Samsung P2 MP3 player

The Samsung P2 MP3 player is one of the latest touch screen media players to hit the market. Apple must be starting to get a bit nervous with devices such as the P2 closing in on their iPod touch and iPhone market share.

My first impression of the Samsung P2 is that it looks great. I love the contrast of the bright blue illuminated icons and the black casing. It features a 3-inch wide screen display with a resolution of 480x272 pixels and the icons are clear and intuitive.

Bluetooth 2.0 support provides compatibility with Bluetooth speakers and up to two Bluetooth 2.0 headsets at once (within a 32.8 feet range). A firmware upgrade was provided this month (December 2007) that enables you to direct incoming calls from a Bluetooth enabled mobile phone to the P2.

The music player supports playback of MP3, WMA and subscription WMA files. The touch screen interface allows fast and intuitive access to songs, genres, albums, artists or playlists.

An FM Radio is supported that scans the entire FM range in less than 60 seconds and supports up to 30 preset stations.

The picture viewer function provides a nice interface that lets you view all of your pictures as thumnails and once you have selected a picture you can flick to the next picture in your collection by simply swiping your finger across the screen. A 4x zoom is also included.

Video playback is supported in MPEG4, SVI or WMV9 formats.

Specifications:

• Display: TFT - WQVGA at 480x272 pixels
• Touch screen: Yes
• Memory capacity: 2Gb, 4Gb, 8Gb?
• FM Radio: Yes
• Bluetooth 2.0 functions: 2 headsets, speakers, incoming calls from Bluetooth phone
• File formats: MP3, WMA, OGG (UMS only), JPEG, SVI, WMV, TXT
  
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB 2.0, SMS
• File Management: PC application, PC playlist (SPL, WPL), Mobile Playlist, Library(Artist, Album, Genre, Title DB sorting)
• Dimensions W,H,D(mm): 133.2 x 143 x 42.9

Bluetooth spamming gets green light

Bluetooth spamming is now legal in the UK due to a recent evaluation by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

Bluetooth will no longer be covered by the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), that set out rules for people who wish to send you electronic direct marketing. It was decideded that regulation 22 which covers email and text messages sent over public communications networks does not by definition cover Bluetooth technology.

Users will have to be more careful about when they have their Bluetooth devices turned on and make sure their Bluetooth security settings are enabled. Most mobile Bluetooth devices are still in the 10m (class 2) range which should help keep users protected from long range Bluetooth hack or spam attacks.

Nextlink Invisio G5 headset released

Nextlink, who supply equipment to SWAT and special forces across the globe, have announced that their INVISIO G5 headset will be released to the consumber market.

The INVISIO G5 is worlds smallest Bluetooth headset - measuring 3.3cm long and 1.6cm wide and weighing less than 6 grams.

A unique feature is a protective charging case that not only protects the headset when not in use, it also charges the headset each time you put it in the case. This increases the talk time up to 20 hours and 30 days of stand by time.

It also features Nextlinks "Soft Spring" technology which allows the G5 to be adjusted in length to fit the shape of anyones ear.

Ultra small Bluetooth USB adapter

Trust have announced that they have the worlds smallest Bluetooth 2.0 USB adapter on the way.

Trust state that their Bluetooth USB adapter will only protrude 7mm from a notebook when inserted. The great advantage here is that you will never need to remove the adapter. Just plug it in once, forget about it and give instant access to your Bluetooth mouse or create a wireless connection between your notebook/PC and Bluetooth devices.

No release date is stated on Trust's website, they just say "coming soon".

Trust website

Bluetrek Sense Headset released

Bluetrek have launched the "Sense" - a touch-sensitive Bluetooth headset.

The feature that really sets this headset aside from its rivals is the ability to answer calls by simply tapping the touch-sensitive key. Many people complain that the force required to press the mechanical buttons on standard headsets will dislodge the position of the headset in your ear.

It also features Bluetreks new Voice Alert feature which will remind you of the headsets actions such as: redial the last number, reject call, if your headset is connected/disconnected etc.

The Bluetrek sense has been designed with fashion in mind and features a piano glass finishing.

Specifications:

• Up to 4 hours talk time
• Stand-by up to 5 days
• Weight about 8.0 grams (including ear hook)
• Size: 49.6 mm (L) x 14.5 mm (W) x 23 mm (T)
• Operation range: Up to 10 meters
• Bluetooth specification: V1.2

Groudsurf Bluetooth enabled skateboard

The Groundsurf is a three wheeled skate board designed by Paris based company Ratleads and has the unique feature of Bluetooth remote control.

It has an electric motor driving the front wheel, a 3 dimensional cinematic rear truck, sensors as detection systems, sensor pads on the board as motor remote control (you lean forward to accelerate and backwards to slow down or brake).

Now for the really unique feature, the motor control system can optionally be remote controlled from a Bluetooth enabled touchscreen phone. Sliding your finger up the phones screen will make the board go faster and sliding your finger down the phones screen will make the board slow down. I'm sure glad they didn't control the steering this way!

