bluetooth

Gear4 popped by Crave UK yesterday to talk about a super-secret new product (which we're not allowed to talk about--but you will be excited when we can). We were also given the company's brand-new Bluetooth receiver for hi-fi systems. It's called the Blustream RX and although we've not had a chance to test it fully yet, it's looking to be a promising nugget of kit.

It's a very weighty unit, shaped like a hockey puck and roughly the size of a British three-pin plug. We were surprised at how solid this thing is. It … Read more

Chinavasion regularly comes up with some dubious products--a tooth-mounted microphone, anyone?--so it's not surprising that it should come up with something like this item, which at first glance seems to be of devastatingly little use. Its "Caller ID Stereo Bluetooth Headset" is a wireless device that displays the incoming number before the call is answered--which, so far as we know, already appears on pretty much any phone the market today (other than blocked calls, of course). To be fair, however, Chip Chick points out that it might come in handy if you have an unwieldy handset, … Read more

There are plenty of Bluetooth hands-free speakerphones for the car out there, but the Gold Lantern VisorTalk distinguishes itself with a caller ID display--all the better to screen calls while you're on the road. Otherwise, the VisorTalk--so named because it clips to the sun visor--has all the standard features covered: It sports Bluetooth 2.0 (for pairing with any compatible cell phone) and a full duplex speakerphone, and the rechargeable battery is rated at 8 hours talk time and 200 hours standby (a car charger is included). And that "H" button centered below the display is a &… Read more

The old formula, as was evidenced once again by Tranformers mania last year, is clear: Hype the title, leak word of related merchandise, and cash in just before the release (and before people come to their senses). As gamers have been losing sleep in anticipation of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, a "rumor" of a branded headset mysteriously began floating around the blog circuit. Then, just as miraculously, it turns out to be real and destined for sales that will coincide with the game's June launch.

The Bluetooth headset is not surprisingly done in … Read more

Latest in the Finnish company's portfolio of NFC devices is the 3G-enabled 6212 classic. But the news here is that it's now possible to pair the NFC-enabled BH-210 Bluetooth headset with the 6212 classic by just bringing the two devices into contact.

Here's the catch. The BH-210 with NFC is available only in Europe, but apparently if there's a demand for it, Nokia may consider bringing it elsewhere as well. Looking at the larger scheme of things in the foreseeable future, we'd be able to transfer data like photos and videos to a Bluetooth-enabled NFC … Read more

Bluetooth is about to get a touch of green. CSR has given its first public demonstration of a headset powered by technology that uses only a tenth of the energy consumed by its standard counterparts.

The technology, previously known as "Wibree," was developed and licensed by Nokia a few years ago and is finally preparing to come to market. Developed for short distances--from handset to ear, for instance--the system transfers data much faster than standard Bluetooth connections and therefore uses less energy.

CSR's version of the "ultra-low-power" Bluetooth system was shown at a medical conference … Read more

Audi previously impressed us with its handling technology in the Audi TT, but even that car feels a bit staid when compared with the 2008 Audi R8. The R8 holds the pavement as only a low-slung car with all-wheel-drive and massive tires can. Then Audi throws in its magnetic damping technology to keep the suspension tuned for whatever kind of road you are driving on and puts the engine in the middle to balance the car. All of this combines to let us take the R8 around corners at speeds we wouldn't think possible.

For cabin tech, the R8 … Read more

With California set to join other areas of the country in banning cell phone use while driving, 23 million more drivers are going to have to figure out how to stay connected while on the road. They could do a lot worse than Sony's all-in-one car stereo and Bluetooth hands-free calling interface. The MEX-BT5100 comes with a built-in microphone, a good range of digital audio support, and a stylish form factor. Check out our full review right here.

Being among the last holdouts who don't own a Bluetooth headset, we've often wondered how well they stay lodged in one's aural canal. It's not that we're philosophically opposed them--well, maybe a little--but we've just had horrible luck with earphones that refuse to inhabit our apparently misshapen ears.

This is why Tritton's new "AX Micro" Bluetooth headset is of particular interest. In addition to the usual features, including 5 hours of talk time and 150 on standby, this tiny gadget claims to have a "comfort fit attachment" and &… Read more