Filed under: Cellphones, Networking

With Skype and other assorted VoIP services getting more and more popular, you might be eyeing one of those new handsets we’ve been showing your for the last few months. However, some of you might have wondered why you’d want to buy another handset when you probably have a perfectly good cellphone with the necessary internals to do the job, right? You’re in luck, as such a product just debuted at the VoIP / IPTV World 2006 expo in Korea: Clipcomm’s BS-T100V will convert your home VoIP service and send it over Bluetooth to your celly, letting you talk up a storm without using a ton of those precious minutes. (Of course, if you’re a T-Mobile customer in Seattle, you could get HotSpot @Home right now.) As happy as this product makes us, we still can’t get too excited yet given that we don’t know what it’ll cost, nor if it’ll ever make it across that bigger pond to the West.

[Via AVING]

 

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Portable Audio

The first thing you may have noticed about the iLuv i202 headphones up there is the lack of wires. Oh sure, they’re Bluetooth 1.2 so there’s no need to jack into your DAP. However, unlike all the other stereo-capable Bluetooth headphones we’ve seen, these lack any type of connectivity between the cans — No little wire, no strap, nothing. So either they’re being a bit devious with the product shots or we’ve got a first here. Nevertheless, they bring a nice looking design along with support for A2DP (stereo) and AVRCP (remote control) profiles on top of the handsfree and headset profiles to make ‘em equally at home with your Bluetooth cellphone in and out of the car or for listening to your MP3 player. Yes, iPod too just as long as you don’t mind lugging around the included iLuv Bluetooth transmitter. The i202 features a 200 hour standy time and will seamlessly switch between music and incoming calls with up to 13-hours of talk time or 14-hours of stereo audio before needing to pull a charge over the included USB power adapter. Each can weighs 51-grams with one sporting play/pause/skip/volume controls for AVRCP-equipped devices. $90 and shipping now. iLuv also has a set of i903 noise-canceling Bluetooth Headphones available with all the same features but 300 hours standby / 8 hours audio / 9 hours talk time. Yours for $100 — picture after the break.

[Via iLounge]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Cellphones, Peripherals

Mobility Electronics has launched the latest in its line of Stowaway portable keyboards under its Think Outside brand, the Bluetooth-based Stowaway Sierra. Ok, so it’s not quite as catchily-named as the Stowaway Shasta, but it does look to be a fair bit more versatile, compatible with Windows Mobile 5, Pocket PC, Palm and Symbian-based devices (with Bluetooth, of course), as well as Windows XP and Mac OS X, for anyone that finds their full-size desktop keyboard a little too comfortable. Unlike some portable keyboards, the Stowaway Sierra packs decently-sized 19mm keys, including dedicated numeric keys and shortcut keys for your smartphone, PDA, or Windows XP — yet it still manages to fold up into pocketable (depending on the pocket) 5.0 x 3.5 x 0.9-inch package. You can snag this one now for $129.99.

 

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SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time.

Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Audio

Listen up LL Cool Stevie J.: would it be really so hard to get your engineering posse on building Bluetooth into the iPod? Seriously, we’d settle for even a Bluetooth dongle at this point, just so we wouldn’t have to get scrambled up in our headphones anymore. Because if you guys don’t come out with something soon, then we’re going to have to settle for these really mediocre things like this BluPod here — all it does is display caller ID info on your iPod and turn down your music accordingly (oh, and it adds an FM transmitter, too). Ok, nevermind this BluPod — just get going on that iPhone, m’kay?

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Filed under: Laptops, Peripherals, Wireless

If your fresh new laptop has an ExpressCard slot that’s not already preoccupied with a TV tuner, external SATA adapter, or EV-DO card, you might be interested in a little something that maximizes your ability to become the ultimate couch potato. Interlink Electronics has released its Bluetooth-enabled Media Remote that just so happens to fit snuggly inside your machine’s ExpressCard slot for storage and recharging. The device works with pretty much every media suite out there, including Windows Media Center, Dell Media Experience, Windows Media Player, iTunes, RealPlayer and presumably anything else with track / volume controls. Sporting a 30 foot range, a full week of battery life, and weighing only 1.1 ounces, this $49.95 media controller should make good use of that open ExpressCard slot — unless, of course, it’s reserved for more critical tasks.

