According to Bluetooth SIG’s Executive Director, Michael Foley, the first Bluetooth 4.0 devices could hit market this year, later in Q4. What can be said more is we welcome this devices but wonder if it wasn’t a better idea to try and update the standard to include some sort of streaming quality upgrades that would benefit bluetooth headsets and stereo headsets for audiophiles, plus maybe some sort of noise cancellation implemented directly on the Bluetooth chip. Buy maybe we’ll see all those in Bluetooth 5.0, right?

Bluetooth 4.0 is just around the corner

Source: Infosyncworld

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From specs point of view we know the Asus EEE PC 1018P features a brushed aluminum case, 10 hours battery life and a choice of Intel ATOM N455 and N475 CPUs, both supporting DDR3 standard (another first for a netbook). We’d say this is a pretty device that managed to fit a lot of goodies in an 18 mm thick case.

Asus EEE PC 1018p: innovation written all over it

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With Sennheiser PX 210 BT you don’t get to make/receive phone calls. This might be a stopper for some, but Sennheiser made clear that their product is made for music streaming and nothing more. They’ve used a Bluetooth 2.1 chip that was fitted with proprietary apt-X technology that uses a special algorithm to compress audio and requires a special Sennheiser dongle to be activated. Don’t worry as PX 210 BT can operate wireless without this dongle and they’re fitted with a 3.5 mm jack too in case you miss the good old cord.

Sennheiser PX 210 BT can be easily folded

Construction is also a strong point for Sennheiser PX 210 BT, starting with the two neodymium magnets and Sennheiser’s Duofol diaphragms fitted inside the retractable ear pads. Both pads can be  rotated 90 degrees to form a low profile with the head band, marking for an easy to carry package.

The internal battery of Sennheiser PX 210 BT is of course rechargeable and is rated for 12 hours but I bet in actual use you won’t get there without lowering the volume. Interesting to note is that Sennheiser had put an international charger (not sure which connectors are included so you better ask before you buy)  inside the package and that’s nice for those who travel abroad a lot.

As you can expect from a semiprofessional headset, the Sennheiser PX 210 BT sells for some hard cash, in this case a little over 200 $, a significant drop from the suggested retail price of 299$.

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You can mount it very easy by placing the rubber ear piece in your ear cavity or use the optional ear loop, included in the package of Nokia BH-102. I find the latter being more comfortable but I guess you can get used with the in-ear version too after a while.

Nokia BH-102 size comparison with a Nokia phone

On the specs side, Nokia BH-102 is a Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR compatible headset with handsfree profile 1.5 and headset profile 1.1. Effective range is 33 feet and the included rechargeable 110 mAh lithium-ion polymer battery is good for 10 hours talk time and 7.5 hours standby. That’s one of the advantages of cheap bluetooth headsets: no special technologies included means low power consumption that leads to great battery life.

From compatibility point of view, Nokia BH-102 is compatible with phones and devices supporting Bluetooth Specification v 2.0, 1.2 or 1.1, Handsfree Profile 1.5 or 1.0 and/or Headset Profile 1.1. Nokia even has a list with compatible models from their own store here.

The conclusion is clear: if you don’t want to spend too much money on a bluetooth headset, nor needing too much time to adjust to a complicated one, then go buy the Nokia BH-102. Remember that it’s not a high end device and no noise reduction technologies are provided.

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Scala Rider G4 is their latest product, a helmet mounted (with glue-on or clamp mechanism plus in helmet speakers) headset that offers communications between two passengers on the same bike plus two others on a different motorcycle or between three different bikers. All communications are full duplex. And the good news doesn’t stop here: Scala Rider G4 can communicate efficiently on distances up to 1 mile. If you’re the lonely rider type of guy don’t worry, as the headset supports Bluetooth A2DP stereo streaming so you can listen to your own tunes stored on a cell phone or MP3 player.

Scala Rider G4: positions for earphones

If you’re getting bored you can call someone and talk, all without taking your hands off the bike. Scala Rider G4 can also be paired with a GPS receiver so you’ll hear indications directly in your helmet. All those features are possible thanks to the overwhelming number of technologies incorporated by Cardo-Rider: AGC for automatic volume adjustment that takes into consideration the speed you’re driving and environmental noise, PLC is the one that assures optimal sound quality in dense urban areas(from radio waves point of view) and VOX for hands free intercom and voice call communications. For you’re pleasure Cardo also included an FM radio with quick search and 6 channel memory, also voice activated.

Connectivity oprions for Scala Rider G4

For this kind of high end specs expect a high price tag, at around 250$, but don’t be sad, as for your passenger you only need a compatible Cardo Rider headset, not the Scala Rider G4. The conclusion is simple: get the Scala Rider G4 if you’re a mix of riding pleasure and communications freak. We’ll guarantee you that those long trips won’t ever be boring again.

