JABRA FreeSpeak: this Bluetooth headset promises hands-free conversation.Many people are concerned about safety, but won't give up talking on their cell phone while driving. If you're like me, you've probably tried all kinds of solutions from hands free kits to headsets, only to find they either offer sub-standard sound quality or have an unmanageable cable length (too short and restrictive, or too long and prone to tangles). JABRA has an answer that comes courtesy of one of today's most popular buzz words: Bluetooth. Yes folks, Bluetooth is finally here and it should make life a lot easier for all of us. If you aren't familiar with Bluetooth, it's a wireless protocol that lets you "cut the cord" on your personal electronic devices, such as PDAs, cell phones, MP3 players, and even notebook and desktop computers. JABRA FreeSpeak lets you communicate on your cell phone without the limitations of a corded headset Headphones combined with a microphone. Used in call centers and by people in telephone-intensive jobs, headsets provide the equivalent functionality of a telephone handset with hands-free operation. Many people use headsets at the computer so they can converse and type comfortably. . I should warn you that, due to its steep retail price, this device is only for the serious wireless aficionado A Spanish word that means fan, devotee, enthusiast, etc. There are loyal aficionados of every subject in the computer field. . The version for Bluetooth-enabled phones goes for about US$99; the headset for non-Bluetooth phones--it includes a Bluetooth adapter--will set you back about $180. (Just a note: The prices listed in this article are those published by JABRA. I found the regular model for as low as $89, and the version with the Bluetooth adapter for as low as $149. It pays to shop around.) Nonetheless, it's still cool, useful technology that merits a closer look. Design JABRA's unique design uses the vibrations of your jaw to transmit stored, so the headset sits inside your ear instead of floating outside the ear as conventional headsets do. Its wraparound Wraparound A financing device that permits an existing loan to be refinanced and new money to be advanced at an interest rate between the rate charged on the old loan and the current market interest rate. design is comfortable in both right and left ears. The headset is a little heavier than most; some people might find the headset uncomfortable after prolonged use. The battery takes two to three hours to fully charge with the first use. Subsequent charges take about an hour. I found the talk time to be adequate, tasting most or me day. You have to be sure to charge the headset when it's not in use, or you might experience unexpected drops. The receiver on the non-Bluetooth version I tested acts as a charging cradle for the headset. It was convenient to charge the headset while I was in the office before hitting the road for the day. However, I'd like to see a cigarette lighter adapter for us road warriors
The Road Warriors were a professional wrestling tag team famously comprised of Michael "Hawk" Hegstrand and Joseph "Animal" Laurinaitis, though other members . So, how's it sound? I used the headset for several days in various conditions. It performed best in a quiet area with little to no background or ambient noise. This is perfect for when you're in your vehicle. The people I was conversing with could understand me and I didn't have any problem hearing them. On the other hand, be careful when using it in a noisy place such as a shopping mall or outdoors. The people on the other end of the connection said it sounded as if I were in a tunnel; there was also some reverb re·verb Informal n. 1. A reverberative effect produced in recorded music by electronic means. 2. A device used for producing this effect. intr. & tr.v. from my voice in the speaker. Although I thought there might be a problem when around other 2.4GHz devices, I didn't experience any significant interference. This is a great example of how Bluetooth's frequency hopping A wireless modulation method that rapidly changes the center frequency of a transmission. See spread spectrum and 802.11. scheme minimizes interference by moving to the next unused channel. This is important in the current environment, where Wi-Fi networks, cordless phones, and other devices all compete for the same "space." UpShot Although I think the headset is interesting, there's still work to do before we get a wireless headset See headset. that offers perfect clarity and volume. However, JABRA did great job with the design, making it comfortable to wear. The biggest obstacle here is cost: The early adopter crowd might get excited about this device, but the average user is going to have a hard time with the price tag. ADVISOR[R] EVAL[TM] BUSINESS BENEFITS The Bluetooth headset will keep your hands on the wheel--for a price. (+) Light and comfortable (+) Decent battery life (+) Little to no interference with other 2.4GHz devices (-) Price tag (-) Hard to hear, and be understood, in noisy environments JABRA Corp. http://www.jabra.com JABRA FreeSpeak US$99 US$179 for headset with adapter for non-Bluetooth phones DIMENSIONS: 2.4" width; 0.5" depth; 4.0" height WEIGHT: 0.8 ounces RANGE: Works up to 30 feet away from phone BATTERY: Lithium polymer A rechargeable battery technology introduced in the late 1990s that stores less energy per pound than lithium ion, but is more flexible. Lithium polymer uses a gelatinous electrolyte rather than liquid. BATTERY LIFE: 4 hrs talk, 100 hours standby Alan Koebrick, CCNA See Cisco certification. , MCP (1) See Microsoft certification. (2) (MultiChip Package) A chip package that contains two or more chips. It is essentially a multichip module (MCM) that uses a laminated, printed-circuit-board-like substrate (MCM-L) rather than ceramic (MCM-C). , has been in the IT industry since 1990 working as a systems administrator and desktop/network integrator. He's currently a client support analyst with Sprint, overseeing the network infrastructure and desktop computing environment at the region's corporate and retail sites in San Diego, California “San Diego” redirects here. For other uses, see San Diego (disambiguation). San Diego is a coastal Southern California city located in the southwestern corner of the continental United States. As of 2006, the city has a population of 1,256,951. . Alan is also the co-owner of North County Systems, an IT consulting company Noun 1. consulting company - a firm of experts providing professional advice to an organization for a fee consulting firm business firm, firm, house - the members of a business organization that owns or operates one or more establishments; "he worked for a specializing in the small office and home office market in San Diego San Diego (săn dēā`gō), city (1990 pop. 1,110,549), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1850. San Diego includes the unincorporated communities of La Jolla and Spring Valley. Coronado is across the bay. and Riverside counties. In his free time, Alan is active as a member of the San Diego Wireless User Group executive committee, http://www.sdwug.org. |
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