Skip to Content

Are you prepared for Wrath of the Lich King? WoW Insider has you covered!
AOL Tech

Posts with tag handsfree

Hands-on with the Motorola Smart Rider

by Chris Ziegler, posted Apr 7th 2008 @ 10:10PM Featured Story


We're really not so sure we can envision mounting one of these in our own slab, but we'll admit, Motorola's Smart Rider is just about the most fully-featured car kit we've ever seen. The thing's pretty freaking massive and the screen's plenty clear, which we figure is perfect for drivers who want to minimize the amount of time they spend fiddling with controls and maximize the time they spend... oh, you know, driving. In general, the device could stand to be just a little less angular -- we figure a few folks are going to balk at mounting this giant hunk of plastic in their beloved rides -- but then again, the device seems targeted squarely at fleets where aesthetic beauty is far from priority one. Click on to the gallery to get a sense of what we mean.

Gallery: Hands-on with the Motorola Smart Rider

Motorola's Smart Rider in-vehicle phone takes handsfree to the next level

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 1st 2008 @ 1:03PM


Oh sure, we've seen handsets designed to spend more time riding shotgun than hyperventilating in your front pocket, but Motorola's Smart Rider may actually break out in hives if removed from the comfort of your car's cabin. All joshing aside, this unique "in-vehicle phone" plays on GSM bands and features built-in GPS navigation services, voice activation, Bluetooth and a microphone / speakerphone. You'll also get a 2.8-inch display, turn-by-turn guidance, real-time traffic information and automatic re-routing. Regrettably, Moto's all hush-hush on pricing, but it'll be available for those that want this June.

Sony Ericsson's HCB-150 car handsfree tells you who's calling

by Chris Ziegler, posted Feb 24th 2008 @ 7:18PM


Since looking around your car to read a small display while you're driving seems like a somewhat poor plan, Sony Ericsson has introduced the HCB-150 that clips to a visor and reads out the caller's name with a (hopefully non-creepy) text-to-speech engine in addition to a more traditional OLED readout if you simply must take your eyes off the road. It supports up to five pairings, uses Bluetooth 2.0, is battery powered for double duty as a portable speakerphone, and should be available next quarter.

[Via PHONE Magazine]

Iqua intros Bluetooth Snake 2 handsfree system

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 7th 2008 @ 1:34AM


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]

NewerTech unleashes iPhone accessory storm

by Sean Cooper, posted Jan 3rd 2008 @ 9:44PM


Well, if you're gonna launch a new product line, why not fill it up, right? NewerTech will debut six lovely products for iPhone at Macworld on the 15th January, though all save the dock are available immediately. The product list features the speaker dock with handsfree mic that includes a couple 2-watt speakers and an "improved" microphone that doubles as charger when your iPhone is in the dock, throw in a couple call handling buttons and all that can be your for a mere $35. Next up is the $20 handsfree mic and earbud which features a 39 inch cable and shirt clip, a $15 mic extender is also on the table featuring a 27 inch cable to give you iPhone handsfree fun with your own earbuds, and of course an $8 headphone adapter to overcome the iPhone's crazy recessed jack. NewerTech rounds out its iPhone collection with a $20 set of buds with passive noise reduction -- said to reduce noise by 42 decibels -- and a $13 car charger for those on the go. We've not tested any of this kit, but the prices seem right and that's at least a good start.

Steering wheel-mounted Bluetooth handsfree kit hits the FCC

by Nilay Patel, posted Dec 17th 2007 @ 12:59PM


We're not certain that your steering wheel is the best or safest place to attach a handsfree device, but those of you looking to up your Michael Knight factor might be interested in Seecode's new Wheel Bluetooth kit. Featuring a small screen and call-control buttons, the battery-operated unit allows you to chat away on speakerphone, send / end calls, and view your phonebook -- all while (hopefully) keeping your eyes on the road. No word on when these might be available, but check the read link for the usual riveting assortment of FCC docs.

Cartel's nostalgic handsfree system brings back the car phone

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 29th 2007 @ 6:04PM


Yeah, we did a double take upon seeing the above image too, but believe it or not, that car phone is actually a new Bluetooth handsfree system. Developed by Cartel Mobile Solutions, this in-car setup can reportedly be installed into nearly any whip and will connect up with most every BT-enabled handset. From there, it mysteriously warps you back to the 1990s where you can dial on near-Chiclet sized buttons; once the haze clears, it ushers you back to modern day by enabling motorists to chat without holding anything up to their yapper. Users can opt to wire it to their vehicle's sound system or plug in an external speaker, and yes, that display you see does indeed handle Caller ID duties. Unfortunately, no price was readily apparent, but you can can bring that 1979 Buick of yours a few years closer to the 21st century by hitting Cartel up for purchasing details.

[Thanks, Mickel]

Iqua BH-702 Bluetooth pendant headset rolls through FCC

by Sean Cooper, posted Sep 18th 2007 @ 3:13PM


Iqua, maker of fine Bluetooth equipment everywhere, has hopped into the Bluetooth-headset-as-weird-jewellery business with the BH-702. Featuring A2DP for your wireless stereo listening enjoyment, 9 hours talk, 7 hours music, and 150 hours standby time, all on a 2 hour charge. The BH-702 hangs about your neck while in use, and while we dig the convenience, we often find that this configuration puts the mic. too far from your mouth and increases noise as it shuffles about on your clothing. No word on pricing or availability yet, but we expect now that this leg of the journey is done Iqua may just see fit to announce the thing.

