The SuperTooth DISCO is a stereo Bluetooth (A2DP) speaker system for the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Mac and similar devices that promises bigger, better, and more booming sound than the Jawbone JAMBOX. But is the increase in size worth the reduction in portability?

The SuperTooth DISCO is a lot of Bluetooth speaker to love!

Because the iPhone and iPad aren't exactly renowned for the quality of their speakers, many of us have come to rely on external audio devices to give our iOS devices a much-needed kick in the bass (among other things). While there are plenty of options, including AirPlay speakers, it's convenient to have a sound solution that's as mobile as our mobile devices. Something we can use both when we're at home on Wi-Fi and when we're out and about with no Wi-Fi in sight. That makes Bluetooth still a viable, useful option, and that makes something like the SuperTooth DISCO ideal.

And if it's a multitasker -- something you can hook your friend's non-Bluetooth iPod classic or nano up to via good, old-fashioned hardwire, so much the better.

Connect via Bluetooth at home or on the road, or hook up via audio cable if you're old school.

According to SuperTooth, the DISCO features 28 Watt RMS audio power. That includes the internal Subwoofer amplifier power 12 Watt RMS, and the Internal Left and right audio power amplifier: 2 x 8 Watt RMS. The subwoofer speaker uses the Neodyne high efficiency system, and the left and right speakers are full range with parabolic membrane. All of the speakers magnetic shielded

A large, easy to use control wheel decorates the front of the SuperTooth DISCO. It includes a volume knob as well play/pause, skip back/rewind, skip ahead/fast-forward, a bass button, and an on/off/stop button. There's also a Bluetooth connection and battery level indicator.

Around the back is the charging port and charge level indicator, and a 3.5mm stereo line-in connector.

The control wheel is easy to use but cuts out when you're using the line-in input in the back.

The nickel metal hydride battery life for the SuperTooth DISCO is rated at 3-4 hours on high volume and up to 10 hours on medium volume. Stand by time is rated at 1500 hours and charge time at 3 hours.

On the other hand, all of that performance comes at a price -- the size. The SuperTooth DISCO is 2.5 lbs, and 3.5 inches high, 2.75 inches thick, and just over a foot long.

That means those hoping to stash the SuperTooth DISCO in a purse or messenger bag may be disappointed. This is large bag or big backpack only.

Maybe for just that very reason, the SuperTooth DISCO comes with a protective carrying case with openings for the ports and the speaker.

The good

• Excellent sound
• Comes with protective case
• Works with both iOS and non-iOS audio devices

The bad

• Large size may limit portability

The conclusion

The SuperTooth DISCO isn't a Bluetooth speaker I can sneak into my jacket pocket, but it's absolutely what I want when I'm driving around in a jeep, or at home and just want the whole place flooded with music.

With great music comes great size, however, and that's not going to suit everyone. When I want massive music from my tiny iPhone, the SuperTooth DISCO is both big and beautiful.

$118.14 - Buy now

The Jawbone JAMBOX is my favorite audio gadget of the last year and one of my favorite gadgets in general. To put it in Aladdin-esque terms, it's cosmically powerful sound... jammed into an itty bitty box.

Follow on after the break for a quick review and an awesome giveaway!

The JAMBOX connects to your iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad (or most any smartphone or tablet) via Bluetooth and that's when the fun begins. Whether it's your collection in the iPod/Music app, streaming internet radio, the soundtrack to your favorite movies or video games, or even the audio from a call or conference call, JAMBOX will blast is all around you. For something that small it's got bass you can feel and remarkably clean sound in general.

Rather than a dock in every room and a speaker at the desk and in the car, JAMBOX can just go with you and pump sound for as long as its re-chargable battery lasts -- which is pretty darn long. And yes, it's phenomenal at parties. Heck, throw it in your bag, take it with you, and you are the party. We're talking serious magnitude. Pop. Pop.

The TiPb Accessory Store has the Jawbone JAMBOX in stock and ready to go right now... and they're also offering you a chance to win one of your very own. All you have to do is jump into the our accessory forum and leave a post in the Jawbone JAMBOX thread telling us why you want it. Go ahead, enter now!

blueSLR is a bluetooth accessory for Nikon DSLR's that pairs with your iPhone to embed GPS information into your files as well as allow you to use your iPhone as a remote shutter release. The folks at XEquals sent me a unit to test out and share with you. To find out what I think, follow along after the break!

[blueSLR]

The hardware is very compact and doesn't add much bulk to your camera. It plugs into the slot labeled "GPS" and blends in with the camera rather well. There is a small light for indicating bluetooth connection to your iPhone. Once connected, you can use the blueSLR companion app to send GPS data to your Nikon camera to geotag your photos.

The app is very simple and strait forward. Your GPS location information is displayed on the main screen as well as a shutter release button. You can also easily set a timer and tell the camera to take as many as 10 shots. If you only want to use blueSLR as a remote shutter release, you can simply disable the GPS function and save battery life on your iPhone. I'm hoping that a future update adds the ability to adjust camera settings like shutter speed, aperture, and ISO.

There are three blueSLR models that cover compatibility with the following Nikon DSLR models: D3100, D5000, D90, D3(S), D200, D300(S), and D700. At this time, blueSLR is not available for Canon cameras, but XEquals hopes to bring that functionality soon.

If you use a compatible Nikon DSLR camera, blueSLR makes an excellent addition to your camera bag and can be yours for $149.

The Motorola EQ5 Wireless Speaker for iPhone 3G/3GS  and iPod Touch is one awesome Bluetooth stereo speaker setup. Looking for a good speakerphone? Need an excellent portable speaker with surprisingly good sound? This might be for you! It is currently available in the TiPb Accessory store for $99.95.

I have been searching for the perfect complement to my iPhone; an external speaker that sounds great, small, portable and asks like a phone. What did I find? The Motorola EQ5 (part of the Moto Rokr brand) portable stereo Bluetooth system. You might remember I reviewed the Blueant stereo speaker in the past; I really liked it and the missing piece for me was the ability to have great sounding stereo sound. Guess what? I have found it in the Moto EQ5. Read after the break to learn more!

The Moto EQ5 is small and light. Its Dimensions are 4.6 x 2.55 x 0.59 inches; totally pocket-worthy if need be (it is almost the same size as the iPhone actually). The face of the device has the usual suspects including volume up/down and play/skip controls. The bottom of the device has a rubber grip around the edges and a built-in kickstand to prop the device to a convenient 45 degree angle. The On/Off switch is on the bottom a USB port on the left for charging and 3.5 jack for connecting to non-Bluetooth players. Oh, and let's not forget the bass ports on both sides for some sweet sounds...

I have carried this speaker with me everywhere; the car, my desk, kitchen, you name it. This device is really useful. Imagine taking a speaker base and making it portable. That is what you get with the Moto EQ5. The sound is fantastic. Not being an audiophile, I can't find room for complaint, but some more discerning audio listeners may. For what the device is, you can't go wrong.

Of course there is the bonus of the device being wireless, and you also can answer and make phone calls with the Moto EQ5 as well. The device uses the same noise-reduction and echo-cancellation technology as found in other Motorola headsets. The battery life on this device has been stellar. I was MIA for a couple of weeks, returned to my Moto EQ5 and it worked for another 6 hours before needing a recharge.

I am really trying hard to find any distinguishable take-away from this device, but it is almost perfect from every perspective. This has to be one of my favorite iPhone accessories of all time; I absolutely love it.

Phil and I got a demo of the Motorola XH1 Bluetooth headset [$109.95 (30% off!) - iMore Store Link] at CES 2010 and I've been road testing it ever since. The real in-ear, bone-conducting technology was intriguing, and since I really liked the Moto H17, I was curious to see how this one would stack up. So, let's take a look after the break!

Technology

The Motorola XH1 fights the war against noise with three levels of technology. It will normally cancel any background noise it finds. If that's not enough, it's CrystalTalk dual-mic system will kick in to actively cancel things like wind. I left the windows open during my daily highway commute (yes, in freezing Montreal winters -- what I won't do for our readers!) and most of the people I spoke to couldn't hear a sound.

And then there's the nu-cu-lar option, Stealth Mode, which actually turns off the mics entirely and instead reads the sound vibrations in your ear and converts that digitally into sound. It's not quite human, of course, but from the show floor at CES to the loudest places I could find in Montreal -- where I thought it would be useless -- it remained understandable.

Wearability

In order to do the Stealth Mode bone conduction, the XH1 has to burrow rather deeply into your ear. To me it felt a little deeper than even your standard in-ear headset. I'll admit, I found it rather intrusive at first but I'm hypersensitive about that kind of thing and even I got used to it after a couple days. It is the price you pay for bone conduction.

Other than that, the ear loop and fit were great for me, and I've said repeatedly my grappling mashed ears aren't very tolerant of poor fit. Like all of Moto's recent headsets it comes with a few different earpieces so you have a good chance of finding a great match.

Functionality

Unlike the H17 which has the boom flip-to-turn-on feature, the HX1 has an actual on-off switch, but it works well enough. Pushing the button activates the iPhone 3GS' Voice Control feature so you can speak to dial the phone, play or shuffle music, etc. Holding down the button will repeat the last call. There are also volume controls and the welcome standard of a micro-USB charging port with no finicky "door" cover to get in your way and ultimately break off.

Conclusion

Overall, the HX1's noise cancelation is among the best in the business and its looks are obviously intended to be more "executive" as well. I still prefer the boom on the H17 as on/off is just so easy with that design, but the XH1 is top of the line for a reason.

If you want a high-end headset that legitimately boasts "Star Trek" style technology, the XH1 definitely deserves a look... er, listen! (And hey, it's currently 30% off at the TiPb iPhone Accessory Store to boot!)

Disclaimer: the Motorola XH1 Bluetooth headset was provided for review by TiPb’s iPhone accessory store.

When Dieter swoon-ishly told me the Motorola H17 Bluetooth Headset [$89.95 - iMore Store link] was his new daily driver, I knew I had to try it out -- the man is the definition of super-user. And the H17 didn't disappoint. It's my new daily driver as well. What makes it a go-to headset? A combination of form-factor and feature sets, and we'll look at both after the break...

Packed

First, a word on packaging. Motorola has been paying attention to the Apple-inspired renaissance in packaging and it shows. The H17, like the rest of their current line up, isn't so much boxed as it is displayed in a rounded metallic box with glass windowed display, the headset purchased atop an translucent stand.

You have to turn the plastic cap at the top with a coin and remove it, then pop off the front panel and carefully pull out the headset, but it works as an experience. Hidden away inside is a box with the extras -- AC charger and manual.

Oh, the slogan on the box? "Flipping brilliant". And it is.

Form Factored

I've always like the Motorola flip form factor but I've not always been wild about the rest of the headset design. Sometimes they're big and unwieldy or just make you look like you're wearing a weird, glowing space saucer on your ear.

The H17 gets it right. It looks professional. Small and darkly understated, it fits well and does its job. You extend the flip -- like a mini mic boom -- to turn it on or take a call, and you fold it back closed to end the call and/or put it on standby.

If you've read my previous reviews, you know my ears have been mashed by years of grappling, so I have a lot of trouble finding headsets that will stay where I put them. The ear loop on the H17 accomplishes that fine. I wear glasses as well, so after a while I do notice the extra loop is there, but even after a few hours it's not uncomfortable enough to make me take it off (the headset, not the ear!). And did I mention it stays in place, where I put it?

There's a simple, exposed micro-USB port for charging, which I prefer over the sometimes finicky flap covers on other headsets, a big call button on the back, and slim, chromed volume buttons along the top trim.

That's it. No muss, no fuss. If Moto were to adopt this design line-wide, they'd get no complaints from me.

Feature Fun

One of the great things about the H17 -- and something we're seeing on more and more headsets lately -- is the ability to pair with multiple phones. I could pair with both my iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G with no problem. If you have an iPhone and BlackBerry/Android/Palm/etc. you can carry both in your pockets and not need a headset on each ear. Or you and your significant other could share one headset between both your iPhones. You get the idea. For gadget lovers in particular, this is a great addition.

It also works well with the iPhone 3GS' Voice Control. Just tap the big button on the back, Voice Control pops up and, via the H17, gives you the tone to signal it's ready. Just say who you want to call and what number -- Rene Ritchie, Mobile -- and the call is placed.

Specs quote 5 hours talk time, 7 days standby. I think I'm getting slightly more than that, but I primarily use it while commuting so I talk less and standby more than others might.

When I did talk, call quality was good for BT and the people on the other end could hear me even with the window down and a good bit of traffic and wind.

Conclusion

Motorola positions the H17 in the mid-range, lower than the Endeavor HX1 yet slightly higher than something like the H720 (and its predecessors). While I like the bone-conduction in the HX1 (and am in the midst of reviewing it now), the total package (i.e. design) of the H17 is hard to beat.

You can get the Motorola H17 Bluetooth Headset for iPhone now for $89.95 (10% off) at the TiPb iPhone Accessory store.

Here in the great state of Illinois we kicked off the new year with a law that prohibits anyone talking on their cell phones (including the iPhone) while driving a vehicle -- unless they use a Bluetooth device. Now I am not not sure about your state laws but if you are in the same boat as I am, why not take a look at the Motorola Bluetooth Car Speakerphone T305? [$44.95 - iMore Store Link

For the full review follow me after the break!

The Moto T305 comes with a sturdy clip that you attach to the device itself, and then slide directly onto your sun visor. Either side of the visor will do - front or back, and during my few weeks of testing it remained securely in place and not once did it come off the visor. Charging the T305 is a piece of cake with the included mini-USB car adapter. Motorola's claim of 12 hours of talk time and 200 hours of standby time turned out to be pretty dead on give or take.

The controls of the T305 are plain and simple, and that is a positive. It contains a dedicated power button, volume up and down buttons on either side of the device, and a giant call button directly in the center. One thing that may be troublesome to some users is that the call button flashes blue constantly when the device is powered on, regardless of whether or not you are on a phone call. It can be distracting at night and just seems wasteful.

As far as sound quality, based on other car speakerphones I have tested, I'd rate the Moto T305 slightly above average. The T305 contains enhanced echo and noise reduction technologies that help keep both incoming and outgoing call quality clean and crisp. One issue I did run into was if you turn the volume up too far the sound makes it's way back to the receiver and makes the person on the other line hear themselves (echo effect). You can eliminate that particular issue by turning the volume down a bit. Other than that one problem, I did not experience any other voice quality issues.

