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Is A Bluetooth Mouse Right For You?

April 13th, 2008

If you ever had the problem of getting the wire of your mouse tangled up, then you’ll want to consider a wireless mouse. One of the options is to obtain a bluetooth enabled mouse.

What is the difference between a bluetooth mouse and other wireless technologies such as an infrared mouse? Usually an infrared mouse comes with a cradle with a connection to your computer and the mouse makes wireless contact with the cradle. As opposed to a bluetooth mouse, the space between the cradle and the mouse has to be free of obstruction for the signal to get through. If you set your coffee cup in the path of the infrared signal it can stop your mouse from working.

The benefits of a bluetooth mouse is that the range from your mouse to your computer can be between 10 and 30 feet. This is great if you are using a large LCD screen as your monitor and you want to sit further away from the computer. 

What If My Computer Is Not Bluetooth Enabled?

If your computer is not bluetooth enabled, don’t worry. There are bluetooth adapters you can buy that plug into your USB port can make the addition of blue tooth devices possible. Not only can you connect a bluetooth mouse through the adapter, but it can generally handle up to seven devices at once with the use of an adapter, unlike other wireless devices, which requires a separate receiver for each device such as one for the mouse and another for the keyboard. Furthermore, that same adapter can also work with a bluetooth enabled printer as well.

The choice of which blue tooth mouse will most likely be a personal choice as many of the different brands will work pretty much the same way. A main difference, however is in scrolling capabilities. Microsoft has one of the few blue tooth mouse with side scrolling capabilities. A Logitech blue tooth mouse has a scrolling advantage where the user can feel the scroller, while Microsoft’s is an extremely smooth scroll. How beneficial the slanted wheel for side scrolling turns out to be is dependent on individual choice.

There is one thing you should be aware of and that is the scrolling speeds and recovery time of the bluetooth mouse is on average than most wired mice. In addition, you’ll pay more for the bluetooth mouse. The cost is typically between $50 and just over $100. However, as with computers, the prices become cheaper as the technology becomes broadly adopted.

Plantronics Voyager 510 Bluetooth Headset

April 13th, 2008

Plantronics Voyager 510 Bluetooth Headset

If you like to be untethered, check out the Plantronics Voyager 510 Bluetooth Headset, which represents a generational leap in Bluetooth headset technology. It is lightweight and comfortable so that you can wear it all day. In terms of sound quality, it offers unprecedented clarity. These are great features, but the real revolution involves Plantronics’ exclusive “Multipoint” technology, which allows the headset to function as a powerful communication solution for up to two Bluetooth devices.

What is Multipoint Technology?

With Multipoint technology you can switch between your voice-enabled Bluetooth mobile phone, PDA or laptop. The headset’s “smart” technology knows which device you are using and allows you to take calls from any device at the touch of a button. With the optional Plantronics Bluetooth Deskphone Adapter you can even switch between your office phone and your Bluetooth mobile phone. You’ll never need to use a dedicated “landline” phone headset again.

The 510 features a noise-canceling microphone for clearer conversations, and it folds for easy storage. The boom also swivels for perfect positioning on either ear. One-touch call control buttons are placed for easy access, and you can easily redial the last number dialed and initiate voice-activated calls from the headset. Because the 510 is Bluetooth-enabled (it supports the Bluetooth 1.2 specification) you can roam up to 33 feet from your Bluetooth device. Meanwhile, the 510 supports adaptive frequency hopping (AFH) which helps avoid interference from Wi-Fi networks. The built-in rechargeable battery ensures that you will have ample talk time. You can get up to 6 hours talk time and up to 100 hours of standby time.

Find out more about the Plantronics Voyager 510 Bluetooth Headset with Multipoint Technology

Motorola HS820 Bluetooth Headset

January 21st, 2008

The Motorola HS820 Bluetooth headset has already been discontinued but you can still find it on Amazon or Ebay.

To use the headset, simply turn it on, place it on your ear and a Bluetooth® link is automatically established.

Other features include:

 The multifunction button allows you to place, receive or end calls, all with the push of a button!

• With Bluetooth wireless technology, devices work together even up to 10 meters (30 feet) away.
• The overall compact size and lightweight (less than 20g) allows for easy storage when not in use
• Lengthy talk and standby times include up to 6 hours of talk time or 100 hours of standby time from a single full charge

These bluetooth headsets are available in gray and teal.

Jawbone Bluetooth Headsets

January 20th, 2008

Jawbone bluetooth headsets are stylish and sleek. This is a company that clearly pays a lot of attention to design. The designer behind the Jawbone products is Yves Behar.

Check out these sleek designs.

