Bluetooth Insight

Logitech Pure Fi Mobile Speaker System

2008-05-26T09:07:00.000-07:00

The recently announced Logitech Pure Fi Mobile Speaker System will allow you to wirelessly playback audio from your Bluetooth enabled mobile phone with high fidelity, stereophonic sound.

Dual 2-inch Max-X high excursion drivers ensure a full, balanced audio. The bass response is delivered via 2-inch pressure drivers. Logitech's Stereo XL technology is also supported and optimises acoustic levels for a full, rich sound.

The Logitech Pure Fi Mobile Speaker System can also be used as a wireless speakerphone thanks to two integrated microphones. One microphone blocks unwanted background noise while the other mic picks up voice.

Bluetooth devices must support the Advanced Audio Distribution profile (A2DP) to be compatible with this speaker system. Compatible devices may include PCs, iPods, MP3 players and of course Mobile phones.

USB connectivity is also supported and allows the user to make calls or listen to music from their PC.

Rechargeable batteries are included and can last for up to 12 hours. They can be charged via a supplied power adapter or USB cable.

This is a Bluetooth class 2 device with an operating range of up to 10 meters (33 feet).

The Logitech Pure Fi Mobile Speaker System is expected to be available in the US and Europe in in June for a suggested retail price of US$149.99.

Freedom Keychain GPS 2000

2008-05-05T12:06:00.000-07:00

Developed with Smartphone and BlackBerry users in mind, the Freedom Keychain GPS 2000 is a compact unit that can add GPS functionality to your mobile phone, PDA or notebook. This Freedom unit connects to your mobile phone via Bluetooth and works with a range of GPS mapping software applications such as Google Maps that run on your phone.

Attaching to a key ring makes a lot of sense for a portable GPS unit because the two items which we almost always have in our pockets are our keys and mobile phone. As long as the batteries are charged and we have coverage, GPS access should always be at our fingertips.

There is a range of mapping applications that will work with the Freedom Keychain GPS 2000 and some are available for less than US$10. Some of the more popular GPS mapping applications include AA, Active Pilot, BlackBerry Maps, CoPilot Live 6, Gate 5, Google Maps, Mapquest, Memory Map, Navigation Mobile, Navman, Nokia/Smart2Go, Route 66, Spot, Telenav and Wayfinder.

Three lights are located on the top of the unit to indicate Bluetooth, GPS and Battery status. A power indicator light is on the side of the unit.

The Freedom Keychain GPS 2000 features a rechargeable 350mAh Lithium Polymer battery with a working time of up to 9 hours. The device is charged via USB and standard and car charger USB cables are provided. The GPS can stay on the key chain while it is being charged.

GPS Specifications
Chipset - MTK
51 channels 'All in view' tracking
Protocol: NMEA 0183/GGA, GSA, GSV, RMC
Baud Rate: 115.200bps
Frequency L1, 1,575.42 Mhz
Tracking Sensitivity: 158 dBm.
Position deviation: 10 meters 90%

Other Keychain GPS 2000 Specifications
Bluetooth: Class 2 (10 meter range), Serial Port Profile (SPP)
Size: 46 x 32 x 14.5mm
Weight: 22gms
Battery: 350mAh Lithium Polymer, operating time up to 9 hours

The Freedom Keychain GPS 2000 is available now for a price of $99.99 or £59.99.

etyBlu Dual Mode Bluetooth Headset

2008-04-10T09:19:00.000-07:00

The new etyBlu Bluetooth Headset from Etymotic Research Inc features two microphones - one located internally at the end of the earpiece and one at located in the BLUmaxx boom. The microphone located in the boom features noise cancellation.

The boom microphone and an in-ear noise isolating earphone work together to provide clear, high quality sound at both ends of the conversation in environments with high background noise. The etyBlu noise canceling boom microphone can be quickly plugged in when required for noisy environments. When the boom is unplugged, the internal microphone automatically takes over.

This Bluetooth Headset is compliant with the Bluetooth Core Specification 2.1, Headset 1.1 and Handsfree 1.5 profiles. The etyBlu Headset is a class 2 device with an operating range of up to 10 meters.

Talk time is up to 7 hours and standby time is up to 100 hours.

The etyBlue Bluetooth Headset is available to buy now for a recommended retail price of US$129.

Supertooth Disco Bluetooth Multimedia Speaker

2008-04-06T03:38:00.000-07:00

The Supertooth Disco Bluetooth Multimedia Speaker allows stereo music to be streamed from Bluetooth enabled (A2DP) mobile phones, PDAs or computers.

