Sony Ericsson HCB-108 is handsfree with over a day of talk time

It’s not often that we cover speakerphones here on PhoneMag, but the Sony Ericsson HCB-108 demanded coverage. Why, you may ask? Well, along with noise and echo reduction, this handsfree for your car provides up to 25 hours of talk time. Yes, I said 25!

You can also get up to a month of battery life on standby mode. These are some seriously impressive figures and though it has yet to be tested hands on, we’re betting it’ll come pretty close.

The HCB-108 will be available in either black or silver and should hit retailers sometime in the fourth quarter. So if you’re the type to chat it up while driving from point A to point B, or like to schedule appointments on the go, this speakerphone is the best bet for frequent talkers.

[via Engadget Mobile]

BluAlert Vibrating Bluetooth Wristband is your silent call reminder

I’m notorious for leaving my phone on vibrate and missing numerous calls, so while this BluAlert vibrating Bluetooth wristband might look a bit silly, the concept behind it is surprisingly alluring. After pairing it with your cellphone - it shows up as a headset or hands-free device in the Bluetooth pairing menu - whenever you get a call the battery-powered wristband vibrates to let you know. Moreover, walk more than five meters away from your mobile and the band will vibrate to remind you that you’ve left it behind.

It uses Bluetooth v1.2 and is, as you’d expect for something so straightforward, compatible with all other versions of the short-range wireless technology. Battery life is a very reasonable 100hrs, and a full charge takes 3hrs. The strap is made of neoprene rubber, can be resized, and suits wrists between 7.5 and 9.5-inches around.

Best of all, if you’re interested the BluAlert costs £34.95 ($62.91) and is available now.

[via Crave]

Motorola H12 Bluetooth Headset

Design

Motorola is making some impressive moves in the Bluetooth headset market. Recently we saw the pricey but well-designed S9 Bluetooth headphones, and the H12 hands-free headset definitely continues in the same vein, with chic design and a heavy price tag.

The H12 is impressively small and uncommonly sexy for a Bluetooth headset. At only 42mm in length the H12 barely extended past our ear lobes when worn and is an extremely light 12g.

Bundled with the H12 are two charging docks; a tiny magnetised stand and a cute enclosed pod.

Motorola promise the H12 will fit comfortably based on their "extensive ergonomic measurement study of the human ear". This sounds like tedious work, but we have to agree that the H12 earbud did have a comfortable fit, although, not any more comfortable than other earbud headphones.

Performance

We had no major complaints about the H12 unit we tested. The unit paired easily with numerous non-Motorola handsets, and the call quality was good with the paired handsets, within a range of approximately two or three metres.

Motorola have been spruiking the "CrystalTalk" ambient noise cancelling technology built-in to the latest of their Bluetooth headphone releases. We made several calls outside in busy city street traffic and found we could hear our conversations clearly, and were told we could be heard clearly as well.

Battery life was also good. Motorola estimate 5.5 hours of talk time. We clocked up about an hour of talk time over a week without recharging.

Overall

With the H12 performing well and looking great, our only gripe is the price. With a local RRP of AU$159.95 the H12 is a mobile phone accessory that costs more than some mobile phones. If price is no obstacle, the H12 is one of the best Bluetooth hands-free devices we've seen lately.

Source: Cnet

Motorola Unveils New Additions to ROKR Family

New ROKR E8 Takes You from Talk to Music in One Touch Using Motorola ModeShift Technology

Motorola, Inc. today expanded its ROKR family of music products with the introduction of the ROKR E8 mobile device, the EQ5 and EQ7 wireless speaker systems and new stereo headsets at the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show (Booth #8545, Central Hall). This new generation of ROKR products offers consumers a complete music ecosystem that can help them enjoy their favorite tunes while on the go.

“ROKR E8 is a no compromises device – it’s both an MP3 player that makes great phone calls and a mobile phone with tremendous audio capabilities. With our unique ModeShift technology, we’re dispelling the myth that mobile phones with music features are inferior to stand-alone audio devices,” stated Stu Reed, president, Motorola Mobile Devices. “Rounding out our ROKR portfolio, our new music accessories provide consumers with a number of ways to enjoy their music.”

