California drivers 18 and older must use hands-free devices when talking on cellphones beginning July 1. Drivers under 18 cannot use cellphones or text-message.

FOR DRIVERS 18 AND OLDER: Voice commands count as going hands-free for drivers 18 or older. BlackBerrys, GPS systems, etc., are OK to use.

FOR DRIVERS YOUNGER THAN 18: Cellphones are banned for these drivers. They also cannot text- message or use laptops.

These kinds of laws are specifically about phones rather than distractions, and it really shows in the language. Cells are banned, but BlackBerries are fine? Really? The intention of banning phones is reasonable and the law will likely benefit the state as a whole, but it could use some fleshing out. Primarily, it doesn’t give the police the discretionary power they would need to properly deal with more types of distracted drivers, many of whom are even more dangerous than your average talker.

So if you’re down about the new rules and/or understand the world much like an 8-year-old boy might, here are some alternatives that are totally (probably) more acceptable in the eyes of the law than dialing and driving:

USE A LAPTOP

If you’re under 18 it looks like you might be out of luck here. If you’re a legal adult though, the coast is apparently clear. Invest in EVDO or one of those new 3G-equipped Chryslers and browse the net, fire up your favorite racing game or install Skype and prank call the developing world. If you’ve got big hands you can even hold it like a cellphone for bonus points.

USE A BANANA

If your incessant phone usage is a function of some kind of strange cranial fixation, hold something else against your ear. Talk into a banana, or a boomerang. Or a kitten. All of these things offer at least the tactile satisfaction of your average handset, and each has an added benefit (snacking, hunting and affection, respectively).

DEAL WITH YOUR HYGIENE

The sights of a man struggling with an electric shaver or a woman gracelessly applying lipstick are common enough already, so take that concept as far as you want. It’s easy to forget about your toenails, for example. You should really take care of them, otherwise you might trip and have an accident.

BUY A KINDLE

Impress the cute driver next to you with your brain, via your Amazon e-book reading device. For hands-free use just strap it to your wheel, or windshield. You can peruse your favorite quarterly, dig into some obnoxious book by Ron Paul about why making cellphones (or anything) illegal is totally illegal or even download every statute of California law, just to have around.

MAKE A SANDWICH

If you’re bored, hungry or both, why not just make yourself a hoagie on your dashboard? You’ll find that getting a decent sandwich together there is pretty easy in spite of (or maybe because of) all the ArmorAll residue. Extra kudos if you can convert your Foreman grill to DC power without popping a fuse. Also, extra sandwiches.

USE A GPS DEVICE

Mio's upcoming Moov 380 GPS device has calling and texting built right in, but it's A-OK under the new law. If you've got a Dash system, have a ball drawing your own customized routes. Or just buy a map. Make sure to unfold it all the way so it blocks your windshield.

WRITE A NOVEL

Can be combined with the laptop option, but spiral notebooks and legal pads work fine too. You’ll regret not doing it for the rest of your life, and self-publishing is cake nowadays. With your new mobile data connect, you could even print on demand while you, say, merge onto the freeway.

TAKE A SNAPSHOT

When the world is zipping by at 45mph it's easy to miss things. With the camera tech that's available today, there's really no reason for that. A Casio EX-F1 will never let you miss a moment, with helpful features like pre-recording for still shots and slow-motion video up to 1200fps. The faster you go, the cooler the video.

HAVE CHILDREN

While the first two stages of producing a child are almost definitely not allowed during driving, there’s no law about bringing birthed kids in your car. The more the merrier. Give them some toys, preferably loose and with plenty potential as projectiles. You don’t want to be one of those distant, uncool parents, you want to interact with your offspring. It’ll be fun because kids are wacky, but also because the stakes are much higher. Don’t screw up!

Again, I'm no lawyer, but I'd bet much of the crazier distractions are probably covered under generic distracted driving laws in many states. But the point remains that there are far more distracting things you can do than talk on the phone while driving, like trying to type on a touchscreen iPhone keyboard while driving stick, and so this law is woefully out of date for Gizmodo readers in particular. So, technophiles, how will you pass the time in the driver's seat now?

It's still got the metallic body, in five colors—Soul Grey, Platinum Silver, Metallic Black, Soul Pink, Amethyst Violet and Red—which may please the fashion-conscious. And it has a 2-inch QVGA TFT screen, 3-megapixel cam with "PowerLED" light, full HTML browser, document viewing app, Bluetooth v2.0, MP3 player, FM RDS recordable radio and 1GB of internal memory with microSD expansion.