A powerful sound is delivered from an internal 12 watt subwoofer and Left Right 2x8 watt (RMS) audio power amplifier. The subwoofer speaker uses a Neodyne high efficiency system and the Left Right full range speaker features a parabolic membrane. All of the speakers are magnetically shielded.

The Supertooth Disco Bluetooth Multimedia Speaker supports the Bluetooth A2DP Advanced Audio Distribution Profile, SBC Stereo streaming and the AVRCP Audio Video Remote Control Profile. The AVRCP profile allows remote control of the Play, Pause, Stop, Previous and Next commands.

This is a Bluetooth class 2 device with an operating range of up to 10 meters.

For complete portability, the Supertooth Disco features an internal re-chargeable battery. The charging time is 3 hours and the standby time is up to 1500 hours.

A cabled connection is also provided for iPods and MP3 players without Bluetooth.

Starnex SG-400 Self Guard DVR Pen

2008-03-31T12:31:00.000-07:00

Starnex, a South Korean manufacturer of micro portable CCTV systems, are currently developing the SG-400 Self Guard DVR (Digital Video Recorder) Pen. This Bluetooth enabled pen will support recording speeds of 30 frames per second at resolutions of 320x240 or 640x480 pixels.

Other cool features include motion detection activated recordings, audio detection activated recordings and 5 motion detection sensitivity levels with selectable areas for motion detection. An alarm can be sent wirelessly to a remote site when motion gets detected.

The SG-400 Self Guard DVR Pen has been designed for low power consumption and uses a high performance data compression algorithm for extended recording times. Internal storage is supplied with Flash memory and a microSD card.

Bluetooth support provides wireless connectivity with devices such as PCs or PDAs.

No release date has been specified by Starnex but limited samples have been made available this month.

And just incase you were wondering, yes, the SG-400 can also be used as a standard pen.

Bluetrek BIZZ - USB Flash Headset

2008-03-28T09:36:00.000-07:00

The Bluetrek BIZZ is the worlds first Bluetooth Headset to also operate as a USB Flash memory device. Marketed as a 3 in 1 device, the BIZZ also supports direct charging via USB.

Supporting microSD cards, you can use this device to move files between your mobile device and computer. The detachable speaker cover exposes the USB connector and allows the memory card to be inserted or removed. Support is provided for MicroSD cards with up to 8GB of storage space.

Bluetooth functions of the BIZZ include voice dialing, pairing in headset or hands free profiles, take/end call, redial, reject call and call waiting. Detachable ear hooks are provided to allow the headset to be worn on either ear.

Devices that are compatible with the Bluetrek BIZZ Bluetooth headset include mobile phones, PDAs and computers that support the Headset and or Hands free profiles.

The talk time is up to 6 hours and the standby time is up to 10 days.

A travel charger, USB cable, lanyard, ear buds, manual and ear hooks are all included in the box.

InMotion SoundBlade Bluetooth Stereo Speaker

2008-03-19T13:16:00.000-07:00

The inMotion SoundBlade is the first Bluetooth stereo speaker system from Altec Lansing. The SoundBlade allows Bluetooth stereo music to be streamed from devices compatible with the A2DP profile, such as MP3 players, mobile phones and computers.

High quality sound is delivered from dual 2.5 inch full range high output drivers, SRS TruBass and full v.2 Bluetooth stereo. GSM/CDMA shielding are provided to prevent speaker buzz. Additionally, a built in echo canceling microphone allows your Bluetooth mobile phone to be used as a speakerphone.

Mobile devices that support the Bluetooth AVRCP (Audio Video Remote Control Profile) can be used as a remote control for the inMotion SoundBlade. Volume, mute, next track and previous track commands are all supported.

Both battery and AC power sources are supported. 6AA batteries will give the SoundBlade up to 24 hours of continuous playback.

This devices is also very portable at only 1 inch thick and weighing 455 grams - ideal for Bluetooth audio on the go.

Sony DRC-BT15 Stereo Bluetooth Receiver

2008-03-16T12:09:00.000-07:00

With the Sony DRC-BT15 portable Bluetooth receiver, you will be able to use almost any pair of headphones as a Bluetooth stereo headset. This device allows music to be streamed wirelessly from Bluetooth enabled music sources such as mobile phones, portable music players, PC's etc and played back through your favorite headphones.

The DRC-BT15 is lightweight and measures less than three inches long. It's a highly portable device that can be clipped to your clothing or an arm band etc.

The user interface consists of a toggle control that allows the user to adjust the volume or play, pause, fast forward, rewind the music that is being streamed. Compatible devices must support the Bluetooth AVRCP or Audio/Video Remote Control Profile.