[Via MobileWhack]

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Filed under: Cellphones, Features, Wireless

Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about technology, multimedia, and digital entertainment:

In July, I discussed the confusion that results when carriers disable Bluetooth capabilities, specifically OBEX and DUN, which were not the names of two New York City detectives on the ’70s comedy Barney Miller. The column proposed that the Bluetooth Special Internet Group (SIG) step up efforts to ensure that a Bluetooth device is capable of what a consumer would expect it to do, and thus apply marketing pressure to the carriers.

That column led to a discussion with Mike Foley, executive director of the Bluetooth SIG, who noted the range of capabilities that Bluetooth has acquired. For example, relatively few consumers are aware that their Bluetooth devices can print using the wireless technology or can stream stereo music using the A2DP profile. As a result, in June the SIG developed a set of five “experience icons” that cover five Bluetooth-enabled tasks — printing, input, headset, transfer and music.

Among the most useful in terms of carrier tampering will be file transfer, which has been blocked in the past. There’s no icon for dial-up networking yet, though. According to Foley, there is still more work to do on simplifying the use of a cell phone as an untethered modem.

While the introduction of the icons, which will be placed below the stylized Bluetooth “B” icon, will help savvy consumers better understand their devices capabilities, the SIG acknowledges that it will introduce a level of complexity. In the column on “True Bluetooth,” I noted how the composite PlayforSure icon has led to confusion, but the Bluetooth SIG has it somewhat easier in that most of its functions are distinct. In contrast, PlaysForSure’s composite logo, which devotes three lines in its icon to whether video can be obtained via subscription, rental or purchase, depends more on abstract business models.

On the other hand, with cell phones being such important devices to Bluetooth, the SIG must contend with carriers approving features that are already in cell phones. So, what happens, for example, if a manufacturer supports a Bluetooth feature that one network operator supports but another does not? In that case, according to Foley, the recommendation would be that the manufacturer’s and supporting operator’s Web site feature the appropriate icon while the operator that that does not support the feature omits that icon. Furthermore, there will likely be more icons to come. In addition to dial-up networking, future versions of Bluetooth based on ultra wideband technology would likely be able to stream video, leading to yet another icon.

So, the icons will raise awareness and possibly some confusion, but don’t directly address the carrier disabling issue. However, there is good news on that front, according to Foley. Based on customer feedback pressure and a more enlightened business strategy that recognizes the value in consumers’ relying more on their mobile phones, U.S. carriers should be stepping into line with their European counterparts and embracing the full functionality of Bluetooth as early as this fall. That’s an experience we’ll all be glad to share.

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Ross Rubin is director of industry analysis for consumer technology at market research and analysis firm The NPD Group and a contributing editor for LAPTOP. Views expressed in Switched On are his own. Feedback is welcome at fliptheswitch@gmail.com.

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Filed under: Portable Audio, Wireless

Although Koss may not be a frequent name here at Engadget, it has hung around and delivered a few quality offerings, the latest of which has been dubbed Cobalt. These wireless streetstyle (i.e. wrap around your dome) stereo headphones aren’t particularly elaborate in any one sense, but they do manage to fold away nicely for portable storage and, of course, sport Bluetooth. While there are quite a few alternatives out there tailored for iPod use, Koss is apparently marketing these as the end-all solution to your wireless earphone needs — by thoughtfully including a USB Bluetooth dongle, a 3.5mm Bluetooth transmitter, a 3.5mm extension cable, and a USB charging cable, you’re able to utilize the ‘phones on pretty much anything. Touted as being right at home on your PC, CD / DVD player, DAP, media player, and basically everywhere you can jam a USB device or 3.5mm jack in, the Cobalt isn’t lacking in the utility department. You’ll get 8 hours of easy listening from the rechargeable battery, and Koss even flaunts its ability to “simultaneously pair” with cellphones in order to both hear callers and listen to music without a hitch (but how much good is this really without a built-in microphone?). If you’re searching for a Bluetooth headset that can play nice with basically any music player, and you trust these things will actually sound halfway decent, the Koss Cobalt can be picked up now for $179.99.

