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JAYS unveils miniscule q-JAYS earbuds
It's been far too long since our ears could listen to a new pair of JAYS, but the company is finally introducing a brand new set dubbed q-JAYS. Deemed the "smallest earphones on the market," these diminutive buds boast dual micro armatures, the bass-enhancing AirBooster, silicon sleeves in a variety of sizes, and a flexible cable setup to boot. Additionally, the q-JAYS arrive with a white leather case, two extension cords, a flight / stereo adapter, and seven total pairs of sleeves. The price? Just $180 -- and those in the UK can look forward to a probable release in the not-too-distant future. Click on for a couple closeups.[Thanks, Adam]
Jabra BT8030 bluetooth headset works as a speaker too
While the kids at the back of buses everywhere may already be aware of the fact that headphones can act as speakers if turned up loud enough, the rest of humanity tends to keep the volume down, and is therefore unawares. Jabra has latched onto this concept and created the BT8030, which can act as a bluetooth headset when you're on the move, and then switch into a speakerphone mode for Skype at your laptop. The speaker / headphone combo will also play music over Bluetooth, lasting up to 26 hours in music mode, 32 hours in talk mode, and sitting in standby for up to 25 days. It'll retail for $249.99, although we're not sure when you'll be able to pick one up.[Via FarEastGizmos]
DIY iPhone earbud replacement
One of our gripes with the iPhone are those ill fitting earbuds shipped in the box. Unfortunately, you don't have many options at the moment unless you're willing to live without the convenience of the mic / music toggle built into Apple's headphone cable. Even then, there's a good chance that your third party audio-only headphones won't fit the non-standard, standard jack. No worries, assuming you're not afraid of a wee bit (promise!) of soldering, you can fit the Apple cable with another set of buds of your choosing. Really, it doesn't look too difficult and James Papadopoulos even worked up a video tutorial which you can peep after the break.
Hands-on with Belkin's iPhone Headphone Adapter
First, a disclaimer: this is a peripheral no one wants, but many will need. The Belkin Headphone Adapter for the iPhone simply allows you to do what you should be able to do without any adapter whatsoever -- plug in a plain ol' set of headphones. This was a pretty clear-cut play on Apple's part to give itself and official accessory manufacturers some license to further scar our already irreparably damaged wallets, and frankly, we're bitter that we had to buy it for a stiff $9.95. But yeah, whatever, let's get on to the good stuff.
iPhone doesn't work with most 3rd party headphones
As several tipsters have pointed out, the recessed iPhone headphone port means that a lot of third party headphones don't work properly: we've tested a few models already (you can see the current list after the break), but maybe you can help us out and let us know which models work / don't work in the comments -- and yes, if you have to press down on the jack to get both channels to play sound, we count that as not working. You'll need to buy a $10 headphone adapter if you want most third party headphones to function correctly, which sounds like a great business plan to us: just break an important device function, and sell the solution for fun and profit. For now, one of the few third party 'phones that do work are the Zune headphones.%Gallery-4439%
Headphones for the Poke-professional
So, you've got the T-shirts. You've got a couple of keychains. You even have your own replica Pokeball, where you imagine Pikachu is hanging out inside, kicking it on the couch sipping a cold one, ready to emerge and kick the crap out of any other Pokemon at a moment's notice. You might want to see a doctor, because you're obsessed. Or, if you're perfectly fine with the addiction, check out these Japanese headphones, depicting several different Pokemon. They're the kind of headphones that scream "Go away, I'm trying to level up my Manaphy."
DS Daily: Choice accessories
All it really takes to have a good time with your DS is a game or two, but we tend to add in a few accessories for comfort's sake ... and maybe for a bit of personalization as well. What do you go in for? Case, special headphones, or perhaps a different stylus? We want to hear about your choices. What accessories do you consider absolutely necessary? Screen protectors -- that's our pick, and yet we're surprised by how many people venture out with a bare screen.
