Motorola Endeavor HX1 Bone-conduction Bluetooth Headset Hands-on -- TiPb @ CES 2010 [Updated, Sponsored-ish]

By Rene Ritchie
last updated

The Motorola Endeavor HX1 is the latest salvo in the Bluetooth noise-reduction arms race, and it takes it to another level -- reading the bone vibrations in your inner ear and digitally converting those vibrations into recognizable speech. That's right, when regular microphones fail, when even noise-reduction won't work, Motorola is actually turning off the microphone entirely and reproducing what you say based on sound waves in your skull. It won't sound as good as a mic, however, but in a crowded place like the floor of CES 2010, rather than a dull, indistinguishable crowd roar, you can actually be heard.

Video after the break!

[UPDATE: And the iMore Store folks told me they just got the Motorola Endeavor HX1 in stock, and it's on sale 31% off, if the video entices...]

[YouTube video link]

Rene Ritchie
Rene Ritchie
Contributor

Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.

12 Comments
  • YouTube link could not be found via iPhone.
  • "reading the bone vibrations in your inner ear"
    the ossicles are found in the middle ear.
  • @Justin- Exactly! This is going to be one painful headset trying to reach the middle ear.
  • I'm guessing the Moto spokesperson was just using a lay meaning of inside the ear.
  • Rene we you rock!!! but please before a review cut your nails because they are disgusting !! loving your reviws though
  • @judy. Damn that's cold. Rene pay her no mind.
  • Motorola is actually turning off the microphone entirely and reproducing what you say based on sound waves in your skull.
    One wonders if that is REALLY how this thing works, or if they are just using inner ear vibrations to determine when you are talking and use that to turn on the mic, and turn it off when you are not speaking.
    What they say they do, is not always what they really do.
  • Ditto. Do whatever's comfy with the nails if it keeps the blog alive. I still think ur sxy -- BUT my real post is unless a Bluetooth headset delivers superior STEREO sound from my iPhone, no measure of bone-fidelity is going to make it.
  • This is not really a new idea - bone conduction headsets were available a number of years ago. Never really caught on.
  • Sounds like a really cool idea to me. I've never been the type to use a bluetooth headset though. I'm perfectly happy with the headphones that came with the phone.
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  • i can tell you this earpiece is just plan awesome. i work outside on the construction site everyday and this thing does what its advertised!