Posts Tagged ‘Bluetooth’

Cowon’s next generation X7 MP3 player was originally expected to launch in the Summer of 2007.  Three years later, the device has finally surfaced on the FCC.

Unfortunately, FCC documents do not reveal much about the X7.  However, we do know that the device will feature Bluetooth, and a hard disk drive of unknown size.

No word on pricing or availability at this point, but today’s FCC filing suggests that we may finally see the X7 soon.

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.

Here’s an interesting idea from iHome.  The company’s iA100 alarm clock dock, which passed through the FCC today, provides a resting place for your Apple iPad, along with a host of other convenient alarm clock features like dual alarms, an FM radio, and time syncing.

The iA100 can be used with the Apple iPhone and various iPod models as well.  The device features Bluetooth, and can be used to answer calls when paired with a Bluetooth phone.

iHome also offers a free iHome+Sleep app for the iPhone that offers a host of alarm features.  The app can even track how many times you’ve hit the snooze button.

While we like the design of the iA100, the device does seem to be a bit large for our nightstand.  It would be nice, though, to have an iPad propped next to our bed for late night Hulu Plus sessions.

No word on pricing or a release date.

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.

It can be a pain to carry around your phone, but if you just leave your phone in a purse or briefcase you may miss important calls.  If that problem sounds familiar, then Movon Corporation may have a solution for your with their Bluetooth Alarm Band.

This rubberized wrist band is a simple, rugged device that pairs with your mobile phone via Bluetooth.  It vibrates when you receive a call and also has a reject call button.  The Bluetooth Alarm Band doesn’t have a screen, mic or speaker – all it does is alert you when a call comes in.

I like the simplicity of the Bluetooth Alarm Band, and I can see it being useful when I’m at the gym and just want to leave my phone in my bag.  However, the 10 meter range of Bluetooth isn’t great, so you still need to keep your phone nearby.  Also

No word on pricing or availability.