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Filed under: Peripherals, Wireless

If dropping 70 bucks on Apple’s one two-button Bluetooth Mighty Mouse just wasn’t going to happen, then it’s highly unlikely you’d spend the same amount on a third-party alternative that may never arrive. Although MacMice hasn’t been in the news of late for mysteriously missing shipments, we’re still not sure what to make of the company. Nevertheless, it’s releasing a new version of The Mouse BT that sports a white outfit in favor of the previous silver, plays nice with OS X and Windows XP, and supports the Bluetooth v1.2 standard as well. This honest-to-goodness two-button mouse certainly resembles the Mighty Mouse, but in place of Apple’s miniature trackball is MacMice’s “MicroScroll” (i.e. your run-of-the-mill notchless scroll wheel). While The Mouse BT II doesn’t support single-battery operation, it does include a nifty USB charging base where you can park your pet for the night to recuperate. Although the company may have a shaky past, the real issue here is the questionable pricing — unless a charging station just rocks your world, it’s unlikely MacMice will win over any potential Bluetooth Mighty Mouse customers by just matching Apple’s (debatably high) $69.99.

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Filed under: Peripherals, Motorola

Do you think it’s a fashion faux pas to mix and match phones and accessories? Motorola does, and in the vein of the original RAZR headsets, they’re pumping out a couple new ones to match their fresh MOTOKRZR and MOTORIZR phones. The H601 and H800 complement the new models, respectively — no interesting or exciting new features to report, though the H800 does have a slide-out tip in a nod to its RIZR heritage. And don’t you dare let Moto catch you pairing an H601 with anything but a KRZR, alright?

[Via Phone Scoop]

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Filed under: Peripherals, Wireless

While we’re certainly not rushing out to snatch up Apple’s new Wireless Mighty Mouse, the heavy response to this Bluetooth-equipped rodent makes us think that a lot of you Macheads out there are eager to learn more before laying down your $70. With that in mind, we figured a full gallery of unboxing photos would be just the cure for your Mighty Mouse jones. Keep on reading for a few more pics — including a comparative shot with the wired version (spoiler: they look exactly alike, save for the “tail”) — and then hit up the Read link to check out the entire set…

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Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Portable Audio

The FCC just gave us the word on Sony's upcoming CMT-U1BT bookshelf audio system. The fairly simple unit can give a bit of amplification to your Bluetooth audio-capable phone or other such device, along with the usual FM/AM, ATRAC/MP3 CD, and CD playback. The player also includes a USB plug for playing sounds off of portable devices in such a manner. Unfortunately, the device will be dropping in September for a rather hefty $463-ish pricetag, and a release in the States is unlikely.

[Via ATRACLife]

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Filed under: Peripherals, Wireless

Well now we know why Apple "forgot" to file for ye olde confidentiality agreement on the Bluetooth Mighty Mouse FCC filing: they were planning on releasing the wireless rodent into the wild just hours after the documents went live. That's right, if you're looking to cut the cord and add some sweet laser-guided precision to your first-gen Mighty Mouse, you can pick up one of these models immediately for $69 (compared to $49 for the wired version). About the only new bit of information revealed on the official product page is the fact that this mouse will operate with either two or just one AA batteries -- you know, for those times when you're looking to shave every conceivable gram off of your travel weight. As much as we love Apple products, the Mighty Mouse has just never been all that comfortable to use; Bluetooth and laser-tracking are certainly nice additions, but until they make these things more ergonomic, we're holding on to our Logitech gear.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Filed under: Transportation, Wireless