If you are looking for a hands-free solution for your vehicle and a headset is out of the question, you can't go wrong with the low price and good performance of the Motorola T305 Bluetooth Speakerphone.

For more information and full specs, check out the TiPb store!

Disclaimer: The TiPb iPhone Accessory Store provided the speakerphone for this review.

The past few weeks I've been lucky enough to test out the latest and greatest Plantronics Discovery 975 Bluetooth headset for the iPhone [iMore Store Link - $119.95]. I've tested a lot of Bluetooth headsets since I've been here at TiPb and while some have been all around impressive, others have left me scratching my head. Is the Discovery 975 a definite keeper, or just a dud?

See for yourself after the break!

First thing you need to do is pair your headset with your iPhone and with the Discovery 975 and Plantronics QuickPair technology, it's a breeze. Simply turn on your iPhone's Bluetooth feature and follow the commands of your earpiece. That's all there is to it. And if you are like me and have more than one phone, activate the Multipoint technology to pair your earpiece with a second device, so you can stay connected with one headset for home and at the office.

Right off the bat if you look at Discovery 975 you can clearly see it is a little larger than most other recently released headsets, but looks can be deceiving as it weighs in at only .28 oz. It's a very simple headset with just a single button along with answer call/end call/power button. This is a very good thing if you are a minimalist. A concern you may have, looking a the headset, is how well does it fit in your ear? While I will admit I am not a huge fan of headsets that do not come with an ear loop, the 975 does a decent job with the provided gel ear tips. Of course, this will vary completely depending on your ears and it may just be a deal breaker for some.

When it comes down to it, the Discovery 975 has a very clean design that just works.

Let's get to the good stuff -- call quality and battery life. I am happy to report with Plantronics Dual-mic AudioIQ² technology, the call quality is spectacular. The only time I had the slightest of call quality issues was when I was in a noisy area. Now that's not to say the person on the other end of the call could not hear me but there was background noise that could be heard on the receiver's end. So is the noise cancellation as good as a Jawbone? No, but it makes up for that in the other big area I mentioned -- battery life.

Battery life is really where the Discovery shines. Plantronics claims you can get 5 hours of actual talk time and 168 hours of stand by time. Now that may seem very common amongst other headsets. Where the Discovery has the upper hand, however, is with the supplied carrying case that recharges the headset and triples talk and standby time. As far as I know this is the only current headset available on the market with such a case included with the device.

The Plantronics Discovery 975 is one of those headsets that either you will love or you will hate. The only concern I have is the lack of the ear loop as at times I had issues with the fit. Again, that will vary among users and you may love how it fits. Other that one negative, this is a excellent headset that is worth every penny and it can be purchased at TiPb's very own store for $119.95.

Disclaimer: The TiPb iPhone Accessory Store provided the headset for this review.

I had an opportunity to check out the Jabra BT2080 [$39.95 - iMore Store link] and not only is this headset reasonably priced, but has some nice functionality too! You can check it out in the in the . Now, let's check out why makes this headset nice!

Bluetooth headsets are a dime a dozen these days; the market is literally flooded with them. So, when given the chance to look at the Jabra BT2080, I reluctantly gave it a go. I mean, a headset is a headset right? Well, for the most part yes, but there are some things that separate this headset from the rest of the crowd. For starters, it has a dedicated On/Off button. Most headsets don't have this feature. Instead they rely on the user holding down the talk button for 5 or more seconds. On the BT2080, you hold the power button for 2 seconds (you don't want to accidentally turn it off after all). Next you have your standard volume controls. The volume can be controlled from the headset or the iPhone. I mention this because iPhone software 3.0 and later has rather sketchy bluetooth support and I have found some features in headsets to not work. Rest assured, everything on this headset works with the iPhone. To answer a call and end a call you can press the call button on the outside of the headset. Want to dial the last number? Double click the call button.

How do you tell if the headset is connected to a device to if the power is running low? On most headsets you have a single light that blinks or changes colors to indicate all of this information. On the BT2080, you have two dedicated lights; one for bluetooth (connected) and one for power. To turn the lights on, click the call button once quickly and they light up. Very convenient.

So, lastly let's discuss how the headset fits and how comfortable it is and how it sounds. The good news? Well, there is no bad news! That is right, the headset is lite and gives a few fitting options; it comes with three different sizes of ear-gel inserts and two sizes of ear loops. In my opinion, once you find the ear gel that works for you, it stays in place thus eliminating the need to use the loop. Since the headset is lite, it is comfortable to wear over time. When it comes to call clarity, it sounded good, especially with the ear gel as it did not let any external sound in. As for background noise such as the window down while driving, I did not run into any real issues; people on the other line could hear me. Oh, and one more thing, there was also a good range for the headset to be away from your body without static interfering.

So, I liked this headset and was presently surprised. It is lite, has some nice functions, sounds good and is very reasonably priced. It works for me!

Do you use a Bluetooth headset while driving? A lot of us do. How would you like to do the same thing, but hands free with nothing in your ear? Now you can! The Blueant S1 stereo Bluetooth headset is awesome for the iPhone! you can get it in the TiPb accessory store for $59.95. Now, why would you want to do that? Because this hands-free headset rocks!

I have been using the Blueant S1 for a while now and I have to tell you it is great for so many reasons. First of all the speaker is really lightweight and small. It has a detachable clip that allows you to slip it on to a window visor in your car. if you don't want the clip, it easily pops right off. There are only three buttons on the Blueant S1; Green for power on/off as well as activating the iPhone's Voice Control. Green also answers your calls. Red ends a call and if you hold it down, it will dial the last phone number from the phone app.

Using Voice Control with the iPhone could not be simpler; press the green button and wait for the Voice Control prompt from the iPhone. this works like a charm. You can call anyone or play music all from the press of the green button.

Speaking of music, you can use the Blueant S1 as a standalone speaker in your car. You can use the Blueant S1 for making calla but plug in your iPhone to your csr stereo and enjoy the freedom of Apple's Voice Control.

Outside of using the Blueant S1 as a car-based hands-free device, you can also just slip it in your bag and use it as a desktop Bluetooth speaker, or as I have, use it as a portable speakerphone! During the last month I have been away from my desk at work and have been working in random meeting rooms across campus. Not all of these rooms had phones and some of the rooms were quite large. As an iPhone owner we all know our speaker phones are not very loud, problem solved with the Blueant S1! This little guy came in handy in many of my meetings!

Personally I could not be happier with the Blueant S1. The only improvement I could suggest is a more robust speaker. The audio when playing music is tinty, but sounds great with spoken words. This device has come in handy on many occasions and I know it will for you too!

The BlueAnt Q1 voice controlled Bluetooth headset for iPhone [$109.95 - iMore Store] is the higher end version of the BlueAnt V1 I tested last month, and came away impressed with. How impressed? It's a piece of hardware I would recommend it to anyone in the market for a new bluetooth headset. Now that the good folks over at BlueAnt were nice enough to send me the Q1, will I make the switch? For all of the juicy details follow us after the break!

Similar to the BlueAnt V1, this new and improved Q1 boasts many accessories in the package. Along with the sleek gunmetal voice-controled headset you get large and small earbuds, ear hook, USB cable, AC adapter, and a quick start guide.

In my V1 review I mentioned that the Q1's improvements may not warrant the higher price to upgrade. I can now honestly say I was wrong. From a first glance, the Q1 looks much more visually appealing to the eye but it does not stop there. The Q1 measures 2.16 inches long while weighing in at .30 oz without the optional ear hook attached and .38 oz with it attached. These specifications help make this headset, hands-down, the most comfortable headset I have ever used. Even with the ear hook attached I can easily go a full day wearing it and not feel any discomfort. With the different sized ear buds and the ear hook you are bound to find a great comfortable fit. The controls are kept simple, you have the volume up/down buttons and the BlueAnt button which acts as power on/off, answer/end calls, and enables voice command.

Now lets get to the good stuff - performance. The BlueAnt Q1 simply out shines all of the competition I've tested in the performance category in every way except for battery life. My biggest complaint is that the headset gets 4 hours of talk time and 100 hours of standby. Sure that does not sound bad but when the Q1's older sibling, the V1, gets one more hour talk time and 100 hours more of standby time... it makes me wonder how BlueAnt dropped the ball on that one. Moving on let's break down the key features.

• Voice Control with the BlueGenie™ Voice User interface
• Multipoint technology allowing you to connect two handsets at once
• Voice Isolation Technology
• Revolutionary Noise Suppression and Echo Cancellation
• Custom internal wind-shields reduce wind noise to whisper

The first thing I noticed with the improved voice control present on the Q1 was speed dialing. On the V1 I found voice speed dialing worked a bit less than perfectly. I'm happy to report that on the Q1 it works flawlessly. You simply go by your favorite contacts stored within your iPhone. A simple tap of the BlueAnt button and a voice command of "Speed dial 1" will call the first contact stored within your favorites. Not only can you use voice commands for speed dialing but other things such as checking your battery life, answering/ending phone calls, calling back the last incoming call, redialing your last outgoing call, etc... A great feature that 99% of the time understood what I was saying and completed the task.

Another feature, called multipoint technology, is one that some of you out there can appreciate while others will have no use for. Multipoint technology simply means that you can connect two phones to the Q1 at the same time and answer whichever one happens to be ringing. A nice feature for those of you dual-wielding 2 phones such as your beloved iPhone and say your Blackberry. I know with my previous headsets it would be a pain to have to repair the headset to another one of my phones so this is a welcomed feature.

The biggest improvement I have noticed coming from the V1 to this Q1 is all of the voice isolation technologies that are being implemented within the headset have been improved. When I was in a room with complete silence the person on the other end of the line would hear me crystal clear. The big test was how would it perform in a noisy situation. I am happy to report it faired pretty well. While the BlueAnt Q1 does not use a similar technology to the Jawbone's noise assassin, the DSP technology in the Q1 does it's job extremely well. The headset places all ambient noises and makes them sound very distant while raising the sound level of the users voice. Not a single caller complained about not being able to understand me or hear me loud and clear. The biggest improvement over the V1 was made in the wind-sheilds. Living in Chicago I had a great environment to test this out. While all wind noise was not erased, the caller on the other end always was able to hear with me clarity, even with a strong city wind smacking me in the face. Job well done.

Overall the BlueAnt Q1 voice controlled Bluetooth headset for iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS is a excellent, top quality headset that should not be passed up if you are in the market for a top of the line piece of technology. Buy it now!

Learn more and purchase @TiPb's Store >>>

The BlueAnt V1 Bluetooth Headset for iPhone 3G/3GS [$68.92 - iMore Store Link] has been a pleasant surprise as I did not think I'd find another Bluetooth headset that I would prefer over the highly regarded Jawbone PRIME.

For the full scoop follow us after the break!

The first thing you will notice is the amount of goodies that BlueAnt has given you in the package. Along with the actual headset you get a rubberized metal ear hook, translucent ear hook, small and large rubber ear gels, small and large foam tips, gooseneck USB cable, USB adapter, USB car charger, AC power adapter, and last but not least the manual/quicks start guide.

With all of that said, lets get into the fit and performance of the V1. The V1 weighs in at a light .35 oz and is 1.5-inches long. Some headsets can just be flat out annoying after a long period of use, not the V1. It is honestly the most comfortable headset I have tried to this very day. It is so comfortable you may just forget you are even wearing it! BlueAnt claims you will get 5 hours of talk time along with 200 hours of standby. I've found that those times are pretty accurate but If you find that 5 hours of talk time is to low for what you need, you can always take advantage of all of the charging options you are supplied with. One thing I did notice was that when my headset was running low on battery, alerted by an audible tone, the person on the other end would claim they could not hear me anywhere near as clearly. It was an odd occurrence that would only happen with the battery drained.

Minus that particular issue, the V1's dual microphones offer superb voice clarity. While it does not have that amazing background noise cancelation feature of the Jawbone headsets, the V1 does have DSP (Digital Signal Processing) that BlueAnt calls Voice Isolation Technology and it works well. The V1 provides outstanding noise suppression, wind noise reduction and echo cancellation. There are two modes available while you are on a call - Voice Isolation Standard and Voice Isolation Max.

The feature that really makes this headset stand out from the rest is it's voice user interface which allows you to control most of the V1's functions with your voice. Pushing one button activates the voice recognition technology and gives you control of all the functions of the V1. If you need assistance, just say "What Can I Say?" and the headset will tell you the commands you can use. When you have an incoming call you will be alerted by the V1 telling you who is calling via telephone number. Unfortunately it can not access your phones contacts to read back names but beggars can't be choosers.

Overall, I found the BlueAnt V1 to be a high quality headset that is worth every penny of it's low price. Sure you can spend $100 plus on other headsets such as the V1's younger brother, the BlueAnt Q1, but why bother when they share almost the exact same features?

My Jawbone is now collecting dust as the BlueAnt V1 is now my new daily driver.

Learn more and purchase @TiPb's Store >>>

The Motorola MOTOROKR S305 Bluetooth Stereo Headphones [$49.95 - iMore Store link] for iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G are great for enjoying your music on the go. Whether you're on your daily jog or spending some time in the gym, these headphones are the perfect fit that will not hurt your wallet.

Read more after the break!

I'll be honest and say I have never been a fan of Bluetooth stereo headphones but Motorola's S305 has recently made me a fan. All of you active people out there can put these headphones to good use. Heck, with what these headphones actually bring to the table, you can take full advantage of them while lounging around your home.

In the box you get the S305 wireless stereo headphones, microUSB travel charger, and getting started guide. Syncing to your iPhone is a breeze and once you are all set up you can enjoy your music and phone calls with high performance and remarkable wireless sound up to 33 feet - priceless.

For those of you who are not a fan of in-ear earbuds, you are in luck with the S305's very comfy setup. These headphones are extremely lightweight and fit comfortably with the out of ear 1.2-inch pods. On the outside of one of the pod's housing you get some controls - audio track navigation, volume, and call controls. Along with the comfortable fit you also get a excellent battery life. Expect a talk time of up 6.5 hours, music time of 6 hours, and standby time of up to 4 days.

