Bluetooth Source

Plantronics Discovery 655 DSP Ultimate Bluetooth Headset with DSP

• Compatible with most Bluetooth¿ v1.1 and v1.2 capable devices.
• DSP Technology
• Charging carrying pocket and AAA charger, mini USB adapter and cable, and visual indicators such as missed call and low battery
• Bluetooth Version 2.0
• Ultra lightweight, at only 9 grams

The Discovery 655 incorporates the same style and design as the internationally-acclaimed Discovery 645, and now includes digital signal processing (DSP) for crystal clear communications. Weighing less than two nickels, the Discovery 655 is extremely discreet and lightweight. The Plantronics Discovery 655 sets the standard in style and convenience. Wherever your conversations take you, take the Discovery 655.

List Price: $ 129.95

Price: $ 27.50

A post at CIO.com takes a look at the new Bluetooth 2.1 specifications for pairing outlined last month by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group. Basically the new pairing protocol will “fix” the old protocol, which was not the most secure protocol ever. Check out the post for more information on how the new Bluetooth 2.1 pairing will work.

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Mvox has made what seems to be the jack-of-all-trades Bluetooth headset. The Mvox Duo can act as a standard Bluetooth headset, a speakerphone, and VOIP headset. Connection can be made either via Bluetooth 2.0 or by using a USB cable for direct connection to your PC for VOIP calls. You can also manage a built-in phone book (i.e. phone independant) using Mvox software when connected by USB. Mvox claims 7 hours talk time in headset mode, 3 hours in speakerphone mode, and 150 hours standby. You can get your Mvox Duo for $249.99 at Mvox.com.

If you are looking to stream music from your fancy A2DP stereo Bluetooth phone to your stereo system, PC, or even wired headphones, look no further than the Sony Ericsson MBR-100. The MBR-100 allows you to have up to 12 hours of music streaming wirelessly from your phone through a supplied RCA or 3.5mm cable. Or if you already have a great pair of headphones why not just plug them straight into the MBR-100? It’s available now for $79.99.

Legit Reviews has posted their foneGEAR Mini Blu review for your reading pleasure. This inexpensive Bluetooth headset features an in-the-ear design plus optional earhook, although the reviewer found it almost impossible to get a comfortable fit without the earhook. As for performance, the foneGEAR Mini Blu had issues with noisy environments, and the lack of noise canceling technology was evident. Also, the reviewer could get no more than arm’s length away before hearing static. On the upside, battery life was a bit better than the advertised 4 hours of talk time.

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Mobile Tech Review takes one of the smaller Bluetooth headsets out there through its paces in their Gennum nX6000 review. The nx6000 features Bluetooth 2.0 and an in-the-ear design with an optional ear-hook. Although not quite as good as some other headsets, the audio quality on the Gennum nX6000 was good. Battery life was good at over 5 hours talk and 2.5 days standby.

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It seems that Parrot will be releasing a Bluetooth enabled boombox later this year. The accurately dubbed Parrot Boombox will stream music wirelessly from your cell phone or Bluetooth enabled MP3 player. At 12 pounds and 60W this thing should pack a little bit of a punch, as it should if you are spending close to $300. The Parrot Boombox should be available second quarter.

Link (PDF) [ via Engadget ]

Belkin has just announced an innovative little device that will allow you to play your music wirelessly through any iPod docking station. What makes the Belkin Bluetooth Adapter for iPod different is that you actually use your iPod as the control rather than a remote. This allows you to access all the features of your iPod instead of the dumbed down remotes you usually find. Simply place the Bluetooth stereo dock adapter into your dock and snap the Bluetooth iPod adapter into your iPod and off you go. The receiving device is charged through the docking station and your iPod powers the adapter. The Belkin Bluetooth Adapter for iPod will be available in March for $129.

Press release [ via Gizmodo ]

Just when you thought you had seen everything, SoundID brings you the SoundFlavors Personal Sound System (PSS). What makes this little setup so special is the fact that it costs almost $700. Why does it cost so much? The SoundID PSS is the first Bluetooth headset to make use of medical technologies to enhance audio quality and suppress background noise. The idea behind the PSS is for use by the hearing impaired (or by those who have way too much money burning holes in their pockets). (more…)

I4U takes a look at one of the smaller Bluetooth headsets out available in their Bluetake BT400GL review. The BT400GL features Bluetooth 1.2 and talk time of up to 15 hours using the included portable charger. The reviewer found the portable charger to be one of the coolest features. Voice quality on the BT400GL was not bad, but not the best, either. Being an in-the-ear headset, the reviewer never felt like the headset was going to fall out of his ear.

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