Monster's iFreePlay cordless headphones for 2G Shuffle
Monster Cable has been known to dabble in the world of iPod accessories before, and while it's easy to give the company notorious for over marketing its flashy cabling knocks on just about anything, the iFreePlay contraption doesn't look half bad. The cordless wraparound headphones don't deviate too far from similar alternatives, but rather than communicating with your DAP via Bluetooth or RF, you can snap your 2G Shuffle right into the left earpiece and run along. The collapsible headphones weigh just 1.6-ounces, and while you do sacrifice some style for utility here, we've most certainly seen worse. So for runners looking to ditch that awful iSoundCap and avoid getting tangled all the while, Monster's iFreePlay apparatus can be picked up now for $49.95. Click through for a few more angles.
TEAC's bone conducting HP-F100 headphones
TEAC's latest headphones may not sport the sexiest of designs, but the HP-F100s do tout the always-fun bone conducting abilities. Aside from delivering frequencies from 25Hz to 25kHz, the phones also come with a "personal amplifier" (shown after the break) that cranks out .76-watts to each channel, and will reportedly last around 10-hours without needing another cell. Additionally, the foldable earphones weigh in at about 120-grams, and while the "aerial vibration" won't exactly rattle your skull, it could make your listening a bit more full nonetheless. Of course, we don't expect these to land on US shores without a little help from your favorite importer, but you can reportedly snag these later this month in Japan for a stiff ¥52,500 ($440).[Via Impress]
Homegrown Sockphones make for comfy listening
Hasn't everyone suffered through a pair of cans that caused unbearable pain to your ears regardless of their orientation on your dome? Sure we have, and while headphone makers have gone out of their way to provide all the noise cancelling, bass thumping, and style hindering abilities that we adore so dearly (or not), comfort isn't always first priority. Enter the DIY Sockphones, a creation so incredulous that its brilliance is only rivaled by how immensely simple these things are to concoct. Sure, we may be overreacting a bit on the supremacy of this here headphone mod, but it does add a level of listening pleasure not often found on those partially-padded renditions. It was noted that sound quality takes a noticeable hit when being piped through layers of slightly rank cotton, but if you've got a painful set of headphones and an unused pair of socks, we'll leave the rest of the process for you figure out.[Via MAKE]
Bluetooth headset for the PSP
Wires are so dated. Logitec wants to free you with their Bluetooth headset, supposedly the first "good" Bluetooth headset for the PSP, at least according to PSP-Vault. The peripheral will fit snugly under the system and is powered by a single AAA battery. You'll be able to switch between phone calls and your PSP content on the fly. And with a 10 meter range, you won't be tethered to your system (of course, one should recognize that it's much more difficult to play games in less than 10 meter ranges).Of course, like all other bluetooth headphones, it's not going to come cheap: according to Impress Watch, it'll be 12,800 yen (~$110).
Girls, watch out! Pink headphones don't work
The Pink PSP is all the rage (everywhere but America). But, the Pink PSP headphones are not as nice. At least, according to PSP GadgetZ. The man that buys everything PSP-related was surprised to see that although his new black headphones worked fine, these pink official earbuds do nothing at all. Is it just a one-time defect, or is the entire line-up of pink headphones from Sony busted up? I'd like to think the former, but just in case, you may want to avoid this import.[Via PSP-Vault]
180s Tec Stretch headphones
It is very cool here in Philadelphia, which is how it should be in the winter. If you are in a wintry place at the moment (or plan to be) and you enjoy keeping your ears warm and listening to your iPod then 180s has the product for you.Behold the 180s Tec Stretch ear protectors (don't call them ear muffs)/headphones. The cord is removable so you can protect your ear when not listening to your iPod. They can be found online for around $20, and would make a lovely gift.
