We know you're not really down with digesting any more catchphrases, but the technology formerly known as Ultra Low Power Bluetooth / Wibree is now being dubbed Bluetooth low energy. Now that we're clear on nomenclature, you may be thrilled to know that CSR showcased its recently unveiled BlueCore7 dual mode (Bluetooth low energy and Bluetooth v2.1) chip at a Bluetooth SIG Medical Working Group meeting. According to onlookers, the handset was able to transfer data to another nearby mobile using just 3 frequencies rather than 32, resulting in an unquantifiable decrease in power consumption. Sounds like a winner on the surface, but we have this weird feeling that mass adoption of this tech is like, years away.

Britain's top fixed-line carrier is apparently aiming to get back in the handset game, as Times Online is reporting that said company will reveal a "BlackBerry-styled" device that does everything your typical smartphone can along with one extra inclusion. According to the writeup, the forthcoming device will "switch from BT's wireless Home Hub indoors to Vodafone's network on the move," and it's expected to be sold with a broadband package. Of course, those familiar with BT will recall that this isn't the outfit's first foray in the sector, but it's hoping the new handset will fare a good bit better than the poorly received BT Fusion. So, how's about a picture of this thing?

[Via Pocket-lint]

Update: The BT ToGo is official.

Falling somewhere before the BT8010 and BT8040, the BT3030 most definitely takes the crown for clever design. Jabra's latest Bluetooth headset, as you can glean from the image above, was crafted to mimic the traditional dog tag, and specifications wise, you'll find Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, HSP, HFP, A2DP and AVRCP support. Additionally, you'll find six buttons useful for sending / ending calls and controlling music playback, and yes, it will lower the volume when detecting an incoming call from your livid mother-in-law. Ditch that ear critter and pick up something slightly less appalling late next month in Japan (or right now in the US) for ¥8,980 ($90). Check out the gallery over on Engadget Classic.

Simmer down, NFL fans -- we're talking real football here, so we'd recommend hoping a flight to Europe if you're interested in taking advantage of this. Reportedly, Bluepod Media has inked exclusive BT marketing rights with a bevy of Premiership football clubs including Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City, West Ham, Portsmouth and Wigan Athletic (among others). The deal was worked out after successful trials at Portsmouth and Birmingham City, and going forward, Bluepod will be working with third-parties to "create and distribute branded content to football fans within all stadiums on match days." Best of all, said content will be offered up to attendees gratis, while brand owners will be shelling out cash on a per download basis. Don't worry, dear Americans, you can always order up a hot dog from the comfort of your Safeco Field seat with your DS -- how's that for a consolation prize?

[Via IntoMobile, image courtesy of Hobo Tread]

We won't fault you if you can't recall the original Iqua Snake handsfree system, but it seems its maker has chosen CES as the venue to launch the long-awaited successor. The Iqua Snake 2 curiously mounts to one's headrest and wraps around to get all upside your grill, which looks mighty 1) dorky and 2) obnoxious, if we may say so ourselves. Nevertheless, the company claims that its design will facilitate clearer conversations and adjust to fit nearly any driver, but we still aren't sold on having a barrier between us and the passenger's seat. Nevertheless, those totally digging it can order one now for around $90, and if you've just got to see more, head on down to Autoblog and take a peek.

[Via Autoblog]

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]

If you're cool with a circular gizmo flanking one of your ears, Callpod's Bluetooth earpiece is probably right down your alley. Aside from rocking a dual-microphone design, noise cancellation technology and multi-device pairing support, this headset promises to stay connected even if you stray 100-meters (give or take) from your mobile / computer. Additionally, you can count on 8-hours of talk time (300-hours in standby) to handle those all-night sobfests, and it's even firmware upgradable should the future hold some extras not yet available. If you're all ready to sign up, hit the read link and throw down your $119.95 -- Callpod says they'll be shipping soon.

[Via Uber-Review]

Whenever stock traders gossip, there's usually a lot of disinformation, and there's always an element of plausible deniability: both are the case here, with stories about a possible buyout of Sprint by British firm BT apparently circulating. Sprint's recent stock boost is one of the consequences of the rumors, so whatever's going on, it's good news for stock holders of Sprint. For the rest of us, however, this is just another unpredictable aspect of the stock market: and lets face it, if a deal does go through, it'll be months or even years until consumers see any perceivable difference in services (if any.) Until it does, we'll remain blissfully unaware of all those big money discussions taking place behind mahogany doors on both sides of the Atlantic.

While it didn't bring it a massive posse or hundred foot banners, Germany's PEIKER did manage to deliver an "award-winning" in-car connection device during CES last week. The company's BluetouchMusic claims to be the "world's first" system to integrate handsfree calling and music into your car's stereo, but clearly it's missed quite a few other applications that have already graced American soil. Nevertheless, the device is meant to be "professionally installed" into your car's stereo system, and allows you to converse wirelessly on your Bluetooth-enabled phone, stream tunes from your A2DP-enabled device, listen to your iPod via an optional cable, or connect any music device via a 3.5-millimeter aux input. The diminutive device touts an intuitive-looking menu with oversized buttons to navigate from music to your address book and everywhere in between, but interestingly enough the "handsfree" aspect becomes somewhat laughable when many functions need a few button presses to get things in order. Regardless, PIEKER's first device to be sold and distributed here in America should start hitting "aftermarket channels" shortly for a currently undisclosed price.