The Motorola MOTOROKR S305 Bluetooth Stereo Headphones are not too shabby. With their very low price point of $49.95, you can't go wrong.

Learn More and Purchase via TiPb's iPhone Store >>

The Plantronics Voyager PRO Bluetooth headset [$89.95 - iMore Store link] sounds great, fits fantastically, and makes you look like something in between a SWAT team member and a Battlestar comms officer.

I've said many times before that I have trouble finding a Bluetooth headset that stays in my ear. Admittedly, my ears have been ground-down by years of punches, kicks, and grappling, but even those that came with various types of loops have left me hanging, or just plain left by falling out.

The Plantronics Voyager PRO, which I've been using it as my daily driver (literally -- it's the law where I live) for just over a month now, hasn't let me down yet. It's larger than some competing devices, but that size is put to good use wrapping over and behind the ear to house the guts of the device, while the slender boom extends down across the cheek. The look is hardcore sci-fi, the sound is crisp and clear, with noise-reduction and a host of control features (and with the upcoming iPhone 3.1, Voice Control will work over Bluetooth as well). Plus, the battery just seems to keep going and going, with 6 hours talk time, 120 hours stand-by.

For complete tech specs and purchasing details, check out TiPb's iPhone Accessory Store. For more pictures, look below the fold...

The Jabra SP200 Speakerphone for iPhone 3G/3GS [$59-95 - iMore Store link] is a great Bluetooth headset alternative that you really have to try yourself to fully appreciate. I can not recommend it enough.

I've been using the Jabra SP200 for about a month now and I can honestly say that I've stopped using every single Bluetooth headset I own while driving my car. Simply connect the SP200 to your cars visor, flip the power switch and you are good to go. And go you will - Jabra claims the battery life comes in at 10 hours of talk time and 23 days of standby time. I am happy to report that these claims are dead on accurate.

Now to get to the most important part of a Bluetooth device, sound quality. I was pleasantly surprised on how well not only the person I would speak to sounded, but how well I came across to them as well. Volume is definitely not an issue with the SP200 as not once have I had to turn it up to it's full capability.

As for controls it's pretty simple. You have a volume dial, power switch, and a answer/hang up button that also doubles as an redial button. A great feature that I enjoyed greatly was the ability to leave my car without turning the device off. If I was gone for less than 15 minutes, as soon as I got into my car the device would automatically detect my iPhone and connect instantly. After the 15 minutes if you do not get back into your car, it will automatically power itself down. A simple touch of the answer button will make the re-connection. Need more specs?

• In-car speakerphone for hands-free calls
• Easy to use with no installation
• Noise reduction and echo cancellation (DSP)

The Jabra SP200 Bluetooth Speakerphone can be purchased for $59.95 from the TiPb iPhone Store.

• Learn More, See More Images, and Purchase @ TiPb iPhone Store >>

Motorola HT820 Stereo Bluetooth Headset ($49.95 - WMExperts Store link): Chad thought this headset was great, and I will “suffer” through the minor ear fatigue just to use them. They provide a great value in functionality and sound great. Minus side, they're a tad heavy and aren't the best for use when lying down.

Plantronics Voyager 855 A2DP Stereo Bluetooth Headset (69.95 - WMExperts Store link): Jeremy said this headset is a fantastic deal. Not only will you be able to take full advantage of the upcoming 3.0’s A2DP feature you get a very good overall bluetooth stereo headset. Cons include the lack of noise cancellation.

Motorola S9 A2DP Stereo Bluetooth Headset ($49.95 - WMExperts Store link): Rene's take is if you want something solid, affordable, portable, and functional for your iPhone 3.0 device on the go, you’d do well to consider the Motorola S9s. On the negative side, fitting may be an issue and they don't work well for lying down.

Motorola S9-HD Bluetooth Stereo Headphones ($84.95 - WMExperts Store link): Rene's conclusion is if you want this form factor and sound quality matters to you more than price, these are top of the charts — easily. Cons were same as the non-HD version.

Come this “summer”, iPhone 3.0 — see our walkthrough — will allow iPhone 3G (and perhaps next-generation iPhone users) to enjoy new Bluetooth functionality including stereo headsets, both the A2DP audio and ARCP control protocols. For consumers, the Motorola HT820 Stereo Bluetooth headset (available from our sibling store, WMExperts) may be an option you want to consider come release day. For developers testing using the A2DP/ARCP profiles on the iPhone 3.0 Beta, they might even be something you want to consider now.

Note: This pre-review will not be focusing on iPhone 3.0 functionality, which is currently in closed beta. It will concentrate only on the headset itself. However, for those developers needing an A2DP headset for testing 3.0, it’s our understanding this one works well on multiple units, over multiple carriers.

Form Factor

Controls

There is the "M" logo that blinks blue when the headset is on and each earpiece has a unique function. The left earpiece is used for making calls and has the volume control buttons (up and down). The right side is for music, skipping tracks, charging USB port and attaching an extra 3.5mm headset.

Functionality

This headset boasts some really nice functionality; 17 hours of talk, 15 hours of music, 500 hours of standby. This is more than enough to get you through a couple of days of use. In my testing, I was very pleased with the battery life. I am not an audiophile (heck, I listen to everything in 128kbps) so these things sound awesome. I can't attest to this if you are huge audio-junkie. Regardless, they sound better the the headphones that come with the iPhone.

Conclusion

I have never used a stereo  Bluetooth headset before and I have to admit I was very impressed. Not only from the wireless freedom they give, but the sound was rather good. The added value of making phone calls was a really nice bonus. The only real issue I have with this headset is the weight. I wear glasses and these headphones rest directly on the top of your ear. The "resting piece" is a solid rubber, but still, after 20 minutes of use, I would notice ear fatigue. I don't attribute this to the headset, but if you wear glasses, this type of headset may not work since it adds more pressure on the top of your ear since it is also competing for space with your glasses' frame. If you don't wear glasses, this headset might work for you. If you do, I recommend the Motorola S9 Stereo Bluetooth headset; check Rene's review for more info.

This headset is great, and I will "suffer" through the minor ear fatigue just to use them. They provide a great value in functionality and sound great.

Pros

• Stereo bluetooth and headset in one!
• Sound is great
• Very comfortable, padded earpiece
• Additional 3.5mm jack for headphones
• Built in volume controls and skip tracks functionality
• Awesome battery life

Cons

• Heavier than your average headset
• If you wear glasses, can cause fatigue on your ears
• Not best for laying done

TiPb Accessory Pre-Review Rating:

First there was Jawbone. Then Jawbone 2. Now we have Jawbone PRIME, the latest -- and maybe the greatest -- noise-assassinating Bluetooth headset ever to pair with an iPhone.

Available for $119.95 from TiPb's iPhone store, we'll see if it lives up to its reputation, and its premium price... after the break.

What's in the Box

Aliph really went all out to make the Jawbone PRIME an experience. Right from the start, the headset is presented to you floated in a clear box with a treasure trove of extras stashed beneath. Like with Apple products, you reveal these extras in layers, first a selection of 5 extra ear pieces for a total of six. You have small, medium, and large both for solo wear and for use with either the regular ear loop or the "premium" leather ear loop. Also included in the second layer is the USB cord (standard USB to proprietary connector -- unfortunately no micro-USB on the headset end) as well as an AC adaptor if you want to plug the cord into a wall socket. All in all, a generous and well rounded assortment.

Design

Compared to the original Jawbone, which was my primary headset for almost a year, Jawbone PRIME is smaller and lighter, if not appreciably thinner. Yes, the uber-sexy exterior still hides a fairly plump little, kidney bean shaped device that cozies up to its namesake -- your jawbone. It's also got a textured outside face, much like the original, though as with the Jawbone 2, it's gone from overtly cheese grater-like to a more subtle, dimpled look.

For the fashion-conscious, the simple truth is it remains arguably the best looking headset on the market -- and comes in a wide variety of colors so you can accessorize to your hearts content (meaning I went with turtle-neck black, of course).

Usability

Pairing? Come on, we're iPhone users. You turn it on, it pops up on your iPhone Bluetooth Settings panel, you select it, it asks for verification, and -- boom! -- you're paired.

Charging is also a snap -- literally. You snap the Jawbone PRIME (much as you did previous Jawbones) into the proprietary USB cable and plug the other end into a standard, powered USB port on your PC, laptop, hub, etc. or into the provided AC adaptor. Of course, I wish they'd used micro-USB on the headset end just so cables could be re-used between devices, so if there's a single knock against Aliph, that's it.

Wearing the Jawbone PRIME, depending on whether you choose to rock the ear loop is either as simple as placing it in your ear pointing down and twisting up (for without) or just hooking it into place. Easy peasy.

At this point I have to mention, as I do with every headset review, that my ears have been battered to the point that almost nothing fits right in them anymore (a few in-ear designs aside). So, I went with the ear loop and even then, if I'm not careful to readjust, the ear loop alone typically ends up keeping the device in anything resembling proximity to my head. For you non-mutants out there, you'll likely have no problem at all, especially given the 6 different fitting options that come with the Jawbone PRIME.

Using the Jawbone PRIME to take calls involves pressing the main "button" on the face of the device. I but "button" in "quotes" because Aliph seems to share Apple's hatred for obvious clicking mechanisms and so the "button" is completely invisible. You press it much as you do an Apple mouse or new-style trackpad -- through the entire surface.

There's nothing hidden about call quality, however. I tried it out walking outside, in the car during rush hour, and in a big-iron server room with multiple machines, drives, and cooling systems whirring.

This button will also, if held down, turn the headset off or on.

Jawbone PRIME's second button, located at the top of the device just above the charging port, is even more of a multi-tasker. It will cycle through volume (because there's no separate volume rocker... tsk!), reject calls, etc. (i.e. initiate voice calls on other platforms). If held down, it will also turn of NoiseAssasin, or turn it back on again.

Technology

Forgive me for quoting from Aliph here, but if you're interested in more than just does it work (it does!), here's how:

Acoustic Voice Activity Detector (AVAD) provides a fail-safe mechanism when the Voice Activity Sensor (VAS) doesn't touch your face. When the VAS is not touching the face, Jawbone PRIME performs as good as or better than any other noise canceling headset. When the VAS touches the face, you get the turbo-boost to the NoiseAssassin performance.

Jawbone PRIME also has a subtle wind feedback mechanism built into the headset that gently alerts you when voice clarity is compromised due to wind gusts so the user can self-correct. While Jawbone PRIME does not completely remove the impact of wind, it does more than any other headset to remove wind and alert the user to the fact that wind may be affecting the conversation.

Conclusion

Jawbone PRIME is the best headset I've used to date. Stylish, flexible, and most importantly -- highly functional, it builds upon the previous generation of Jawbone's to raise the bar another notch.

Sure, micro-USB and a volume rocker would be nice, no doubt about it, but those minor discontents can't take away from the overall package which, if it isn't best of breed, is certainly a leading contender for the title.

If fit, finish, and performance are more important than a budget price point, Jawbone PRIME just might be the headset for you.

Pros

• 6 fitting options including 3 for ear-loop use.
• Stylish yet comfortable
• Cutting edge noise cancelation technology
• Premium product

Cons

• Apple-like lack of overt buttons and standard connectors
• Premium price

TiPb Review Rating

(Note: I'm philosophically opposed to perfect scores -- everything can be improved. However, lacking a 4.9 star option, I rounded up in their favor. Still, I challenge Aliph to shoot for that 4.95 next year, okay?)

With WWDC 2009 right around the corner, there is excitement in the air. The iPhone OS 3.0 software and a highly possible next generation iPhone are right around the corner. Now what does this have to with the Plantronics Voyager 855 Bluetooth Headset? The answer to that question is simple - A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile). Finally A2DP is coming to an iPhone near you... unless you still plan on keeping that first generation iPhone. (Sadly, for A2DP, you guys will need to upgrade to a current 3G model or the soon-to-be-announced next generation hardware.)

So, iPhone 3G owners, what better way to get a jump on things than by picking up the Plantronics Voyager 855 Bluetooth Headset?! It is available in TiPb's sibling store WMExperts for a cool $69.95. After the break, a full review!

Design

The Voyager 855 consists of two pieces: a headset unit, which is where you will find all of your controls, and the detachable earpiece, which is what you will use to turn the 855 into a stereo headset - pretty crafty indeed.

The headset is sleek and stylish with its black coating with silver trimmed accents. The mic boom slides out to bring the microphone closer to your mouth. That not only makes it easier for the person with whom you are speaking to hear you, it's also a way to answer and end calls - more on that a bit later.

Next up is it's size. The Voyager tips the scales at mear .53 ounce (11 Grams) so it is surprisingly on the lighter side compared to other headsets available. It measures 2.25 inches by 0.5 inch by 0.6 inch. So again, not large by any means unless you have the boom extended. With the boom, look to add another inch or so to it's length. To get a better grasp on it's size below you will can see the Voyager next to the Jawbone 2 and Apple's no longer available headset.

Now if you are looking to get in on the stereo bluetooth action you will need the separate stereo plug-in cable with earpiece. It looks just like a regular earbud attached to an ear loop. To get stereo bluetooth you simply need to attach the ear loop with earpiece to the main headset. The stereo setup is meant to be worn with the cable resting behind your neck.

Also included in the box: ear loop stabilizer (2 sizes), sound isolating ear buds, micro USB charger, lanyard, and carrying case.

Usability

I've been using the Voyager 855 for about a week now and I will admit the sound quality is pretty good compared to other headsets I have used in the past. While the headset is not as clear as -- or does not boast noise cancelation like the Jawbone -- it does contain AudioIQ, which is simply a fancy name for digital signal processing or DSP. Without noise cancelation, loud conditions did create a bit of background noise but people I spoke with did not have any problems hearing me or vice versa. So overall the AudioIQ does it's job well. To make your voice heard even better you can also slide the boom down closer to your mouth. The boom can also be used to answer and end calls simply by sliding it out or in respectively.

The added bonus of the Voyager 855 is it's ability to turn into a stereo bluetooth headset by simply adding the stereo plug-in cable. The sound quality for listening to music was pretty decent as well. I have no complaints in that department.