An embedded microphone is also supported to allow hands free calls when paired to a Bluetooth enabled mobile phone.

The battery is a rechargeable lithium-ion and can deliver up to six hours of music playback or talk time.

The Sony DRC-BT15 Stereo Bluetooth Receiver is available from March 2008 for around US$130.

Sony SRS-BT100 Bluetooth speaker

2008-03-15T01:22:00.000-07:00

The recently released SRS-BT100 Bluetooth speaker from Sony allows you to stream music from an MP3 player, mobile phone or PC. With high powered 30 watt amplifiers and MegaBass technology, this speaker system is claimed to deliver a rich sound quality.

The speaker searches for compatible Bluetooth devices in range and lets you choose the music source you wish to pair with. Audio can be managed from the paired device and the Bluetooth AVRCP profile allows you to remotely control the volume.

A stereo audio input jack is also supplied to allow the playback of music from non Bluetooth devices.

The Sony SRS-BT100 Bluetooth speaker is available from March 2008 for around US$160.

Related posts:
Motorola EQ7 Bluetooth Stereo Speaker
Sony Ericsson MBS-100 Bluetooth speaker

IOGEAR Bluetooth Hands Free Car Kit

2008-03-12T09:42:00.000-07:00

IOGEAR's Bluetooth Hands Free car kit, the GBHFK211W6, provides many convenient features for full hands free operation while you are driving. It wirelessly manages calls with your mobile phone over Bluetooth to allow you to keep both hands on the steering wheel.

This Bluetooth car kit attaches to your sun visor with a supplied clamp and is operated with easy to reach controls. There are four buttons in total, two on each side of the unit. One set of buttons is for taking or ending calls and the other set is for adjusting the volume up or down.

Compatibility is provided for most mobile phones that support the Bluetooth hands-free and headset profiles. The Car Kit is compliant with the Bluetooth version 1.2 specification.

Digital Echo Cancellation and Background Noise Reduction are provided for enhanced sound and voice quality.

The IOGEAR Bluetooth Hands Free car kit provides a talk time of up to 8 hours and a standby time of up to 150 hours. This is provided with built-in rechargeable batteries that can be recharged though a provided USB charging cable or Car Charger.

VoIP functionality is also provided which means that you can make VoIP phone calls with a Bluetooth enabled computer. Supported operating systems are Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, XP and Vista.

Specifications:
- Languages: English, Spanish and French
- Frequency Band: 2.4GHz to 2.4835GHz
- Operating Range: 10m (30 feet)
- Bluetooth: Version 1.2, Bluetooth Class 2
- Battery Type: Rechargeable NiMH
- Computer interface: USB
- Model number: GBHFK211W6

BlueNext BN608 Bluetooth Car Kit

2008-03-08T02:28:00.000-08:00

The BN608 is one of the latest Bluetooth Car Kits from BlueNext. This device has been designed for portability and ease of use.

Installation is simple, just plug the device into the cars cigarette lighter to charge. The next step is to pair the device with your mobile phone. Conforming to Bluetooth standard V2.0, the BN608 supports an operating range of up to 10 meters (class 2).

Two microphones are provided, one mini microphone and another one with an extension cable. The purpose of the microphone with the extension cable is to get the best quality voice signal and for the convenience to talk for people in the back seat.

BlueNext claim that the external microphone produces a loud and clear sound for ease of communication.

The BN608 user interface is simple and consists of three buttons, Volume +, Volume - and a multifunction button (MFB). The MFB is used for paring mode and turning the car kit on and off.

Jays BlueStreamer 2 - Bluetooth stereo music adapter

2008-03-06T09:20:00.000-08:00

The Jays BlueStreamer 2 Bluetooth stereo music adapter lets you stream music wirelessly from your mobile phone and listen to it through any headphones with a 3.5mm jack. This device elminates the wired link from your phone to your headphones.

At only 12g, the BlueStreamer 2 is a very light device and can be attached to your shirt or bag with the supplied attachable/detachable holder case. It is available in Black, White or Pink.

The 3.5mm jack allows for a wide range of headphones to be plugged into this Bluetooth music adapter. Jays earphones are also compatible with this device.

The Jays BlueStreamer 2 automatically switches between music and calls. When a call is picked up, the music is turned off and when the call has ended, music is turned back on again. There is no need to worry about missing a call when you have the volume turned up.

Another nice feature is the support for charging through USB. Simply plug the supplied USB cable into a spare USB port on your computer and start charging. The Jays Car Charger can also be used to charge the BlueStreamer while on the road.