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As with any high-end Bluetooth headset, Motopure H12 features 2 microphones that are used to separate your voice from background noise and to detect and eliminate wind from the calling equation. CrystalTalk is the technology reuniting noise reduction, echo cancellation and wind reduction.

David Beckham likes the Motorola Motopure H12

From hardware point of view we can tell you Motorola Motopure H12  is compatible with Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR standard, charges via microUSB (comes with a desktop and mobile charging craddle) and lasts up to 8 days in standby or 5.5 hours of continuous talk time. In its advertisements Motorola used the image of David Beckham to market it so that’s the proof you’re looking for if you want to make a decision based on the way the headset looks, but don’t neglect the hardware specs that are on par with what competition offers.

Other technologies you might be interested in are Easy Pairing responsible with making fast connection to your Bluetooth devices, multipurpose button that’s used for several functions including answer, end, reject, mute and hold call, and a status LED that shows battery charge level. All in all, Motorola Motopure H12 is a gadget with a complete package that’s hard to be ignored.

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The 360 in the naming scheme comes I guess from the fact that you can use Plantronics Explorer 360 pretty much everywhere, every time (all day long because of the 8 hours rated talk time) and in any noise conditions. Plus it’s simple to operate thanks to the one big button used for answer/reject and redial. Of course this is not the only buttons as there are two more on the lower side that control volume during conversations.

Plantronics Explorer 360 has a simple design

The mounting system is a classic over the ear loop that can be adjusted also vertically. You really must be off the chart not to be able to mount Plantronics Explorer 360 comfortably. And comfort doesn’t mean just easy to wear but also easy to use: when turned on for the first time the headsets enters pairing mode for 10 minutes giving you plenty of time to pair it with your mobile headset. This feature is called QuickPair and is accessible later. A LED indicator flashing red and/or blue colors will indicate your current headset status.

Now frankly there are also issues with the Plantronics Explorer 360, the worst being highest volume, which is not great when there’s plenty of chatter around you. You should take into consideration that this is something very subjective, as many users reported they’ve successfully used Plantronics Explorer 360 in gaming scenarios, for chatting and listening to music, so it all depends on your expectations, but I tell you, for just 35$ it’s a steal compared to other expensive Bluetooth headsets (think over 50$). And it looks good too, with its slate blue metallic color.

Package contents and schematics

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As of comfort, Explorer 330 features a single adjustable ear loop that can be mounted on either left or right side. If you have big ears don’t worry, you’ll find a good position for you. As performance, users report easy pairing without having to input a security code, nice volume level (even on the high side) and up to 8 hours talk time and 240 standby.

Schematics for Plantronics Explorer 330

As many modern headsets, Plantronics Explorer 330 is a class-2 device which means up to 33 meters effective range without signal degradation and wide compatibility range with other Bluetooth 2.0 gadgets. As a side note, Plantronics Explorer 330 is also available in Pink for the ladies. Price is set at a very low point, especially compared to other Plantronics devices.

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The above mentioned feature is called RapidConnect. CrystalTalk  is responsible for call quality and can be described as a combination of noise reduction and echo canceling plus uses two microphones to pick up the slightest sounds from your voice while keeping unwanted noises away.

Motorola H17 is a nice to use headset

As any modern headset, Motorola H17 features multipoint connectivity that allows simultaneous pairing with two other Bluetooth devices. Voice prompts you hear are announcing you when you receive a phone call, when the volume is muted and current battery level status. Motorola worked hard to make H17 also a comfortable to use device thus implementing an in ear design plus an over the ear adjustable loop that help keep the headset secured even during sports activities.

Motorola H17 is a Bluetooth Class-2 device which means it connects to a maximum range of 33 feet, enough for you to walk around the room while leaving the cellphone on the desk. One other important feature for people who travel a lot is that Motorola H17 charges in 15 minutes enough for you to make 2 hours of calls. If you charge it to full level it will last you up to 7 days.

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Other smaller functions include Audio CallerID technology which says out loud the name of the person who’s calling you. Echo and noise reduction technologies are also present. StationFounder is a transmission quality related tech that automatically searches for the optimum transmission channel on your car stereo. With the press of a button it says out loud the FM frequency which you’ll need then to set on your car radio.

Motorola Motorokr T505 Speakerphone on your head visor

The number of buttons on Motorola MOTOROKR T505 is not overwhelming and include controls for volume, wireless stereo audio link control, StationFinder, Audio CallerID, On/Off pairing button. You’ll love the way the speaker mounts to your head visor with a small clip, no other cables needed. The included 1150 mAh battery lasts up to 18 hours talk/stream time or 14 days standby.

Reviews online day that Motorola MOTOROKR T505 is an excellent hands-free calling device but lacks full duplex transmissions so you have to adjust to this and make small pauses during conversations but that’s not the end of the world isn’t it?

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