But it's just a sleek, metal candybar phone with high specs... much like a boat load of other cellphones out there. It's on sale in Germany at first, then most of Europe, Africa, Asia and South America, so we've no word on when it'll come to the US. [Samsung]

To be honest, I don't think the world really needs a Bluetooth headset, heart rate monitor combo—but a modified S9 that would allow users to increase volume, change tracks or answer calls with touch sensitive panels seems promising. However, like any other patent application, there is no guarantee either of these products will ever see the light of day. [Cellpassion]

Kensington Announces Ultimate in Mouse Mobility and Flexibility for School, Work or Play
Two New smart made simple(TM) Wireless Designs Help Lighten the Load on Any Road

Redwood Shores, Calif. – June 16, 2008 – Kensington Computer Products Group, a worldwide leader in delivering smart made simple computing accessories for the mobile consumer, today announced two innovative new wireless mice that help simplify school and business travel whether across the campus or across the globe. The versatile SlimBlade(TM) Bluetooth® Presenter Mouse combines the power of two devices into one, while following the notebook's sleep and wake modes so a user never has to turn it on or off again. The ultra-portable Ci95m Wireless Mouse with Nano Receiver offers instant connectivity, so it's always ready to spring into action.

The SlimBlade Bluetooth Presenter Mouse gives students and mobile professionals a compelling reason to jump on the growing Bluetooth bandwagon. People know the Bluetooth technology primarily from their cellular phone experience. But now that more notebooks are equipped with Bluetooth capabilities, Kensington and its smart made simple design philosophy is helping users benefit from that. The sleek SlimBlade Bluetooth Presenter Mouse gives users all the advantage of a full-function laser mouse for the ultimate in precision, responsiveness and tracking ability while saving a precious USB port for other devices. It also saves school and travel bag space by doubling as a meeting or classroom presenter. A simple double-click easily toggles between the two functions.

The ultra-portable Ci95m Wireless Mouse with Nano Receiver offers "always on" instant connectivity that users can depend on for maximum working flexibility as they move around campus or around town. The 'plug and stay' nano receiver is so small that it can stay plugged in, so users never need to dig through their bags again, searching for their receiver. Its ultra-thin design, rubberized non-slip grip and 2.4 Ghz frequency make it a rugged and reliable traveling companion.

"Many people prefer using a mouse than a notebook touchpad," said Bill Rathbone, Senior Global Product Manager, Kensington, "and our new mice make it easier than ever for them to enjoy the extra comfort whenever they are on the move. Our smart made simple designs provide control, comfort, and peace of mind. They're optimized for the rigors of travel and are always ready to use. The great-looking Ci95 mouse offers the "plug and stay" convenience of a nano receiver at an affordable price. And we're especially proud to offer a Bluetooth mouse and presenter in one. Bluetooth is increasingly popular in notebook computers but few input devices take advantage of it. We have entered this market with a highly flexible, dual purpose device and plan to add even more consumer choices as we go along."

Key features of the Kensington SlimBlade Bluetooth Presenter Mouse

• Bluetooth connection frees up your USB port for other use – no receiver required
• Switches easily from mouse to presenter at the touch of a button, so you can give your presentations in style
• The ultimate in precision, responsiveness and tracking ability with the full-featured laser mouse
• Ultra-thin design fits great in your hand and slips easily into a pocket or travel bag
• Automatic sleep mode when your notebook sleeps – no need to ever turn it on or off

Key features of the Kensington Ci95m Wireless Mouse with Nano Receiver

• Plug-and-stay nano receiver is so small you plug it in once and leave it in
• Rugged, ultra-thin design withstands whatever the road dishes out, yet travels easily and fits great into your hand
• 2.4 Ghz wireless for reliable performance in any environment
• Rubberized exterior for a non-slip grip

Product Availability
The Kensington SlimBlade Bluetooth Presenter Mouse (SKU K72330US) at a suggested retail price of $59.99 and the Kensington Ci95m Wireless Mouse with Nano Receiver (SKU K72328US) at a suggested retail price of $39.99 are available at Amazon.com, Kensington.com and major retailers.
For additional information on the new and existing line of Kensington products, please visit www.kensington.com.