Specifications:
Bluetooth Version: v2.0
Bluetooth Class: 2 (10 meters)
Supported Bluetooth profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, HSP, HFP
Operating Speech Time: 6 hours
Operating Music Time: 5 hours
Standby Time: 140 hours
Weight: 12g

Bluespoon AX2 Bluetooth Headset

2008-02-29T06:29:00.000-08:00

The new Bluespoon AX2 Bluetooth Headset is a 3rd generation device featuring a light weight and efficient design. The AX2 comes as the result of intensive development from Bluespoon that started in late 2003.

Weighing only 10 grams, this headset uses the latest Li-ION technology and features a 2.4Ghz antenna with high efficiency and a long range of at least 30 feet.

The user interface of the AX2 consists of a 3-button design, one large multifunctional button on the top of the headset and two smaller buttons, one on either side of the unit.

Compatibility for left and right ear users is provided by a soft-tip back piece that can turn 360 degrees.

The Bluespoon AX2 Bluetooth Headset provides a mini-USB port that can be used to recharge the Li-ION user exchangeable battery.

Compatibility for a wide range of devices is provided through support for the Bluetooth Headset and Handsfree profiles. Up to 8 different devices can be paired with the AX2.

Specifications:
Audio profiles: Bluetooth Headset and Handsfree
Talk time: Up to 6 hours
Standby time: 300 hours
Range: 30 feet
Weight: 10 grams

Recent Bluetooth Headset posts:
Sony Ericsson HBH-PV712 Bluetooth headset
Nextlink Invisio G5 headset
Bluetrek Sense Bluetooth Headset

Targus Bluetooth Thumbpad for Smartphones, PDAs & Pocket PCs

2008-02-27T10:24:00.000-08:00

The Targus Bluetooth Thumpad provides a standard 39 QWERTY interface for simple data entry into SmartPhones, PDAs and Pocket PCs. Featuring Bluetooth wireless technology, this thumpad provides a convenient, portable and cable free method of adding keyboard support to your mobile device.

Installing the software requires connecting your mobile device to your computer and installing the software from a supplied CD-ROM. The next step is to reset your mobile device, establish a connection with the Targus Bluetooth Thumbpad and setup driver settings such as key repeat delays.

After the software has been setup, you can simply lay your mobile device down on a table or cradle and start typing. Alternatively, the Targus Thumpad can be attached to the bottom of your device with a provided clamp.

For gaming enthusiasts, a 4-way game control pad with easy to use keys and a backlit keypad for night use is provided.

System Requirements:
- Bluetooth
- SmartPhone or PDA with Windows Mobile (2003/2005), Pocket PC or SmartPhone with Symbian OS or Palm OS5

Relates Posts:
Freedom Universal Bluetooth Keyboard
Logitech diNovo Mini Bluetooth Keyboard

Holux M1200 Wireless Bluetooth GPS Receiver

2008-02-22T08:18:00.000-08:00

The Holux M-1200 Wireless GPS Receiver uses Bluetooth technology to provide a cable-free connection with compatible devices running map software such as TomTom.

Featuring the MTK MT3318 Low power consumption GPS chipset and weighing only 30 grams, the M-1200 is a highly portable device making it well suited to a wide range of applications. With dimensions of 67 x 23 x 16mm, it will easily fit inside a pocket or bag. The built in battery is Lithium-ion with a working time of up to 23 hours.

32 parallel satellite-tracking channels are supported for fast acquisition and reacquisition. The built in WAAS/EGNOS Demodulator doesn't require any additional hardware. Or the high-sensitive software can be used to get fast acquisition and re-acquisition in urban, canyon and foliage environments.

The Holux M1200 Wireless Bluetooth GPS Receiver is compatible with devices that support the Bluetooth Serial Port Profile (SPP). This could include laptops, PCs, PDAs or mobile phones. Applications could include Personal navigation, mapping device applications, car navigation, marine navigation, fleet management, AVL (Automatic Vehicle Location) and Tracking Systems.

Specifications:
- Tracks up to 32 satellites
- Dimensions: 67 x 23 x 16mm
- Weight: 30g
- Battery: Built in Lithium-ion with up 23 hours
- Non DGPS Position: 3.0 m CEP without SA, Velocity - 0.1m. / sec2, Time - 0.1 microsecond sync GPS time
- DGPS Position: < 2.2m, horizontal 95 % of time <　5 m, vertical 95 % of time
- Acquisition Time: Reacquisition < 0.1 sec. Average, Hot start 1 sec, Warm start 33 sec, Cold start 36 sec
- Bluetooth: Version 1.2, Class 2 providing up to 10m operating distance
- Dynamic Conditions: Altitude Max 18,000 m (60,000 feet), Velocity Max 515 m/sec (1000 knots), Acceleration : 4G Max, Jerk : 20 m/ second3 max
- 3 LED Functions: Bluetooth, navigation update and battery/charger status indication

Related Posts:
Blaupunkt TravelPilot Lucca Bluetooth GPS navigation

250 Meter Bluetooth Adapter from LM

2008-02-17T09:31:00.000-08:00

The LM Technologies LM056 EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) Bluetooth adapter allows you to connect to your Bluetooth enabled device over an impressive range of 250m (750 feet). This device is unique as a Bluetooth class 1 adapter as most other class 1 devices are still in the 100m range.

