SkyCross Unveils iMAT Antennas for Bluetooth and WiFi on Netbooks

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Netbooks are hot right now and sales of the machines and hardware that drive them like CPUs are booming. The thing about netbooks is that they are small and lightweight and many of them offer very long battery life. The downside is that the smaller form factor makes it hard to get all the features users might want into the devices.

Convergence in the notebook and netbook market is very important as each time we can combine multiple functions into one device it reduces weight and allows new features to be added. SkyCross has done just that with the announcement of a new antenna called the iMAT antenna that allows simultaneous Bluetooth and Wi-Fi in one antenna rather than two. Read more

Posted on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:00:00 CST | by Shane McGlaun

Blue Microphones Unveils Yeti THX Certified USB Mic

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Blue Microphones has announced the world's first THX Certified microphone called the Yeti USB Condenser mic. The Yeti offers Blue's premium condenser capsules in a proprietary triple capsule array. The THX certification affirms that the mic has the ultimate recording and playback fidelity.

Yeti offers four patterns including omni, cardioid, stereo, and bidirectional for versatility. Blue Microphones claims the mic has zero latency and offers amplified headphone monitoring with no latency, mic mute, and hardware gain adjustment. Read more

Posted on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:00:00 CST | by Shane McGlaun

Rocketfish Wireless Bluetooth Mouse and Keyboard Review

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Today I am going to look at the Rocketfish Wireless Bluetooth Mouse and Keyboard. The thing uses a tiny nano Bluetooth receiver that can act as a Bluetooth hub.

The keyboard is festooned with multimedia and shortcut keys. The mouse is a 1200 dpi unit and uses a right hand only design. Read more

Posted on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:00:45 CST | by Shane McGlaun

Ralink Offers 802.11n/Bluetooth 3.0 combo Card for Mobile Computers

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Ralink Technology has announced the availability of its RT3090BC4 802.11n and Bluetooth 3.0 combination card for mobile PCs. The single solution allows the user of mobile computers to get 802.11n WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity on a single compact card for netbooks, notebooks, and other consumer PC platforms.

The company says that in addition to allowing both WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity using the latest specifications for each on mobile computers, the combination card is also cheaper for OEMs to use and saves on building costs. Read more

Posted on Mon, 9 Nov 2009 09:00:00 CST | by Shane McGlaun

Tenqa SP-109 Bluetooth Headphones Review

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Today I am checking out the Tenqa HP109 Bluetooth headphones. These headphones work for wirelessly listening to your favorite music and for placing and receiving phone calls.

The headphones have a behind the neck style and are easy to pair and use. Tenqa promises they are compatible with the iPhone, iPod and other mobile phones. Read more

Posted on Mon, 9 Nov 2009 07:19:52 CST | by Shane McGlaun

Kmart Black Friday 2009 Is A Blue Friday Full Of Deals

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Kmart announced details about their Black Friday deals. Kmart offers on Black Friday 2009 "Better than Black Friday" and "Blue Friday" doorbusters, layaway (both in store and online), extended store hours, as well as the chance to win prizes as part of the "Christmas Countdown" sweepstakes.

On Black Friday, Kmart is painting Black Friday blue with "Blue Friday" specials. "Blue Friday" specials will be available once the doors open on Friday, Nov. 27th, and more deals will be announced throughout the day.
Read more

Posted on Wed, 4 Nov 2009 00:39:16 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

i.Tech Offers SolarVoice 908 Bluetooth Headset

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i.Tech has announced a new solar powered Bluetooth headset called the SolarVoice 908. The headset can recharge its batteries using the power of the Sun. the headset also features background noise reduction for clear calls and an advanced suite of digital signal processing software to reduce background noise and distortion.

The headset also supports A2DP Bluetooth profile for streaming multimedia audio. The headset can also be used to hear audio from multimedia content like YouTube and more. The earbuds are designed to allow air into the ear canal to prevent that stopped up feeling users get from some headsets. Read more

Posted on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Shipments of Bluetooth Headsets Shrink 28% in 2009

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With many state and local governments adding new hands free laws to their books it might seem like 2009 would be a banner year for makers of Bluetooth headsets. Apparently, it is not such a great year for the industry according to Strategy Analytics.

The analytics firm reports that shipments of Bluetooth headsets are down 28% for the year so far. Shipments reached 19.2 million units in 2008 but will decline to 13.9 million by the end of 2009. Read more

Posted on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:37:30 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Texas Instruments Creates Low Energy Bluetooth Standard

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Bluetooth headsets have two Achilles Heels. The first is a design problem; a lot of them look really silly, which is why people who wear their headsets all the time get made fun of. The second, and more serious issue is one of battery life. The kind of person who wears a Bluetooth headset does so because they need to be on the phone a lot. Most headsets only get a couple of hours on a charge though, which causes a great deal of hassle for the user.

That problem might have just been nipped. Texas Instruments, designers of microchips and architects of countless engineering breakthroughs over the last twenty years, have just fixed Bluetooth. They sent out a press release today announcing their demonstration of the Bluetooth low energy standard at a conference in Munich.

Posted on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:31:58 CDT | by Robert Evans

Texas Instruments Demos World's First Coin Cell for Bluetooth Low Energy Apps

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Texas Instruments has announced that it has demonstrated the world's first coin cell demo for the new Bluetooth low energy open standard based on its upcoming CC2540 single-mode, system-on-chip. Bluetooth low energy applications like sports and fitness equipment, mobile accessories, and home and office devices use coin cell and energy harvesting solutions to run for more than a year on a single tiny button cell battery.

