Bluetooth Handsfree - with Style

08 March 2011 | 12:52 - By Trevor Long

 There are plenty of Bluetooth headsets around to keep you on track with the law, but many of them aren't so stylish, nor are they practicle - with the little things like power on and off being the sort of thing you can easily overlook.  Jabra is a brand with both style and function.

Sometimes ignorance is bliss - other times, it just means you're missing out.  Well, haven't I been missing out.  I'd never heard of Jabra until it was introduced to me today at the launch of two new products - the Stone 2 and the Freeway.

Jabra make bluetooth handsfree kits for your mobile phone.  Both the in-ear type and the visor mounted style.

Being Danish, the design is stunning, and the features are world class to match.

Sometimes the people behind the products don't appreciate how important the simple things are, and that's truly the case with the Jabra Freeway.

A lot of the demo today was spent telling us how the 'Freeway' is HD Voice compliant.  Well, we don't have that yet - so while that's a good thing - it's not a sales driver - yet.

If you've not heard of HD Voice - check out this video - it shows clear as anything what it is and the difference it makes.

(Video: Tech Talk UK - a news story following the launch of HD Voice in the UK)

All I can say is, bring it on!

However, back to Jabra - a little 'and in other features' on the Slide shown to me today was two very crucial features which I think sets this device apart from the rest.
  1. G-Sensor Power on - So, you've got a visor mounted Handsfree - so what. You forget to turn it on, you never end up using it! What a waste. The Jabra freeway DETECTS that you have entered the car by the movement of the car or the door slamming, and bingo, turns itself on! That's pure brilliance!
  2. Advanced Multi-Use - With the Jabra Freeway, you can be sitting in the car with your husband or wife, both of your phones can be paired to the device AT THE SAME TIME, and when one of you is on the phone, the other phone can ring, you can pick it up, putting the other person's phone on hold. Again - pure brilliance.

It also has 3 speaker 'surround sound' and 2 noise cancelling microphones, so the quality is tops.  Stream your music through the device as you wish too.

Basically, this is a great looking, well featured unit - well worth considering if you're after the 'speakerphone' or visor mounted option for your car.

The second product launched today is the Jabra STONE 2.

The Jabra Stone 2 is one of those in-ear type Bluetooth units - but with a twist - literally.  Instead of the 'standard' 'dongle' with a swing arm to go over you ear, this unit is all in one, a stylish looking piece that is flexible to go around your ear and in the ear in one swoop.

It does what most do, but here's the undersold 'killer app's' of the Stone 2:

  1. It fits snugly away in a 'charging stone' - which is great, but the best bit is, the charging stone holds battery power, so even when not connected to USB, the 'stone' itself is able to push charge back into your ear-piece when 'docked'
  2. There is no volume button - instead the whole ear-piece is touch sensitive, so you slide up to raise the volume and down to lower.
Simple things, that make effective products. I've not yet used either, other than to pair the Stone 2 to my Blackberry which was simple and easy. The demonstrations I saw showed a great quality sound, and I can't wait to get my hands on the Jabra Freeway.

Let me know what you think - comment below or follow me on twitter @Trevorlong

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About this Blog

Tech Life takes a look at the latest and most useful technologies for your life.  Trevor Long presents Product reviews and opinion on all things technology right here at SBS.com.au

Trevor Long

A gadget lover for many years and keen early adopter of anything technology, Trevor Long has over 13 years experience in the Media, and for the same amount of time has been an Internet developer and consultant. 

He currently hosts his own weekly Technology news, information and talk back program on Sydney Radio as well as blogging right here at SBS.com.au.

Everyone has 'that guy, or that friend' or family member you call when you've got a problem with your TV, Hi-Fi or Computer - Trevor Long is 'that guy'.

Follow Trevor on Twitter @trevorlong
 

 
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