[Via BlueTomorrow]

It looks like Nokia's got a bit more on the brain than just getting you where you're supposed to be, as its trio of Bluetooth headsets offer up handsfree talking from just about every price point. Holding down the low-end is the BH-100, which weighs in at 11-grams, offers 6.5-hours of talk time, 150 hours on standby, and allows users to customize the device by attaching a "colorful earloop." Next up is the BH-120, which purportedly rocks an uber-compact design "to fit in any ear," comes with three different earbud sizes, sports a black color scheme, and offers 5.5 hours of talk time or 150 hours in standby. The unit also touts answer / end, on / off, and volume / redial keys to go along with the red and green LED indicators. The BH-301 seems to be aimed at the mix 'n match type, as it comes with a variety of "stylish covers to fit the mood," boasts voice dialing capabilities, and also offers a longer battery life than the other two at seven hours talking / 200 hours in standby. Unfortunately, there's no word on pricing nor availability, but these colorful headsets should be hitting shelves before too long.

McLaren isn't a stranger to spiffing up an otherwise run-of-the-mill handset, but the whole "automobile-electronics" partnership is most commonly associated with the bevy of high octane lappies out there. Nevertheless, it looks like Vodafone has picked up Sharp's Mercedes McLaren-branded 770SH, and aside from sporting an ultrathin, sexy enclosure dashed in red, silver, and black, it also boasts a central LCD on the lid, 320 x 240 inner screen, 1.3-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, a paltry 5MB of internal memory, miniSD slot, MP3 playback, Vodafone Live compatibility, USB connectivity, and 220 minutes of reported talk time. Although the luxurious title may force you to ponder which fixed assets you'll need to liquidate to afford all this, thankfully the pricetag is rather reasonable, as you can apparently pick this gem up in about two weeks for just €69 ($91) with a new agreement. Click on through for a more snapshots.

[Via Xataka]

We sniffed out Samsung's SGH-E890 through an FCC filing awhile back, but now it's ready to rock (and be touched) in the Singapore market. While Samsung has blessed us with touchscreen offerings before, this candybar-inspired rendition touts tri-band operation, GRPS / EDGE, a 2.3-inch QVGA color screen, 1.3-megapixel camera, video recording / messaging, Bluetooth 2.0 EDR, USB, voice recording, speakerphone, and even TV output. It also doubles as a music player, supporting MP3, AAC, and WMA, and includes 54MB of internet memory, a microSD slot, and even PictBridge compatibility. The Li-ion cell will reportedly last through 230 minutes of talk time and "up to 350 hours" in standby mode, and can be snagged now in Singapore for 568SGD ($368) sans contract, or 468SGD ($304) with a two-year plan.

Acoustic Energy is teaming up with that oh-so-brightly-colored provider to launch the Orange Bluetooth wireless loudspeaker system. Similar to BenQ's IMS-100 and Sony's SRS-BTM30, this Bluetooth speaker system boasts A2DP connectivity to enable "wireless wide bandwidth stereo over distances of up to 10m." Aside from your snazzy Orange mobile, the device plays nice with other "mobile phones, PDAs, PCs or MP3 players with a stereo Bluetooth output," and should provide a bit more output than the competition thanks to its integrated 20-watt amplifier. Another svelte touch is the ability to disconnect the two mini-speakers and place them "up to 2 meters apart" from the central receiver for "improved stereo imaging," and a rear 3.5-millimeter stereo input jack also ensures that even your non-Bluetooth DAPs can get in on the action. Touted as the "must have gift" across the pond, the Bluetooth wireless loudspeaker system will hit Orange stores later this month for £89.99 ($169).

[Via Tech Digest]

Mom might have had your middle school lunches well under control, but thanks to a new development by the student union of Dresden Technical University and Haase & Martin GbR, you can enjoy the upper hand in college. Fed up with not having the skinny on cafeteria offerings, the "Studentenwerk Dresden" has implemented a prototype system on campus that beams a fortnight's worth of upcoming food choices to your Bluetooth-enabled mobile. A hotspot system dubbed BlueBot disseminates the Mensa Mobil (that's "mobile menu," folks) software to any Bluetooth-enabled cellphone within "40 meters" of its tower. Should you choose to install it, you're granted updated access to the foods, pricing, and specific ingredients offered throughout the day at 15 different eateries around town. While the program is currently free, it's apparently becoming quite a hit around campus, and both developers are planning to expand the restaurant choices as well as add additional BlueBot download points should the locals get hungry for more.

[Via Textually]