VERIZON WIRELESS AND LG INTRODUCE WORLD’S FIRST WIRELESS PHONE WITH BUILT-IN DETACHABLE BLUETOOTH HEADSET

Stylish LG Decoy™ Offers Convenience of Hands-free Conversations

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and SAN DIEGO – Verizon Wireless and LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A., Inc. (LG Mobile Phones) announced the availability of LG Decoy™ – a stylish slider phone that integrates a Bluetooth® hands-free headset into its sleek design. Available today, Decoy is the first mobile phone with a built-in detachable Bluetooth wireless headset.

Decoy’s compact integrated Bluetooth headset has a discreet docking port on the back of the phone for convenient storage. In addition to its unique design feature, the fashionable phone sports a two-tone finish with a glossy front, a satin back, and a 2.2” mirror-like LCD screen. The phone also comes with a five-way directional joystick to make navigating through all of the hottest multimedia features from Verizon Wireless even easier. Plus, Decoy operates on the Verizon Wireless network, the nation’s most reliable wireless network, to ensure that customers are able to count on their phones to place their calls and access all their favorite multimedia features easily and in more places.

Additional features and capabilities of LG Decoy include:

* V CAST Video-capable – download or stream video from the best names in news, sports, entertainment and more
* V CAST Music-capable – access more than 3 million full-length songs from well-known and independent artists that can be purchased and downloaded over-the-air directly to the phone
* Music player – for .mp3, .wma, .aac and unprotected .aac+ files
* microSD™ card memory port – with up to 8 GB support with an optional memory card
* VZ NavigatorSM-capable – get visual and audible directions to thousands of destinations, locate businesses and other points of interest, get maps of a location, and share directions with others. Customers in 75 cities from coast to coast can access information about traffic incidents on major roadways, obtain traffic updates and find detours around traffic congestion and accidents
* Media Center-capable – downloadable games, ringtones, wallpapers, location-based services and more
* Mobile Web-capable – customizable, enhanced wireless access to the latest in news, sports, weather and more
* Mobile Web Email – access MSN® Hotmail®, America Online® and Yahoo!® accounts to exchange e-mail
* Bluetooth capabilities
o Supports Version 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)
o Integrated Bluetooth headset for voice and for music
o Support for headsets, hands-free car kits, dial-up networking, advanced audio distribution (stereo), phone book access, basic printing, object push for vCard and vCalendar, file transfer, and basic imaging
o Supports multiple Bluetooth connections – connect up to two Bluetooth devices to have one on standby
o Ability to send all contacts and calendar events via Bluetooth
o Print and send user-generated pictures (.jpeg)
* 2.0 megapixel camera and camcorder
o Camera resolutions: 1600 x 1200 (default), 1280 x 960, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 pixels
o Video resolutions: 320 x 240, 176 x 144 (default) pixels
o Image Editor: zoom, rotate, crop
* Text, picture and video messaging
* Mobile IM and chat capabilities
* Display: Large 2.2” mirror-like LCD, 262K Color TFT, 240 x 320 pixels
* One-touch speakerphone
* Speaker-independent voice commands
* Frequency: 1.9 GHz CDMA PCS, 800 MHz CDMA
* Data Transmission: High-Speed EV-DO
* Hearing aid compatibility (M3/T3)
* Dimensions: 4.01” (h) x 1.97” (w) x 0.67” (d)
* Weight: 4.05 ounces
* SAR: head 1.22 W/kg, body 0.718 W/kg
* Handset battery times:
o Usage: Up to 230 minutes or
o Standby: Up to 330 hours
* Headset battery times:
o Usage: Up to 2 hours or
o Standby: Up to 80 hours

LG Decoy will be available beginning on June 16 for $179.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and a new two-year customer agreement through Verizon Wireless’ online store at www.verizonwireless.com and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores, including those in Circuit City.

To be honest, writing in mid air seems like more of a pain in the ass than anything, but they do envision it having some practical use in place of laser pointers during presentations. SMK is currently applying for a patent on this technology, so when we might see it available to the public is anyone's guess. [TechOn via Japanite via I4U]

The Price: $150 for the unit, 30-packs of photo paper cost $10.

