Entered CNET Catalog: 08/13/2009
SKU: 0087320
Manufacturer: Novero
Manufacturer description
TheFirstOne's sleek shape and façade compliment your lifestyle. Whether on the avenue with friends, or on the boulevard in your car, TheFirstOne is always there - fashionably, effortlessly. TheFirstOne is beautiful, yet unassuming and never the focus of attention. TheFirstOne is uncomplicated and technically refined. Crafted from high quality components to deliver crystal clear phone calls, it even goes a step further by reducing distracting background noise. When dialing someone's number or making a three-way call, you need only touch a button or use a voice cue. TheFirstOne continues to make life easier by automatically pairing as soon as it's turned on and within range of your handset.Product summary
The good: The Novero TheFirstOne Bluetooth headset has an attractive minimalist design and a comfortable fit, and it comes with lots of accessories. It also has decent call quality with noise-canceling capabilities.
The bad: The Novero TheFirstOne Bluetooth headset is on the expensive side.
The bottom line: The Novero TheFirstOne Bluetooth headset is a good Bluetooth headset, but we wish it were a bit cheaper.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 08/13/2009
Just when we thought there couldn't possibly be more companies making Bluetooth headsets, Novero proved us wrong with its first headset, appropriately named TheFirstOne. It's not bad for a first-time product--it's attractive, comes with a slew of accessories, and fares quite well in regard with performance. Perhaps our only gripe is the $149 retail price point, and that it doesn't come with an ear hook. Otherwise, though, the Novero TheFirstOne is a well-made headset for those who want one that stands out from the rest.
The Novero TheFirstOne Bluetooth headset has a traditional yet stylish design. Its shape is that of a classic headset, but its pearl white and silver coloring combined with its minimalist design give it an iPod-like appeal. Measuring 1.9 inches long by 0.7 inch wide by 0.5 inch thick, the headset is small, compact, and is quite lightweight.
The multifunction button is located right in the middle of the headset's front surface. It is slim and raised sufficiently above the surface, so it's easy to press even when worn on the ear. A LED indicator is hidden underneath the button but its glow is visible when the headset is activated. A microphone is located on both the top and bottom of the headset--one is to capture environmental sound for noise canceling, and the other is to isolate and amplify the sound of your voice.
Turn the headset over and you'll find a simple round earpiece designed to nestle gently in the ear. It doesn't fit too deeply, and it is secure enough to wear without an ear hook. Even though we didn't need it, we wish Novero had included an optional ear hook in the package anyway. However, there are eight ear bud fittings for different-size ears. Some of the fittings have a small ear loop attached for a snugger fit within the folds of the ear. We definitely recommend trying out the different fittings for the best fit. We found the earpiece comfortable enough to wear for hours at a time.
TheFirstOne Bluetooth headset comes with a slew of other accessories as well. Aside from the AC charger (with interchangeable plugs), it also has a car dock with glue pads, a clip, a necklace lanyard, a USB cable, and a desk stand. Features of the headset include the typical answering, ending, and rejecting calls, plus call mute, last number dialing, and the capability to transfer a call from the headset to the phone and vice versa.
We tested the Novero TheFirstOne Bluetooth headset with the Apple iPhone 3G. Its call quality was quite impressive, overall. On our end, we could hear our callers clearly with little distortion, but we did wish it had a bit more volume. Our caller's voices sounded natural as well. On their end, callers could hear us loudly and clearly. We tested it in a moving vehicle as well as a quiet office environment, and both times, callers heard us without a problem. However, they did detect some static and crackle in the background at times.
The Novero TheFirstOne Bluetooth headset has a rated battery life of 4.5 hours talk time and 4.2 days standby time.