If you can’t roll down your windows with your smartphone, you need to get with the program, son. Connect2Car, a system that integrates a multi-function controller (MFC) into your ride, allows you to do some pretty fly things with just about any Bluetooth-enabled device. By utilizing SoftDash, a proprietary software module, your portable machine gives instructions via BT (or serial cable) that operate all sorts of components such as the windows, locks, engine, convertible top, solenoids, air-ride suspension (saywha?), stereo, and alarm. But if that weren’t enough to keep you busy, you can get a real-time readout of your tachometer on your PDA / smartphone while driving, which is rather unnecessary unless the dash gauge is broken. The installation is fairly straight-forward: just install the MFC in your vehicle, program SoftDash for your specific model, and pair up your BT device to get your whip in gear — or just play with the hydraulic system at a traffic light. So if the factory controls on your car just aren’t exhilarating enough, or if this system is way cheaper than replacing that trunk actuator, you can get your ride MFC-equipped for $399.99 to $849.99, depending on options.

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Filed under: Transportation, Wireless

It's probably not the safest practice to to single-handedly control your vehicle while single-handedly checking your email, but until now there really wasn't an everything-free way to check your inbox while cruising. The iLane, a small device that interfaces with your Bluetooth-enabled handheld, acts as your own personal narrator by notifying the driver of incoming mail, reading your messages in a "natural sounding voice" -- which we'll believe when we hear it -- and replying to your commands. Reportedly, you can even forward, reply, or compose a message via the device, but we're unsure how chaotic your driving environment may end up whilst dealing with the presumably poor voice-recognition assistant. One much appreciated feature is the ability to prioritize messages so those disjointed "male performance supplement" advertisements in your spam folder aren't read before the manager's memo. Although the iLane currently lacks a price and release date, the handsfree approach to email while road-tripping should eliminate a few hazards along the way.

[Via Mobilemag]

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Filed under: Peripherals, Wireless

Looks like Apple forgot to file for ye olde confidentiality agreement, but today an FCC filing showed off Apple’s latest device: the Mighty Mouse with Bluetooth. If anyone’s surprised, well, that’d be pretty silly of you being that a wireless / Bluetooth Mighty Mouse is what’s been asked for of Apple since day one of the peripheral’s release. So, who’s got odds that they’ll finally freaking fix those pitiful squeeze triggers on the side? By the way, for those not interested in poring over the manual, expect the “M6″ (the device’s listed codename) to be powered by AA cells — not by an internal rechargeable battery (i.e. don’t expect a little dock or USB plug, bucko).

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Filed under: Handsets, Multimedia, Nokia, Symbian, GSM, EDGE, UMTS

Even if you're a die-hard Palm or Windows Mobile fan, it's hard to deny the appeal of Nokia's N-series lineup of S60-powered "multimedia computers," whose connectivity and imaging options are some of the best you can find on a smartphone today. As promised, the company has just officially released both the N73 (pictured, bottom) and N93 (pictured, top) handsets that we've been following for some time, and although you probably won't be able to pick them up through traditional channels, we know that they'll definitely be available at your local Nokia retail outlet. As a quick refresher, both of the phones (we know, we know, we're not supposed to call them phones) are highlighted by 3.2 megapixel, Zeiss lens-equipped cameras, with the N93 throwing in a 3x optical zoom and support for 30fps VGA video. Both models also feature high-res 2.4-inch displays, Bluetooth radios, a miniSD slot for image capture or rocking tunes, and quad-band GSM plus 3G UMTS capability. On top of all these attractive features, the N93 also gives you built-in WiFi with UPnP functionality, video out for replaying your precious memories on a big screen, and what sounds like better-than-average in-camera editing. We're still gonna stick with our current smartphones for now, but these models are so hot that we're seriously reconsidering our snobby insistence on rocking those handy QWERTY thumboards at all times.