The Verdict: Though, like you, I wasn't totally sure about the PoGo, after using it, I was surprised at how promising and unique the little gadget is. It solves the biggest problem with taking pictures on cellphones, the fact that you can't look at them anywhere besides your phone. The credit-card size prints look decent enough for what they are (though in Wilson's expert opinion, they're still “lousy”). It prints using Zink, an inkless technology that uses photo paper with billions of colorless dye crystals in CMY layers that change color when activated by heat. This means that the pictures are dry as soon as they develop, and you NEVER replace ink or toner cartridges. The prints are also waterproof, tear and fade resistant, and have an adhesive backing so you can stick them anywhere.

Another great thing about the PoGo is its portability. Its a little larger than a deck of cards, so if you've got pockets, you can take it around. It also connects to phones via Bluetooth so you don't have to worry about cords. We easily paired it via Bluetooth connection to a year-old, mainstream LG phone from Verizon, though it isn't compatible with every phone—Polaroid says it works with about 70% of Bluetooth-enabled phones out today. I asked them about iPhone compatibility—they said not this one.

There are a few things holding me back from totally loving the PoGo. First of all, it's slow. The process from phone to picture took 60-75 seconds, which makes printing in the moment a little less exciting. Secondly, the Li-ion battery only lasts for 15 prints, and takes two hours to charge back up. It can print while it's charging which is nice, but that really takes away from the mobility factor.

Finally, I'm not sure I would use this on a long-term basis. The product guys said to use it in a bar to pick up ladies, but I don't know how many ladies would want stickers of me—at least, not right away. It seems like a fun fad, but when I showed it to Wilson, he couldn't wait to print pictures of his baby. High school kids, too, could probably find ongoing use for its sticker prints. There may be a wider appeal, even if I'm not the target demo.

The PoGo is a fun toy for now, and with a few tweaks and improvements, it could bring practicality and excitement back to printed pictures for a guy like me. [PoGo]

Intel claims that this tech could allow up to eight secondary connections (which would mean eight wireless peripherals at once) as well as a concurrent connection to a standard 802.11x network, all on existing Wi-Fi hardware. It looks like anyone running current-gen Intel wireless adapters can expect to be able to connect with Ozma chip-equipped accessories with what essentially amounts to a driver upgrade.

There aren’t any Cliffside-enabled devices on the market yet, but Intel and Belkin have enough resources and market presence to give the system a pretty good chance at catching on. [Computer World]

The Glovephone is sadly just a concept. Connecting via Bluetooth to your handset, the Glovephone is meant for extreme weather conditions and rescue workers. There's even an emergency button for if you find yourself injured with limited mobility.

We just love the clever placement of the speaker and microphone—who would have thought that the Glovephone could actually be an excellent idea?

And as our own Kit Eaton points out, the glove phones 911 automatically in the case of s fist fight. Well, that, or just a bunch of random numbers connecting you anywhere in the world. We're sure someone will pick up. [nikoladesign]

May 20, 2008 04:00

Keep Your Phone in Your Pocket: Listen to Your Mobile-Phone Music on Logitech's New Wireless Speakers

Logitech Introduces Pure-Fi Mobile Speaker System

FREMONT, Calif. —(Business Wire)— May. 20, 2008 To transform your low-fidelity mobile-phone audio into high-fidelity, stereophonic sound — wirelessly — Logitech (SWX:LOGN)(NASDAQ:LOGI) today announced the Logitech(R) Pure-Fi Mobile(TM) speaker system. Soon you can be listening to your favorite tunes on your mobile phone — even when your phone is in your pocket.
"Millions of people now use a mobile phone to listen to music. If you're one of those people, now you can toss your ear buds aside and pump up the volume," said Mark Schneider, vice president and general manager of Logitech's audio business unit. "So when you're at a party, at the park, or just hanging out at home, your mobile-phone music will always sound great when you use the Pure-Fi Mobile speaker system."

If you have a mobile phone that uses Bluetooth(R) wireless technology with the Advanced Audio Distribution (A2DP) profile, you can stream stereo audio through the compact Pure-Fi Mobile speaker system — up to 33 feet away from your phone. And thanks to the 2-inch high-excursion drivers and dual 2-inch pressure drivers, your mobile-phone music will fill your home, your car or your office with articulate bass and smooth treble.

You can also use Pure-Fi Mobile as a wireless speakerphone. It features two built-in mics — one to pick up vocal nuances and the other to monitor and block unwanted background noise. And you won't need to even pick up the phone — the call-answer and call-end controls on the top of the speakers let you accept or end calls.