The TI application supports both dual-mode and single-mode solutions and are optimized for low-power and low-cost applications. TI says that its device is packaged on a 6mm x 6mm unit including the controller, host, and application. Read more

Posted on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Samsung Blue Earth Phone Launches

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Samsung announced the Blue Earth Eco Phone in February at the MWC 2009. Today Samsung informed that the Blue Earth phone is now launching in Sweden in October and will soon launch in France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Portugal and other European and Asian countries.

Samsung says that the Blue Earth is the first solar powered full-touch screen phone. By charging with the solar panel located on the back of the phone, users can generate enough electronic power to call anytime anywhere. Read more

Posted on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Tenqa SP-99 Bluetooth Speaker Review

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Today I am checking out the Tenqa SP-99 Bluetooth speaker. The speaker is designed for streaming audio from Bluetooth phones and computers.

The small speaker can be powered by an AC adapter or AAA batteries. The SP-99 has two drivers and no subwoofer so bass is weak. Read more

Posted on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:18:16 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Zeemote V3 Bluetooth Game Controller Unveiled For Mobile Phones

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Zeemote unveiled the new Zeemote V3 Bluetooth Controller for Sony Ericsson mobile phones.
The Zeemote V3 is compatible with virtually all Sony Ericsson Handsets including the new Entertainment Unlimited Series of Yari, Aino and Satio and eco-friendly Naite.

With the Zeemote V3 controller you can play all mobile games, navigating Phone Menus, control Camera, remote control of Music & Video Player, and Playstation 3 Remote Play (Aino™ Only). Read more

Posted on Tue, 6 Oct 2009 06:55:07 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Nectar Bluetooth Accessories Launch

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Nectar has announced a new line of accessories that aims to keep your Bluetooth headset nearby. The problem for many who use Bluetooth headsets isn't keeping eyes on the road while talking as much as it is keeping eyes on the road while trying to find the headset in the car when a call is coming in.

The Nectar accessories are designed to keep the headset close to the user so it can be found without taking eyes off the road. Nectar has two different accessories including the BlueClip Retractable and the BlueClip Necklace. Read more

Posted on Fri, 2 Oct 2009 11:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Jabra Cruiser Bluetooth Speakerphone Launches

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Jabra makes a full line of Bluetooth hands free gear from Bluetooth speakerphones to Bluetooth headsets. I have reviewed a few of their devices and found them to be pretty good. Jabra has announced its latest hands free speakerphone, the Cruiser.

The Cruiser supports Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR and eSCO. The device also supports A2DP and AVCRP music streaming from your MP3 player to the speaker inside the Cruiser. Other features include DSP sound and voice technology, a visor clip, and auto-pairing. Read more

Posted on Fri, 2 Oct 2009 09:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Nectar Introduces Accessories for Bluetooth Headsets

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In many states driver have to use either a Bluetooth headset or a hands free device to be able to make or receive calls while driving. Actually talking is only part of the call though, getting the Bluetooth headset into your ear if that is what you are using can be challenging and often requires you to take your eyes off the road.

Nectar has announced a new line of accessories for Bluetooth headsets called the BlueClip Retractable and the BlueClip Necklace. The Retractable versions is just like those little key or badge clips that have a cord that is spring loaded. You just grab the Bluetooth headset attached to the clip and pull it to your ear. Read more

Posted on Thu, 1 Oct 2009 05:41:06 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000 Review

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Today I am checking out the latest mobile keyboard from Microsoft called the Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000. The keyboard has a separate keypad for entering numerical data and has a carry bag.

The keyboard is very thin making it comfortable to type on and easy to fit into your laptop bag. No Bluetooth dongle ships with the keyboard, so your notebook will need integrated Bluetooth. Read more

Posted on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 06:11:17 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Bluetooth Handset+SD Reader = Hot Gadget

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The best things are two things in one. Take the "Ultimate Bluetooth Handset" (via Gizmodo) from Brando. This gadget is just a normal Bluetooth headset with a hidden microSD card reader inside its body. You just pull out the end cap to insert an SD card, or reveal the USB plug.

Posted on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:18:31 CDT | by Robert Evans

Solar Powered Bluetooth Headset Gives You A Green Ear

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The adoption of Bluetooth headsets is according to a recent study plummeting. This has not stopped manufacturers from coming up with new Bluetooth headsets yet. Hong Kong based gadget shop Brando is now offering a rather stylish Solar powered Bluetooth headset.
Read more

Posted on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 04:27:23 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Plantronics Discovery 975 Bluetooth Headset Review

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Today I am checking out the Plantronics Discovery 975 Bluetooth headset. This is hands down one of the best looking headsets on the market with a minimalist design that is very appealing.

The 975 also has a carry case with a battery inside that provides longer run time for the device. Sound quality is also top notch. Read more

Posted on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 07:58:48 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Novero TheFirstOne Bluetooth Headset Review

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Today I am looking at the Novero TheFirstOne Bluetooth headset. The headset is designed to be a fashion accessory as well as a wireless headset.

The device ships with a car charger, charge cradle, and an AC charger for the home. The device has noise reduction and all sorts of other features. Read more

Posted on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 08:20:16 CDT | by Shane McGlaun