The groundsurf is scheduled for launch by a famous Californian surf brand in 2008.

Iqua 603 Solar-powered Headset

Iqua have made available the worlds first solar powered Bluetooth headset, the Iqua 603 Sun.

The Iqua Sun features a photovoltaic cell that uses any available light - indoors and outdoors - to keep itself charged and extend the operation time.

It also comes with a charger and requires and initial 2 hours of charging, after which it provides up to 12 hours of talk time and unlimited standby time when exposed to ambient light.

The Iqua 603 Sun features the standard Bluetooth headset features, call, redial, voice dial and lets you switch between your headset and phone using a single button.

Specifications:

• Talktime: Up to 12h
• Battery type: 3.7v/110mAh Lithium-Polymer
• Bluetooth standard: 2.0 EDR
• Bluetooth profiles: Handsfree 1.0 and Headset 1.1
• Paired devices: Up to 8, one at a time
• Operating distance: 10 meters

Gear4 launch the BluFM

Gear4 launch the BluFM, a car kit device that transmits music to your cars stereo from an MP3 player over FM radio.

The BluFM is powered from your cars cigarette lighter and is compatible with any MP3 player via its 3.5mm plug.

It can also be paired with a Bluetooth mobile phone, allowing you to talk and listen through your cars stereo hands-free using its built in microphone and FM transmitter.

Specifications:

• Full duplex communication - talk and listen at the same time
• Compatible with any Bluetooth mobile phone v1.1 and upwards
• FM transmitting frequency: 87.5 - 108.0Mhz
• Compatible with MP3 players via 3.5mm jack
  

Gear4 Website

Bluapunkt TravelPilot Lucca 5.3

Bluapunkt have announced the TravelPilot Lucca 5.3, a portable GPS navigation system with ultra-fast route calculation and slim design.

The TravelPilot Lucca 5.3 is the next generation of portable satellite navigation device from Bluapunkt. It features a very slim design, clear 4.3 inch display, colour coded menus, ultra fast route calculation and a range of driver assisted functions. Bluetooth connectivity is included to provide hands-free mobile phone operation.

Destinations can be found using a full seven digit postcode search, street name or if the user prefers, they can enter the destination address via voice control. A "text to speech" feature is included that allows the Lucca to include the actual road name in the spoken instruction. For example, instead of saying "turn next left", it will say "turn next left onto Westway". This helps to eliminate one of the common problems with traditional navigations systems where the "turn next left" or "turn next right" instructions often end up leading the driver down a street that is not known by the navigation system.

Blaupunkt have integrated navigation data for 40 countries in Europe into the system, eliminating the need to download this information to the unit.

A wide range of multimedia and entertainment functions are also included with the TravelPilot Lucca 5.3 including the playback of MP3/WMA music files, digital photo and WMV video file support from an SD or MMC card. An optional Active Cradle is also available which provides connectivity for iPods, DVD players, TV tuners, gaming consoles etc.

The Bluetooth connection also enables playback of MP3 files from the phone via audio streaming.

Blaupunkt's suggested retail price is £349.99.

Blaupunkt UK website

Sony Ericsson MBS-100 speaker

Sony Ericsson have today anounced the MBS-100, a portable Bluetooth Speaker system featuring unique design.

At a first glance you may be mistaken in thinking that Sony Ericsson have created a scale model of a crater faced moon, or perhaps Darth Vader's Death Star from Star Wars! What they have actually created is their first portable speaker system that can stream music wirelessly from your phone via Bluetooth.

The MBS-100 is all about music on the move and has been designed for portability. It comes with an integrated rechargeable battery which means that you only need your phone and the MBS-100 to be able to listen to music wherever you are.

Sony Ericsson also claim that the MBS-100 delivers a crystal clear, powerful sound using the latest A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) Bluetooth audio streaming technology.

Specifications:

• Size (diameter): 100mm
• Weight: 225g
• Battery type: Li-Ion with a capacity of 900mAh
• Music streaming time: More than 5hrs
• Standby time: More than 50hrs
• Charging time: Less than 5hrs
• Output: 1.5 watts
• Compatibility: Music mobile phones that support the A2DP Bluetooth profile

Sony Ericsson Website

Welcome!

Welcome! This post serves as an introduction to all of my "Insight" blogs on blogspot.

I am a technology junkie who lives in the UK and have spent the past ten years of my life working as a software/electronics engineer. Recently my employment has required that I should keep up to date with the very latest mobile technology. Without going into the exact details of what I am working on, I will say that it involves quite a bit of Bluetooth and USB development.

I decided that an online blog to would be a good way to keep up to date with mobile/Bluetooth/USB technology and remember any interesting news that I have discovered. I started out with the intention of running just one online blog through blogspot but that soon changed into three blogs when I realised that I couldn't categorise the content of my blogs. The three blogs that I am running are Mobile Insight, Bluetooth Insight and USB Insight.

I intend to write about each topic at least once a week. If I get time, I will probably write more.

I hope you find something of interest!