Jabra's BT8010 Bluetooth headphones go mono or stereo
Jabra's got another Bluetooth headset which you don't have to be insane to wear. The BT8010 functions as a lightweight, single-unit mono earpiece with up to 10 hours of talk or 300 hours of standby. Or connect the tethered stereo unit for full A2DP and AVRCP control of your music for up to 6 hours of stereo audio playback off a like-spec'd device. It also packs an OLED scrollable display to help browse and control your music. Although, how much help can a display be on the side of your head be? No pricing or availability announced.Read (PDF link)
Motorola's MOTOACTV S9 Bluetooth headset
Introduced at Ed Zander's CES keynote, Moto is positioning the A2DP-compliant MOTOACTV S9 as a shout out to the athletes (and fitness freaks, and... uh, pretty much anyone that works out once in a while) by making it fairly robust -- by wireless headset standards, anyway -- while phone controls and a mic will let you take that critical call without getting off the Stairmaster. The inner part of the device seems to be available in black or red, though the outside (that is, the only part others will see) will only come in black when it rolls deep later this half. Click on for live pics!
Sleek Audio's SA6 earbuds with adjustable acoustics
Possibly setting the record for most interchangeable pieces in a set of earbuds, the SA6 from Sleek Audio packs a number of features unique in the high-end headphone market. Using "treble tips" and "bass ports" that can be swapped out, Sleek claims that the single-driver SA6 rivals the performance of two- and three- driver models from competing manufacturers by offering frequency response that can be tuned to the listener's preference. Also unique is the set's cord, which disconnects right at the bud -- allegedly for a potential upgrade to A2DP down the road. Look for the SA6 in March for $250 ($230 on preorder).
Bluetrek unveils twistable ST1 Bluetooth headphones
It looks like Bluetrek is hopping into the Bluetooth headphone game, and while it faces some stiff competition, the ST1 sports a design entirely more pleasing to the eye than Etymotic's ety8 or Koss' Cobalt. Expected to make a showing at CES, these Korean-bound headphones feature a slim, bendable frame made to fit the heads of runners / commuters without gangly adornments cramping your style. It also boasts a trendy black / snow white color motif, Bluetooth v1.2 support, USB connectivity, operates "about nine hours" before its Li-ion needs recharging, and can supposedly last 400 hours in standby mode. Additionally, the play / pause, track direction, and volume controls are handily included on the earpieces, so you can control your playlists (on supported devices) without ever looking down. While we're not sure how much Bluetrek plans on charging for these snazzy wraparounds, we'll hopefully be getting a listen of our own before too long.[Via Engadget Chinese]
Pegaso's VIBONE EZ-80WP: for underwater, skull vibrating fun
Here's the tired buzzword, catch-all product for the day: Pegaso's waterproof, bone-conducting VIBONE EZ-80WP headset. Besides being yellow and dark gray to camouflage your ear-grub, these babies vibrate the skull, not the air, in order to bring the beat to your auditory nerve. It's that little trick which makes 'em ideal for use underwater, or in space for that matter, you decide chief. Available starting July 15 in Japan for ¥19,800 or a whopping $170 bills. Hmm, reminds us this little ditty: the skull-bone's connected to the, Vi-bone, the Vi-bone's connected to the, ass-hat...or something like that. [Via Impress]
RWC's ITN-VR10 vibrating headphones
Sure, it's nice to feel that rumble from the game controller, but wouldn't it be better if your ears were doing the ringing after a crushing EA Sports-induced blow to the head, instead of your hands? Why not try on a pair of these itan ITN-VR10 headphones from RWC then, which vibrate in your ear (like a mosquito?) in reaction to what they perceive to be a large, booming force. These buds feature a standard 3.5-millimeter mini-jack for connecting to your favorite handheld game console and will last about 15-hours off battery. Available in Japan starting June 26 for about ¥3,980 or $35.[Via Impress]
BenQ A2DP stereo Bluetooth adapter is FCC approved
The FCC site just coughed up the approved, BenQ Bluetooth Stereo Headphone. Yeah, headphone, not cellphone. This A2DP compliant module is meant to clip onto your kit somewhere allowing you to listen to stereo audio via the tethered headphone of your choice. Think Sony Ericsson HBH-DS970 but with more bulk, no display (apparently), and mucho less style. Expect it to drop in your part of the world with a model number anywhere between HHB-180, 181, 182, or HBH-183 for the black model or HHB-185, 186, 187, or HBH-188 for white. But never, ever, HBH-184 for the same inexplicable reason that might cause you to actually purchase this device. [Via MobileWhack]