The big question I always have when it comes to bluetooth headset is how comfortable is it to wear and how is the battery life? This headset comes with three earbud pairs in different sizes, allowing you to pick and choose the most comfortable fit for you. You can wear the headset with or without the included earloop, on either your left or right ear. So with that said, you should not have any issues finding the right combination that will comfortably fit your needs. Battery life was excellent. Plantronics claims 7 hours of talk time, 6 hours of listening time, and 160 hours of standby time. I've put it through the ringer this week and have had to charge it two times within the week with a good amount of usage.

Conclusion

The Plantronics Voyager 855 Bluetooth Headset, which is available in the WMExperts store for $69.95 is a fantastic deal. Not only will you be able to take full advantage of the upcoming 3.0's A2DP feature you get a very good overall bluetooth stereo headset.

Pros

• Low price for what you get
• Stereo Bluetooth
• Fits comfortably
• Great battery life

Cons

• No noise cancelation
• Micro USB charger

Come this “summer”, iPhone 3.0 — see our walkthrough — will allow iPhone users to enjoy new Bluetooth functionalityincluding stereo headsets, both the A2DP audio and ARCP control protocols. And if you're a developer, you likely have this functionality already for testing purposes.

A while back I took a preview look at the Motorola S9 Stereo Bluetooth Headset for iPhone 3.0. Looks like they've gone and grown up! If budget is less of a concern to you than sound, and you want to enjoy your audio on the go, the Motorola MOTOROKR S9-HD (the "-HD" being the key -- and really only -- differentiator here!) are something you definitely want to consider (available now from our sibling store at WMExperts).

Note: This pre-review will not be focusing on iPhone 3.0 functionality, which is currently in closed beta. It will concentrate only on the headset itself. However, for those developers needing an A2DP headset for testing 3.0, it’s our understanding this one works well on multiple units, over multiple carriers.

About that -HD

I'm not going to bore you with a re-hash review. This headset, as mentioned above, is almost identical to the non-HD version reviewed previously. The big difference, of course, is the "-HD" itself, and that's what we'll focus on here. Starting with: how big a difference is it?

BIG. The bass is bigger, the emersion experience is better, the depth and scope of the sound in general is brighter. They call it SRS WOW HD technology. Given that A2DP will never equal great wired earphones, and great wired earphones will never equal vinyl and vinyl will never equal great live music, as far as stereo Bluetooth headsets go, these S9-HD certainly nail the WOW.

Conclusion

The same sizing and form factor issues plague this headset as did it's non-HD sibling. If your head doesn't fall into the comfortable rang, and you want to be able to lie on your back while listening, these aren't the headset for you. Likewise, if you value price over performance, look at those non-HD siblings. If you want this form factor and sound quality matters to you, these are top of the charts -- easily.

Addendum: In the previous review, one of the commenters asked about glasses. I wear glasses, and while all glasses will vary in size and form factor, I had no problem wearing the S9-HD for lengthy periods. Your mileage may, of course, vary.

Pros

• Great sound
• Good battery life
• Light and comfortable
• Well suited for on-the-go use.

Cons

• May not fit all head sizes
• Not well-suited for lying down

TiPb Accessory Pre-Review Rating

Come this "summer", iPhone 3.0 -- see our walkthrough -- will allow iPhone 3G (and perhaps next-generation iPhone users) to enjoy new Bluetooth functionality including stereo headsets, both the A2DP audio and ARCP control protocols. For consumers, the Motorola S9 Stereo Bluetooth headset (available from our sibling store, WMExperts) may be an option you want to consider come release day. For developers testing using the A2DP/ARCP profiles on the iPhone 3.0 Beta, they might even be something you want to consider now.

Note: This pre-review will not be focusing on iPhone 3.0 functionality, which is currently in closed beta. It will concentrate only on the headset itself. However, for those developers needing an A2DP headset for testing 3.0, it's our understanding this one works well on multiple units, over multiple carriers.

Form Factor

The Motorola S9 is a fixed form, if flexible plastic horse-shoe shaped, behind-the-head fitting audio solution that combines stereo music with phone functionality. The advantage of being a singular unit is that it's solid, unlikely to become loose or break off at some weak join point. The disadvantage is that if your head is too thin or too wide, the headset will be either uncomfortable or unusable. Likewise, the behind-the-head layout will appeal to those who like wearing hats or otherwise don't want the bar crossing over their head. However, it may be a non-starter for people who want to use them while reclining or lying down.

Controls

A status light in the middle of the bulge along the back of the headset separates the standards-friendly mini-USB charging port on one side from the power button on the other. Both are covered by soft touch red plastic. The right-side earpiece has controls for play/pause, forward, and back. The left side earpiece has controls for answering the phone as well as volume up and down. These controls are under harder black plastic, with the play/pause and answer buttons providing a tactile, click feedback, and the volume and track buttons on either side lying flat and flush.

Functionality

The S9s are rated for 6 hours talk and 7 hours music, but like any re-chargeable product, battery life can and will vary based on usage and cycle. Sound volume is good, as is music quality, though the compression required for AD2P stereo Bluetooth transfer might not be to the liking of audiophiles. If you're happy enough with traditional MP3 sound reproduction, however, you'll likely have no problem with this device.

Conclusion

The freedom provided by wireless Bluetooth stereo headsets like the Motorola S9 will be a boon to iPhone users, the convenience easily outweighing concerns of audiophile-level sound reproduction (at least for most). They won't fit everyone on either end of the physical or usage pattern scale, but as with the quality, they're well suited for a large enough swathe down the middle.

Bottom line, if you want something solid, affordable, portable, and functional for your iPhone 3.0 developer unit, or upcoming iPhone 3.0 release unit, you'd do well to consider the Motorola S9s.

Pros

• Good sound
• Good battery life
• Good price-point
• Light and comfortable
• Well suited for on-the-go use.

Cons

• May not fit all head sizes
• Not well-suited for lying down

TiPb Accessory Pre-Review Rating

In the Box

The Motorola H15 box contains with the headset, two additional ear cushions for comfort, cradle and charge cable (it is not a USB cable, but it plugs into the headset and cradle only, not the computer).

Design

The Motorola H15 is one sweet looking headset! It is not only lightweight, but has a transparent earloop and a couple or selectable ear pieces with a flip microphone. The best way to describe the H15 is that is an evolution of the 700. There is also and accompanying charge cradle which makes for an excellent accessory addition. The noise cancellation feature is one of the main selling points of this device and Motorola states that it is best noise-cancellation headset currently available.

Daily Use

I found the noise-cancellation to work really well. I could not find any supportive documentation in Motorola's claims that it is the best (the Jawbone headsets are spectacular) however, I can honestly say that none of my call recipients ever complained of any poor call quality due to background noise from driving, shopping, etc. The flip microphone is one of my favorite features. It seems simple enough, but not all headsets implement it; the microphone flips to open and doubles as an on/off switch for the headset. The transparent earloop is quite handy and is somewhat invisible. It keeps the headset in place in conjunction with the ear piece.

Speaking of the ear piece, I swear I have malformed ear canals. Every headset I have used with an ear piece never seems to fit properly. However, this is the closest I have come across (yes, even better than the Jawbone). There are three included ear piece sizes to choose from, however, only one seems to work best for me with extended use; but one is all you need, right?

One of the really nice benefits to this headset is the cradle. I don't know about you, but I loathe having to plug my headsets into random wall sockets only to have my headset fall on the floor because it is not stationary. So the cradle Motorola provides is a great help to me; I have it sitting next to my iPhone on my desk and it's safe and stationary. There is also a light on the front indicating charge status, so you know when you are good to go.

The other convenient feature about this headset is that it is tested with over 200 existing phones. This is great because sometimes you might want to use the headset with an additional phone, or let your significant other or friend borrow your headset, and it may not work. This device is thoroughly tested to work with a wide variety of models.

Conclusion

It seems that lately I am on a stellar track of reviewing awesome accessories for the iPhone and the Motorola H15 does not disappoint. I love the look and feel, the call quality, comfort and cradle. All of these variables combine into a great, well-rounded Bluetooth headset. If you are looking for a headset in this price range, you cannot go wrong with the H15!

Pros:

• One of the hottest looking headsets (IMO)
• Very lightweight
• Love the collapsible flip boom for power on/off
• Comfortable transparent earloop to help keep the headset in place

Cons:

• No glaring negative issues!
• More ear cushion sizes would be nice
• True USB cable to plug directly into your computer for charging

TiPb’s Rating:

I have reviewed a few headsets here at TiPb (Apple's headset, Jawbone and Jawbone 2) and the latest is the Jabra BT2070. This is a slick looking headset! The BT2070 is not just for good looks, it is light and small. The iPhone Blog Store has this headset for $49.95. 

Read on for the review, after the jump!

In the box:

The packaging is clear and contains just the basics: headset, charger, instructions and two earhooks. There is no included case or any other peripherals. Then again, it is a tiny headset, so a case is not needed.

Design and build:

Most of the small headsets I have used, have been solid, and this one is no exception. The design is light-weight and comfortable. The headset is essentially two molded pieces of plastic with an answer/end button joined by a volume up/down buttons accompanying it on either side. The answer/end button is illuminated by a yellow circle that surrounds it then continues to create a division line between the volume buttons; very sharp. The headset can be worn in either ear with or without the earhook. Speaking of earhooks, the headset comes with two; just to make sure it can be as comfortable as possible. 

Using the headset:

After charging the device, I paired it with the iPhone 3G and it worked as advertised. I could listen to voicemails and make calls with ease. The answer/end button was responsive. However, I did find it difficult to adjust the volume while wearing the headset. A good resolution for this is to briefly take the device out of your ear, crank the volume up and manage the volume directly from iPhone's volume controls. 

The Jabra is comfortable in the ear; much more so than some other headsets I have used. What I like most of all is the headset gives you options; you can wear it with or without the earhook. For example, you can place the device directly in the ear (It is more comfortable than the Apple bluetooth headset, I was surprised) and it fits snugly without being uncomfortable. This is due to the earpiece being a kneadable unlike the Apple headset which was plastic with a solid rubber edge. If you use the earhook, the headset just "rests" in your ear canal. Since the device is so light, you can almost forget you are wearing it (is this good or bad?).

When talking on the device, I had no real static issues. I typically find there is always some static with bluetooth; the technology is far form perfect, but the fact it is 2.0 compliant with EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) means that you get good clarity on a call.

Talking with friends, the typical feedback I received was that the device has great noise-cancellation ability. I talked in grocery stores, malls, etc. and most friends said that they heard no background noise or very little (sometimes if you are under a speaker in a store, there is not much you can do about how loud noise is). The only concern here is wind. Yes, when the wind is howling outside and you are trying to talk on your headset... apparently the recipient can't hear a thing...

Charging the headset took no time; 1.5 at most. You can get about 5 hours of talk time. This is sufficient for me since I rarely talk than 2 hours on my iPhone in a single day. 

Conclusion:

I really like this bluetooth headset. It is relativly inexpensive, light weight, good call clarity and comfortable. If you are in the market for a smaller-style headset that looks good, the Jabra BT2070 might just be for you! There are better headsets out their, but they typically cost about twice as much. For what this headset is, it is a good value.

Pros:

• Comfortable
• Light
• Good call clarity

Cons:

• Difficult to adjust volume while in your ear
• Even on maximum volume, could be louder
• Useless in windy conditions

Rating:

The BlueTrek Mini Bluetooth Headset is available in two flavors, "Chrome" and "Gun Metal", and can be purchased at the iMore Store for $59.95 here. There are a ton of different bluetooth headsets to choose from for your iPhone, so when you have such a wealth of choices and different prices, how does the BlueTrek Mini compare? I've been using the "Gun Metal" headset and let me tell you what I think after the break.

In all fairness, I should start with the disclaimer that I'm a very picky bluetooth headset person and am hard to please. I don't wear them very often, and when I do, it should be comfortable and it should perform.

In the Box

At a fairly reasonable price of $59.95, the BlueTrek Mini comes with a lot of extras. Along with the bluetooth headset, you also receive the standard charger, a car charger, a lanyard that attaches to the headset so you can conveniently hang it around your neck when not in use, two ear clips, and three different sizes of rubber ear buds. Also, a USB charger is included - very handy when you're at your desk, working away, and still charging your headset via USB at the same time.

Design

The BlueTrek Mini is impressive in it's size and weight, or lack thereof. It weighs only .35 ounces and measures .75" wide, 1.60" long, and .50" deep. A round button is on the outside for answering and ending calls, as well as powering the headset off and on. A charging receptacle is located on the back, and a discreet volume rocker switch is placed along the side.

This headset boasts up to 7 hours of talk time and 10 days of standby time - quite impressive for such a small size. The provided lanyard and plastic ear hooks are well-intended, but unfortunately fall short of the bar set by the design of the earphone itself.

Performance

Once I fit the headset with the size of rubber earbud that fit snugly in my ear, I quickly paired the BlueTrek Mini to my iPhone and am glad to report that it's easy to do. Once paired, I used it to make and receive several calls, listened to voicemail, and then used it for phone calls on my drive home. The sound quality is loud and clear on my end and the people on the other end had no complaints.

The BlueTrek Mini allows call redial, call rejection and call waiting with a press of the side button. It supports voice recognition, muting, and has a dual-color LED display. Bluetooth version is 1.2 and, as I mentioned, is easy pairing and I noticed hardly any lag when connecting with my iPhone.

The issues I had with this headset have nothing to do with the sound quality or functionality, but much more to do with the uselessness of the lanyard and the poor quality of the ear hooks. The lanyard line itself is fine, but the metal ring at the end that attaches to the earpiece of the headset is surprisingly heavy for such a light headset. I found that the hefty metal ring kept pulling my headset loose and right out of my ear, so for me, it was pointless to wear it.

Another problem is the provided ear hooks. I can understand why there are two of them in the box. They seem to be not much more durable than uncooked spaghetti. As a sign of things to come, one of the ear hooks was broken in the box. The second one lasted one day. They are so flimsy and brittle that it was pointless to include them. Perhaps the lanyard would make more sense if the headset had an adequate ear hook to keep the headset in place.

