Marantz, maker of high-end audio products, passed a new version of their IS301 wireless iPod dock through the FCC today.  The Bluetooth-powered system includes a Bluetooth receiver that connects to an AV system via component, composite or S-Video cables.  iPod/iPhones can then be placed in the wired dock, below left, or connected wirelessly through Marantz’s wireless transmitter (below, right).  Users can also connect directly to the IS301 receiver via Bluetooth with any A2DP compliant device.

When connected through the wired dock, the IS301 system can output video.  However, only audio output is available when devices are connected wirelessly.

We like the appearance of the sleek, brushed aluminum receiver.  The wireless transmitter is also a plus for users of iPods that lack Bluetooth.

However, the IS301 system sells for a pricey $250 – not cheap considering all the wireless iPod options available today.

Bluetooth headsets can be uncomfortable, difficult to use and unsightly.  SiZEN Corporation hopes to solve those shortcomings with the Slim speaker BT Cap – a baseball-style cap with an integrated Bluetooth receiver, mic, speaker and headset.

The cap relies on a tiny ‘brainbox’ that hides under the material in the cap’s front.  The brainbox receives Bluetooth signals, and can pipe audio to a slim speaker that is hidden in the bill of the cap, or a 3.5mm headphone connector.  Call and music control buttons are also placed on the cap’s bill, enabling users to easily manage calls or music playback.

While the Slim speaker BT Cap will place you in the upper echelon of geekdom, it does offer a number of benefits over the traditional Bluetooth headset.  Sure, you can’t wear a cap everywhere, but we love the idea of having a Bluetooth speaker in the bill of our caps while walking or biking.

While Shen Zhen Sailing Electronic Co isn’t exactly a well-known company in the US, the company’s Bluetooth Car MP4 device does seem like a solid Bluetooth handsfree kit.  The device attaches to your cigarette lighter, and has a complete range of Bluetooth handsfree features, as well as an SD-based MP3/WMA player and FM transmitter.

If you want to take your calls private, the Bluetooth Car MP4 also has a dockable Bluetooth headset.  That’s a convenient feature that reduces the number of Bluetooth devices lying around that need to be recharged.

No word on pricing or availability, but we’re suspecting that Shen Zhen Sailing Electronic Co. will rebrand the Bluetooth Car MP4 before it comes to the US.

The aptly-named Tubular Wireless Speaker from IPEVO, pictured above, passed through the FCC today.  I’ve seen a growing number of speakers with this design, and I have to say it looks intriguing.

With support for A2DP Bluetooth, the Tubular Wireless Speaker can play stereo audio from your Bluetooth-enabled media player.  The device can also be used as a Bluetooth speaker when paired with a mobile phone.

The Tubular Wireless Speaker is battery powered, making it ideal for portable applications.  The device also hides a USB charging cord in one end – a great design choice that will make it much easier to recharge the speaker.

No word on pricing or availability.  We also wouldn’t be surprised if this is re-branded before it reaches the States.

This mess of wires is actually a Bluetooth headset for motorcycle helmets called the Y6400.  Manufactured by Blinc, this device is designed to fit discreetly within the lining of a helmet, allowing bikers to talk on the phone or listen to music while driving.

The blue box pictured above, left, contains the battery and Bluetooth functionality for the system.  A wired earphone and mic, as well as a volume knob connect to the blue box.  You can recharge the Y6400 by popping out the blue box and connecting it to a mini USB power supply.

We’ve seen a few Bluetooth headsets designed for motorcycle helmets, and the Y6400 seems like a decent entry.  No word on pricing or availability.

Jaybird manufacturers athletic audio gear, including wired and wireless headsets.   Today, the company passed this tiny Bluetooth adapter for iPods and iPhones, called the BAIP, through the FCC.

The tiny device adds Bluetooth functionality to iPods or iPhones without A2DP support – a valuable feature if you’re working out and don’t want to be distracted by wires.  It’s not the first device of its kind, but it is pretty compact way to bring stereo Bluetooth to your non-Bluetooth devices.

This novel hearing device from In-Tech uses Bluetooth to help the hard of hearing make the most out of conversations.  Unlike most hearing devices that feature a single amplifier, the In-Tech CS8144 has a separate wireless Bluetooth mic that can be used to pick up conversations in the distance, or a TV/radio without maxing out the volume.

Additionally, since the CS8144 relies on Bluetooth, you can pair the device with a phone to make phone calls.  The device also has an SOS button that will automatically dial a preprogrammed emergency number.

In-Tech is clearly marketing the CS8144 to the elderly here, however I’m not sure how well technologies like Bluetooth will go over in nursing homes.  Still, assuming that medical staff and the elderly can figure out how to use the device, the CS8144 does offer many improvements over traditional hearing aids.

Plantronics passed a new line of Explorer headsets through the FCC today.  Known as the Explorer 240, 242, 243, 245 and 395, these devices have external differences, but are essentially the same under the hood.

Plantronics did not release any specs on these new headsets in its filing, but they appear to be your run-of-the-mill mono-Bluetooth headset design.

We haven’t heard of Vento before, but today the company passed a sleek Bluetooth headset called the Communicator 6190 through the FCC today.  Overall, we like the design of this device, although there’s not a whole lot new in terms of Bluetooth headset features.  However, the Communicator 6190 does offer support for A2DP, which will come in handy if your mobile phone supports A2DP as well.

The Communicator 6190 offers an acceptable 6-8 hours of talk time, and 100 hours of standby.  There’s no word on pricing or availability, and we’re not even sure if the device will maintain ‘Vento’ branding when it goes on sale.

This silicon Bluetooth keyboard from Chin Fai Electronics Company passed through the FCC today.  Available in red or pink, this keyboard has a rubberized texture that allows the keyboard to be rolled up.

Although there are a ton of rollable keyboards out there, this is the first one we’ve seen that takes advantage of Bluetooth goodness.  That’s a big plus that enables this keyboard to be used with a wide range of devices, including notebooks, PDAs and some mobile phones.  Charging via USB is a convenient feature, as well.

No word on pricing or availability, but Chin Fai will likely rebrand this keyboard if it comes to the States.