Summary of key features in ROKR E8:

• ModeShift technology transforms the device from phone to music player with the touch of a button
• Innovative haptics technology provides tactile response when a virtual key is pressed
• FastScroll navigation wheel allows for scrolling through thousands of songs with the slide of a thumb
• Patented CrystalTalk™ technology delivers outstanding call clarity even in noisy environments
• Windows™ Media Player™ 11 compatibility enables easy transfer of tunes from the PC to the device
  

Motorola designed ROKR E8 to deliver an uncompromised consumer experience for music or talk. Using breakthrough ModeShift technology from Motorola, the quad-band GPRS/EDGE device presents users with only the controls they need, at the time they need them, instantly transforming from music player to phone with the touch of a button.

When powered off, the surface of ROKR E8 is smooth, with no visible keys. Power on the device and it presents a virtual numbered keypad on the front surface. With one “press” of the virtual music key, the phone keypad disappears and control keys for the music player – play, pause, fast forward and rewind – appear in its place.

Yet, ROKR E8 is more than just a “touch”-operated device. Using innovative vibrating haptics technology, the device provides the tactile feedback consumers expect from a traditional keypad, providing confirmation they have pressed a virtual key.

ROKR E8 also marks the debut of the new FastScroll navigaton wheel from Motorola, a variable-speed touch control that lets consumers easily scroll through all of the content stored on the device. With a gentle slide of the thumb, the wheel quickly scrolls through your music (music mode), contacts (phone mode), calendar (phone mode), or multimedia (imaging mode) content.
Information is easily viewed on the landscape 2.0” QVGA display.In music mode, ROKR E8 delivers great sound through a three-dimensional stereo feature that enhances two-channel audio and an on-board equalizer. Music can be enjoyed on the built-in speaker, with a compatible Bluetooth® enabled stereo headset¹, or through a wired headset plugged into the 3.5mm jack.

ROKR E8 also helps consumers discover new music with a built-in FM radio and support for Song ID2 .

The 2GB internal memory can store up to 1,500 songs3, and the external memory is expandable up to 4GB with an optional microSD card. Music transfers quickly with USB 2.0. The device is compatible with Windows Media Player 11 on the PC, which also provides access to more than 200 online music stores.

In phone mode, ROKR E8 provides outstanding voice quality using Motorola CrystalTalk technology. The powerful device can receive calls while downloading or playing music, text messaging2, surfing the Web2 or taking pictures. Quality construction and materials help make ROKR E8 durable and reliable, and a high gloss front, aluminum soft touch back, spun metal side keys and engraved banding offer the modern style expected from Motorola.

Motorola EQ5 and EQ7: Wireless Speakers for Music and Calls

The Motorola EQ5 and EQ7 are the first wireless speakers from Motorola that provide mobility for both music and speakerphone calls. With rich, stereo sound and elegant style, both portable speakers can easily connect with almost any MP3 player, PC or mobile phone through wireless Bluetooth technology (including A2DP Bluetooth profile) or a wired 3.5 mm jack.

The Motorola EQ5 Portable Wireless Speaker is a sleek and stylish pocket-sized device with a convenient kickstand for standing upright and a rechargeable battery4 to play music or take calls with wireless freedom.



The Motorola EQ7 Wireless Hi-Fi Stereo Speaker is a state-of-the-art sound system that includes cutting-edge audio technology by JBL®. The high-end stereo speakers provide deep rich bass and smooth response, making even the most dynamic of songs sound clean and robust.
The speakers also include a built-in microphone and integrated controls that make it easy to switch between music and speakerphone mode with the touch of a button.



Stereo Bluetooth Accessories: Wireless Music On the Go
The wireless music experience has been enhanced with the Motorola S9-HD, an upgraded version of the award-winning ROKR S9. This improved headset adds surround sound with SRS WOW HD™ technology, while reducing ambient noise and providing more comfort with redesigned ear buds.

The Motorola S605 Bluetooth Stereo Clip Headset gives wired music devices a wireless option. With stereo Bluetooth technology, this affordable and lightweight clip-on pendant and headset provides wireless connections to Bluetooth enabled phone while staying simultaneously connected to streaming music or FM radio.