Conclusion

The BlueTrek Mini is a decent headset - very light, good battery life, and seems to have adequate sound quality. The price is reasonable, but is less impressive when the lanyard and ear hooks are practically useless. The car charger and USB charger are nice additions, and most likely you will find that one of the included rubber earbuds will fit snugly in your ear.

If you can handle using just the headset itself sans ear hooks and lanyard, then you may be satisfied with the BlueTrek Mini. If not, you may want to keep looking.

Pros

• Very light.
• Decent sound quality, easy to pair and use.
• Great battery life.
• Lots of extras, like car charger and USB charger.

Cons

• Metal ring on lanyard is too heavy, pulling this lightweight out of your ear.
• Ear hooks are cheap, brittle, and break; box should have included 100 of 'em.

Rating:

Is there a difference between a high-end Bluetooth Headset compared to a normal one? With so many hands-free driving laws being passed these days, the question is obviously on many consumer’s minds. The BlueAnt Z9i ($74.95) is one of those high-end headsets that manages to combine a small and sleek form factor and with a powerful piece of technology, Digital Signal Processor (DSP). On paper, it is everything you want in a Bluetooth headset. How does it test? Does it accomplish everything it sets out to do?

Read on for the rest of the review!

Design

The Z9i’s design is extremely sleek and admirably compact. Whereas many headsets of comparable size focus on their notable lack of size over middling specs, the Z9i manages to pack strong, top-of-the-line technology in a very tight package.

The glossy black of the body is accentuated by chrome lining—it matches incredibly well with the black iPhone 3G. There are dedicated volume buttons on the top side of the headset and a multifunction button (power up/down, answer/end calls, and alternate between standard and max noise cancellation) on the headset’s body. Also, the Z9i includes two microphones which are dedicated to canceling noise.

There is an obscenely bright indicator light, which flashes the BlueAnt logo in well, blue (and red). Luckily, there is an option to turn this off because it is quite blinding in a dark room. The earhook design is quite ingenious—where most other headsets have a fixed earloop or one that moves horizontally, the Z9i moves vertically. This offers easier access and greater comfort. The only design quip is that one end of the earhook is strangely visible, an odd decision by the folks at BlueAnt that detracts from the overall sleekness.

In all, the Z9i isn’t exactly adventurous in its design but its execution is top-notch. You would be hard pressed to find a Bluetooth headset that matches great technology with great build quality—those who enjoy a Bluetooth Headset that is small, sleek, and compact will definitely love this headset’s design.

Usability

The Z9i’s packaging includes two earloops (one is transparent), two earbuds, a wall charger (MicroUSB), and a USB cable. The Z9i syncs wonderfully easy with the iPhone and as an added bonus, the Z9i is capable of being simultaneously connected to two different devices, offering seamless transition for those with multiple devices. It offers 200 hours of standby time with 5.5 hours of talk time. Taking advantage of a feature that is lacking in the iPhone, you are able to use voice commands with the headset as well.

I found the Z9i to be really comfortable in the ear. It has a basic earbud design that is really easy on the ears and plus its light weight makes it barely noticeable.

In testing, I found that the incoming calls sounded great, they were clearly audible with no distortion. I had absolutely no trouble hearing the conversation and thought the Z9i was better than most in regards to incoming audio. Though it doesn’t have any technology that adjusts the incoming audio to your background, the easily accessible, dedicated volume buttons do help. 

In quiet situations, the outgoing audio quality is also impressive. Callers didn’t even realize I was using a Bluetooth headset and stated that I sounded perfectly normal with no digitization. The performance in quiet surroundings certainly warrants its high-end price and is impressive due to its dimunitive size.

However, the noise cancellation is not as good as advertised. Though it does block out some background noise and isolates the outgoing audio, it is not the noise assassin that the Jawbone 2 is. When I had the radio on, callers could hear the song fairly clearly.

This might be a philosophical difference between the Z9i vs the Jawbone 2, where the Z9i chooses to accentuate the voice of the speaker and include the background noise while the Jawbone 2 seeks to simply eliminate the background noise. Both work, but if you’re expecting Jawbone-like ability in regards to background noise, you might decide that the Z9i isn’t for you.

Final Thoughts

Let it be clear, that the Z9i is better than nearly every other Bluetooth Headset available and its comfortable fit and long battery life should convince many users that the Z9i is for them. Add the bonus points for multiple device syncing, easy controls, and a small size—it clearly should be considered in every Bluetooth Headset purchase. Though it’s noise cancellation performance is not top notch, callers will definitely hear you a lot easier than other headsets. If you’re seaking a noise cancellation headset, you can do no wrong with the Jawbone 2. If you want something a little more versatile, the Z9i is a great, great headset.

PROS

• Small, Sleek Design
• Comfortable Fit, Easy to Put On
• Sync to Multiple Devices
• Great Incoming Audio Quality, Impressive Outgiong Audio in Quiet Surroundings

CONS

• Not an 'amazing' noise cancellation performer
• Odd Earhook Design Exposes chrome

FINAL RATING:

The Plantronics Voyager 520 is the follow up to the very popular Voyager 510 with newer features and better technology. The Voyager 520 is targeted at the user who is looking for supreme comfort and solid sound quality. It maintains professional styling and ease-of-use to provide the user a great Bluetooth headset. How does it perform? Does it measure up to the uber-popular Voyager 510?

Read on for the rest of the review!

Design

Let’s put it this way. The Voyager 520 isn’t the most stunning Bluetooth Headset you’ve ever seen. There are headsets that are smaller, sleeker, and use better colors. The headset is fairly large because of the locked-in, large ear loop. The front face of the Bluetooth Headset looks overly-complicated, with harsh lines, multiple patterns, and different colors.

Don’t get me wrong, the Voyager 520 is most definitely not an ugly headset—it’s just not the prettiest one either. The Voyager 520 looks like the Bluetooth Headsets of yore, more professional and business-like than sleek and stylish.

However, styling and design issues aside, I was amazed at how comfortable and light it felt when worn. The large ear loop rotates nearly 360 degrees and is made of a softer, silcone-esque material. It is likely one of the better, more comfortable ear loops on the market. You’ll barely notice it hanging on your ear

Also, the earbud of the Voyager 520 is unique because it sits soft in your ear canal. As opposed to a lot of classic earbud designs, the Voyager 520’s earbud sits naturally in the ear because of its almost funnel like shape. The earbud is the best compromise of in-ear designs and classic ear phone designs.

When you’re wearing the Voyager 520, the comfortable ear loop and the even more comfortable ear bud makes the headset essentially unnoticeable. Some headsets may be prettier but few even come close to the superb fit the Voyager 520 offers.

Usability

Syncing with the iPhone is a cinch. Plantronics chose to implement a multifunction button that doubles as a volume switch. I found the button to be easy enough to hit but switching the volume up and down proved to be more cumbersome. I accidentally ended a call when trying to turn up the volume.

As I mentioned before, the Voyager 520’s fit really stands out. Even after wearing the device for hours, my ears were perfectly fine and I didn’t feel the need to remove the device. Typically, my ears need a break when earbuds are lodged in but the unique design of the Voyager 520’s earbuds made it a joy to wear.

The incoming sound quality is rock solid. Because of the funnel shape of the ear bud, incoming callers were clear and pronounced. It felt like I was getting the best of both worlds—in-ear sound quality but classic ear phone feel. Also, Plantronics uses AudioIQ to smarten the audio, getting louder in noisier environments and softer in quiet surroundings.

Outgoing sound quality is also good. Though it does pick up some background noise, it wasn’t enough to be bothersome to the caller. Callers felt that I sounded clear with no digitization and preferred the headset to many competitors. In quiet environments the headset’s performance was simply stellar, callers never even imagined me being on a Bluetooth headset.

Talk time is 8 hours, which should be plenty for most users. You’re also able to pair to more than one device, which is definitely convenient. Unfortunately, the Voyager 520 uses a proprietary AC adapter.

Final Thoughts

The Voyager 520 really surprised me. When I first saw the headset, I was expecting middling performance and an uncomfortable fit. I could not be more wrong. The fit of the Voyager 520 might be best in class—it hangs light on your ear yet sits naturally in the canal. Also, the audio quality ranged from decent in noisy environments to simply superb in quiet surroundings. Though I still have a few quips with the design and styling, honestly, it’s closer to being pretty than ugly while still remaining professional. I think the Voyager 520 should be seriously considered by any potential headset user and should be considered a steal for the price!

PROS

• Very, very comfortable fit
• Smart Ear Bud Design
• Solid Audio Quality
• Good Battery Life

CONS

• Average Styling
• Fairly Large
• Weird Charger

FINAL RATING:

Many Bluetooth Headsets are beginning to make and market small, ultra-portable Bluetooth Headsets. Count Samsung as one of them because the Samsung WEP-500 Bluetooth Headset is a simple, stylish, and ULTRA-small Bluetooth Headset.

The headset itself is no bigger than a quarter, with such small stature does it sacrifice in performance? Or is the Samsung WEP-500 Bluetooth Headset the best of both worlds?

Read on for the rest of the review!

Design

The Samsung WEP-500 is a very impressive looking headset. It’s not the flashiest or shiniest headset around but I think that's a good choice by Samsung's Design Team. I think a lot of people will appreciate the WEP-500’s subtle style, it doesn't overwhelm you with bells and whistles. The headset’s color scheme is classy, with a matte black outlining a sleeker bluish black. It also comes in a version with muted silver outlining a tasteful black.

The Samsung WEP-500 is unique because of its circular design and of course, tiny size. Unlike other ultra-portable Bluetooth Headsets, the body of the Samsung WEP-500 is fairly thin. The indicator light is also unobtrusive but also can be turned off by holding the volume button. I definitely enjoy the overall look and build quality of this headset. Too many times, Bluetooth Headsets scream ‘Hey! Look at me!’. The Samsung WEP-500 is confident enough in its styling choices that it doesn’t feel the need to overcome any perceived shortcomings.

Usability

Because of the WEP-500’s small size, the button layout is rather simple. There’s a multifunction button and volume controls. I found the multifunction button to be much too easy to press and overly sensitive. I’ve hung up on a few calls while trying to adjust the fit and didn't know what hit me. The position of the button is expected but the button itself is just a little too sensitive for my taste; Samsung should have definitely made a stiffer, less obtrusive multipurpose button.

Another sacrifice in having such a small design is that it requires a charging cradle. I’m not a particular fan of charging cradles because it adds another item that needs to be carried. Luckily, the charging cradle doubles as a carrying case and the WEP-500’s battery life is better than similar headsets. Though 3.5 hours may be paltry to heavy users, for an ultraportable headset, it’s almost as good as it gets.

The fit is decent, the design is almost “in-ear” but it is not as bothersome as in-ear ear buds typically are. Though I did find a few instances where I felt as if the headset was about to fall out—the headset managed to stay fairly secure the whole time. However, I wouldn’t recommend running or even light jogging with this particular headset since there doesn't seem to be an ear loop option.

A notable feature on this headset is the addition of a secondary microphone. I found it very surprising for a device so small to have TWO microphones. And you know what? The addition of two microphones seemed to have helped and make this headset a standout performer. Callers heard me loud and clear, the echo cancellation really seemed to work. Even in noisier settings, the callers didn’t complain as much as they have in testing of previous headsets.

Incoming audio quality is also very impressive. It has similar technology as Plantronics AudioIQ, which essentially means it adjusts the volume to your surroundings. Specifically, it'll get louder in loud areas and quieter in quiet areas. Plus the in-ear design helps block out background noise, the incoming audio is really great.

Final Thoughts

Overall the Samsung WEP-500 is a solid performer. It combines subtle style with great audio performance, I am happy to use such a great piece of technology. The fit isn’t amazing but after a few times I’ve grown accustomed to it. The circular shape is unique in the world of Bluetooth Headsets and the indicator light isn't blinding.

My biggest gripe is the sensitivity of the multifunction button. Samsung really should have made it a bit stiffer, I have accidentally ended a call too many times. After a while I got used to the sensitivity and made it more of a point to handle the headset with care. If Samsung ever comes up with a solution to this minor problem, the WEP-500 will become an excellent headset that everyone should own. In the meantime, I can still recommend this to anyone looking for an ultraportable headset because it still works as advertised: great styling and great audio quality.

PROS

• Great Subtle Design, Classy Look
• Very Good Audio Quality
• Decent Enough Battery Life Compared to Similar Products

CONS

• Ridiculously Sensitive Multi-Function Button
• Charge via Charging Cradle
• Still Not Enough Battery Life

FINAL RATING: 4.3/5

Bluetooth headsets are becoming increasingly popular, on a common day you’d run into plenty of people using these hands-free devices. Some make you look like a bionic man, others simply look bland, but there are a rare few that makes your head turn. The Motorola H9 Bluetooth Headset ($89.95) falls in that head-turner, borderline sexy category.

Sculpted to be no larger than a quarter, the Motorola H9 is sleek, lightweight, and unmistakably TINY. How can they fit a capable Bluetooth Headset in such a small package? Does it sacrifice performance for the sake of good looks? Is it even useful?

Read on for the rest of the review!

Design

Obviously, with such a strong emphasis on the size of the Motorola H9, it better be jaw droppingly small and impressive. And to that fact, it is, the headset is amazingly small yet it still manages to remain sturdy and look sleek.

A blue indicator light illuminates the shiny silver on the front face of the Bluetooth headset. Though eye-catching to most, some may find it annoying so pressing all of the control buttons can turn it off. But there is no denying that the Motorola H9 is one of the better looking Bluetooth headsets available, its combination of good looks and superb build quality makes it without a doubt, a high end set.

However, with such a strong emphasis on the size and design, Motorola keeps the functions of the H9 to a minimum. The key control is simple—a main multi button and standard volume buttons. The H9 is designed as an in-ear headset, so those that dislike the in-ear design should obviously stay away. Also, though the headset is tiny in size, it is a bit thicker than expected.

Usability

Because of the H9’s in-ear design the headset will take some getting used to. Though the lightweight of the H9 helps this issue, the in-ear design may not be for everyone. Also, It doesn’t come with an ear loop so though it is secure for daily use—running or even light jogging will probably dislodge the headset.

The fit is decent, after you get used to the in-ear design it slowly grows on you. It isn’t immediately comfortable like those from the Plantronics Line but it’s not uncomfortable either. The fit will probably boil down to how forgiving you are of in-ear designs.