The LM056 uses the Broadcom BCM2045 EDR Chipset and is compatible with V5 and V6 of the Widcomm Bluetooth stack software. It is compatible with the Bluetooth specification V2 EDR and is backward compatible with V1.1 and V1.2.

A wide range of Bluetooth profiles are supported making the LM056 Bluetooth adapter suitable for VOIP, Stereo Audio and many other applications.

Compatibility is provided for Windows 98Se or later and Mac OS X or later.

Specifications:
- Chipset Broadcom BCM2045 EDR
- Bluetooth Rate: 3Mbps
- Bluetooth Profiles: SPP, GAP, HSP, DUN, PAN LAN, HID, FAX, SYNC, FTP, HCRP, A2DP, AVRCP, BIP, GEOP, SDAP, OPP
- Power class: Class 1 - 250m

Related Posts:
Ultra small Bluetooth Adapter

Motorola EQ7 Bluetooth Stereo Speaker

2008-02-14T08:38:00.000-08:00

The Motorola EQ7 Bluetooth Stereo Speaker provides Hi-Fi wireless sound with a deep rich bass. A speakerphone function is also provided with integrated controls to make it easy to switch between music and calls with the touch of a button.

Premium quality sound is delivered thanks to a tuned-ported enclosure, combined with four aluminium dome Odyssey transducers driven by powerful neodymium magnets. A deep rich bass with a smooth response is provided clear out to 20 kHz.

The Motorola EQ7 Bluetooth Stereo Speaker is a class 1 Bluetooth device, providing wireless audio up to 100 meters. It can easily connect wirelessly with an MP3 player, PC or mobile phone using the Stereo Bluetooth (A2DP) profile. The EQ7 also provides a 3.5mm standard audio jack to allow a wired connection with almost any music source.

This Bluetooth speaker can be powered from the mains through an included AC power adapter or from four AA batteries.

The EQ7 is expected to become available in the second quarter of 2008.

Specifications:
- Power AC power adapter or four AA batteries
- Bluetooth: Version 2.0, HF1.5, A2DP, AVRCP
- Weight: 440 g
- Dimensions: 160 x 154 x 42 mm

Related posts:
Sony Ericsson MBS-100 Bluetooth Speaker

Freedom Universal Bluetooth Keyboard

2008-02-09T13:15:00.000-08:00

The Freedom Universal keyboard converts your mobile device into an easy to access laptop. This is the world's only dual standard full sized folding keyboard and is compatible with over 200 devices that support Bluetooth connectivity.

Keyboard features
It features a full five row AlphaNumeric keyboard with full sized keys that have the quality "scissor action mechanics" giving the user the feel and feedback of a desktop keyboard. There are 65 keys in total, including an Esc button, shortcuts and programmable keys for specific tasks.
This keyboard is available in QWERTY English and QWERTZ German versions.

Bluetooth keyboard functionality
The Freedom Universal keyboard features dual standard HID and SPP Bluetooth profiles, offering compatibility across a wide range of devices from many leading brand names such as Asus, BlackBerry, Dell, HP, HTC, i-mate, Nokia, Palm, Sony Ericsson. The Bluetooth HID (Human Interface Device) profile is the most common profile used for PDAs, Smartphones, Laptops and PCs. The SSP (Serial Port Profile) provides serial port emulation and is used by all BlackBerry devices.
This keyboard is a Bluetooth class 2 device, giving it a transmission distance of up to 10m.

Device compatibility
Over 200 devices that have Bluetooth connectivity are compatible with the Freedom Universal keyboard. Compatible device operating systems include BlackBerry OS 4.0 or higher, Symbian (Series 60) v6/v7/v8/v9, Palm OS5, Windows Mobile 03 PPC, Windows Mobile 05 PPC, Windows Mobile 03 Smartphone Edition, Windows Mobile 05 Smartphone Edition, Windows XP*, Windows 2000*, Mac OS X Tiger* and Linux*. *Using HID profile mode.
Product ranges include Acer, Asus, Audiovox, BenQ, BlackBerry, Dell, Dopod, E-Ten, Fujitsu, Hewlett Packard, HTC,i-Do, Mac, Motorola, Nokia, Qtek, Palm, Panasonic, PC, Samsung, Sendo, Siemens, Sony Ericsson.