Wired Accessories: Mobile Music, In Style
Motorola is also launching several new wired companion products to satisfy any style and add comfort, design and incredible sound to your mobile music experience.

EH70 Stereo Headset – A premium in-ear stereo headset with an acoustic design that delivers rich sound quality with full-range frequency response and low distortion. Outstanding microphone performance helps calls sound great and noise isolation helps minimize background clamor. Replaceable ear tips offer a comfortable in-ear fit and additional sound clarity.



EH50 Stereo Headset – Ergonomically designed to keep up with active lifestyles5, the EH50 features proprietary TrueComfort™ design, with flexible ear hooks for a secure, comfortable fit.
The EH50 sounds as good as it looks with a full-range enhanced frequency response, low distortion as well as an unobtrusive ear bud design and discreet, lightweight, enhanced microphone for calls.


EH25 Stereo Headset – Creates a fashion statement among wired headphones with four available colors, exceptional sound quality, a compact carry case and a discreet microphone for taking calls. EH20 Stereo Headset – A wired headset that offers great bass response, stylish design and a customizable fit at an affordable price.


Availability ROKR E8 is expected to be available in Q1 2008. The Motorola EQ5, EQ7 and new wired and wireless accessories are expected to be available in Q2 2008.

For more information, please visit www.motorola.com/.

Source: Motorola press release

Motorola S9-HD Bluetooth Headphones

At the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show last week, Motorola announced the S9-HD, an update to its popular S9 stereo Bluetooth headphones. This new version adds 3D surround sound and high-definition audio - compliments of SRS WOW HD technology. The ear buds on the S9-HD have also been redesigned to reduce background noise and maximize comfort.

The Motorola S9-HD stereo Bluetooth headset weighs a mere 32g (1oz) so that they are hardly noticeable when worn. With up to 6 hours of music playback and dedicated music playback controls, the Motorola S9-HD is sure to be a hit. These sleek headphones should be available in Q2 2008, though pricing is not currently available.

Source: Mobileburn

Samsung announces BS300, BS900 Bluetooth speakers

Aside from showcasing its latest mobile phones, Samsung also announced two Bluetooth speakers. Let’s briefly introduce both of them:

Thanks to the built-in “Hyper 3-Channel Surround Sound with Euphony Technology,” the YA-BS900 Bluetooth speaker system lets the listener hear the “center of the sound” regardless of what position they are in or where they are in the room — guess this is one of the reason they won 2008 CES Best of Innovations Award. The unit sports three, 10-watt speakers, an analog line-in, remote control, and a USB port to play MP3 files directly from a thumb drive or MP3 player.

On the other hand, the YA-BS300 Bluetooth speakers are designed to be ultra-portable, weighing only 2.2 oz. But, according to the Korean giant, the quality of sound is also there thanks to Samsung’s exclusive DNSe sound engine technology which delivers 3D Surround Stereo. In addition, the slim BS300 also acts as a hands-free speaker for conference calls.

Finally, let’s talk about availability — the BS900 Bluetooth speaker will be available in H1 2008, while the BS300 is already available. We’ve no idea how much they cost… Full release after the jump.

PRESS RELEASE - Samsung Electronics, a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, continues to integrate the freedom of Bluetooth into its various digital audio-and-video products, including its new BS900 Bluetooth speaker. Recognized as a CES Best of Innovations category winner, the BS900 allows consumers to enjoy music wirelessly from their Bluetooth-enabled cell phone or portable media player. Unlike other wireless audio speakers, the BS900 is a 30-watt, 3-channel system capable of room-filling sound. While the BS900 is perfect for the home, the ultra-portable BS300 delivers high-quality sound that also connects to any Bluetooth-enabled device for enjoying music on the go. Samsung’s portable speaker lineup will be on display at booth #11033 during the International Consumer Electronics Show, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, January 7 through 10.

“The seamless interaction of the BS900 provides a simple, easy-to-use multimedia experience, and superior sound quality,” said Reid Sullivan, Vice President of Digital Audio & Video Marketing at Samsung Electronics America. “Both the BS900 and BS300 provide an incredible range of multimedia experiences with any Bluetooth-enabled device, reflecting the growing consumer demand for options to listen to music wirelessly at home or away.”