Since there isn’t room for a charging port on the headset itself, the H9 is accompanied by a charging cradle. To charge, you insert the mini-USB port to the cradle and place the headset on the cradle. The charging cradle doubles as a portable charging unit, which is necessary since the H9 itself only holds 1.5 hour of talk time. With the charging cradle, you can add an extra 6 hours albeit at a 1.5 hour a time pace.

Overall, the Bluetooth headset performs solidly—earning rave reviews in more quiet areas but having problems in slightly noisier environments. It’s amazing that such a small piece of technology can perform as well as bigger-sized products. Though callers complained of background noise such as other voices and wind, when I used the H9 in the car, it performed quite well. The in-ear ear buds worked to keep the incoming audio quality clear because it manages to block out exterior noise.

Final Thoughts

Let’s be honest, with such a tiny design the Motorola H9 will obviously have some limitations. Pointedly, the battery life is a concern for constant travelers not everyone may prefer the fit. Luckily, Motorola packaged a charging cradle that offers a boost to the headset’s battery life and the in-ear design blocks out background noise and isn’t all that uncomfortable.

The most important aspect of the Motorola H9 is that it attempts to be unique in the bland world of Bluetooth Headsets and to that extent, it succeeds. The audio quality is near flawless in a quiet setting and it keeps pace with comparable (but bigger) headsets in noisy environments. If you’re looking for a long-lasting Bluetooth headset and your commute is noisy, the Motorola H9 is not for you. But if you want a stylish design that doesn’t skimp on quality, look no further.

PROS

• Incredibly Small Design
• Great Audio Quality in Quiet Environments
• In-Ear Ear Buds Makes For Outstanding Incoming Audo
• Stylish Look

CONS

• Short Battery Life
• Average Performer in Noisy Environments
• In Ear Design May Put Off Some

FINAL RATING: 4.5/5

Bluetooth headsets often offer the same feature set, the same styling, and the same performance. Plantronics is known for offering unique takes on Bluetooth Headsets and often add a new wrinkle to each headset in their product line. Popular because of their comfortable fit and Audio IQ technology, the Plantronics line constantly innovates.

With the Plantronics Voyager 815 Bluetooth Headset ($89.95), the innovation is an in-ear earbud and a sliding boom mic. Do they create a better Bluetooth Headset? Or are these features just bells and whistles? How does the Plantronics Voyager 815 perform?

Read on for the rest of the review!

Ed note: people looking to future-proof themselves might consider the Plantronics Voyager 855, it's identical to the 815 but supports A2DP Stereo for music. If the iPhone ever supports Bluetooth Stereo, it's a good option. Note, however, that the 855 has a 2nd earbud attached to the earhook, which might be annoying

Design

The Plantronics Voyager 815 falls in line with the look of a classic Plantronics headset. The sleek black plastic is outlined by a silver strip that tastefully adds symmetry to the design. It is extremely lightweight and feels very durable, Plantronics succeeds again in creating another quality looking Bluetooth Headset. The build quality is definitely that of a higher end headset.

There are three different in-ear earbuds you can insert to fit your ear not to mention the standard, included one. The in-ear earbuds are soft and malleable, they fit gently yet securely, in your ear. I found that the in-ear earbuds were very similar to high-grade earphones such as those from V-moda and Shure. Also, there are 2 different ear loops that allow you to stabilize the headset, though not required, I found it more comfortable with the ear loops attached.

The sliding boom mic is a unique feature in that it is supposed to make your outgoing audio sound clearer. There is no lock or extra click to fasten the boom mic, rather just simply a smooth slide to utilize the mic. You can also answer and end calls via sliding the boom mic. Though when extended, I felt the mic extension wouldn’t be as durable as the rest of the body of the headset because the plastic thins out. The headset is charged via micro USB.

Usability

The overall fit of the Plantronics Voyager 815 boils down to if you prefer the in-ear fit of noise isolating ear buds over the classic, less immersive regular earphones. Because this is strictly an in-ear headset, those who prefer the alternative should reconsider. The earbuds are of high quality materials and fit snugly in your ear canal, though the in-ear design may rub off some, the comfortable earbuds combined with the lightweight headset equals a great, almost unnoticeable fit.

The benefit of an in-ear design is that it blocks out surrounding noise and allows for a clear conversation. I found that though I’m typically not a fan of in-ear designs, using this headset is almost enough to convert me. Combining the AudioIQ technology (which automatically adjusts the volume to your surrounding) with the in-ear design, the incoming audio is superb. No static, great volume, and no background noise.

In varied tests with the PLantronics Voyager 815, I found that the outgoing audio quality was absolutely superb in quiet settings. Callers could hear my voice clearly without any digitization and no echoing. I was stunned by the quality of the outgoing audio quality, it worked wonderfully.

However, the Plantronics Voyager 815 isn’t quite the noise assassin that the Jawbone is so background noise is a bit of a problem. Extending the boom mic does help outgoing audio quality in this regard but the overall effect is minimal. Given a quiet surrounding and the Plantronics Voyager 815 excels, with a noisier background its performance is middling.

Final Thoughts

The Plantronics Voyager 815 Bluetooth Headset has become my go-to headset. The in-ear design blocks out surrounding noise and allows you to focus on the conversation. The fit is perfect, its lightweight body resting gently on your ears. The outgoing audio quality is superb when it is quiet and performs as well as most other headsets when background noise exists.

I think this is the perfect headset for anyone who prefers an in-ear design. The sleek and modern look is an added bonus and the comfortable fit is consistent with the Plantronics platform. Overall, this is easily one of the better headsets on the market today. You should consider it a BUY if you are looking for an in-ear design and a comfortable fit with great audio quality.

PROS

• Very Comfortable Fit
• Stylish Design
• Superb Incoming Audio Quality, Outgoing Audio Quality Shines In Quiet Areas
• Lightweight, Great Build Quality

CONS

• Average Performance in Noisier Environments
• In-Ear Design Not for Everyone

FINAL RATING: 4.5/5

Can't find a Bluetooth Headset that fits your ear? Struggling enough with the headset that it defeats the purpose of being 'hands free'? Well, the Motorola MOTOROKR T505 Bluetooth In-Car Speakerphone ($99.95) is ideal for you. It is essentially a Bluetooth speakerphone, keeping your hands free and your ears clear while driving your car. Unlike a Bluetooth headset, the Motorokr T505 is meant to be used strictly in a car setting. How does it perform?

Read on for the rest of the review!

Design

The Motorokr T505 looks about the size of your average garage door opener, in fact, Motorola suggests that you clip it to the sun visor in your car. The build quality of the Motorokr T505 is superb. It has great texture to it, feeling soft yet sturdy. The buttons are defined and easy-to-reach, the overall look of the Motorokr T505 is subtly stylish, a gadget that looks more wonderous and mysterious than utilitarian and boxy. It will more often than not blend into your car instead of sticking out like an eye-sore.

Usability

The Motorokr T505 sets out to do a few things which are: keep your hands free while driving, provide a clearer and louder speakerphone than your iPhone’s, and transmit calls (and music) to your car’s stereo system via FM. It certainly can be considered a narrow scope to focus on, if you don’t drive a car you won’t need the Motorokr T505. But if you do drive a car, let me tell you this, I can’t imagine using anything other than the Motorokr T505 again.

Syncing your iPhone with the Motorokr T505 is easy as any other Bluetooth device. And I was able to use the speakerphone in seconds upon powering up. Also, charging is made available through mini-USB. What’s great about the Motorokr T505 is that there is no fumbling for the iPhone or having an earpiece attached to you the entire time you’re driving, it is truly a hands free device.

The speakerphone is clear, loud, and extremely audible. Callers were pronounced and unmistakably clear, this was as good as it gets for a Bluetooth speakerphone. Callers also agreed that I sounded great and hardly noticed that I was talking via speakerphone, they assumed I was on my iPhone the entire time.

When the FM transmitter in the Motorokr T505 transmits the call to your FM, it scans the best available station to broadcast to. Specifically, it searches for an empty signal and broadcasts your call to that transmission. Doing this, it gives your phone call a surround sound-esque platform. Though your mileage may vary with the FM transmitter, I live in Los Angeles, home of a multitude of FM stations and the Motorokr T505 still managed to find a signal that was empty and transmitted the conversation clearly to my car’s stereo.

However, because the Motorokr T505 is a speakerphone meant for in the car use, it can only fill a specific niche. For example, if you are always on the go but without a car, there is little need for a car speakerphone. But if you are a commuter who travels mainly by car, there are few better options. The only downside to the Motorokr T505 is when you are carrying passengers, your conversation is not exactly private since the whole car can hear and participate. For those worried about those situations, a Bluetooth headset might better fit that need.

Final Thoughts

I never imagined a car speakerphone to perform so well. I initially imagined the Motorokr T505 to be nothing more than a glorified speakerphone for the iPhone, but I was completely off base. It is a speakerphone that offers great compatibility, clarity, and flexibility. As a speakerphone it succeeds, but when transmitting to your FM stereo it surpasses all expectations.

This Motorokr T505 is a great solution for anyone who is looking for a hands-free device while driving in the car. I highly recommend it to all people who are in need of talking on their cell phone while driving.

PROS

• Great Sounding Speakerphone
• Transmits to FM stations well
• Stylish Design
• Easy-To-Use

CONS

• For Use in Car Only
• Conversations aren't exactly private

Final Rating: 4.8/5

With more and more Bluetooth headsets looking alike and new releases feeling like old ones, the Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth Headset ($129.95) offers a much more unique take and infinitely more appeal. Its futuristic, luxury look was eagerly anticipated and has definitely shaken up the headset industry, putting all makers on notice.

Is the Plantronics Discovery 925 all show and no go? Or does it perform as good as it looks? And does it even look THAT good in your ear? Well read on for the rest of the review!

Read on for the rest of the review!

Design & Fit

Overall, the design of the Plantronics Discovery 925 is cutting edge, to put it mildly. With a sleek design that carves a hole in between the boom microphone, the headset truly looks like something from Star Trek. Personally, I am a fan of the design, I find it refreshing in the market of bland headsets and applaud Plantronics for creating such a bold headset.

From my experience, Plantronics headsets offer superb fit and comfort and the 925 is no different. Though the shape of the ear gels are a tad weird (they have a handle bar across the top edge that supposedly fits better to the interior of your ear, Plantronics calls it stabilizers), the gelly substance used in the ear tip is an excellent design choice in both style and comfort. I had no problem taking the 925 in and out of my ear.

The 925 is also very, very light. This is important since weighty or uncomfortable Bluetooth headsets often defeat the purpose of even using one, having a Bluetooth headset that is essentially unnoticeable is almost as important as the headset’s sound quality.

Usability

Because of the 925’s minimalist design, there aren’t too many buttons or features that complicate the process. Simply, slip the headset into your ear and you’re rolling. There are two buttons on the 925—one for volume control and the other to power up, make calls, and end calls.

I found that incoming audio quality performed fairly well. The AudioIQ technology works well and it is possible to hear callers loud and clear. There wasn’t many issues with static or feedback—it was very easy to hear the incoming caller. In louder environments, the 925 adapts to its surroundings and offers louder volume. I found this feature to be a great addition to the headset because I never had to worry about manually controlling the volume—the AudioIQ smartens up the headset.

Outgoing voice quality is good but falls short of being great. In regular usage—like in the car, or in a room, it is a more-than-able performer. Callers hear your voice loud and clear, without any digitizing or static. Few even noticed the difference between the 925 and the iPhone. However, the Plantronics 925 doesn’t do a great job of masking environmental noise. Callers complained about background noise that came from the TV, other people, and/or wind.

Final Thoughts

The Plantronics 925 is a good piece of hardware with a great design. Though it doesn’t offer much new features or innovative controls, the comfortable fit and fashion forward look should push those looking for a Bluetooth Headset to consider the Plantronics 925. In my experience, there are few headsets that fit as comfortably as the 925 and even fewer that look as striking as it does.

Though its high price may deter potential buyers from committing, the Plantronics 925 is a good headset that just falls short of great. If you are looking for a headset that will turn heads and fits great, this is the headset for you.

Pros

• Bold, Striking Design
• Extremely Comfortable Fit
• Easy Sync Process
• Simple Controls
• Carrying Case doubles as a charger!

Cons

• Fairly Expensive
• Not a Standout Performer

Final Rating: 4.5/5

What's in the box:

This headset comes in some rather fancy packaging; clear plastic laid out to highlight the headset as if on a pedestal and cardboard wrapping. Once you figure out how to open it (yeah, it took me a few minutes, I did not want to "tear" it open) you are presented with what I consider to be a lot of accessories for a mobile headset. You have four hear rungs (to go around your ear, two left and two right), five hear pieces to ensure the device comfortably fits in your ear and a charger that works on Apple's premise: give them a USB cable and a wall adapter to plug into the end of it.

Size and build:

This headset is larger than your typical bluetooth headset. Not that this is a knock on the headset, but this has to be one of the largest bluetooth headsets I have come across. You will understand the need for a headset this large later, but at first glimpse, you may be taken away with its proportions. The headset is of superior quality; two pieces of molded high-quality plastic for the device, less of course the ear piece components. The ear rungs and ear pieces are solid and sturdy. The ear pieces even lock into place, no need to worry about them falling off.

Feel in the ear, fit:

Even though the headset is large, it is very comfortable and lightweight. The different ear rungs are helpful when trying to adjust the headset just-right. Once you have your combination of rung and earpiece selected, you just slip the headset on your ear.

This is where the problems begin.

I was excited to try the headset on. I typically like headsets to rest on my left ear, it is just the way I am. I tried combinations of ear rungs and earpieces. Absolutely none of them would keep the Jawbone in my ear. I would turn my head to the left, the head set would leave thesecureness of my ear canal and just float on my ear, as if flapping in the wind. So, I tried my right ear. One of the earpieces would let the headset stay in that ear. This is too bad because it feels very unnatural in the right ear, I want my headset in my left ear! I figured there must be something wrong with me. I had my wife try the numerous fittings, and to my dismay, it would not fit in either of her ears. I asked some people at work that used this headset and they agreed with me; it was very challenging to find a combination of rung and earpiece to fit ones ear.

