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headset posts

Sony Ericsson intros T715 slider, VH310 Bluetooth headset

by Chris Ziegler, posted Jun 25th 2009 @ 12:20PM

Sony Ericsson's pushing its Walkman and Cyber-shot sub-brands harder than ever these days, but there's still plenty of good stuff in the regular range, too -- take this T715, for example. The newly announced slider features a 3.2 megapixel camera with "photo light" (don't call it a flash), sunlight-viewable 2.2-inch QVGA display, 3G, an impressive claimed 20 days of standby time, and a compact shell -- SE says it's the size of a credit card when closed. Launched alongside the T715 is the VH310 headset, available in your choice of silver or black with three different earpieces and two loops to fit your screwed-up head perfectly. Look for the phone to launch in Galaxy Silver and Rouge Pink (isn't that a contradiction?) in the third quarter -- and yes, both global and North American 3G versions will be available.

Motorola Endeavor HX1 ears-on

by Chris Ziegler, posted Jun 25th 2009 @ 8:00AM

We've been playing with Motorola's recently-announced Endeavor HX1 for the past few hours, and we're just going to come right out with it: this is the best Bluetooth headset we've ever used. Moto claims that the HX1 is the world's first consumer headset to use "true bone conduction technology," a veiled (but obvious) reference to the external cheek-resting sensor found on Jawbone's devices -- and indeed, the Jawbone Prime is the most obvious direct competitor to the HX1. Both devices offer decent styling, feature optional earloops and a selection of earbuds for a tighter fit, are being positioned as premium headsets, and -- most importantly -- pack a ton of innovative circuitry all in the name of cutting noise in harsh surroundings. Follow the break for our quick impressions!

Gallery: Motorola Endeavor HX1 ears-on

Continue reading Motorola Endeavor HX1 ears-on

Vertu's BH-1V Bluetooth headset gets FCC approval, leaves $100 tip

by Chris Ziegler, posted Jun 13th 2009 @ 8:04AM

The Vertu Aerius never really did Nokia's luxury marque justice -- casual passers-by would stop, point, and laugh at the overpriced Jabra JX10 masquerading as a meticulously hand-built bauble, and as we all know, disgustingly wealthy people have egos far too fragile for that kind of mockery. We have renewed faith today, though, that Vertu's hard at work making its own Bluetooth headset more befitting a brand associated with gelded, bedazzled serpents thanks to an FCC approval for a model BH-1V. Yeah, that's right, that'd be "V" as in "Vertu," so you know this thing is gonna be awesome. Who knows -- it could even be a giant letter "V" encrusted in diamonds, in which case our life would be complete and we could stop writing about technology altogether.

Nokia's Bluetooth BH-905 is 'the best headset ever made'

by Thomas Ricker, posted Jun 2nd 2009 @ 6:26AM

Pretty strong words from Nokia calling its new BH-905 headset "the best headset ever made." The claim comes as a result of a partnership with Wolfson Microelectronics to add its 10-microphone "feed-forward" active noise-cancellation technology to the headset -- 8 mics for capturing background noise, 2 for your voice. The headset can connect wirelessly over Bluetooth or via a selection of plugs for your home stereo, MP3 player, or airplane jack. It also features high-performance speakers with stainless steel audio controls on one can, phone controls on the other. They'll hit globally in August for a steep pre-tax price of €285 / $403. Hey, that's not bad for the best ever.

Gallery: Nokia's Bluetooth BH-905 is 'the best headset ever made'

[Thanks, Stephen R.]

Read -- Announcement
Read -- Microsite with video

TAG Heuer's Bluetooth headset proves the rich only need 4GB flash drives

by Chris Ziegler, posted May 19th 2009 @ 8:04AM

Finding a headset that can match the overwhelming pretension exuded by your multi-thousand-dollar TAG Heuer Meridiist can be a daunting challenge; pairing it up with your old Vertu (which was just a Jabra clone, anyhow) would be an embarrassing faux pas to say the least, and a Jawbone Prime can't physically fit enough diamonds to accurately express your expertly-honed sense of luxurious style. No worries, though: your favorite watchmaker has crafted just the piece for you, combining a totally ordinary-looking headset with a USB-powered charging base that integrates 4GB of questionably useful storage. Looks like an $80 package to us, but rest assured -- whatever the actual price is at launch, it'll starkly remind you that you're wealthy, fancy, and on the cutting edge of cool.

[Via Newlaunches]

Plantronics Voyager PRO gets purchased, unboxed early

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 20th 2009 @ 1:52PM

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]

Gallery: Plantronics Voyager PRO gets purchased, unboxed early

Jabra HALO hands-on

by Chris Ziegler, posted Apr 3rd 2009 @ 2:41AM

Finding awesome stereo Bluetooth hardware is challenging. There are a few good reasons for that: one, you've got to somehow pack a battery inside the headset itself, two, you've got radio circuitry in there, and three, it's all got to last a bunch of hours between charges. We're not saying that Jabra's just-announced HALO is for everyone, but it's an awfully interesting product -- probably one of the best A2DP sets we've seen -- and unlike most on-ear sets, it folds small enough to carry with you pretty much everywhere you go. The jury's out on audio quality and fit until we get our hands on an actual review unit (they're showing some pretty loose pre-production prototypes at CTIA) but considering how the HALO looks and works, we're cautiously stoked that this is going to end up being one of the better multimedia accessories of the year.

