05
Oct
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Plantronics BackBeat GO Review: Finally, A Stereo Bluetooth Headset With A Nearly Perfect Design

Posted by in Other Reviews

I've reviewed several sets of Bluetooth earbuds. With each one, there are things I would change about the design. On some, the buds are huge. Others forgo the massive bud size in exchange for a remote/receiver that needs to be "worn." Why can't someone just build a set of BT earbuds that look and feel like wired buds? is the question I find myself asking with each new headset.

Then I got my hands (and ears) on the Plantronics BackBeat GO. Without giving too much away up front, this headset is a breath of fresh air in a market filled with "I guess I can make these work" solutions.

30
Aug
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Skype Updated To Version 2.9.0.315 With Bluetooth Improvements, Bug Fixes

Posted by in Applications, News

Skype, providers of one of the most popular IM and video calling clients available, deployed an update for the service's Android app today, bringing it up to version 2.9.0.315 and packing a few minor, yet very much needed fixes and enhancements.

Among the changes in 2.9.0.315 are more reliable connection with Bluetooth headsets, support for a wider range of headsets, and several key bug fixes. Here's the full change log:

What's in this version:

Bluetooth improvements
• More reliable connection with headsets
• More headsets supported
Bug fixes
• No more random signing out
• Fixed green video on HTC devices
• Restored video quality on Nvidia-powered devices

While this is a relatively small update, it brings improvements that should give users a more pleasant experience with the app overall, and will definitely help functionality for those using HTC or NVIDIA-powered devices.

15
Mar
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[Review] Jawbone Icon HD + The NERD: A Pretty Good Bluetooth Headset, As Long As You Ignore The Price

Posted by in Other Reviews

I remember my first Bluetooth headset review. I was skeptical. I felt like a giant asshole when I wore it. And I'll say this much - my opinion on them hasn't changed much. Wearing one outside of a moving vehicle or a closed office just strikes me as rude. Is it any way, shape, or form harming me when people do it? No, but neither are Crocs, and I think many of us have "feelings" about them.

Before I go on with that potentially never-ending rant, let's talk about the Icon HD. If you've ever purchased a Jawbone product before, you know the drill - it's a premium Bluetooth headset (with a large variety of fit options) that's very well-styled.

11
Jan
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[CES 2012] Philips Announces GoGear Connect 3.5 Media Player And New Line Of 'Made For Android' Headsets

Posted by in News
Last Updated: January 17th, 2012

First off, let's talk about the GoGear Connect 3.5 media player. We don't have much information on this device yet, but we do know that it's the latest Wi-Fi-enabled touch screen MP4 player from Philips. It runs on Gingerbread and will likely see a custom interface overlay from Philips. The device will offer access to hundreds of thousands of apps from the Android Market, as well as Skype communication with a front-facing camera, 720p HD video playback on a 3.5" screen, and sound enhancing technology.

It'll be available in April of this year, and go for $169.99 for an 8GB model or $199.99 for a 16GB model.

20
Dec
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Review: Etymotic Research hf2 Headphones Provide Unbelievable Fidelity And Clarity At A Reasonable Price

Posted by in Other Reviews

Before seeking out a few companies to find the best Android-friendly headphones around, I had never heard of Etymotic Research. Apparently, they've been around quite a while - since 1983, actually, and were among the first companies to market in-ear headphones to consumers. They actually claim to be the inventors of in-ear headphones (or "canalphones"), though whether or not that's actually true is apparently an object of some controversy.

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Anyway, the good folks at ER sent me a pair of their hf2 in-ear headphones with Android-friendly inline controls and microphone, and I have to say, these headphones rock - the sheer difference in sound quality from your standard $30-80 earbuds is mind-blowing.

10
Nov
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Review: Samsung HM7000 Bluetooth Headset - You'll Still Look Like A... You Know. But It Works Great

Posted by in Other Reviews, Reviews, Samsung

People who constantly wear Bluetooth headsets annoy me. I'll admit it. Yep, it's probably pretentious, judgmental, and just kind of mean, but nonetheless, that's where I stand (see: this highly relevant video). I figure it's only fair warning for you, our readers, going into this review. So, when Samsung offered me a chance to spend some time with their latest high-end Bluetooth headset, the HM7000 (the product naming department was on vacation), I accepted with a good deal of hesitancy.

Overview

Samsung HM7000 Bluetooth Headset

  • Price: $100 (less on Amazon)
  • What is it? A Bluetooth headset - as you might have guessed.

10
Nov
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[Review] Jaybird Freedom Stereo Bluetooth Headset: Awesome... If You Don't Actually Talk On Your Phone

Posted by in Reviews
Last Updated: November 11th, 2011

How many times has this happened to you: While listening to music, something snags the chord of your earbuds, forcefully ripping them from your head. Yeah, I know what you're thinking, and I agree -- there are few things in this world that make me that mad almost instantly. Fortunately, there is an easy way to avoid such a catastrophe from ever happening again: a stereo Bluetooth headset.

Today we'll be taking a look at one such headset: the Jaybird Freedom Wireless Bluetooth (isn't that sort of redundant?) Buds. I've used this headset nearly everyday for the last few weeks, and I can honestly say that I like it -- but it's not perfect.

11
Aug
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Review + Giveaway: JBuds J4M Headphones By JLab - When Ruggedized Actually Works, And Works Well

Posted by in Contests / Giveaways, Other Reviews, Reviews

Ruggedized - doesn't the word just conjur up images of a tiger eating a Toughbook?

When I received the J4M headphones from JLab, I was unsure of how "rugged" an in-ear headphone could actually be. So, I decided to treat them less than, shall we say, "gently" over the last few weeks.

Now, it's not like I've gone dunking them in water or buried them in sand at the beach - that kind of behavior is at your own risk. But, I can say the J4M is a tough little piece of kit that won't disappoint in the durability department.

16
Jun
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[Deal Alert] ASUS Transformer 32GB With Klipsch Headphones + 8GB SD Card For $475 On eBay (Ends Soon)

Posted by in Deals, Eee Pad Transformer, News

There's no denying that the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer is one of the best Android tablets on the market. The keyboard dock makes it a one of a kind, and its unusually low price tag gives it more bang-for-your-buck than the bulk of the competition. Today's Daily Deal on eBay is the 32GB version of the Transformer (normally $500) with some pretty sweet accessories. While this bundle doesn't include the keyboard dock, it does bring a $90 Klipsch stereo headset and an 8GB microSD card to the table.

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The Klipsch headset (1012134 ProMedia, if you want to get specific) is a sleek, red-and-black noise-cancelling in-ear setup designed with gaming in mind.

23
May
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Samsung Parades 10 Galaxy Tab 10.1 Accessories Ahead Of Launch, Including HDMI Adapter, Keyboard Docks, And More

Posted by in Galaxy Tab 10.1, News, Samsung, Tablets
Last Updated: May 25th, 2011

Just so you're not worried that the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet with its single proprietary 30-pin connector (according to Wikipedia, it's not the standard PDMI port) is going to be crippled in the HDMI, USB, storage, and keyboard department, the company unveiled a whole host of [rather expensive] accessories that should satisfy even the most needy ones among you.

Since over 5000 Google I/O attendees already received and inspected every inch of their 10.1s, you may have already seen a flood of complaints regarding the absence of any kind of standard connectors, be it USB, HDMI, or SD.

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