The recommended retail price for the Freedom Universal keyboard is $US99.99.

Related posts:
Logitech diNovo Bluetooth Keyboard

Specifications
Power:
- 2x AAA Batteries
- 80hrs continuous operation
- 2000hrs standby

Keys:
- ISO standard full size QWERTY keyboard
- 5 Rows of 65 full-size keys plus one rubber key
- Key Pitch: 18mm (horizontal) x 17.2mm (vertical) Key travel distance: 2.3mm

Device Stand:
-Fold-out type, holds all PDA/phone models

Bluetooth:
- Bluetooth Chip: Broadcom 2040
- Compliance: Bluetooth Core Spec, V1.2; Bluetooth HID & SPP profile
- Frequency Range: 2.400 GHz - 2.4835 GHz (79 channels hopping)
- Distance: Up to 10 m
- Antenna: Ceramic Chip Antenna
- Profiles integrated: GAP, SDP, SPP, HID
- Receive Sensitivity: -85 dBm
- Radio Power: Class 2 (10m)

Size:
- 285 x 98.5 x 13.5mm (113/16" x 313/16" x 1/2") opened
- 145 x 98.5 x 19.5mm (511/16" x 313/16" x 3/4") folded Weight 204g. 7 oz. including batteries.

Parrot RK8200 Bluetooth enabled Car Stereo

2008-02-07T12:16:00.000-08:00

Parrot RK8200
Not only does the Parrot RK8200 FM/AM RDS car stereo feature an impressive array of digital and analog connections, it also provides a built in Bluetooth hands-free kit with sophisticated telephony functions. Both music and voice conversations are reproduced over the vehicles speakers.

Digital Music
Featuring an iPod connector, USB Flash drive port, USB MP3 player, SD card reader and a line-in socket for analog sources, the RK8200 certainly provides users with many choices on how they supply their digital music. Playback is also supported for files sent from any Bluetooth enabled mobile phone or player that is compatible with the Bluetooth stereo A2DP profile. A 1GB internal Flash memory is also available for storing MP3 music.

Bluetooth hands-free kit
The Parrot RK8200 provides advanced hands-free functions that include automatic phonebook synchronization and TTS speech synthesis. There is no need to take your phone out of your pocket when making a call, simply browse the list of contacts on the car stereo's screen and say the names in the phonebook. When a call is received, music is automatically muted and the contacts name is displayed. At the end of the call, music will automatically switch back on.
The RK8200 also implements Parrot's new DCBM (Dynamic Choice or Best Microphone) noise reduction technology to provide crystal-clear, fully intelligible voice conversations.

Innovative user interface
A bright 2.4-inch TFT screen with 262 144 colours, large rotary command button and a practical storage compartment located behind the front panel are the standout features of the RK8200's user interface. The combination of the bright TFT screen and rotary command button allows users to easily browse through their music library, album covers, artist's names and tracks. The front panel can be removed to provide access to a practical storage compartment where a mobile phone, USB Flash drive or MP3 player, etc, can be stored.

Specifications
Bluetooth:
- Bluetooth v1.2
- Profiles supported: HSP 1.0 (Headset Profile), HFP 0.96 / 1.0 / 1.5 (Hands Free Profile), A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile), AVRCP (Audio Video Remote Control Profile), OPP (Object Push Profile), PBAP (Phone Book Access Profile), SYNC
- Maximum range: 10 meters (class 2)
- Pairing by PIN code, maximum of 10 devices
User Interface:
- 2.4 inch TFT screen with 262 144 colours
- 12-key numeric keypad
- 8 control buttons + 1
Display:
- Phone information
- Phonebook, caller names and numbers
- Playlist, album cover, artist and title
Audio:
- 4x45W amplifier with 20-bit DAC
- Minimal imedance of 4 ohms
- Line-out socket for external amplifiers
Tuner:
- FM and AM bands (PO and GO), RDS
- 48 recordable stations (presets)
Digital & analogue connections:
- Specific iPod and USB connector
- SD card reader
- Analogue jack line-in socket at the front
- Analogue RCA line-in socket at the back
Telephony:
- Automatic phonebook synchronisation
- Complete call records
- Number of contacts: total of 8 000
- Voice recognition
- Speech synthesis of the names in the phonebook (TTS)
Sound :
- Full duplex and echo cancellation
- Parrot DCBM noise reduction
- Double microphone built into the front panel
- Automatic detection of the speaker's position
- Bluetooth stereo (A2DP) compatible
- Transmission through the vehicle's speakers

Bluetooth Hacking

2008-02-03T12:49:00.000-08:00

Bluetooth hacking has gained popularity recently with an increasing amount of software becoming available to hackers for gaining access to Bluetooth devices. Most of the hacking tools seem to be for the Linux platform and include names such as BlueScan, BlueSniff and BTBrowser.

