Bluetooth
Bluetooth, Office Gadgets
Wacom updates Intuos4, updated the Bamboo line
Okay, I have to admit that I am only slightly behind reporting this news, but needless to say, Wacom has recently updated two of their products, and I was surprised that we didn’t cover one of their updates already.
The most recent update is the Intuos4, which we have covered previously. It has recently received an update: wireless capability. It uses Bluetooth to do this, and the lithium ion battery can be charged via USB.
We’ve also covered the Wacom Bamboo Tablet, and these have received an update for multi-touch capacity a few months ago. So not only can you draw on this trackpad, but your finger can do some multi-touch interfacing on it as well.
In fact, using the Wacom Pen and Touch, which I had the chance to try out, was a lot like using an iPhone’s touchscreen. Now I know what it is like to use an iPad with a blank screen.
Audio/Video Gadgets, Automotive Gadgets, Bluetooth
Steering Wheel Remote Control with Bluetooth
If you drive a nice enough car, most of them come with a way to control your radio without ever having to remove your hands from the steering wheel. Although a built-in method is definitely ideal, this one would be a great way to give yourself a happy medium without spending a fortune just buying a new car. It attaches to your car’s steering wheel and allows for you to adjust the volume and change the songs.
Bluetooth, Mobile Phones
Aliph unveils Jawbone ICON
When it comes to Bluetooth headsets, you will find that there is a gulf in class between all the players, and Aliph is one of them right at the very top. After all, who are we to argue with the folks behind the Jawbone Bluetooth headset as well as being the brains of NoiseAssassin, the world’s first and only military-grade noise-eliminating technology? Fast forward to today and Aliph is well and alive, unveiling their latest and most sophisticated device to date known as the Jawbone ICON. The Jawbone ICON supposedly offers unprecedented ease of use and audio quality with a balance of an industry-first software platform known as MyTALK, where it enables users to personalize and update their Jawbones through the Internet. Now that’s definitely something new, as previous Bluetooth headsets from everyone else was basically a device that could not be upgraded software-wise.
Automotive Gadgets, Bluetooth
Yada Hands Free Rear-view Mirror Bluetooth Speaker Phone
People are slowly becoming increasingly aware that they may not be able to continue their cellphone habits as they usually have. Cops are starting to get a bit more touchy about people talking on their cellphone while they’re driving. If you don’t want to wear something, you could always have a device within your car that turns your cellphone into a speakerphone. This Yada Hands Free Bluetooth Speaker Phone just slips over the top of your existing rear-view mirror.
Bluetooth, PC Gadgets
Adesso WKB-4000BB: SlimTouch Bluetooth Keyboard
I have reviewed Bluetooth keyboards before, and this Adesso SlimTouch Bluetooth keyboard is designed for those who like the shorter and slimmer design of netbook keyboards. It is also good for those who don’t have a lot of room in their backpacks as it is not very thick. The WKB-4000BB will work with Windows XP, Vista, and the spanking-new Windows 7.
I had a chance to try it out for myself, and I liked what I tried. The SlimTouch Mini keyboard comes with a Bluetooth USB dongle that is so small…how small is it? It is so small, the box had to have an arrow saying “USB dongle” or a new user would not have been able to find it. Yeah, that joke isn’t very funny, but usually those “how (insert adjective here) is it” jokes usually aren’t.
Bluetooth
i.Tech SolarVoice 908 is another first
Every once in a while, a “tech-first” is reached, and i.Tech has recently announced that their SolarVoice 908 is the first solar-powered Bluetooth headset.
I had a chance to try it out, and it paired effortlessly with my cellular phone. Oddly enough, it charged quite quickly. I can’t help but wonder if it was already charged by facing the sun.
As it is, it has five hours worth of talk time, and standby time of 140 hours. That is without sunlight, it can supposedly have infinite standby time provided it has some sun. A flashing green light indicates that it is solar charging.
Bluetooth, GPS gadgets, Sport
At last, Shoes with GPS and Bluetooth
Well, I suppose it was about time that someone made a shoe with GPS and Bluetooth compatibility. I’m just surprised that it wasn’t Nike. No, the Isaac Daniel Compass and Blue GPS shoes are most likely a first for the shoe industry, and I’m certain they won’t be the only company with a Blue GPS shoe after a while.
Now, you may ask yourself: why would I want a shoe that is Bluetooth and GPS enabled? Well, if that shoe is linked to your phone via Bluetooth, it can use its GPS functionality to let everyone know where you are. That is, if you are willing to let your friends track you online. I suppose you could use these shoes to track people who tend to wander out of their safe zones, like the elderly or small children (assuming their little feet would fit in these shoes).
Bluetooth, Mobile Phones
i.VoicePRO 901 Bluetooth Headset
I’m not one of those bluetools that has a Bluetooth headset in my ear 24/7, but I have used a Bluetooth headsets every once in a while. I had a chance to try out the iTech i.VoicePRO 901, and I can see myself keeping it in my ear from morning to night.
Fortunately, it has 100 hours of standby time for that purpose, and I’m pretty certain that I won’t be on the phone for more than 4.5 hours a day, which happens to be the limit of its talk-time.
Have you ever had a mobile device that took six to eight hours to charge for the first time? Well, the i.VoicePro took only two to three hours the first time, which is the amount of time it takes every time.
What makes the i.VoicePro different from other headsets is that it has dual microphone performance. It also has voice separation technology, so you can use this headset in a crowded room.