YA-BS900
A 2008 CES Best of Innovations Award winner, the YA-BS900 is a Bluetooth speaker system that automatically turns on when the consumer walks near it with an already-paired Bluetooth-enabled MP3 player or mobile phone. The hands-free Bluetooth mobile phone volume reduction function lowers the speaker volume when the user receives a phone call.

The BS900 features Hyper 3-Channel Surround Sound with Euphony Technology, which lets the listener hear the “center of the sound” regardless of what position they are in or where they are in the room. The unit features three, 10-watt speakers, an analog line-in, remote control, and a USB port to play MP3 files directly from a thumb drive or MP3 player.

The BS900 Bluetooth speaker will be available in 1st half 2008.

YA-BS300
More compact than the BS900, the YA-BS300 Bluetooth speaker is ultra-portable, weighing only 2.2 oz. The speaker projects crisp, powerful sound via Samsung’s exclusive DNSe sound engine technology delivering 3D Surround Stereo when connected to any Bluetooth-enabled cell phone, MP3 player or personal media device. The BS300 also acts as a hands-free speaker for conference calls and makes the perfect travel gadget thanks to its slim design. For added convenience, a 2.5mm jack allows for the BS300 speaker to charge its integrated rechargeable battery easily via a USB port.

The BS300 Bluetooth speaker is currently available.

Listen To iPod With Motorola Bluetooth

Motorola is now providing an adaptor allowing owners of the Motorokr S9 Bluetooth stereo headphones to listen to their iPod wirelessly through the headphones.

Powered by the iPod's internal battery, the D650 connects to the bottom of the iPod which in turn wirelessly connects to the S9 Bluetooth headphones, streaming the iPod's playlist to the headphones.

A Motorola-created technology called EasyPair is responsible for...

Sony Ericsson DS220 review

Sony Ericsson are busy producing various music accessories for mobile phones such as headsets and portable speakers that can pair with a cell phone through a Bluetooth connection. The Sony Ericsson HBH-DS220 is one of these new Bluetooth headsets that can pair with almost any cell phone providing it supports Bluetooth. The Sony Ericsson DS220 Bluetooth headset can be adjusted to every ear by means of the included extra earplugs. The price tag that comes with this headset is not one of the cheapest, 75 Euros and if it's worth its money will show from the following Sony Ericsson DS220 headset review.

Sony Ericsson DS220 Bluetooth Headset
We tested the red and black version of the Sony Ericsson DS220. The headset is also available in an entirely black version and a brown one. The Bluetooth headset DS220 of Sony Ericsson has a cylindrical shape with a clip on the end to attach the headset to your clothes. Its trendy and playful design make this the perfect designer headset for the younger consumer.

Sony Ericsson Bluetooth Headset
Three buttons are available to operate the Bluetooth headset and besides that a small LCD screen offers information about the battery status among other things. The topside has a connection for plugging in the included 3.5mm earplugs. A battery charger, not included, can be connected to the bottom of the headset. The trendy Bluetooth headset Sony Ericsson HBH-DS220 has a neat and compact design and comes with earplugs offering stereo sound. Continue to read the full Sony Ericsson headset review.

Source: LetsGoMobile.org

Sony Ericsson HBH-PV703 Bluetooth headset quitely released

We’re used to manufacturers flooding the interwebs with press releases and pictures of their newest product launch, but it seems Sony Ericsson has decided to take the more modest approach. Hidden within a press release for their Sony Ericsson K660i is a mid-range Bluetooth headset - the Sony Ericsson HBH-PV703 Bluetooth headset.

The Sony Ericsson HBH-PV703 Bluetooth headset isn’t that much of a looker - it’s a mid-level model, after all - but it boasts some fairly impressive battery life. A full-charge is good for 10 hours of talk-time or 350 hours of standby-time, so you’ll likely never miss a call for want of power. The Sony Ericsson HBH-PV703 also features automatic pairing, voice dialing, and Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR.

We’re expecting the Sony Ericsson HBH-PV703 Bluetooth headset to drop in Q1 2008, price is not yet known.