Sound quality:

Placing and accepting calls are standard fanfare. Press the button on the headset to accept and end. The "click" button is a bit elusive at first since there is no physical external button to speak of. You simply squeeze the headset together. After further inspection I did find a small guiding ridge to press the "button", this helps when squeezing the headset while on your ear. I had no particular complaints about the Jawbone when I spoke to people. Friends and colleagues could hear me just fine. However, this is the shining achievement of the Jawbone. You see, what sets this headset apart from others, besides its size, is a sensor that rests on your cheek (hence the extra size of the headset I mentioned earlier in this review). This sensor detects the difference in your voice to that of ambient noise. The result is a clear call for all parties, truly revolutionary and it really, really is worth the price of admission.

Battery Life & Charging:

The Jawbone has great battery life. Though I have never timed it, the headset will last me for a whole day. I charge it in the evenings, and it a ready to go the following day. The USB cable and add-on plug-in charger are really very helpful. I only wish the USB cable was not proprietary. Instead, if it gets damaged or you need and extra cable you have to order it through Aliph, the company that makes the Jawbone. Not a major issue, but more than once I have left on a trip and forgotten a charge cable.

Conclusion:

This headset gets a slightly higher mark than the Apple bluetooth headset I reviewed a while back. Though bigger and you may have challenges on how it is worn, you at least have consistent and a great call quality experience. I am a fan of this headset, even though I have to wear it on my right ear. The call quality and clarity is second to none. To be fair, I don't want readers to walk away and think that there is no static and the call is "crystal" clear. This technology is not perfected yet and until it is you will still have static and crackles. This headset just happens to be the best at giving you a superior calling experience.

Ratings (out of 5)

• Size and build: 4
• Feel and fit: 3
• Outgoing sound quality: 5
• Incoming sound quality: 5
• Battery life: 4

Overall: 4.2

Pros:

• Amazing audio quality
• Looks cool, even for a Borg
• Plenty of sizing options
• Comfortable
• Great battery life

Cons:

• Very difficult to fit properly. I fact, it may not fit you at all

BONUS: Here is a video for the Jawbone demonstrating its use and effectiveness... enjoy!

Road warriors and those who spend an ungodly amount of time talking on their iPhone (or most any other cell phone), take notice! The Sony Ericsson HBH-PV705 Bluetooth Headset ($44.95), available now for your convenient purchase at the Phonedifferent store, may just take your breath away with it's long-lasting battery life! You may possibly run out of things to say before the HBH-PV705 runs out of juice! Boasting an impressive talk time and standby time, you may be able to get by without a car charger (which may explain why one is not included in the package).

Keep on reading for the rest of the review!

Out of the Box

It usually goes without saying, but when I try a new product, my user experience begins with the packaging. I'm usually not so interested with the aesthetics of the packaging itself (although shiny and sparkly always catches my eye), but if opening the packaging can be done without blowtorch, table saw or 'jaws of life', you've already scored points with me. Fortunately here, the packaging for this bluetooth headset is very easy to open and you have instant access to the goodies inside.

Inside the box you will find the Sony Ericsson HBH-PV705 Bluetooth Headset, a basic wall charger, and a strap for the convenience of wearing the headset around your neck, if so desired. As I often like to do, I plugged in this headset and charged it overnight so I could test it out the next day on a full charge.

The HBH-PV705 has a fairly "no frills" type of design: power button is conveniently located on the outside-facing side with a small, green-flashing indicator light, the charging port is on the back end, a volume rocker switch is located on the bottom (under the power button), and there is a detachable rubber-encased plastic ear hook so you can wear it on either ear. The included strap attaches on the end by the charging port if you wish to carry your headset around your neck rather than in a pocket. Weighing in at .50 oz. and measuring 2.38" x 0.69" x 0.50", the HBH-PV705 is nothing extraordinary in design, but the excitement is all under the hood!

Headset Performance

The Sony Ericsson HBH-PV705 Bluetooth headset boasts a whopping 12 hours talk time and 300 hours standby time. Now to be honest, I have not clocked the precise number of hours that I spent talking (12?!? Who would I talk to for 12 hours?? I don't even know enough people to spread it around!). I also haven't measured the precise standby time for my headset. However, I charged it that first night and have been using it ever since, off and on. After a few days, it's still going strong. Needless to say, for the money, you may be hard-pressed to find another bluetooth headset that has this kind of advertised talk and standby time.

Pairing the headset is easy. My iPhone instantly recognized the headset, I entered the standard 0000 code, and I was on my way. When engaged in a call, the HBH-PV705 sounds very clear and loud, which pleasantly surprised me. I've owned other bluetooth headsets that fit similarly over the ear. Normally I prefer a headset that utilizes an earbud that I can lodge in my ear for better hearing, but this headset has not problem in cranking out the volume. Calls are clear and the volume is loud on my end, and I've had no complaints for the caller on the other end. Everyone I've talked to on my iPhone hears me loud and clear.

My only criticism of the Sony Ericsson HBH-PV705 is the ear hook design. It may be just a consequence of my own ear design, but I found that the ear hook can become a tad uncomfortable when wearing for an extended period of time. This isn't a big drawback for me, though, because I don't usually wear a bluetooth headset unless I'm on a call, but if you usually wear one all the time, you may want to practice switching ears for comfort reasons. Perhaps if the ear hook had a little more rubber on it, this wouldn't be a problem, but then it would add more weight and bulk, so there's the tradeoff.

Conclusion

The Sony Ericsson HBH-PV705 Bluetooth Headset is a good value for such impressive talk and standby time. It is a cinch to pair with your iPhone and the power and volume buttons are easily accessible and easy to use. It has great call quality and volume, includes a handy strap to wear around your neck, and the ear hook easily detaches to wear on either ear. The ear hook can prove to be a little uncomfortable if worn for extended periods of time, but all in all, this is a small matter when considering BIG battery life.

Pros

• Long talk and standby time.
• Good call quality and volume.
• Includes a strap.
• Detachable ear hook.

Cons - Ear hook can be uncomfortable when worn for long periods of time.

5 out of 5

With so many traffic laws being passed regulating cell phone usage in your car, a Bluetooth headset is on the top of every cell phone owner’s mind. The Plantronics Discovery 665 is targeted as the ideal solution for those road warriors who have frequent and lengthy phone calls while on the road so that they can keep their hands and attention on the wheel.

The Plantronics Discovery 665 Bluetooth Headset ($69.95) is a slick looking Bluetooth headset that uses AudioIQ technology to enhance performance. Does the technology translate to real life success? Could this be the Bluetooth headset for commuters around the world?

You’ll have to read on for the rest of the review!

What Comes In The Box

• -Plantronics Discovery 665
• -Three Gel Ear Tips (small, medium, large)
• -Ear Loop
• -Headset Base Station
• -Car Charger
• -USB Charger

When I opened the box, I was already confused. Where was the AC Adapter? How was I supposed to charge the dang thing? Until I realized how it all works together. Road warriors mainly use their Bluetooth headsets in the car, so it would logistically make more sense to include a car charger before a AC adapter right..? But what about those city-slickers who take the subways where there is no cigarette lighter to plug your charger in? It certainly seems to isolate a target group of potential buyers. Also, it is befuddling why they would include a USB Charger over the more classic AC adapter, I mean come on, really? Computers are more common than electrical outlets?

Everything else included is pretty much standard fare (wires, ear loop, gel ear tips), except the ‘base station’ that looks more like a 21st century PEZ dispenser than a holster/charger for a Bluetooth headset. It is an odd looking So I guess though first impressions were a little different from the usual, everything did have a purpose and came with some sense.

Design and Fit

The Plantronics Discovery 665 is a very sleek looking Bluetooth headset. In fact, I would even argue that, it looks like what a Bluetooth headset should look like. The design is sharp without being too safe and fashion-forward without being too minimalist. Weighing no more than 9 grams, the headset is also barely noticeable on your ear or in your pocket. With or without attaching the ear loop, the headset feels very secure. I never once worried about the security of the headset when it was in my ears.

The gel ear tips are surprisingly, very, very comfortable, you can barely notice yourself wearing the headset. The size configurations of the gel ear tips (small, medium, large) should accommodate most ear sizes. I have larger-than-norm sized ears and the medium fits me quite perfectly. The fit is superb, the gel ear tips adapt to the ear canal and manage to do a great job in dissipating the stress that Bluetooth headsets normally take on your ear. The gelly substance is a very forgiving material and a great step away from the usual harsh plastic edges of Bluetooth headsets. The soft gel does attract dust and dirt fairly quickly, but the feel and fit is really quite amazing. I can’t stress enough how good it feels in your ear

My only concern is the quality of the volume buttons. Instead of being made from a harder material such as plastic, the buttons are constructed from a fragile soft rubber. In fact, when having a conversation with the headset on, I attempted to change the volume but in doing so, punctured said rubber volume button. The replacement headset had no such quality problems so it may be that my first headset was just an isolated issue, but it is still worthy to note.

Set Up

Pairing the iPhone with the Plantronics Discovery 665 was a cinch. Turn on Bluetooth on the iPhone and press the button on the headset for 10 seconds until it blinks red and blue. Select 6xxPlantronics on the iPhone and type in the 0000 passkey and you’re done. You’ll never have to pair it again, the iPhone automatically recognizes the headset whenever the headset is turned on and directs all calls to the headset. The ease of the whole connection is great for those who demand technology to make their lives easier.

Usage

The headset isn’t too complicated to use, there is one main “call control” button and two volume buttons. Essentially, the main button does the brunt of the work while the volume buttons just control the volume. To charge the headset, you place the headset into its ‘base station’ and plug the holster into either the car charger or USB charger. The base station also plugs into a triple AAA battery charger and AC adapter but those are not included with the headset. The idea of a base station is unique, it also doubles as a holster for the headset and lights up when there is an incoming call.

The range of the headset is great, I managed to maintain a conversation about 15 feet away from the iPhone with little to no quality loss. When jumping into the 30’s of feet, the quality loss is more pronounced but that issue is common among all Bluetooth headsets on the market.

The battery life, however, is sub par when compared to other headsets currently on the market. Having a listed life of 3 hours and 30 minutes and a 3 day standby time, I managed to get a shade over that, which is always a pleasure, but compared to the more common 7-8 hours of talk time and 5-6 days of standby on the market today, the Plantronics Discovery 665 is definitely on the low end of the spectrum in terms of battery life.

Performance (Outgoing Audio)

According to Plantronics, the Plantronics Discovery 665 is supposed to reduce background noise by 50%, though in my tests with the headset, the results varied from situation to situation. Talking in noisier environments such as outdoors or in the car with the radio on, the headset was a very average performer. The callers I spoke to, often claimed to hear heightened background noise, which they didn’t hear when I was using the iPhone itself. But when I used the headset in quieter areas, such as inside the car with no radio or in the bedroom with no noise, few callers noticed that I was even using a Bluetooth headset, and we’re truly surprised to find out that I was. Though its performance in noisier environment leaves room to be desired, its quality in the quieter environments is definitely noteworthy.

The claims that Plantronics markets are hefty, but in some situations, the technology inside the Discovery 665 does deliver. Though it doesn’t have great noise-canceling technology, if you were going to use this headset more in the car than out walking on busy streets, it would be a perfect addition to your mobile life.

Performance (Incoming Audio)

This is where the headset really shined. Using the AudioIQ technology, I noticed a significant difference when using the headset outdoors and indoors. The AudioIQ technology essentially smartens up the incoming audio—if you are in a noisy area, it increases the volume and if you are in a quiet area, it’ll adjust the volume to your surroundings. What is surprising is that the Audio IQ actually works. When I was at the park filled with little children running around, I had no problem hearing the voice of the caller—the headset automatically adjusted its settings for the environment. The idea of the AudioIQ is simple and smart, and especially useful considering how delicate the volume controls are.

The incoming audio is very, very good. In fact, I’d rate it better than almost all Bluetooth headsets on the market and even clearer than the iPhone itself. I found myself reaching to use the Bluetooth headset even when my hands were free because of the superb incoming quality. Callers were clear and pronounced, static was nonexistent and I never had trouble hearing any parts of the conversation. Combining those facts with the extremely comfortable fit, the Plantronics Discovery 665 is a true winner in enhancing the user experience.

Final Thoughts

Though its incoming audio quality is very average, the Plantronics Discovery 665’s sleek design, exceptional fit, and excellent incoming audio quality is perfect for anybody looking for a Bluetooh headset. Adding to the fact that the headset pairs wonderfully easily with the iPhone, the Plantronics Discovery 665 should be considered a BUY.

The ideal user of the Plantronics Discovery 665 would most likely be those who frequently use their cell phones in the car. Others who mostly use a headset on foot or in a cramped subway will certainly have issues with their outgoing voice quality but the Plantronic’s AudioIQ will accommodate incoming audio quality for those noisier surroundings.

I can fully recommend this headset to anyone who is looking to upgrade or simply looking for a headset that looks sleek, fits and feels great, and most importantly, enhances audio quality.

Pros

• Extremely Comfortable Fit
• Great Incoming Audio Quality
• Car Charger Included
• Sleek Style

Cons

• Very Average Outgoing Audio Quality
• Sub-par Battery Life
• Rubber Volume Buttons Aren't Durable
• No Included AC Charger

Overall: 4 / 5

I still remember the keynote of keynotes: MacWorld 2007. Towards the end of the iPhone presentation, Steve Jobs showed the Apple iPhone Bluetooth headset. My jaw dropped. Small, light, perfect! I only held off on my purchase due to the slightly inflated price of $129. So in November of 2007 when Apple had their one-day sale event, I picked one up for $99. Here are my thoughts after 3+ months of usage.

What's in the box

What exactly am I getting for my $129 with this headset? You get a few things actually. For starters you get the headset and a great combination dock. The dock holds both the iPhone and the headset, which is magnetically held in an upright position. You also get a two-in-one charge cable that connects to both the iPhone and headset at the same time. There is no external powercord, instead you use the supplied USB cable with the powercord adapter to charge the headset, or charge it in the dock when plugged into your computer.

Size and build

Tiny. This thing is small! It is the smallest Bluetooth headset I have ever seen (other then the Samsung WEP series of headsets). The headset is 2.0 x 0.5 x 0.2 inches and is a solid piece of aluminum. That's right, this headset is NOT plastic, yet it is still very light.