When you're ready to hit the road, toss Pure-Fi Mobile into your suitcase, backpack or car and enjoy music wherever you go. The compact, one-piece speaker system comes with a protective case that can also carry charging cables. So you don't unexpectedly lose power, the rechargeable batteries give you approximately 12 hours of playing time as well as a battery-life indicator. Plus, if the batteries run low, just use the included power adaptor or mini-USB cable and keep on rockin'.

And if your favorite audio is on your PC, iPod(R) or other MP3 player, you can enjoy the rich sound of Pure-Fi Mobile by pairing it to your audio source via Bluetooth or by connecting it to the built-in 3.5 mm audio jack — instantly enhancing your listening experience.

Pricing and Availability

The Logitech Pure-Fi Mobile speakers are expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe beginning in June. The suggested retail price in the U.S. is $149.99.

SONY'S ROLLY ROLLS INTO THE U.S.

SAN DIEGO, May 20, 2008 - For those who want to experience music through movement, Sony's Rolly entertainment player, a palm-sized, egg-shaped device that rolls and spins like it's dancing to the music, is now available at Sony Style retail stores nationwide.

Spawned from Sony portable audio technology and innovations in artificial intelligence, along with the company's design and entertainment legacy, this device provides a unique combination of music, motion and fun.

"Rolly has the ability to attract your attention as soon as you turn it on," said Brennan Mullin, vice president of marketing for audio at Sony Electronics. "It's a tremendous example of what can happen when entertainment and technology merge."

Clear Sound by Sony's Audio Technologies

Made for producing superb audio quality, Rolly features 180-degree, horizontally opposed stereo speakers. As a result, listeners can enjoy high quality sound from nearly anywhere in the room.

Sound reverberates from the surface the device is placed on, whether on a desk or on the floor. With a digital amp for high sound quality and speakers with neodymium magnets, powerful audio performance is delivered from the compact unit.

Rolly Brings Music to Life

With built-in robotic technologies, the device is designed to move its small arms, shoulders and wheels—six moving parts—to the beat of the music. With about 700 colors in its repertoire, lighting adds to the impact of the motion.

The Rolly device comes with choreography for three songs: "Also Sprach Zarathustra" (theme from "2001 - A Space Odyssey"), Avril Lavigne's "Girlfriend" and Earth Wind and Fire's "Boogie Wonderland." It can be powered up to play music and dance immediately right out of the box. Two additional tracks have been included to demonstrate how motion can be integrated into the listening experience.

Bringing out the Inner Choreographer

To choreograph an original routine, the unit comes with Rolly Choreographer software. Motions can either be created automatically by the software for a specific song, or for a creative twist, you can create customized choreography for your favorite music. Once choreography has been created, the software simulates how the device will move so you can preview the dance moves on a PC before transferring the routine to the unit.

After creating original dance routine programs, users can share choreography with others in the Rolly Go forum. Using the choreographer software, motion files can be uploaded or downloaded online from this site. Found at www.sonystyle.com/rolly, click on the Rolly Go icon to access the community and see what others have created.

Designed for Motion

The device's simple, clean, cable-less design lets it move freely on smooth surfaces. It is easy to change songs or control the volume by turning the wheels while the unit is on a surface or holding it in your hand. Shaking the device switches its music play to shuffle mode.

The player also contains Bluetooth® technology for wirelessly streaming music from a compatible PC or mobile phone.

Tiny Flash Entertainer

With 2GB flash memory, the player can store up to 520 songs for songs of an average of four minutes in length at 128kbps in the MP3 format. The battery life allows up to five hours of music playback and up to four hours of music and motion together on a single charge. The player supports non-secure AAC and MP3 formats.

Dance Off

Sony's Rolly entertainment player and Grammy™ -nominated R&B singer/dancer, Omarion, have teamed up for a dance off between man and machine. Omarion is known for his dance style and choreography that blends popping, locking, waving and break dance movement. You will soon be able to watch a dance off between the device and Omarion at www.sony.com/rolly.

Availability

The Rolly device comes in black and white and is available online at www.sonystyle.com/rolly and at Sony Style stores for about $400.

The Price: It's out today in black for $130. Silver and gold models will be available soon.

The Verdict: The new Jawbone beats its predecessor from top to bottom in comfort and sound. While the original earpiece set the standard for Bluetooth sound quality, wearing it for an hour felt like exercise to my ear. The gen 2 is much lighter, sits in my ear comfortably and barely touches my face. The clip is slimmed down and covered in leather, a much better feeling than the rubber and metal monstrosity of yore.