Press release

Hands-Free Speakerphone and FM Transmitter from Motorola

The latest from Motorola is the MOTOROKR T505 that is a Digital FM transmitter and a Bluetooth In-Car Speakerphone all rolled into one. When calls are received the music is muted and the Caller-ID is announced so the driver can safely keep their eyes on the road.

There is echo and noise reduction technology built in to this and “StationFinder” to get the best FM connection. You can also use the T505 in another car, there is no installation required and it can be clipped onto the visor of the car.

The T505 has around 18 hours of talk time and up to 14 days of standby time and is expected to be available in early 2008.

Source

Sony Ericsson Bluetooth Watch MBW-150

A much needed update on the MBW 100 model, Sony Ericsson recently released a better looking Bluetooth-enabled wristwatch. Vibrating call alerts, a remote control connected to your phone's music player, track identification and phone controls on the watch (mute or reject) make the MBW 150 much like the MBW 100 model, but it's designed to work with and coordinate aesthetically with Sony Ericsson Walkman phones.

Time is displayed in traditional analogue rather than digital display and it is finished in mineral crystal glass. Available in three different models, the Classic features a leather band, Music is a sporty orange version and Executive has a metal band. Visit Sony Ericsson for more info.

Who wants a FREE Bluetooth headset? Win your choice of 5 Bluetooth headsets!

The survey is experiencing “technical difficulties” so we had to disable it. We’ll go live with the survey tomorrow - hopefully fully functional.

Who wants to win a FREE Bluetooth headset? Of course you do. There’s just one catch (there always is). We’re asking our dear readers help us get a better idea of our visitor demographic by filling out our demographics survey (sorry guys, the survey is broken, it’ll be back tomorrow) . Enter your email address at the end of the survey and you will be entered in a random drawing for a chance to win a FREE Bluetooth headset.

As you can see, we have five (5) headsets for you to choose from. This is how it’s going to work:

1. The first randomly selected winner will get their choice of any of the five (5) Bluetooth headsets.
2. The second randomly selected winner will get to choose from the remaining four (4) headsets.
3. The third winner gets their choice of the slimmer pickings.
4. The second to last winner will get choose one of two headsets.
5. The last winner will take whatever we give him/her.

All you gotta do is fill out this here survey (check back tomorrow), in its entirety (it’s not long and won’t get personal, we promise), and make sure to fill out your email address in the appropriate section (we’ll be contacting you via email, so this is an important step). Survey participants will be entered into the random drawing that will be held once we get 100 survey responses, or until October 12, 2007, whichever comes first.

Winners will be notified the following week (October 15).

Hit up our survey (survey broken), and you might just win one of the above pictured Bluetooth headsets - the odds are pretty good, do the math and we’re sure you’ll agree.

Virgin Mobile announces Super Slice phone with Bluetooth support

Virgin Mobile USA just announced its new candybar-shaped phone Super Slice. The successor to the last year’s Slice model is the first phone offered by the MVNO which comes with the Bluetooth connectivity support. In addition to that, the UTStarcom-manufactured 10.2 mm thick Super Slice also comes with the VGA camera, speakerphone, new UI and the battery that promises to support up to 270 minutes of talk time. Naturally, being the prepaid carrier, Virgin Mobile USA is offering the Super Slice sans any contract and you can get it for $59.99 within a week or so.

Nokia 5700 Xpress Music phone, Nokia Bluetooth BH-501 headset review!

VOICE over internet protocol telephony has helped thousands of people shave money from their fixed-line phone bills since appearing on the scene some four years ago. Now it's poised to do the same to mobiles.

The Nokia 5700 Xpress Music phone utilizes a twisting base design that lets you access the music player, camera, and regular numeric keypad just by twisting the lower portion. What’s great is that when this is done, the corresponding application will launch based upon what the phone thinks you want to do. Obviously, when you turn the base to the music keys side, it knows you want to play some tunes. The same thing goes for the camera — it knows that you want to take a flick. Running on the ever-so-popular Symbian S60 OS, any previous Nokia user will be able to pick this thing up and get going. As a true music phone at heart, the Nokia 5700 Xpress Music phone offers some of the loudest darn speakers I’ve heard on a mobile phone.