Read- N73
Read- N93
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Connect2Car’s MFC can start your car’s engine, roll down its windows, or activate any other electric auto part by bluetooth. The MFC interfaces with a phone, PDA, or laptop over an encrypted connection. The little black box controls 8 devices. Here’s a video of a 2006 Toyota Solara getting the remote start, window rolldown, and ragtop drop by Verizon AudioVox XV6600 PDA.– Brian Lam

MFC [Connect2Car]

Filed under: Handsets, Multimedia, Pantech

Yes, we know this looks like your garden variety Korea-only swiveling flip phone with DMB, but Pantech is making a very interesting claim about its PT-S130: it’s allegedly the first DMB phone with Bluetooth. Of course, Samsung’s been trying hard to collect every “world’s first” title under the sun, but if this thing beats Sammy’s Bluetooth / S-DMB SCH-B450 to market, Pantech’s claim might just be legit. Other features include a 2.4-inch QVGA display, stereo speakers, and 2 megapixel autofocus camera — pretty standard fare in Korea, but as usual, that doesn’t stop us yanks from drooling.

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Filed under: Laptops

Lenovo has just announced a new addition to its Z61 series of ThinkPad notebooks — which currently consists of the Z61t and Z61m — in the form of a “mobile workstation” called the Z61p. Like the other models in this lineup, the 15.4-inch Z61p offers consumers several Intel Core processor options (maxing out with the 2.0GHz Core Duo T2500), but improves upon the graphics setup by including a Mobility Fire GL V5200 chipset from ATI with 256MB of VRAM. Other features include 1GB of 667MHz DDR2 RAM (expandable to 3GB), up to 100GB of hard drive capacity (in either 5,400RPM or 7,200RPM varieties), a 1,920 x 1,200 pixel display, WiFi, Bluetooth, an ExpressCard slot, and the popular ThinkVantage suite — though you’re not getting the 3G WWAN or titanium case options found on the other Z61 models. While all the pricing details are not immediately clear, it looks like a well-configured system will be going for around $2,400 when these become available next week.

[Via laptoping]

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Filed under: Portable Audio, Transportation, Wireless

Being the mass transit junkies that we are, we don’t spend a lot of time in cars, flying or otherwise, but we know many of you hit the highways each day, so we’re presenting to you Sony’s new Bluetooth-enabled head unit. The MEX-BT5000 acts as a hands free kit for any Bluetooth phone (although we’re sure they’d prefer if it was one of their own), giving you access to up to 50 of your contacts and six of your speed dial entries through its “high resolution” screen and integrated noise-reducing micophone.Once you’re done risking everyone’s life talking on the phone, fire up your Bluetooth-equipped DAP — or just stick in a CD — and you can stream high-fidelity audio throughout your ride, while checking out on-screen track info and navigating your music with the wireless remote. Sure, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen most of these features jammed into a head unit, and at $400, it’s still not the cheapest, but we thought it might help hold you over until the CD-ripping 2007 Infinity G35 starts showing up on sketchy used car lots.

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Filed under: Gaming, Laptops

UK rebadger PC manufacturer Rock has a blazing new 17-inch laptop in store for British gamers, the Core Duo-powered Xtreme CTX T2700. As its name suggests, this model sports a T2700 CPU running at 2.33GHz, along with 1GB of 667MHz DDR2 RAM, a zippy 7,200RPM 100GB hard drive, 8x dual-layer DVD burner, and on the connectivity tip, the always-popular Bluetooth and three flavor WiFi. Graphics on this model also promise to impress, with a 512MB-equipped GeForce Go 7900 GTX card from nVIDIA handling the heavy lifting for the1,920 x 1,200 WUXGA display. As you’d expect, a configuration like this doesn’t come cheap, and will cost around $3,200 when it drops in the next few days.

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Filed under: Tablet PCs

We still don’t feel like consumers are rushing out to buy those portable but quirky UMPCs (well, an unnamed Engadget editor actually did rush out to buy one — and returned it shortly thereafter), but it seems like the form factor is here to stay anyway, and now Korean manufacturer Daewoo Lucoms — a spin-off of Daewoo Electronics — has released its own version called the Solo M1. Specs on this one are almost identical to the Samsung Q1, as the two devices share the same low voltage 900MHz Intel Celeron processor, 7-inch touchscreen, 512MB of RAM, and of course, Windows XP Tablet Edition operating system. Also like the Q1, the Solo M1 sports both Bluetooth and WiFi wireless radios, and comes with the option of a built-in GPS receiver and/or DMB tuner. You’ll have to forgive us for not getting too enthusiastic about these products anymore (the novelty wore off about 100 posts ago), but if you’ve set the bar a little lower than we have, then you can pick up your own M1 for about $1,050 — in won, of course.