The outgoing sound is better than gen 1's too. Aliph ditched "Noise Shield" for "Noise Assassin" technology, and while that sounds like a bunch of marketing mumbo jumbo, people on the other end of the line while I was testing it could hear a difference. The new tech kept the outside noise to a minimum and my voice stayed clear.

Despite these improvements, the Jawbone still has flaws. Incoming sound isn't much better than before; it's loud enough, but the digital crunch found in all Bluetooth headsets is still there. Considering how long Bluetooth has been around, it's a wonder why no one has been able to really improve on this. Also, the new Jawbone only has four hours of talk time compared to the old one's six; the weird part is, it almost has twice the standby time, over 8 days.

Since the only worthy competition for the Jawbone is, well, the Jawbone—or better still, the nXZEN nX6000—the gen 2 is a clear winner. Bluetooth headsets still have a way to go before they measure straight-up to using the phone, but this slimmed-down, enhanced Jawbone is another step in the right direction. [Jawbone]

[IGN via Max Console]

After doing tests with Bluetooth, Postmachina's director, Renato Valdes Olmos, decided to make their own set of wireless protocols in order to swap information—which can then be synced with a computer and imported into various social networking sites like LinkedIn or Twitter. If this Project E can be made robust and foolproof that it will work without even thinking about it, we could see a huge market for it everywhere. But if Postmachina can take this tech and insert it into cellphones, something people already carry on them, that would be a revolution. [Winning By Sharing]

Sound ID Announces Latest Bluetooth Headset Innovation - the HD300 Developed by acoustic scientists and engineers, the Sound ID HD300 offers exceptional Bluetooth connectivity, sound clarity and comfort Las Vegas, NV (CTIA) and PALO ALTO, CA, April 1, 2008 - Sound ID, the leader in personalized sound, today announced a breakthrough Bluetooth headset, the HD300. With NoiseNavigation™, providing pristine sound through the automatic reduction of wind and background noise, the HD300's acoustic innovations are evenly matched by its narrow form and chic, high-gloss piano black finish. "Comprised of hearing specialists and top acoustic scientists, Sound ID brings an in-depth knowledge of the human ear to the Bluetooth arena," said Michael Jones, President and CEO of Sound ID. "Engineered to complement the natural hearing process, the HD300 delivers great audio and a slim design for comfort and style - ensuring its place among the slickest gadgets on the market today." The Sound ID HD300 Bluetooth Headset offers several unique technology features, including: · NoiseNavigation - A proprietary development, NoiseNavigation optimizes speech intelligibility at both ends of the conversation, as dual microphones isolate speech and DSP algorithms automatically reduce wind and background nose. · PersonalSound™ - HD300 users can choose from three listening modes - tuned to the most common hearing preferences - further enhancing speech clarity without raising the volume. · Automatic Volume Control - This feature eliminates the need for constant volume adjustment in variable noise situations such as driving. Created for extended wear, the lightweight HD300 includes scientifically designed RealComfort™ EarLoops. Available in three sizes, the EarLoops provide a secure and comfortable fit and are engineered to better channel sound into the ear for enhanced listening. Users will also appreciate the headset's compatibility with standard micro USB chargers, which come with many of today's popular mobile phones and may eliminate the need to carry multiple chargers. Sound ID has also created a free downloadable application that extends the HD300's functionality and enables users to control the headset via their mobile phone. The application includes a sound level meter to monitor surrounding noise levels, volume control and a battery life indicator, among other features. HD300 Specifications · Weight: 8 grams (0.28 ounces) · Dimensions: 53.5 x 15.5 x 7.5 millimeters (2.1 x 0.6 x 0.3 inches) · Battery Life: Up to 6 hours talk time, 200 hours (8 days) standby · Latest Bluetooth Technology: Bluetooth version 2.1+EDR with eSCO improves the transmission sound quality and is compatible with earlier versions of Bluetooth. Pricing and Availability The Sound ID HD300 is expected to be available in Q3 2008 for $119.99. It will come with a Universal AC charger (100-240 VAC), three sizes of RealComfort EarLoops and an Ear Hook for an alternative over-the-ear wearing option.

One thing it does have a handy little thing to let you block calls, which means that fool Murdock can't bug me no more, pretending to be Hulk Hogan. Funnily enough, my fist does the same job. What else is like me?