Like, really really loud. Pretty clear too. It supports WM DRM and even sports a dedicated audio chip to make sure you don’t miss a beat, literally. Another very nice aspect is that the music will fade down when receiving a call, and fade back in when the call has ended, from right where you left off. Go Nokia! In addition to the music playback, using the speakerphone function when on a voice call left us real impressed…it was incredible. Nokia is generous enough to include a pair of stereo headsets with the phone. If accessible, we recommend taking advantage of the built in 3.5mm headset jack and using a pair of your own favorite headphones incase the free ones just don’t cut it.

Call quality is just what you would expect from Nokia, which offers some of the best RF performance-driven phones out there. The actual layout of the keys and buttons on the phone needs a little getting used to, but we found it very easy to use after a short amount of time. Also, the music keys could have been a little more responsive by offering more tactile feedback, but it didn’t affect our ability to pause, play, and skip through music without a hitch. The joystick used for navigating the device wasn’t tedious, but we feel that it could have been a bit better. Packed with a two megapixel camera, you’re able to twist, turn, snap, and send pictures off really quickly. We would have loved to see Flickr integration here like with the N-series, though. We know, we know, N-series only. Overall, the camera quality is good, yet a software update might be helpful in fixing some of the inconsistencies in the various photos we took. You’ll find full A2DP Bluetooth support inside, and that brings us to the second part of the review: the Nokia Bluetooth BH-501 headset.

The unit we reviewed was white and grey, and in our opinion, a little less appealing than the black version of the same headset. Colors aside, the headset performed pretty well when given music duties. Music came in crystal clear, and even though bass reproduction wasn’t outstanding, it was passable to say the least. One great thing about the headset is that it uses the same standard Nokia chargers that most of their current phones do (i.e. the Nokia 5700).

On the contrary, we found the headset is a little uncomfortable to wear, and we looked a little weird when walking down downtown Manhattan (yes we got the "WTF" stares…). Then again, the sole purposes of a stereo Bluetooth headset are to listen to music as well as make and receive calls. There were no complaints from our test victims regarding voice quality when using the Bluetooth headset.

Actual specs for the handset:

• Quad-band GSM/EDGE with WCDMA 2100MHz band or quad-band GSM/EDGE
• 2 mega pixel camera
• Bluetooth 2.0 with DUN, A2DP HFP, HSP, FTP, OPP, SAP, AVRC, BIP, BPPversion 2.0 + EDR profiles
• Talk time: 3.5 hours
• Standby time: 288 hours
• Size: 4.26" x 1.99" x 0.68" wide
• Weight: 4.06 ounces

Actual specs for the headset:

• Talk time: 11 hours
• Standby time: Up to 150 hours
• Supports A2DP and AVRCP Bluetooth profiles
• Battery: 260mAh Li-Polymer
• Size: 5.55" x 4.52" x 1.96"
• Weight: 2.39 ounces

What’s included in the box:

Nokia 5700 Xpress Music phone: phone, charger, battery, MicroSD card, stereo headset, USB data cable, user’s manual.

Nokia BluetoothBH-501 headset: headset, charger, user’s manual

We’re liking the handset and headset overall. The Nokia 5700 takes a little getting used to and we wish some of the buttons were a little more responsive, but we wouldn’t be doing a disservice recommending this phone to a music lover. Let’s give them 3 and a half BGs individually.

Apple Bluetooth Headset Reviewed!

If you’re thinking of picking up that recently released Apple Bluetooth Headset to give your iPhone some company while it charges, you might want to do your research to see if the wireless headset is right for you - because, at $129, it ain’t cheap. The guys over at iLounge have posted a review of the Apple Bluetooth Headset, and it’s everything we expected from the iPhone accessory.

The Bluetooth headset doesn’t score any “wow” points on the audio quality or battery life, but it’s definitely “average.” It seems that the biggest thing the Apple Bluetooth Headset has going for it is it’s integration with the iPhone and the included dual-charging iPhone/Headset dock. Seriously though, having a visual indicator of the headset’s battery charge-level right on the iPhone’s display is so cool it hurts. But, is that worth $129? We think not.