[Via Mobility Site]

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Filed under: Features, Peripherals, Wireless

Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about the future of technology, multimedia, and digital entertainment:

During the spring CTIA conference of 2005, a Switched On column expressed hope for Bluetooth. Bluetooth phones were becoming more broadly available in the US and headsets were becoming more affordable, trends that have continued. However, the potential of Bluetooth has been cut short by carriers that have disabled or “crippled” parts of it functionality. The two most common profiles that carriers have disabled are DUN (dial-up networking) which lets you use your Bluetooth handset as a wireless modem, and OBEX (object exchange), which lets you wirelessly trade files between your handset and PC.

DUN is generally disabled to prevent users from taking advantage of data plans intended for the kind of relatively light data usage patterns of a smartphone, whereas some carriers disable OBEX to prevent circumventing cellular-based transfer services, like Verizon, for instance, and photos. While carriers have eased up on some of the profile disabling, the Sidekick 3, for example, supports only headset and file sharing functions.

Communicating Bluetooth compatibility has always offered a dilemma because the wireless technology encompasses several different benefits. Do you go the route of the WiFi Alliance and offer one logo that might leave out details such as operating frequency, and speed or do you go the PlaysForSure route and offer a confusing composite badge that details all the capabilities?

Be it via cost-cutting or carrier caprice, though, consumers are getting a warped idea of what Bluetooth is and what it can do. Putting aside newer features such as A2DP audio and EDR enhanced speed, the Bluetooth SIG needs to confront the issue of phones not supporting the expected features of DUN and OBEX — features that could conceivably interfere with carrier revenue models. That’s why it should reward carriers that support phones with these capabilities via a “True Bluetooth” certification.

“True Bluetooth” would tell consumers that a specific phone on a specific network offers the essential – if not full — promise of what a Bluetooth phone should be. Promotion of “True Bluetooth” would be done via the handset manufacturers that have been most aggressive in supporting Bluetooth such as Nokia and Sony Ericsson. These companies are motivated to have carriers support the features that they’ve spent valuable development time engineering.

Carriers would also benefit from “True Bluetooth” as they would have a simple way to distinguish phones where they support features such as DUN from those that don’t, and market the right handsets to advanced users who want to use these features without resorting to hacks. It’s high time the Bluetooth SIG put some teeth back in Bluetooth with “True Bluetooth” — the way to hold its standard to a higher one.

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Ross Rubin is director of industry analysis for consumer technology at market research and analysis firm The NPD Group and a contributing editor for LAPTOP. Views expressed in Switched On are his own. Feedback is welcome at fliptheswitch@gmail.com.

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This roller skating robot from Japan may not drink and spew catchphrases like "Bite My Shiny Metal Ass", but unlike Bender, you can control this one with your Bluetooth-enabled cellphone.

Plen has 18 movable joints and a 32bit ARM7 CPU inside. You connect him to your PC using USB and he runs/walks/skates for 25 minutes on one charge. There's only a few available from Japan, so if you want one you probably need to hurry. Available from the land of Dragonball Z for 262,500 Yen ($2,200). – Jason Chen

Plen: Bluetooth controlled robot goes on sale [New Launches]

Filed under: Handsets, LG, Sprint-Nextel, EV-DO

If you’re thinking about picking up LG’s Fusic (otherwise known as the LG550) you might want to block off some time to read Phone Scoop’s incredibly thorough review. The handset, which is available now from Sprint, gets high marks for design and advanced features like excellent battery life, A2DP and an FM transmitter, but is hurt by the fact both music players (one for songs purchased from the Sprint Music Store and one for everything else) can’t multitask, so if you need to check your texts, you’ll have to do it in silence. The review goes on to admit that even with interchangeable faceplates and a very familiar scroll wheel, the Fusic is geared more toward the occasional listener than the audiophile, so don’t go making a spot in the junk drawer just yet.

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