Zegna Sport integrating ElekTex controls in Bluetooth iJACKET

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 22nd 2007 @ 1:15PM


If you're fairly confident that you've seen an iJacket from Zegna before, you'd be right, but the case-sensitive iJACKET is upping the ante by including Bluetooth along with Eleksen's ElekTex smart fabric controls. Dubbed "communication clothing," the coat will reportedly enable users to "use their cellphone and simultaneously listen to music on their iPod," which is sure to result in quite a few incomprehensible conversations. Nevertheless, wearers will be able to mange both their handset and DAP through a "sleek control embedded in the jacket sleeve," and you can even expect the music volume to decrease when you receive an incoming call. Of course, all these luxuries won't come cheap (especially on a Zegna), but even we think "starting at $1,700" is a bit extreme.

Jabra's BT8040 Bluetooth headset syncs to multiple devices

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 3rd 2007 @ 3:58PM

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.

BMW warms up to Apple's iPhone

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 29th 2007 @ 6:17PM


Nearly three years ago to the day, BMW announced that you could "iPod your BMW." Today, that same luxury is being passed onto Apple's latest handheld device. According to an admittedly brief introduction page at BMW, the automaker has proclaimed that it is indeed the first to ensure that iPhone owners can look forward to seamless integration of music playback and handsfree Bluetooth calling "across its model line." Beginning today, BMW whips equipped with BMW Assist with Bluetooth can enjoy handsfree calling in their ride, and those with the iPod / USB interface can control the iPod functions of the iPhone via built-in vehicle controls and view the track / album information on your radio (or navigation system, we presume). BMW notes that "further details" will be available soon, and with any luck, a few more automakers will follow suit in the near future.

[Thanks, Alex]

UPDATE: Check out the first hands-on report as a user introduces his 8GB iPhone to a 2007 328xi. "Fully functional" says it all.

Company claims its system hunts down phoning drivers

by Chris Ziegler, posted Jun 20th 2007 @ 8:09AM


Every once in a while, a device comes along whose stupidity is exceeded only by the individuals advocating its use; a device so confusing and controversial, it creates twice as many problems as it solves. Enter Highway Safety & Technology's "Cellular Detection System" (or as we like to call it, the "Automatic Civil Unrest Creation System"). The idea is this: through some magical, thoroughly unexplained array of "electronic sensing equipment," the system can somehow detect drivers talking on their phones and set the subsequent legal process in motion without any law enforcement involvement whatsoever. Never mind that other people in the car might be using their phones and the fact that headsets are almost always legal when handsets are not, we guess. The product is actually so ridiculous that we're leaning toward it being an elaborate hoax -- or we're hoping as much, anyway -- otherwise it'll allegedly be available to overzealous municipalities this fall.

[Via Techdirt]

Oticon Epoq binaural Bluetooth headset doubles as hearing aid

by Darren Murph, posted May 30th 2007 @ 5:07AM

Oticon's no alien to the niche world of overly useful hearing aids, and while it's been a few years since we've seen anything fresh from the company, its newest offering looks to help those aging ears deal with hearing loss while staying connected to modern technology. The Epoq lineup of "hearing instruments" allows a pair of Bluetooth earpieces to be worn simultaneously, and proprietary binaural high speed wireless technology allows the pair "to communicate at data transfer speeds 100 faster than hearing instruments now on the marker." In essence, the devices transmits "stereophonic auditory information that is in sync with a user's visual experience," and it also tries its hand(s) at being a Bluetooth headset that enables handsfree calling and music streaming when used with the "Streamer" add-on. Oticon will reportedly be rolling out the Epoq W (about $8,000) and Epoq XW (closer to $9,000) early next month.

[Via Slashphone, photo courtesy of Stuff]

Sound ID's SM100 Bluetooth headset tunes you into nature

by Darren Murph, posted May 15th 2007 @ 2:14AM


We've got Bluetooth headsets that cancel noise, amplify voices, and make you look good not entirely cockamamie, but Sound ID's latest iteration actually gives you one less reason to ever take it off. The minuscule earpiece sports compatibility with handsfree Bluetooth profiles, around eight hours of talk time and 72 hours of standby, auditory and visual low battery warnings, dual omni-directional silicon microphones, and a trio of modes to fit your situation. It also touts a NoiseNavigation feature that magnifies and cancels appropriate sounds automatically, and just in case you get tired of only hearing face-to-face conversations out of one ear, the "Environmental Mode" actually brings in ambient noise in order to make you forget about the critter hanging off your eyeglass holder. Notably, the $129.99 SM100 even features a One2One mode that enables "Bluetooth communication between two modules" without the use of a cellphone, which should definitely appease the anti-social social crowd.

[Via Slashphone]

EZNEX ENA7000: the cubed FM transmitter, handsfree liaison

by Darren Murph, posted May 8th 2007 @ 4:42AM


EZNEX's latest device packs a fair amount of utility into a 28- x 29- x 30-millimeter block, as the wee ENA7000 allows users the luxury of having two ways to transport sound out of their handset or portable audio player. For mobiles without built-in Bluetooth, you can simply plug this unit in and tune your FM radio to match the output on the LCD screen in order to hear handsfree conversations through your car stereo; moreover, you can connect the cute little fellow to your favorite DAP and listen in whilst driving -- if you can manage to find an open FM channel, that is. The device also touts a built-in rechargeable Li-ion cell, promises eight hours of uninterrupted usage, and looks to come in a variety of colors. Unfortunately, we Americans aren't likely to see this thing in person anytime soon, but it will be available in "late May" to South Koreans for around ₩30,000 ($32).

[Via AVing]


Engadget HD Headlines



    Weblogs, Inc. Network

    AOL News

    Other Weblogs Inc. Network blogs you might be interested in:

    Joystiq
    Download Squad
    The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)
    BloggingStocks
    Xbox 360 Fanboy
    Autoblog
    Big Download Blog
    Fanhouse Backporch