Hot on the heels of BlueAnt's Z9 comes a new one from Jabra, and while this Bluetooth earpiece doesn't strike us as revolutionary in the design department, it does add a bit of flexibility not often found on similar alternatives. Beyond the obligatory voice dialing, handsfree profile support, A2DP compatibility, USB connectivity, DSP noise reduction, and automatic volume adjustment, the BT8040 sports Multi-point technology that enables it to sync to two devices simultaneously. Yes, this does mean that you can pretend to be listening to your kvetching sibling whilst actually taking in your favorite jam from your BT-enabled audio source. No word just yet on price nor availability, but we can imagine multitaskers everywhere lining up for this one.

It sure took long enough, but at long last BlueAnt is finally releasing its Z9 Bluetooth headset. The final version weighs in at 0.35-ounces, measures 1.5-inches in length, boasts a glossy, translucent finish, and most importantly, touts a two-level approach to noise cancellation. The firm's patented Voice Isolation technology "separates the voice signal from all background noise" in order to nix surrounding wind and ambient chatter from conversations, and can be utilized in Standard or Max modes depending on how raucous things are around you. Notably, the headset also sports dual microphones, supports on-the-fly device switching, lasts through 5.5-hours of yapping, and even offers upgradeable firmware via USB. So, for those who have managed to hold off till now, the Z9 can finally wrap itself around your ear for $99.95.

The same folks bringing us the ultra sensitive Bluetooth / GPS hybrid chip are also looking to improve voice quality on vanilla Bluetooth headsets, and the firm has now collaborated with Dynamic Hearing to offer up a multi-microphone configuration. Available on the company's BlueCore-Multimedia platform, this VoiceField technology "uses two microphones to capture the speech of the headset user before it is lost amongst competing noise sources." Additionally, it was designed to suck down very little power and sport uber-low signal latency, and also includes acoustic echo suppression, automatic handsfree volume control, and programmable equalization in 33 frequency bands." Now, how's about making us look a bit less freakish while donning these things on our ear?

[Via Inquirer]

The options for an in-car handsfree kit are darn near limitless, but for those not so keen on hardwiring a module into your car's stereo or fiddling with those dodgy FM transmitters, BlueAnt is offering up a swank alternative. The Supertooth Light Bluetooth handsfree speakerphone boasts a built-in speaker / microphone that neatly rides along on your vehicle's sun visor, allowing you to transport your handsfree device from one vehicle to another without dismantling a mess of wires. Additionally, it features Clear Voice Capture (CVC), DSP, and echo-reduction capabilities, and it can even adjust volume levels on the fly depending on ambient noise. You'll also have no trouble pairing up to five different phones, utilizing voice dial activation / redial, and talking for up to 15 hours straight without recharging the battery. So if you're interested in a more mobile solution to yapping in handsfree fashion, you can pick up BlueAnt's latest for $99.

Seems like every Bluetooth headset manufacturer is looking for a buzzword to describe their products' goodness in squashing ambient noise, but amazingly, Plantronics claims it's the very first to apply signal processing on both ends of the call in its Discovery 655-based "665." The DSP, called "AudioIQ," is said to reduce background noise by 7-8 decibels (roughly 50 percent) for folks on the far end of the call, while the wearer can expect improved "quality, clarity and volume level" as conditions vary. Look for the 9 gram headset to hit the streets next month for $150.

Plantronics is feeling the ergonomic vibe as they introduced a new flagship Discovery headset at their Body and Form event in New York. The Discovery 655 is a form-focused Bluetooth headset with a distinctly different look than the 645 / 640 models. The design is intended to fit the "contours of your face" and shouldn't cause any ear fatigue weighing only 9 grams. Similar to other Discovery models, the 655 comes with a headset storage jacket -- which could be mistaken for an aluminum cigar case -- that performs double-duty as a charger (AAA powered), and a vibrating ringer to alert users of incoming calls. You also get a mini-USB adapter, which was notably absent on the Discovery 640, to charge from your PC or mobile phone's power supply. As in the 645, this unit includes DSP to block out unwanted noise (or certain managers' voices) and adjust the volume level based on your surroundings. Although there's really nothing groundbreaking about the 655 in terms of specifications, the change in style and lower price standout on an otherwise uninspiring offering -- you can give the Discovery 655 a listen when it drops in August for $150.