russian

Phone Search:

RSS

Samsung Galaxy Note. First Look

Today, large companies, especially corporate giants like Samsung, do not surprise users with extraordinary products...

First look. Sony ST21i Tapioca Microsoft Windows Phone 7: Reasons for Failure First Look at Samsung Galaxy S3 as a 2012 Flagship

Reviews Editorials

Mobile Phones Editorials MP3 Forum

Print this review

New Bluetooth-headsets at CeBIT'2005 - Jabra, SouthWing and others

CeBIT 2005. All the materials. Contents>>>

Several years ago Bluetooth headsets were rare and expensive accessories and models available on the market could be counted on the fingers of one hand. This time much more devices were represented at CeBIT - they were clones manufactured against ODM-contracts. Sometimes they are even hard to tell from each other. The ASP forms 70-80 Euro, and gradually the accessory gets mass. Also, we'll stress the decrease of an average size.

In the 11th pavilion Bluetooth headsets could have been noticed almost at every second stand, and often in the quantity of 5-10 items by a company. Unfortunately, that's impossible to tell about each of them because of their great number, but we consider that our duty to highlight the most interesting models.

This is the second year GN Mobile (owing the Jabra brand) represents new devices that will later appear on the market in the course of a year. So, let's pass to discussing the models.

First, that is Jabra BT330 weighting 17 grams and working for 7 hours in the talk mode and up to 200 hours in the standby mode. Bluetooth 1.2 is supported as well as all the necessary profiles. It may be worn on both sides, and there are volume level buttons also. The model will be launched within the next few days for the expected price of 79 Euro.

Jabra BT350 is positioned higher than the BT330, it is one gram heavier. Extra functions provided are a vibrating call (!) and a possibility to charge from USB, a charge indicator. Battery life is the same. The model will be launched in the 3Q 2005.

A youth variant of the headset called Jabra BT130 is equipped with interchangeable panels allowing to change colour solutions. Battery life is about 4-6 hours in the talk mode and about 110 hours, the weight is 18 grams. The model will be launched in the 2Q.

Jabra JX10 was the most interesting model at the Jabra's stand. The company even decided to change the index to distinguish the headset from the line. The device was designed by a Danish design company Jacob Jensen Design. Jabra representatives see great style in the headset and proudly call it a new level in Bluetooth headset design.

Let's talk about the specs. The weight is less than 10 grams and the device is about 4 cm in length. Battery life forms only 80 hours in the standby mode. USB charging is provided. The headset will be launched later this year and a certain time remains unknown.

We'll also mention three wire models (that may serve both as a headset and as earphones). Here are the photos:

Two models by SouthWing were demonstrated at the stand. The Neo-507 is already available in some countries. Its peculiarities are interchangeable panels, three variants of charging; by the way all the necessary accessories are included into the kit (usual charger, USB charger and a car one), long battery life. The model is now in our test laboratory, and soon our readers will have a chance to acquaint with its review.

A new device by SouthWing called the H305 has miniature size comparable to Jabra JX10. It provides about 5 hours of working in the standby mode. Its unique peculiarity is a possibility to wear in three ways - with an ear part, without it (just plugging into the ear) or on your clothes. The model has all the chances to get popular having an adequate price.

We'd also like to stress a speakerphone kit for car use. It is just plugged into a charging device and needs no special setting.

A headset by Platronics that has not got a commercial name yet (project name was Tahiti) really impressed us. With the weight of only 10 grams it is equipped with a vibrating alert and a claimed battery life forms 25 hours (this value is given accounting charging from a mobile energy supply when the headset is not used). Also connection with several devices at the same time is claimed (two devices at the same time, for instance). The whole casket with accessories is provided with the device - a chain, metallic cases for a headset, a nozzle for the part plugged into the ear (a copy of mini-gel by Jabra). We'd also like to mention Plantronics Tonga being a low-end Bluetooth-headset. But new devices do not finish at that, let's continue.

Models by HueyChiao attracted attention not only with a pleasant sounding in Russian but also with the design (especially a futuristic HCB-16).

Motorola also announced its Motorola H500 being an ODM model of GN Mobile.

We'd like to remind of a new Samsung model we have told about lately. These are stereo Bluetooth earphones also serving as a headset.

Here are some photos of Bluetrek S2 though it is not a new model.

Many Bluetooth headsets were represented at the exhibition this year, and many of them are worth great attention. We think, the main development points for the market, including a forecast, are:

Market segmentation, mass launch of new low-end models
Miniaturization, extra functions (interchangeable panels, vibrating alert, USB charge) for high-end models
Positioning of miniature models are fashion devices always in sight of other people
Considerable growth of the number of offered models, many clones
The ASP decrease for 15-20% till the end of the year
The appearance of Bluetooth 2.0 headsets in the 4Q 2005

Remember Jabra's stand last year, Cebit 2004>>>

CeBIT 2005. All the materials. Contents>>>

Anton Kotov ([email protected])
Translated by Maria Mitina ([email protected])

Published — 14 March 2005

Have something to add?! Write us... [email protected]

News:

[ 31-07 16:21 ]Sir Jony Ive: Apple Isn't In It For The Money

[ 31-07 13:34 ]Video: Nokia Designer Interviews

[ 31-07 13:10 ]RIM To Layoff 3,000 More Employees

[ 30-07 20:59 ]Video: iPhone 5 Housing Shown Off

[ 30-07 19:12 ]Android Fortunes Decline In U.S.

[ 25-07 16:18 ]Why Apple Is Suing Samsung?