CES 2006

As more and more phones today ship with Bluetooth capabilities – 133 million phones had them in 2005, with 220 million expected to follow in 2006, known and unknown manufacturers strive to sate the market's growing hunger by creating headsets in every imaginable shape, form and size.

 

Nokia HB-200, HB-800 and HB-900

Nokia BH-800 is the smallest one of the three new headsets announced during CES, with weight of about 9 grams. It is also the first headset supporting Bluetooth 2 Enhanced Data Rate. The Bluetooth version 1.2 allows a maximum data rate of 1 Mbps with real throughput of about 725 kbps. Even though about 345 kbps are more than enough for high quality stereo audio streaming, users want to run several links concurrently, thus increasing the throughput requirements. This is where Bluetooth 2.0 comes in place - allowing data rates of about 3 mbps with lower power requirements compared to Bluetooth 1.2. Going back to the BH-800, it is available in coffee black and silver white and offers about 6 hours of talk time, and about 160 of stand-by. The sales package includes a stylish neck-strap which makes careering the headset around a lot easier. The BH-800 will become available Q1 with MSRP of about $140.

Nokia HB-800

The BH-900 features active extendable microphone (meaning you can answer a call by sliding it out) for picking up the user's voice better, with noise reduction and echo cancellation capabilities which theoretically makes it ideal for crowded offices or using it while driving. It also features Push-To-Talk over Bluetooth, so instead of pushing your phone's PTT button to talk, you'll have to press your Bluetooth's talk button. It offers 8h of talk time and 180h of stand-by. BH-900 should become available in Q2 and have MSRP of about $100.

Nokia HB-900

The last of the just announced headsets is the entry-level BH-200. No noise reduction or voice cancellation. Just a simple stylish (IMNO) headset with 5.5 hours talk time and 150 hours of stand-by. Final price - $55.

Nokia HB-200

 

Motorola

Motorola and Oakley teamed up for a second time and just released the O RAZR sunglasses with built-in Bluetooth headset. The original RAZRWIRE was the first product to combine patented Oakley optics with Moto's experience in Bluetooth accessories. The O RAZR uses A2DP allowing you to enjoy stereo music from any music source that supports that profile.  The semi-rimless design uses Plutonite lens material which filters out 100% UVA, UVB, UVC and harmful blue light. The sunglasses feature dual speakers, microphone, and music and call related controls. They offer talk/listen time of up to 6 hours and stand-by of about 100 hours. The weight is 1.9oz and it will become available in the second half of 2006.

Original RAZRWIRE

The new O RAZR(sorry for the stock photo but our camera failed us)

The second headset that caught out attention was the H5 MINIBLUE. It measures about 1.3 x 1.6 in (33x41mm) and weights a mere 0.26oz (7.5g). It actually picks up the user's voice from inside the ear canal, thus reducing outside noise. This does not have to be mistaken with Jawbone technology, which uses bone's vibration conductivity to capture the user's voice. The headset itself offers 1.5h of talk time with 72h of stand-by. The carrying case is very stylish and also doubles as a portable re-charging station increasing the talk time to 7.5 and the stand-by to 360h.

H5 inside the carrying case	carrying case

Motorola H5 MINIBLUE

The H605 features similar to Jabra 250's behind the ear design with a weight of .67oz (19g). It offers 10h of talk time and 200h of stand-by.

Motorola H605


TXTR D7 is wireless QWERTY keyboard that can seamlessly sync with Bluetooth enabled phone up to 30 feet away. Moreover it allows users to text directly with other D7 keyboards up to 300 feet away. The keyboard weights 1.7oz (48g) and has up to 24h of text time (given that you write 20 msg per 24h). The D7 should become available during the first part of 2006.

Motorola TXTR D7

S805 DJ Headphones allow you to take calls and listen wirelessly to your favorite music. The over-the-ear styled headphones feature integrated controls on the left side for the phone, and for music on the right. The talk time is 17h (20h for music listening) with stand-by of 250h. 3.5mm jack is also present for easy connectivity to wired audio sources.

S805