bluetooth

Bluetooth cushion for lazy callers

At first glance this might seem like ridiculous proposition, and for $531 it probably is. But if you talk a lot and don't have a decent speakerphone or other way to have a comfortable hands-free conversation on your mobile phone, the "purCushion" might not seem as silly as it looks.

Except for taking photos, this Bluetooth cushion includes several basic phone functions, according to GeekAlerts, including volume control, muting, redialing, and other features, with 8 hours of talk time and 300 hours on standby per charge. And unlike most handsets, it's washable.

Talk hands-free with Kyocera Bluetooth speakerphone, $15

California recently joined a growing number of states that require drivers to use hands-free devices while driving. In other words, if you want to use your cell phone in the car, it better not be pressed against your ear. You've got two options for avoiding tickets: a Bluetooth headset or a Bluetooth speakerphone.

eCost has the Kyocera K323 Bluetooth speakerphone on sale for $15. It's powered by your cigarette lighter and offers voice dialing (if your phone/carrier supports it), last-number redial, and volume-control buttons. How's the sound quality? I have no idea, but in my experience, … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 671: Vista Price Patch 1

Episode 671

Episode 671

Microsoft cuts Vista price http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/02/29/vista_price_cut/ http://www.news.com/8301-13860_3-9882510-56.html

iPhone/iPod SDK: Apple to approve, distribute apps, limit add-ons http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/ iphone-ipod-sdk-apple-to-approve-distribute-apps-limit-add-ons/13537 http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/29/ iphone-software-development-to-be-locked-down-by-apple/

Bluetooth not working after iPhone 1.1.4? Simple fix: http://www.iphoneatlas.com/2008/02/28/ bluetooth-not-working-after-iphone-114-simple-fix/

Mac OS X secretly cripples non-Apple software http://apple.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/02/28/2339246

Wii outsells the PS3 4-to-1 in Japan, Sony execs “not psyched” http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/29/ wii-outsells-the-ps3-4-to-1-in-japan-sony-execs-not-psyched/… Read more

Bluetooth headset is selling point for MP3 watch

MP3 watches are slowly being introduced by U.S. companies, but for the most part they're still largely an overseas phenomenon (and, in some cases, that's not a bad thing). So it makes sense that some manufacturers and distributors are trying to come up with new ways to market them.

The oddly named Goldlantern Bluex watch aims to do just that, according to GadgetGrid, by coming bundled with Bluetooth headphones for a package of products that actually look decent. The water- and shock-resistant watch has 1GB of built-in storage, a USB port, rechargeable lithium ion battery, and aluminum … Read more

Reviews: Parrot in-car calling kits

Bluetooth hands-free calling systems in cars are nothing new, but they might start becoming a lot more commonplace as more and more states and cities adopt legislation banning the use of cell phones while behind the wheel. Over the past week, we have been comparing three of the most popular Bluetooth hands-free calling systems from Parrot to see how they measure up against the competition and each other. Check out our full reviews of the CK3000 Evolution, the CK3100, and the 3200 LS Color.

Sony's 2008 MP3 players priced for U.S.

After last week's UK announcement, it should hardly comes as a surprise that Sony's got some new MP3 players heading to the ol' U.S. of A. For those of you convinced that the Walkman will rise again, here's the skinny on Sony's American imports.

By the end of March, Sony will be shipping the NWZ-A820 (pictured) in an 8GB ($270) and 16GB ($320) capacity, available only in black. Both versions of the NWZ-A820 include Bluetooth audio, high-quality Sony EX earphones, and a 2.4-inch QVGA LCD, but the 8GB version also comes bundled with a … Read more

Bluetrek wants you to look good on the phone

Those of us who were born with apparently misshaped aural canals have an automatic appreciation for manufacturers like Bluetrek, which have at least made an attempt to offer earphones that won't fall off every few seconds. So even though we've never been huge fans of fashion headgear, we're willing to cut them some slack for their new designer headset line.

The "Sugar" Bluetooth series--which includes "Sugar Diamond, Black Diamond and Black Silver," according to Pocket-lint--adds some substance to its looks with seven hours of talk time, 10.5 days on standby, and a … Read more

'Smokey and the Bandit' meets Bluetooth

You've got to wonder what Burt Reynolds would think about a Bluetooth CB radio if he were still around. Oh, that's right--he is still around. Well, we're sure that old Smokey would have welcomed the new-fangled technology because he could have used it to rally other cars for the chase scenes.

Cobra Electronics has brought the iconic CB into the 21st century with a radio that can receive mobile phone calls and includes a noise-canceling microphone to boot. It's even safer to operate, at least theoretically, because it has controls that can indicate the dial's … Read more

Sony debuts Walkman with Bluetooth in U.K.

You've probably heard of Sony. It's done a few things here and there over the years, including the building of a damn-near indestructible MiniDisc player. Today it's showing off its new Walkman lineup, which includes new versions of the NWZ-A810 series, not surprisingly called the NWZ-A820 series, and is led by an 8GB Bluetooth-enabled MP3 player called the NWZ-A828. There's also a 4GB version, the NWZ-A826.

It's aesthetically a little different to its predecessor, with a central navigation pad and other buttons in new and exciting positions. It's also got a 61mm (2.4-inch) … Read more