More about Aliph

Aliph, the company behind the Jawbone products was founded in 1999 by Alexander Asseily and Hosain Rahman, who met as Stanford undergrads and shared a belief that creating a noise-free environment was critical to improve mobile communications and a vital step towards voice being the dominant interface for mobile devices. Since 2002, Aliph’s technology has been optimized for DARPA to maximize communications clarity in the most hostile conditions.

Find out more about Jawbone headsets:

Aliph Jawbone Noise Shield Bluetooth Headset- Black

Aliph Jawbone Noise Shield Bluetooth Headset- Red

Aliph Jawbone Bluetooth Headset- Grey

Parrot Blue Tooth Car Kit

April 2nd, 2007

Don’t you hate it when people drive with one hand while holding a cell phone in the other hand and carry on a conversation? It almost always is a distraction. Have you ever been the one talking while trying to drive and almost causing an accident yourself? Every day, people are involved in automobile accidents which involve a cell phone, and the number is growing. Cell phones have been a great innovation of our modern time, allowing us to talk to anyone almost anywhere we are. They provide comfort and security to those who travel, as well as a great way to conduct business on the go. But, holding the cell phone is dangerous while driving and has been a major source of frustration in this area for many. The Parrot blue tooth car kit allows one the freedom to talk on the phone without having to hold anything in their hands.

How Does A Parrot Blue Tooth Car Kit Work?

Most people know that cell phones allow someone to make both local and long-distance phone calls from just about anywhere in the world, provided there is a signal tower within the location they are calling. A Parrot blue tooth car kit comes with a device that is worn around the ear and a base unit that can be attached to a sun visor while driving. It is also small and compact enough to fit in the pocket as well. This light, compact device can be concealed and carried within the clothing without being noticed, and is very popular with many while driving and even at the gym while exercising. The Parrot blue tooth car kit offers up to 10 hours of talk time before the battery needs to be recharged.

Other types of Parrot blue tooth devices will allow you to download songs from your MP3 player onto your car radio through a device that attaches with a mount onto your regular car radio. Parrot also presents their products at shows and seminars across the country to display and sell their products. They have a magazine and newsletter that one can subscribe to in order to stay up to date on the latest in blue tooth technology. These items both convenience and high-quality reliability to both business professionals and non-professionals alike.

To find out more about the latest Parrot blue tooth products, check out the Parrot Blog.

Jabra Blue Tooth Headset For Hands Free Talk

January 30th, 2007

Driving while talking and holding a cell phone is one of the major hazards on the roads these days.  Using a conventional cell phone means you’ve only got one hand on the wheel, leaving you with only one hand to steer with, drop change in the toll gate, and turn down your radio.  Then there’s the added distraction of holding a phone conversation while driving.  It is definitely safer to avoid using the phone while driving.  However, if you really need to multitask, then consider going for a wireless headset like the Jabra blue tooth headset.  This will help keep both your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road, where they belong.

The Advantage Of Blue Tooth Headsets

Blue tooth is a wireless technology which allows two devices to communicate with each other without the use of cords.  This technology is designed to be about as easy as turning two blue tooth enabled devices on.  A Jabra blue tooth headset would be able to recognize a nearby blue tooth enabled phone and would transmit the call from the phone to the headset, which would allow you to hold your conversation without laying a finger on the phone.  The lack of wires means not only are you not getting hands tangled up on the cord while driving or needing to keep the phone balanced close to you due to short cord length, but you could even keep your phone in your coat or briefcase and still chat on your Jabra blue tooth headset. 

Why Jabra Headsets?

There many brand names to choose from when you are in the market for a wireless headset for your cell phone.  However, a Jabra blue tooth headset is a great choice, since most people want to shop for quality and not purchase multiple products before settling on one that works.  One good reason to start with a Jabra blue tooth headset is that their company is dedicated primarily to making headsets for use with cell phones.  Being successful selling primarily one product is a sign of quality or else the company wouldn’t survive if their products were poor.  Jabra also dedicates itself to encouraging use of wireless technology.  While most phones would need to already be enabled as a blue tooth phone, Jabra also makes an adapter that will make any cellular phone compatible with a Jabra blue tooth headset.   This demonstrates a dedication to seeing their technology used. 

Be Aware Of Local Driving Laws

As you can see, a blue tooth headset is a useful little item to own, but in some states, it’s more than just a great item to help keep you safe on the road.  States like New York and New Jersey have laws that require drivers to use a hands-free device if they plan on using their phone while on the road.  So be aware if your area has a similar law and purchase a quality headset and you may avoid getting a ticket!  But whether you’re buying a headset out of your own dedication to road safety or whether you’re satisfying a local law, a Jabra blue tooth headset is a quality purchase, and a good bet for the right headset.

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Copyright © 2008 Bluetooth Technology and Devices

Credits: Matteo Turchetto | Andreas Viklund