It's got 24MB internal memory. That's not like me. It's got an integrated stereo FM radio with scheduled recording function. Not like me. Micro SD card slot. Not like me either. Bluetooth? NOT LIKE ME. USB connectivity? Mr. Period. T is getting angry now. Standby is 200 hours—yeah, I can do that. Finally, jibber-jabber time is just three hours. That all? What do you think T stands for? [MobileWhack]

The long design of the Discovery 925 not only allows for a more powerful antenna but an extended microphone that picks up sound more clearly. The hardware also has DSP technologies that include noise cancellation and voice clarification. Battery life is around 5 hours and the carrying case holds an extra 5 hour charge. The Plantronics Discovery 925 is expected to come in pink, gold and black colors, and will hit stores in April for $150.

Plantronics Unveils New Discovery 925 Bluetooth Earpiece Collection

Blends Distinctive VFrame™ Design with Award-Winning Audio Technology for the Ultimate in Bluetooth Performance

CTIA WIRELESS 2008 - Las Vegas, NV (April 1, 2008) - Plantronics, Inc. (NYSE: PLT) today presented the Plantronics Discovery® 925 Bluetooth® earpiece collection, a signature line of designer headsets for both men and women. Delivering exceptional audio performance, complemented by bold lines and distinctive finishes, the Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth earpiece represents a technical craftsmanship previously unseen in the mobile accessories category.

The revolutionary design of the Plantronics' Discovery 925 Bluetooth earpiece provides outstanding incoming and outgoing audio clarity in any environment. Central to its performance is the unique VFrame™ design, structured to follow the contours of the face and draw the microphone closer to the mouth for a headset that is as much objet d'art as it is audio ingenuity. The signature elongated design, housing an extended microphone, enhances audio performance and connection range. Plantronics' AudioIQ® noise reduction technology adds to the Discovery 925's performance by removing background noise while simultaneously adjusting the incoming volume - ensuring crystal clear sound on both sides of the conversation.

"When designing a Bluetooth headset, it is critical to fully understand the physical and emotional relationship between the product and the end user," said Darrin Caddes, vice president of Industrial Design at Plantronics, Inc. "Similar to high performance watches or automobiles, our Bluetooth headset is designed to deliver a first-class experience - in this case to permit clear, wireless conversation without the distraction of background noise. It is equally imperative that the product expresses individual taste and style and is comfortable and easy to use."

Plantronics' inaugural collection of Discovery 925 earpieces includes a unique palette of colors for both men and women: Onyx Black, Alchemy Gold and Cerise Pink. Each earpiece is treated with glass beads and fire-blasted for a deep, enamel-like finish.

Each Plantronics Discovery 925 comes with a matching, soft textile carrying case that recharges and stores the earpiece. The Discovery 925 earpiece supports up to five hours of talk time, while the charging case provides an extra five-hour charge on the go. Self-stabilizing, custom-fit eartips create a light, perfectly balanced fit without the need for an earloop. Plantronics QuickPair™ greatly simplifies pairing with most Bluetooth phones.

"From the onset, our vision for the Discovery 925 was to deliver remarkable audio clarity from within a supremely comfortable and distinctive package," said Renee Niemi, general manager and vice president, Mobile and Entertainment at Plantronics, Inc. "Plantronics leveraged the talents of its Industrial Design team to create the Discovery 925 as a true 'tech-cessory,' and bridge the gap between high-grade audio performance and high-fashion - a gap that has previously eluded most headset designs."

Introduced at an exclusive showing during the Spring 2008 New York Fashion Week, the Plantronics Discovery 925 has received rave reviews among fashion press, stylists and celebrities.

Pricing and Availability:

The new Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth earpiece in Black Onyx (MSRP $149.99) will be available at major consumer electronics retailers, www.amazon.com and www.plantronics.com in April 2008. The Plantronics Discovery 925 in Alchemy Gold and Cerise Pink will be available in May 2008.

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How dedicated are you to using a Bluetooth microphone with your phone? Are you dedicated enough to drill a small hole in your teeth to install a tiny mic? Well, if so, here's one for you. Hit the jump for a picture of it in-mouth and a word of warning about DIY dentistry.

The durable composite resin filling is designed to fit in a hole 2.2mm in diameter and 1.7 mm deep and will pick up sound and vibrations from your mouth to produce incredibly clear sound.