card, and as for the ballpoint pen, asking price is a cool $330. For all three purchases, it's recommended you purchase the special leather case for protection -- and if these gifts are already comfortably in your price range, hey, why not? [Thanks, Shayjd]
Jabra Stone Bluetooth headset review
Finally, the teaser's over. The latest delivery to Engadget's UK penthouse is the Jabra Stone Bluetooth headset due out in the US on 8th November, and we took no time to extract the pebble from the transparent cylinder. In front of us are the two parts of the Stone: an earpiece of a breakthrough form factor that instantly makes you pity its rivals, and behind it is the accompanying portable charging base which serves as an external battery. The latter is equipped with a micro-USB port and an LED indicator -- simply green or red -- to show whether there's enough battery juice for one full charge. It's a pretty neat idea as this is the only feasible way to fit eight hours of talk time (or twelve days of standby time) into such tiny package: two on the earpiece and an extra six from the surprisingly light battery base -- our scale reckons it is just under one ounce. We also dig the auto-off function when you dock the earpiece and vice versa. Docking and undocking are pretty straight forward too: just snap in for the former, and poke your thumb through the bottom hole of the base to push the earpiece out. The generic click button hidden under the Jabra badge is easy to access and responds well. Above that is the invisible vertical touch strip for volume control and similarly it responded nicely to our strokes. What's left on the earpiece are the two LED indicators on the underside for Bluetooth connectivity and battery. So far so good, but what really matters is the ear-on experience and the audio quality -- listen for yourself after the break. %Gallery-76023%
Jabra STONE Bluetooth headset brings extreme noise blocking, $130 price tag
Okay, so this thing is way more "traditional Bluetooth headset" than "a round object that looks nothing like a Bluetooth headset," but we'll give the marketing team credit -- STONE sure got us looking. Jabra's newest Bluetooth headset has just become official, bringing with it a behind-the-ear design, a wireless portable charger (which doubles as a carrying case) and Noise Blackout Extreme technology to keep things quiet when your yammering. There's also a "nearly invisible touch-controlled volume pad" on the outside of the headset, a battery good for 8 hours of talk time (or 12 days in standby), dual BT pairing support and A2DP compatibility. Unfortunately, you'll have to waltz into an AT&T retail store starting on November 8th to get one, and worse still, you'll walk out $129.99 poorer. But hey, you'll leave Stoned. (Sorry.)
Plantronics Voyager PRO gets purchased, unboxed early
Plantronics isn't planning to share intimate details about its Voyager PRO Bluetooth headset until April 23rd, but evidently its supply chain executives didn't exactly touch base with marketing before sending out stock to Best Buy. Jeff and John both managed to procure the $119.99 Bluetooth headset over the weekend, and we've got the shots to prove it. Based on the teaser site down in the read link, this here headset should be it's most advanced yet, but for a buck twenty, it better answer and respond to our calls without us having to intervene. Update: Plantronics pinged us to say the price point here should be $99. Interesting.[Thanks, Jeff and John]
Sony Ericsson births HBH-PV715, 720 and 740 Bluetooth headsets
Sony Ericsson's finishing off the onslaught today from Singapore with a trio of colorful Bluetooth headsets, perfect for anyone who doesn't mind talking straight ahead and receiving all sorts of weird glances from other patrons in the local mall. The HBH-PV715, HBH-PV720 and HBH-PV740 arrive in a variety of colors / patterns, boast at least 10-hours of talk time (and 700-hours in standby), and DSP / automatic volume adjustment. The units are aimed at value-driven, fashion-conscience and business-oriented consumers in order of mention, and while specifics (you know, like price) aren't stated, the trifecta will show up in "select markets" in Q4. %Gallery-25351%
Add Tech intros diminutive AD-HSM10 Bluetooth headset
Considering the multitude of Bluetooth headsets out there which claim to be the smallest this world has to offer, we're not apt to believe that Add Tech's AD-HSM10 is actually the most diminutive, regardless of what the firm promises. Nevertheless, this wee earpiece is indeed tiny, and since this little bugger only weighs five grams, you might just forget it's even resting in your ear canal. Reportedly, it can last through three solid hours of yappin' (or 100 hours in standby), and just in case you're not down with silver, there's also a titanium version out there. 'Course, it needn't be mentioned just how similar this thing is to Motorola's Miniblue H9, but regardless, those interested can snag one of their own in late January for ¥8,980 ($78).[Via Engadget Japanese]
Adtec intros diminutive AD-HSM10 Bluetooth headset
Considering the multitude of Bluetooth headsets out there which claim to be the smallest this world has to offer, we're not apt to believe that ADTEC's AD-HSM10 is actually the most diminutive, regardless of what the firm promises. Nevertheless, this wee earpiece is indeed tiny, and since this little bugger only weighs five grams, you might just forget it's even resting in your ear canal. Reportedly, it can last through three solid hours of yappin' (or 100 hours in standby), and just in case you're not down with silver, there's also a titanium version out there. 'Course, it needn't be mentioned just how similar this thing is to Motorola's Miniblue H9, but regardless, those interested can snag one of their own in late January for ¥8,980 ($78).[Via Engadget Japanese]
New earpiece design puts a microphone inside your head
Finally, you no longer have to mess with annoying bone conducting headsets to get your message heard in noisy environments. A Japanese company called NS-ELEX has created a new type of earpiece / microphone called the "e-Mimi-kun" (good ear boy), which utilizes air vibrations in the ear to deliver your voice to the other end of the line. Apparently, the design reduces outside noise by a factor of six, and a Sanyo chip used in the device further reduces sound levels, making things up to ten times quieter. The earpiece can be tethered to a phone, or work wirelessly via Bluetooth. No release date or pricing info available right now, but we're pretty sure stock brokers will snap these up like hot-cakes.[Via PhysOrg]
Nextlink reveals miniscule Invisio G5 BT headset
Nextlink certainly isn't the first company to boast about having the "world's smallest Bluetooth headset," but judging by some quick math, its Invisio G5 may actually be the most diminutive -- for the moment, at least. Measuring in at just 3.3- x 1.6-centimeters and weighing less than six grams, this wee earpiece has an abnormally high risk of vanishing, but at least it will last through some 20-hours of yapping if you do manage to keep track of it. The unit also comes with a protective charging case, and the Soft Spring technology purportedly enables it to "adapt perfectly to the contours of the ear." There's no definitive word on pricing nor availability, but a brief search revealed that this thing can be had for around a C-note at a variety of online stores.[Via TechDigest]
Hello Kitty gets two new Bluetooth headsets
What better to go with your shiny new Hello Kitty-themed phone than -- wait for it -- a Bluetooth headset doused in cuteness? Apparently, a pair of these very devices have managed to surface, and we're sure gals everywhere are clamoring to get their hands, er, ear under one. Granted, we've no idea how well these things would actually work (nor how much they'll cost), but the adorable factor is undeniably through the roof. If you're not already overwhelmed, feel free to check out the other version after the break.[Thanks, Mickel]