Still, we’re sure there are plenty of people out there willing to shell out the dough for the super-slick Apple-made headset. So, check out the iLounge review, it might just help you pull the trigger, or fight the temptation - either way, it’s a good thing.

[Via: iLounge]

CrunchExclusive: Nokia BH-604 Bluetooth Headphone Review

Nokia’s BH-604 Bluetooth stereo ‘phones are two months from hitting the market, but CrunchGear was lucky enough to receive a pair of sample models. I’m a firm believer that Bluetooth headsets/earbuds are the most ridiculous looking gadget anyone can wear around, but Nokia’s DJ-like headphones have me painting a different picture after the week I’ve spent with them. Was I impressed? Yes. Was I disappointed? Yes. Huh? It was a good disappointment, so keep your pants on.To the untrained eye, the 604 looks like a regular set of headphones encased in black leather and silver trim, but upon further inspection you’ll notice the flashing blue LED and lack of cord. Something else that’s very distinctive about the 604 is its design. Normal headphones are shaped to rest along the contour of your head, but the 604 juts out around the earcup making it very noticeable. It’s not a bad thing, but it struck me as odd when I pulled them out of the box. They fit like a glove thanks to the padded headband and cushy earcups. But enough about style and design. Let’s get on to the goods.

I used a Nokia 5300 as my test pilot for the 604 and they automatically synced together when either was turned on. All controls are placed on the right cup, which include: play/pause, next track, previous track, volume control and call button. Turning on the headphones might cause some problems if you don’t read instructions. Clicking and holding the call button does the trick and the LED light flashes blue when on and emits a brief red glow when turned off. Response time is quite fast when you need to pause or play a song, answer a call, or flip through tracks.

The volume button is located underneath all the other controls and a push forward pumps up the volume while the opposite action does what you’d expect. Overall, the controls are simple to use and unobtrusive. In other words, they don’t attract any unwanted attention.

Sound quality during MP3 playback was crisp and clear. I hardly heard any of the street noise and chitter-chatter coming from my roommates. I walked from one end of my apartment to the other, which is about 100ft and sound quality didn’t deteriorate even with a bathroom, kitchen and two bedrooms between the ‘phones and 5300. Ring, ring, ring. Picking up a call is as easy as pushing a button, which is the case here. If you choose to answer an incoming call your music is paused until you click the call button again to end the conversation and your music resumes playback. Sound quality was also clear during my tests within 40 feet, but once I stepped into my room, which is around 50 feet away clarity on the other end started to crackle. It was still clear for me, so I didn’t really care that my mom couldn’t hear what I had to say. Just joking, mom.

Battery life on the 604 was surprising to say the least. I’ve been playing music through the headphones for about 15 hours and they’re still chugging along. The 5300 died long before the 604s did. This is where I was disappointed because I just wanted to sleep by hour 11, but it’s certainly not a bad thing. Nokia is boasting 19 hours of playback and I’m inclined to believe it so far. Talk time is a whopping 18 hours and I’ve still got a long ways to go before I hit that mark, but I wouldn’t doubt that number. Recharging the batteries takes less than two hours and a single charge leaves you with two weeks of standby.

The final version of the 604 may change between now and when it hits the masses in September for $189.95, but I’m not sure what changes would make it better. I’m still a proponent against Bluetooth headsets and the way they make you look like a douche, but the 604 adds style and stealth to your geeky ways. People might think you’re a mad rapper when you’re on a call, but nuts to them. Nokia’s done a good job with the 604 headphones and I give them my thumbs up.

Nokia LD-4W Bluetooth GPS Module Approved by FCC

Nokia has come up with its latest Bluetooth GPS module LD-4W that has been given a green signal by FCC.

For getting access to this GPS module, Bluetooth-enabled Nokia mobile phones are the biggest prerequisites. Especially smartphone or Nokia 770 users can get their hands on LD-4W to track roads and directions.

Nokia N95 is one of the phones which have built-in GPS ability. But the high cost doesn’t allow most of the consumers to go for it.

Nokia Bluetooth GPS Module is still not in the process of production. The Finnish mobile giant has kept lot of details confidential. Price and the availability of the Nokia LD-4W Bluetooth GPS Module are also unknown. However, it is expected to release very soon.

