Archive for the ‘Bluetooth’ Category

News of Gear4’s UnityRemote universal remote control first emerged back in July of this year, and today the device made an appearance on the FCC, on schedule for its planned October release date.  The UnityRemote system turns your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch into a universal remote control for all your AV equipment.  The solution consists of a free app that you install on your i-device.  The app then communicates via Bluetooth with the UnityRemote IR blaster, above.

The unique-looking UnityRemote IR blaster sends signals in a 360 degree radius, enabling it to control all sorts of equipment in your home theater setup.  The blaster is also battery powered, so it can be placed anywhere in the room, while you sit back and control your gear with your iPhone.

While the UnityRemote isn’t the first universal remote for the iPhone, it is one of the few remotes that don’t require the iPhone to be physically connected to any external hardware.  The system comes pre-programmed with thousands of codes for AV equipment, so you should be able to get up-and-running with the UnityRemote quickly.

The UnityRemote is expected to be released in October for $99.  You can sign up for email news about the device on Gear4’s website here.

Here’s an interesting idea from Shenzhen Paoluy Silicone Technology Co., Ltd.  The company’s BL-BKB76 iPad case features an integrated Bluetooth keyboard that allows the iPad to be easily propped up in a laptop-like configuration.

The case’s keyboard features a dedicated Bluetooth connect button for quick pairing with the iPad, as well as an internal rechargeable battery that has a reported standby time of 100 days and an uninterrupted working time of 90 hours.  The battery reaches full charge in 4 to 4.5 hours.

There’s no word when the BL-BKB76 will be released, or how much it will cost, but the device passed through the FCC Friday suggesting that we will see it soon.  Clearly Shenzhen Paoluy isn’t a well-known branded in the States, so we’re guessing that the case will be rebranded before it reaches US shores.

VIZIO unveiled its new line of Bluetooth stereo headphones at CES this year, and today the company’s VHB100 headphones make an appearance on the FCC.  The headphones feature Bluetooth 2.0, an integrated microphone, and sound quality optimized with SRS WOW HD, SRS CircleSurround and SRS Bluetooth PureSpeech.  In addition to Bluetooth, the VHB100 headphones can connect to a wired 3.5mm jack.

We don’t have any word on a release date for the VHB100 headphones, but the are expected to retail for $100.

We know and love HTC for their mobile phones, but are we ready for HTC Bluetooth headsets?  Today the company passed a mono Bluetooth headset called the BH M400 through the FCC.  The only pic we have of the device is the label pic above, but from the looks of things the BH M400 seems like your typical Bluetooth headset.

Motorola, Samsung, LG and Apple all have their own branded Bluetooth headsets, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see HTC getting in the headset market as well.  It’s also possible that HTC is manufacturing this headset for someone else, the company used to be a huge OEM after all.

We’ll keep you up to date as we learn more.

We don’t have much to go on here, but a new Bluetooth device from Apple known as the A1339 passed through the FCC today.  The only image we have of the device is the label pic above.

Test reports show that the A1339 was tested while connected only to a laptop, leading us to believe that this is a new keyboard from Apple.  We’ll keep you updated as we learn more.

This tiny device from Capella has the footprint of a 2nd gen iPod Shuffle, yet it packs stereo Bluetooth chops that will allow you to bring your tunes pretty much anywhere.  The device, known as the UIBS-400, also features a mirror, because who wants to look bad when rocking out?

Who knows how the UIBS-400 actually sounds – all we know is it passed through the FCC today.  The device, which features 3 hours of active battery life, does seem like a great solution for the beach, or just for practical jokes around the office.

Fans of Acer’s Ferrari product lineup will be happy to see the company’s S100FBT Bluetooth headset, which passed through the FCC today. The device bears the Ferrari logo and the car manufacturer’s trademark red coloring.

No word on pricing or availability, but today’s FCC filing is a good sign that we’ll see the S100FBT in stores soon.

The M100 headset from Plantronics, pictured above, made its way through the FCC today.  FCC filings don’t reveal much, although the device does appear to be quite compact, while sporting Plantronic’s signature gel ear tip.

No word on pricing or availability, but we’ll keep you in the loop as we learn more.

Here’s an interesting, and possibly infuriating new gadget from Blueone Technology.  Known as the Bluetooth Marketing Device, this unassuming black box is designed to pump out marketing materials to Bluetooth devices within a 100 meter radius.

To use the Bluetooth Marketing Device, advertisers upload marketing materials to the device from Blueone’s PC-based interface application.  Once the Bluetooth Marketing Device is powered up, it will ask surrounding Bluetooth devices for permission to send the materials uploaded by advertisers. 

The Bluetooth Marketing Device keeps track of transfer statistics, so advertisers know how many users accepted materials from the device.  The Bluetooth Marketing Device also has a random mode, which can be used for lottery-style giveaways.

As you can imagine, there are a wide range of applications for the Bluetooth Marketing Device.  Advertisers could use the device in malls or in other areas with heavy traffic to send out coupons or announce promotions.

However, I’m wary of being bombarded by Bluetooth transfer requests.  While one of these devices may not seem so bad, what if every store and kiosk in a mall had one?  You wouldn’t be able to use your phone without notifications popping up.

Also, there’s some potential for abuse with the Bluetooth Marketing Device.  For example, the device could be used to upload viruses to the phones of passersby.  The device does ask users for permission before sending files, but these notifications could be disguised as an advertisement from a legitimate retailer.

The Bluetooth Marketing Device is definitely an interesting product with a ton of potential.  It’s unclear, however, how consumers will react to Bluetooth transfer requests and if advertisers will be able to balance the nuisance of the device with delivering valuable marketing materials.

Do you frequently lose your phone?  Then the ZOMM, pictured above, may be exactly what you need.

This UFO-shaped device pairs with your mobile phone via Bluetooth, and emits and audible alarm if you and your phone are separated.  It’s a simple idea that will keep you from leaving your phone behind, or alert you if someone tries to swipe your phone.

The ZOMM also notifies users of incoming calls.  This is a convenient feature that allows users to leave their phone in a bag, for example, while being notified of calls with the ZOMM.  Measuring only about 1.5” in diameter, the ZOMM is easy to carry around, and the device even has a loop for use as a key ring.

Finally, the ZOMM has a panic button that sounds an alarm and automatically calls emergency assistance from anywhere in the world.

The ZOMM costs $79.99 and is currently available for pre-order here.  The device is expected to ship in April.