There is even a dictionary of Bluetooth hack terminology that seems to have become well established. Here is a brief rundown of the terms that are commonly used:

Bluesnarfing
Bluesnarfing involves gaining unauthorized access to a Bluetooth enabled device for the purpose of accessing or stealing personal information or files. This form of Bluetooth hacking is probably the most difficult for the hacker to achieve and recent firmware upgrades to Bluetooth devices have reduced the risk. Your best form of protection is to not leave your phone is discoverable mode.

Bluejacking
Bluejacking is a mostly harmless activity and usually involves sending a vCard (electronic business card) to another Bluetooth device with an offensive message in the name field. As most Bluetooth devices are still in the 10 meter range, the person who "Bluejacked" you is likely to be in the same room.

Bluebugging
Bluebugging involves hacking into a phone using device commands without the user noticing. If the hacker were successful, they could listen in on phone conversations, make phone calls and send or receive text messages. Bluebugging has a similar result to bluesnarfing but exploits a different vulnerability that is found in older phones.

Should you be concerned about Bluetooth hack attempts? Probably not due to the fact that most Bluetooth devices are still in the 10m range and there have been recent firmware upgrades to make Bluetooth devices more secure. If you are concerned, your best form of protection is to keep your devices Bluetooth turned off when not in use. And when Bluetooth is turned on, make sure you don't leave it in discoverable mode.

Further reading:
Bluetooth hacking for fun and profit

Related posts:
Bluetooth spamming gets green light

Motorola S9-HD Bluetooth Headphones

2008-01-29T12:32:00.000-08:00

Motorola have this month announced the S9-HD Bluetooth Headphones, an upgraded version of the award-winning MOTOROKR S9 Bluetooth stereo headphones.

The Motorola S9-HD Headphones feature earbuds that reduce background noise and high-definition audio from SRS WOW HD technology. SRS WOW HD technology enhances audio performance, especially from compressed audio files, by expanding the size of the perceived sound image and creating a deep, rich bass response.

All of the features that made the MOTOROKR S9 headphones so popular, are included in the upgraded, S9-HD model. They are lighter than the average pair of sunglasses (1 ounce) and feature the unique behind-the-head design for a secure, stable fit. Easy to use controls for volume, play/pause, track selection and send/end are provided near the ear pieces.

Devices that are compatible with the Motorola S9-HD Headphones include any brand of Bluetooth enabled phone or music device that supports the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) and Audio Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP). The S9-HD Headphones can also be paired with most iPods using the Motorola D650 Bluetooth stereo adapter (sold separately).

The Motorola S9-HD is expected to be available in the second quarter of 2008.

Follow the link below for information about the existing, MOTOROKR S9 model.
Motorola MOTOROKR S9 Headphones

Philips SHB9000 headphones

2008-01-22T01:56:00.000-08:00

The Philips SHB9000 headphones are the latest and most sophisticated Bluetooth headphones announced by Philips to date. They will take advantage of features in modern handsets to give pitch-perfect sound quality and all of the benefits of hands free operation.

The SHB9000 Bluetooth headphones will feature FullSound, a digital audio algorithm patented by Philips that refines audio output by performing 10 million operations per second to analyze and re-compute the music signal before it is sent to the speaker. This is claimed to dynamically enhance treble, stereo effects and bass to reveal richer and more natural music details.

Philips SwitchStream technology will also be supported. With SwitchStream you will hear a ring tone in your headphones when you are receiving a call on your Bluetooth enabled phone. You can then pick up the call from your headphones and return to your music after ending the call.

The Philips SHB9000 Bluetooth headphones will be available in the second quarter of 2008 for between US$99 and $129.

Bluetooth Power Classes

2008-01-11T03:33:00.000-08:00

A question that I frequently hear people asking when it comes to purchasing a Bluetooth product is "do I need Bluetooth Class 1 or Class 2?". In this this post I will describe the different Bluetooth power classes and what class you should select when you next purchase a Bluetooth product.

For a start, I should make it clear that Bluetooth class 1, class 2 and class 3 all refer to Bluetooth power classes, not to be confused with Bluetooth device classes.