Motorola MOTOROKR T505 Bluetooth-enabled Speakerphone Released

There is news on the corner that Motorola has unveiled the MOTOROKR T505 very quietly. The T505 is a speakerphone system just like the T305 and T605.


The new palm-sized speakerphone from Motorola can be mounted in the car. The device enables hands-free calling with most Bluetooth phones.

Beside, the ordinary features like hands-free conversation the T505 can also beam music stored in a mobile phone or some portable media player. The speaker provides the quick access to frequently used functions such as a play/pause/stop music.

Moreover, Motorola’s new speakerphone features text-to-speech recognition that verbally announces caller ID and also ideal FM settings when an auto-scan system finds a clear channel.

The MOTOROKR T505 is powered by lithium-ion battery having estimated life span of 20 hours.

No pricing and availability information of the MOTOROKR T505 is known as there is no official announcement made from Motorola’s side.

Nokia’s Wireless Wibree Technology merges with Bluetooth SIG

On Tuesday, the consortium behind the Bluetooth wireless standard announced that Nokia will be contributing a technology that promises to bring wireless connections to devices that are too small for regular Bluetooth chips.


The technology called Wibree technology has been developed by Nokia and will become part of the Bluetooth specification under an agreement reached by the Wibree Forum and the Bluetooth Special Interest Group.

According to Michael Foley, executive director of Bluetooth SIG, “We look at this as an addition to the Bluetooth family of specifications, enabling a new class of devices that Bluetooth isn’t really suitable for today.”

Bluetooth has been used to connect larger devices like handsets, keyboards and mice to stereos and PCs. With the help of Wibree, the technology will be able to connect smaller button-cell battery-powered devices such as watches or even sensors attached to a user’s body.

Wibree uses the same 2.4GHz frequency as Bluetooth. Also, Wibree has a much lower data rate and power consumption than Bluetooth.

Finland-based Nokia started developing Wibree in 2001, and announced this technology in October 2006. The company formed a Wibree Forum with other companies to license and utilize this technology.

From the very beginning, Wibree was designed to work with two implementation options- as an easily implemented extension to a classic Bluetooth radio, and as a stand-alone application.

“Nokia’s contribution of its Wibree technology into the Bluetooth SIG as the basis for ultra low power Bluetooth specifications will continue to enhance the consumer experience of connecting to anything and anyone from anywhere with Bluetooth wireless technology,” said John R. Barr, Ph.D., chairman of the Bluetooth SIG board of directors.

“This new technology, as the basis of a wide range of ultra low power devices, is a commendable advancement in Bluetooth technology,” he added.

The integration of Wibree, the low power technology within existing Bluetooth specification has already begun and the very first version of the specification can be expected during the first half of 2008.

Nokia introduces new Bluetooth Display Car Kit CK-15W

Nokia has announced that the Nokia Bluetooth Display Car Kit CK-15W, a revolutionary car kit to ease your communications on the road, is now available in the Middle East.

The bright 2.2 inch color display provides a convenient backdrop for easily viewing and controlling your call functions while the separate input device provides controls for volume adjustment and accepting or ending calls. Once paired with a compatible phone, the Nokia Bluetooth Display Car Kit CK-15W enables you to make phone calls and browse the contact list even when having the phone in your pocket. The car kit’s display includes adjustable background colours and themes for personalizing it to suit the lighting on your car dashboard.

“We are committed to providing convenient communication solutions that are easy to use inside the car,” said Nada Iskander, Enhancement Sales Area Head, Nokia Middle East and Africa.

“The Nokia Bluetooth Display Car Kit CK-15W is intuitive in its functionality, so you don’t need to waste your time fiddling around every time you get in the car. The large color display is based on the familiar Nokia user interface which makes it easy for people to take the product into use.”

The Nokia Bluetooth Display Car Kit CK-15W offers a number of elements that enable easy in-car communications; the separate input device and the large color screen can both be installed in an optimal position for easy usage and viewing. The car kit also supports advanced call handling features such as the caller’s identification* as well as listing of missed, received and made phone calls. The Nokia Bluetooth Display Car Kit CK-15W is compatible with a wide range of Nokia mobile devices.