Feel in the ear, fit:

I have noticed that when anyone looks at this headset, their immediate reaction is that it will fall right out of your ear. However, it does fit rather securely. The earpiece itself is large, larger then the typical ear piece so when you position it in your ear, it does not fall out. I never experienced a concern of the headset falling out. Of course, you may have oddly shaped ears, if so, then this headset is not for you. I have had no problems keeping it in my ear. However, I have had the headset feel uncomfortable after about an hour of use. When this happens, I just switch ears.

Outgoing sound quality:

I live in Cincinnati, OH and my best friend lives in Las Vegas, NV. When I would talk to him with this headset he would tell me, "Dude, it is like you are in the next room". Thus, it goes without saying that the sound on the receiving end of the conversation is good. Granted, driving with the window down on the freeway does tend to muffle calls. I have called people locally and again, there are no issues. The sound is crystal clear.

Incoming sound quality:

This is where the rosy picture of the Apple iPhone Bluetooth Headset starts to turn a rancid, deteriorating black. This headset excels in so many ways, however, I cannot look past the very poor Bluetooth quality on the originating end of a call. When you make a call, the headset automatically kicks on. Ok, that works, check. I can start to talk to the person on the other end. Check. Wait, wait, what is that? Oh, I can't really hear the person on the other end of the call because there is so much static!!! I need to clarify this. If you held the iPhone say, 1 foot from your ear in any direction, calls sound great, they really do. However, if you move the headset any further away than a foot, it becomes impossible to listen to the other person. Let me give you an example:

You are standing upright and you have the Apple iPhone Bluetooth headset in your left ear. You are also holding the iPhone in your left hand with your elbow bent perpendicularly. When you make a call, the phone and headset sounds great. Now, if you lower you left arm to be parallel with your body, the call becomes riddled with static.

This end result is very surprising to me for a couple of reasons. 1) This is Apple and they are known for making great products that are well designed. How could a flaw like this slip through the cracks? I keep hoping it will be resolved in each subsequent release of firmware updates, but alas, this has not happened. I could say that I thought there was a slight improvement with firmware 1.1.4, but I think this would be more wishful than factual. 2) The iPhone is rated as having Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) which bumps the data rate to a possible 2.1 Mbit/s. So there are no excuses as to there not being sufficient bandwidth for voice.

Battery Life & Charging

What good is a Bluetooth headset if the battery does not last? The Apple headset is rated for 5.5 hours of battery life. I would say it really pulls in around 3.5, but I suppose there are a lot of variables that can impact this such as time used and how long the device was in sleep mode between calls, what its charge level is going into a call, etc. One of the particularly neat features of the headset is when placed in the combined dock with the iPhone, the headset appears on the screen with the iPhone battery. The headset is essentially a shadow and is filled with green to indicate its charge level; very clever. When using the device you also see the headset battery charge level at the top of the iPhone next to the Bluetooth indicator. This is particularly helpful since once the battery gets low enough, it turns red, similar to the iPhone battery.

Conclusion

I want to love this headset, I really do. Even after having it for 4 months I still tend to use it every now and then in hopes that the static has somehow be repaired. There is so much to like: the combined dock charging mechanism, the size, fit are all A+'s in my book. However, where the Apple iPhone Bluetooth headset needs to shine is in voice calls. Although the receiving person can hear you just fine, the call quality for the originating caller is just horrible. I even thought my headset was defective and took it back to the Apple store and got another one. The Apple representative even said that the headset was not that great, but I continued on in hopes that he just had a bad experience as I did. I am so sad to say that this headset disappoints too much in its call quality to make me sing its praises. Although, maybe there are just perpetual sunspots overhead... for the last 4 months, please, prove me wrong.

1. pair your Bluetooth, if you haven't done so already
2. open Visual voicemail
3. select 'Audio' at top right. If it doesn't say 'Audio,' reconsider step 1.
4. It will bring up a dialogue box to choose sound output. Select your Bluetooth headset
5. Presto! Enjoy your audio through both the speaker and your Bluetooth headset.

figure 1: the only reason I can think of to include Bluetooth for an iPod that isn't a phone is for Stereo Bluetooth, or A2DP. That, or wireless syncing. Either would be fine really.

[via]

If it has no Bluetooth, then it stands to reason that it has no stereo bluetooth either.

Why would an iPod Touch need Bluetooth? I mean, the only purpose I can think of offhand for Bluetooth is Stereo Bluetooth (A2DP)... and there's no way that they'd put stereo bluetooth in just the iPod touch, since that's not even their "best" iPod, Steve Jobs consistently says that's the iPhone's honor... hmmmm.

Watch as I guide myself through the perils of trying to figure out what accessories to buy for my new iPhone. Really, though, it's all about how to spend another two hundred dollars without blinking.

figure 1: iPhone Financiers

I'm in the same boat as some of you. As I prepare to buy an iPhone, I have to choose from the multitude of accessories. As a reviewer for TreoCentral, I've accumulated a solid box full of wireless headsets, a plastic bag full of cases and another box of stuff I can't easily classify -- all for the Treo 750. In a few months, as I write for Phone Different, I'll also accumulate iPhone accessories and form many opinions. But nearly blindly, I have to decide what accessories to acquire.

figure 2: Apple Bluetooth Headset

I think my first consideration is Apple's own headset. If you're a fan of in ear headsets, then this might be the right one for you. I imagine there will be a review up here at Phone Different very soon, but until then there is a lovely evaluation by Terry White (co-author of The iPhone Book) at his website. My main concern is that the price tag of this headset is a bit steep and that it doesn't have noise reduction circuitry.

As for headsets, I want to offer some general guidelines. The first is to go for the brand names. The reputation of these companies are generally earned. Secondly, look for some sort of digital signal processing and noise reduction. These aren't just marketing hype. However, poorly implemented versions do more harm than good. When these features work, they work well. This additional circuitry tends to add to the bulk of a headset which is perhaps why Apple doesn't include it in its offering.

Next to sound quality, comfort is the most important feature of a headset. Part of your choice will be personal preference, whether you like earhooks or in ear headsets. Also take a look at the number of grams. I think headsets are like footwear; once you find a brand that works well and fits correctly, stick with it. And in nearly every instance, there is a direct correlation between price and quality. If you're buying a Bluetooth earpiece, do not cheap out. Why by a phone at $400+ just to have a lousy experience with a headset? Start at the fifty dollar and up range.

Reviews can help you in your quest. You can check out reviews at our affiliate, TreoCentral, and you can use Google to scout for reviews. I've written my fair share of headset reviews; they can be found here. Headset review scores are a moving target, though: what might have earned a high score last year may not hold up to current competition. Look for both recently released products and recent reviews.

If you are tight on cash, then there is no shame in sticking with wired solutions, especially with what Apple sticks in the box. Generally, a hard wire carries better sound than Bluetooth. I also want to stress that you should never buy an item like an iPhone on credit. If you can't afford one, then wait. It's a luxury item. By my very inexact estimation, if you only make minimum payments, it could take about five years and over 300 dollars in interest to pay off the iPhone. Save your pennies in a jar for a year and you'll be able to buy the next generation as a bonus, or pick up a first gen product at a significant discount. (Advice off)

I've really enjoyed the wireless headset headphone combos I've reviewed over the past year. A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) allows streaming stereo sound over Bluetooth and this standard is MISSING from the iPhone. Conspiracy? Technical problem? Oversight? No one seems to know. Fortunately, with an adapter you can use this technology. The iCombi looks good and I hope not only to review it soon, but ask the folks to stock it in the Phone Different store. If you get one, you might want to consider the wireless headphones from Motorola. Although the PhoneDifferent store doesn't stock these items yet, trot on over to the TreoCentral store to check them out. These headsets will stream both music and handle your phone calls. I was also a big fan of the Lubix 3D heaphones, which, despite their odd earring like nature, produced the best sound yet.

Another accessory, at $69 (plus tax) is AppleCare for iPhone. AppleCare for the iPhone gives you just one year of additional warranty coverage for both iPhone and headset. It does NOT add additional phone support as that is still provided by AT&T. My advice is to wait a while before making a decision. You have 364 days to decide if you will add AppleCare. By that time, the phone may be lost, broken, or stolen (circumstances not covered by AppleCare) I have a friend who swears by AppleCare, but I've always been wary of extended warranties.

Furthermore, many credit cards, as part of their feature set, extend the warranty of any item purchased with it for an additional year. These warranties are a bit more difficult to get taken care of as you have to produce your original receipt, track down your credit card invoice, and file additional paperwork.

Also, manufacturing defects may be covered even outside the standard warranty period. Apple is having the usual trouble with AC adapters and batteries with the iPhone. I've already had my failing MacBook Pro battery replaced once. Although the machine was under warranty, Apple would have still replaced the battery outside of warranty as they were faulty.

Speaking of damage, you'll want to protect your baby with two essential accessories: a screen protector and case. The Phone Different store offers a screen protector. If you've never owned a PDA or Smartphone, then you should be aware that screens can easily scratch. Although the iPhone screen is reputably super durable, a screen protector is just common sense against the unforeseen key scratch, drop, or sharp clawed pet. As of this writing, we still don't know how well the screen will hold up over time to scratches, oils, what have you. Don't take any chances and get a set of screen protectors.

A case is also essential. In my many reviews for TreoCentral, I've ranted against wearing a laptop computer on your belt. I think it's fine around the house, or around the office, but if you're walking down the street, for God's sake, don't wear the thing on your hip. That said, the SmartPhone Experts Side Pouch Case looks like it will do the job for wearing around the office and stuffing in a bag on the street. Reviewing for TreoCentral, I've found that the Smartphone Experts products are solid offerings and you won't be disappointed.

I do like the look of the Marware offerings. Despite the unfortunate name, I like how these are slim line, some open part way to allow viewing of essential information and allow access to the headset ports. I'd lean towards the hard case version.

For those of you who want a different type of protection, the Pacific Rim iShield protects the sides and back of the device. Mike reviewed the product here and gave it a 4 out of 5.

I think I'd better wrap it up for the day. Good luck with your research and I can't wait to get my hands on my iPhone.

The Apple iPhone Bluetooth Headset is now available for pre-order. This in-ear headset is ridiculously light, .23oz (!), and it gets surprisingly good battery life (5.5 hours) for a device of that size. I'm guessing it doesn't have digital sound processing at that weight, as DSP munches battery life in serious fashion. I'll guess we may pay a premium for those extra cables and dock too, but it also might just be extra cost for the miniaturization. Oh well, time to pre-order.

Upsides:

• Safari: The web browser is great. I haven't missed flash yet, and the fact that YouTube is built-in more or less means that I'm not too broken-hearted about Flash. Maybe we'll see it in an update, maybe we won't. If we don't, I hope they give me the ability to turn it off.

Downsides

• Web Applications and built-in apps in general: Most applications that Apple has included are great: Text, Calendar (mostly, see below), Photos, Camera, YouTube, Maps, Weather, Clock. I found Notes and Stocks to be underwhelming (and as of this writing, undeserving of the front screen), plus there's an entire empty row sitting there waiting eagerly to have application buttons stuffed in. You can't replace this kind of immediacy with web services -- I don't want to open Safari, create a new window, or find it with a bunch of button presses in my bookmarks. I want it there, on the main screen.
• To Do: Implement To Do: The sync doesn't bring over to-dos from iCal, which is going to be a big hullaballoo. On the flip side of events, it doesn't sync notes from the notes app back to the computer, so there's no way to back them up either. I'm guessing something will happen here once Leopard comes out, or that we'll see some updates here, but this aspect is very disappointing; the omission of this is actually downright weird. Any fans of GTD will have to use a web app for To-Dos as of this writing.
• Activation: When I first installed the iPhone to my computer, it took a while to activate. The system failed on me. I was nervous of a double-billing situation, but I resubmitted my information anyway. The activation system found my info and to my relief I had already been accepted. Other folks in our organization were not so lucky; Chris Kingree at our warehouse had to wait 60 hours (!) for his activation to go through.
• Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR: So what? there are *no* supported profiles for interfacing with a computer. None! That includes DUN, AVRCP, OBEX, the whole shebang. This means you can't use the unlimited internet on your computer; nor can you sync your iPhone via Bluetooth. A2DP seems to be unimplemented as well. This one is downright weird to me; if I was assigning a score to this review, they'd lose some serious points here.
• Preferences: They don't allow you to set too many preferences. Granted, this keeps things simple to support and you're never in a situation where you're not sure where the preferences are (they're right there in the Settings app). But if you don't like the default SMS message alert, tough! You can't change it. You can disable it, but not change it.
• Ringtones: Apple has included ringtones on the iPhone, and some of them are pretty good. Thank you for the effort, Apple, but I would prefer to be able to use my own. I'd love to be able to blare video game sounds from Galaga or the theremin-like intro from Dr. Who whenever someone calls me, but that functionality is not with us. I'm guessing they just haven't finished it yet, or don't have legal agreements with labels yet in place.
• AT&T / EDGE: If you're a technophile, you expected this here, and I am not willing to disappoint. EDGE brings me back to dialup days. AT&T's coverage in my area is adequate, but it's nothing to praise. I dropped two calls on the first day of use. AT&T's commercials about dropped calls are like salt to my wounds now.
• Filesystem and Mass Storage: The iPhone doesn't show up as a mass storage device when you plug it in to a computer, nor is its filesystem browseable. I can't peer around on the inside, much with things, see how it works, and the like. It's essentially a black box, which is annoying. This doesn't bother me too much, but nor does it make a lot of sense. I didn't think I'd still have a use for memory cards once the iPhone came out. This one doesn't bother me too much.

All in all, what Apple has completed is mighty. That's not to say that there aren't missing pieces; there are serious missing pieces from the iPhone. Still, for an entry to the smartphone market, or mobile phone market in general, it's a very impressive device. I'm glad I bought it; I'd recommend it to anyone while making note of the above caveats, it's the most fun I've had with a phone in a long time, and I haven't even installed any games on it yet. Oh wait, that's still a sore spot.

I'm glad to report that the second phase of Apple's phone assault continues. The Apple Bluetooth Headset has cleared the FCC. If you're the electrical engineering type, there are some test results to read.

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