Gallery: Jabra HALO hands-on

Nokia shows off song-inspired Bluetooth headset designs

by Donald Melanson, posted Mar 25th 2009 @ 4:53PM

It didn't exactly cause that big a stir when it was first announced, but it looks like Nokia's Music Almighty headset design competition still managed to attract a respectable 6,000 entrants, and Nokia is now showing off the five winners that have been manufactured as fully-functional, one-off headsets. The hook of the contest is that all of the headsets had to be inspired by a song, which expectedly drew a whole range of designs from the stylish Daft Punk "Robot Rock" set above to feat of subtlety that is the R. Kelly "I Believe I Can Fly" headset after the break. Hit up the link below to check out the remaining winners, including not one but two Michael Jackson-inspired sets, and look for the whole lot to make their way to the Nokia Regent Street Flagship store in London next month.

[Via Core77]

Continue reading Nokia shows off song-inspired Bluetooth headset designs

What happened to Motorola's bone conduction Bluetooth headset?

by Chris Ziegler, posted Mar 23rd 2009 @ 4:22PM

Last year, we were told by a source very close -- nay, very very close -- to Motorola that the Invisio Q7 design that the company had bought from Nextlink (which has since renamed itself Invisio, ironically) would see release by summer of 2008. Well, we're into spring of 2009 at this point and there's no sign of it. We'd asked for an official update late last year and were given a "no comment" sort of response, and since then, we haven't seen any teasers or announcements that would indicate this thing is close to release. Noise reduction is getting pretty damned good in modern Bluetooth headsets, but even the best models are rendered unusable in circumstances where true bone conduction would shine -- high winds, for example -- so we're anxiously awaiting this thing's release. Motorola, what say you -- is this tech dead for some reason you haven't shared with the world? Was your pricey purchase a bust?

Motorola's EM326g slider and S7-HD Bluetooth headset get pictured

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 15th 2009 @ 4:02AM

We're really hoping Motorola's aiming for the low-end with the EM326g slider, 'cause if we didn't know any better, we'd assume this thing was the hotness back in 2003 or so. Gripes with simplicity aside, the aforementioned handset -- along with the S7-HD Bluetooth headset -- has been satisfactorily pictured, and we're also informed that the phone packs BT, a 1.3 megapixel camera, 3.5-millimeter headphone jack and a microSD card slot. Beyond that, mum's the word, but hit up the read link if your eyes are begging for more.

iVoice debuts Diamond-X dual mic Bluetooth headset

by Ross Miller, posted Jan 7th 2009 @ 7:20AM

Sure, it's not as thin as the Bluetrek Metal or as eye-catching as the Swarovski crystal-infused Shimmer Kit, but iVoice's Diamond-X Bluetooth headset is sporting some very nice features, including noise-canceling dual microphones and the ability to report the callers' name from a phonebook. As for the other stats, we've got 5.5 hours of talk time and 200 standby. The Jury's still out on how convincingly it can tell us when our friend Slartibartfast gives us a ring, but for one Benjamin Franklin, you can find out for yourself later this month.

Samsung trots out new Bluetooth headsets and speakerphones

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 17th 2008 @ 4:45AM

Samsung Mobile's got a fever, and the only cure is more... Bluetooth? Yeah, that's it, Bluetooth. Aside from launching the hilariously named Planet Bluetooth -- an "online guide to Bluetooth technology and Samsung Mobile's Bluetooth accessories" -- the outfit has also rolled out two new BT headsets and a pair of BT speakerphones. The WEP460 headset (pictured) specializes in being ultra-small and utilizing a clear ear hook to make you look even more extraterrestrial; the SBH700 stereo headset obviously caters to music lovers and those with slightly deeper pockets. The HKT450 and HKT400 portable BT speakerphones both do exactly what they say, with neither being particularly noteworthy. The bitter details are fleshed out in the read link below, and so far as we can tell, the whole crew is available now.

Bluetooth headsets to feel the pinch this holiday season

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 7th 2008 @ 9:50AM

Analysts are abuzz with predictions of which sectors / divisions will be hit hardest this holiday season, but this is one forecast we can definitely agree with. A recent report has found that the "least desirable holiday gift" belongs to the polarizing Bluetooth headset. With people suddenly more mindful of their spending, it's looking altogether unlikely that BT headsets will be selling like gangbusters given how unnecessary (and potentially alienating) they truly are. We'd ask if you disagree, but we're almost certainly sure there's no need.

[Image courtesy of eHow]

Compact-esque LG Reveal and Shimmer Kit primping for Bell launch

by Darren Murph, posted Oct 25th 2008 @ 7:41PM

The shock! The horror! We're beginning to see signs of an absolutely impossible trend, one that just cannot be coming to fruition. Merely hours after spotting the compact-like Samsung CLEO comes an obvious rival: the LG Reveal. The chic flip phone is said to boast a full QWERTY keypad (for realz?), a black or purple motif, a 2.0-megapixel camera, built-in Bluetooth and a 2.4-inch display. Also of note, the handset will be offered with an exclusive Swarovski Crystal Bluetooth headset as part of the LG Shimmer Kit, and each one of these packages will lead to a $5 donation to Fashion Cares. Mum's the word on pricing / exact availability, but we'd bet dollars to donuts that yet another makeup compact-turned-flip phone appears before too long. Even if it's just in our nightmares.

[Via mobilesyrup]

Motorola rolls out two for the ears: H780 and MOTOPURE H15

by Chris Ziegler, posted Sep 23rd 2008 @ 9:38PM

Motorola's never been one to shy away from a Bluetooth headset design that's just a little out of the ordinary, and its new top of the line model -- the MOTOPURE H15 -- surely fits the bill. The pill-shaped ear candy features a flip-out silver piece for no particularly good reason, but technically, it's at the top of its game with CrystalTalk noise cancellation, RapidConnect for easy pairing, and a quick-charging stand that can turn 15 minutes of charge time into an hour of talk time. Moving down the price rung a notch, the H780 tries to make a name for itself with faux carbon fiber trim and an earpiece tested to be comfortable for "over 90 percent" of users.