The following table compares the available Bluetooth power classes:

Class	Maximum Power	Operating Range
Class 1	100mW (20dBm)	100 meters
Class 2	2.5mW (4dBm)	10 meters
Class 3	1mW (0dBm)	1 meter

The actual range for each power class may vary depending upon environmental factors where the Bluetooth device is used. Class 3 devices have a very limited range and not very common, hence, they will be ignored for the rest of this discussion

So which power class should you choose for your new Bluetooth product? The two most important question that should be asked here are: "over what distance do I need my Bluetooth devices to operate?" and "what is the power class of the other Bluetooth device I want to communicate with?" Here are the two important pieces of information that you need to understand:

If you wish to communicate over the 100m range, you will need a class 1 Bluetooth device at both ends.
If you wish to communicate over the 10m range, you can have a class 1 or class 2 device at both ends.

Many people make the mistake of believing that they can extend the range of their class 2 device to 100m by purchasing a class 1 device for the other end. This is simply not true. Consider two people standing 100m apart, if person A yells loud enough for their voice to travel over 100m, person B will be able to hear what person A is saying, but if when person B replies they only yell loud enough for their voice to travel over 10m, person A will obviously not hear the response.

Hopefully this post has cleared up any confusion regarding Bluetooth power classes.

Sony Ericsson HBH-PV712 headset

2008-01-10T11:40:00.000-08:00

Sony Ericsson have announced the HBH-712, a high performance Bluetooth headset with a female touch.

This Bluetooth headset comes as the result of extensive research by the Sony Ericsson team to find out what the active, modern woman wants. The requirements were an easy to use Bluetooth headset that looks great and fits in a handbag.

The HBH-PV712 features Style-up covers that can be easily detached and are available in silver with detail, black with silver, purple and red detail and purple plated.

Other fashion focused features include a silver-plated, necklace carrying solution and a styled carrying puch.

The HBH-PV712 will be available globally in February 2008.

Sony Ericsson website

Bluetooth SIG Best of CES 2008 Winners

2008-01-09T13:43:00.000-08:00

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group have just announced five category winners and one overall winner for the organizations third annual "Best of CES" contest.

There were forty eight new Bluetooth products submitted in the 2008 contest in categories focusing on what consumers can do with the technology. The categories were - talk on a headset, input information, listen to music, transfer information, or use in an industrial or other vertical environment.

Products that complied with the Experience Icon requirements were awarded bonus points. Bluetooth Experience Icons help the user easily identify what a Bluetooth enabled device can do and how it will interact with other Bluetooth devices.

Winners of the Bluetooth SIG Best of CES contest:

Overall - Samsung P2 Widescreen Music Player
Headset - Plantronics Voyager 855 Bluetooth Stereo Headset
Input - Logitech Cordless Desktop MX5500 Revolution Keyboard
Music - Parrot DS1120 Bluetooth Speakers
Transfer - Motorola T815
Vertical - Ford SYNC, powered by Microsoft Auto

All winners will receive national exposure for their winning products as part of an in-studio broadcast tour to "top 20" media markets across the US, paid for by the Bluetooth SIG.

Logitech diNovo Mini keyboard

2008-01-07T00:37:00.000-08:00

Logitech have just announced the diNovo Mini - a compact palm-sized wireless keyboard for people who have their PC connected to their TV. The diNovo Mini will allow the user to easily access music, videos and other media content from anywhere in the living room.

The mini keyboard features Bluetooth 2.0, backlighting for ease of navigation and an innovative ClickPad with touch pad to point, scroll and click or as a bi-directional pad to navigate menus and make selections.

The keyboard also features hotkeys for media players and Web browsers and page up and down buttons that may be used for surfing the web or zooming in and out of documents.

The ClickPad features two backlight modes. When in touch-pad mode, the ClickPad is backlighted in orange and when in media-remote mode, the ClickPads directional buttons are backlighted in green. The keyboard is always backlighted in orange.

The diNovo Mini is expected to be released to the Eurpose and US markes late in January 2008 for US149.99.

Specifications:

System Requirements - PC with Windows XP or Vista and a spare USB port
Keyboard - 63 backlighted keys, thumb operated design
Range - up to 10m
Connectivity - Bluetooth 2.0
Power and Battery - 30 days, 4 hours for full charge
Other features - Compatible with PLAYSTATION 3

Logitech website

Samsung P2 MP3 player

2007-12-20T02:54:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-14T01:23:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-10T03:43:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-06T06:25:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-20T02:58:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-18T02:26:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-14T01:45:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-07T01:11:00.000-08:00

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

2007-10-29T06:44:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-11T00:22:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-10-02T13:03:00.000-07:00

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!