Iqua VisorSUN

The iqra visor SUN is a bluetooth handsfree speaker for the car that clips on to the visor and uses solar power to recharge, meaning you’re always connected. How refreshingly sensible.

LG introduce new Plasmas with bluetooth, PVR to the UK

A "new, even smaller" model announcement is an odd thing for a TV manufacturer – usually we hear about larger, louder, brighter sets. There is method to the madness though – historically, plasma TVs have only been available in larger sizes – 40" and above. With the 32PG6000 LG have squeezed Plasma technology into a 32" screen.

Coming soon after the launch of the new LCD TV range this Plasma launch breathes life into a technology many other manufacturers are abandoning, with some innovative new features.

As with the recent LCD launch there are a myriad of model numbers and screen sizes covering a wide range of features and budgets. The 32" set sits at the bottom of the range, while the monster 60" 60PG7000 stands at the top.

Even the 32" model gets a huge array of inputs with 4 HDMI sockets, component, SCART and VGA ports. Moving up the range gets you bluetooth connectivity and an integrated freeview PVR. This is a really nice idea, you get two tuners so you can watch one program while recording another, and a 160GB hard drive for over 80 hours of recording capacity.

Ego Flash allows for hand-free operation in the car

There has recently been a law passed where I live that says that all cell phone calls made in cars must be hands-free. I suppose this is designed to prevent accidents from inattentive drivers always on the phone, but I still see drivers with cell phones pressed to their ears in blatant violation of this law.

Maybe these drivers need an Ego Flash. The Ego Flash has nothing to do with a motivational talk in any way, but an advanced Bluetooth hands-free device for the automobile.

The Ego Flash has two components, one of them is the actual processor of the two, and the other is the device with a 1.6 inch OLED display. This display has caller ID, controls the phone, it can hang up, and even do redials.

It can also do text messaging, and it will even read them aloud. By the way, did I mention that the Ego Flash can hold 10,000 phone contacts? It is also able to play MP3s right from the phone itself.

The Ego Flash is able to pair up with ten phones, and it can accept A2DP stereo Bluetooth streaming and AVRCP remote control. If you feel that you need an Ego Flash, go ahead and head over to the offical website, and it will tell you exactly where to buy it.

Take Your Tech on the Slopes!

The last time that I went skiing, cellular phones and MP3 players didn’t exist. If I ever do go skiing again, I probably would not take any mobile devices on the slopes, because a wipeout could smash them, not to mention what damage the snow could do. However, I found two devices that are good to go for the snow.

The first is the stereo Toasters, a pair of headphones that can work as earmuffs. They adjust with a sliding mechanism to create a behind the head fit that will keep your ears warm. Unfortunately, the product description does not say whether or not it is wireless, which would be an excellent feature when you are skiing.

The second is the G.cell GX-1 Bluetooth Mski Gloves, which have a speaker and microphone built-in. You can sync these gloves to your mobile phone via Bluetooth so you can receive calls with the answer and disconnect buttons.

So now you can listen to some great tunes while your shushing and slaloming, and not worry about missing an important call! Now, if only they could make a device that will allow you to surf the net while waiting in the ski-lift line.

BTKeyMini makes the iPhone keyboard easier

When I first got a chance to use the keyboard on the iPhone, I found it quite hard to use. I mean, there’s just this tiny keypad and you have to hit the keys exactly. Not to mention that there is no tactile feedback.

I don’t personally own an iPhone, but if I ever had to use one to send and receive very important emails, I would definitely want to have the BTKeyMini. The BTKeyMini is a Bluetooth keyboard designed for the iPhone as well as the iPod Touch.

With this device, you can wirelessly sync up to your Apple mobile device of choice, and have that wonderful feeing of clicking keys underneath your fingers.

As you can see, there is some sort of flap on the keyboard that is presumably there to hold the iPhone in place. I’m not certain how large this keyboard is, so I’m going to go with it being the size of an Asus Eee. That would make it easily portable if that is the case.

Ditech improves Bluetooth Headsets with VQABlue Solution

I’m sure there are many Coolest Gadget readers who can’t live unless there is a Bluetooth headset attached to your ear. I’m sure that you have noticed a few problems that come attached to them, like mild discomfort and bad reception.

Fortunately, Ditech is on the job and worked to improve Bluetooth headsets with VQABlue solution. VQABlue is software available to headsets, and the user does not have to increase the memory of his or her headset for it.

VQABlue also improves the dual-microphone design, and now users can wear headsets in a way that is most comfortable to them. That means no more fiddling around with the headset until the caller actually has to be uncomfortable to hear his or her calls.

Ditech has also created “bi-directional algorithms” which can actually improve voice quality on both ends of the call. Many of the audio improvements on headsets today can improve the quality on the other end of the call, but not the sound for the caller.

Other dynamic features include Adaptive Noise Cancellation, Acoustic Echo Control, Enhanced Voice Intelligibility, and Adaptive Listener Enhancement.

Scala Rider Q2 for Motorcyclists Taking Calls on the Road

Considering the recent United States legislation that has come out against drivers using cellular phones behind the wheel, I haven’t heard anything about similar laws being passed on motorcyclists. I guess I figured that motorcyclists can’t answer the phone and ride with one hand, and the helmets that they are supposed to be wearing would have really bad reception.

Cardo Systems is all over this problem with the Scala Rider Q2. The Q2 allows for hands-free communication when paired with a cellular phone, and it will allow headset-to-headset communication of up to 1,640 feet (500 meters).

The Q2 can also wirelessly connect to other audio sources so the motorcyclist can get instructions from a GPS device, or mobile conversations with third parties.

In addition to those cool features, the Q2 has a jack for connecting an MP3 player. The Q2 will even stop whatever music is playing so the user can take a call. For more music options, the Q2 has an embedded FM radio.

These microphones are designed to be wind-impact resistant, and their volume adjusts according to the driving speed and ambient noise. Now, if I only knew how it worked when the biker is wearing a helmet.

CyFi Wireless Headphones for sound on the go

I am guessing that this next product’s name is pronounced “Sci-fi”. Of course, many die-hard science fiction fans despise the word sci-fi, but I think that a lot of people are going to like this CyFi.

The CyFi Hi-fi Wireless Audio is designed for those who want to take the sound from their iPod or Bluetooth cellular phone and share it with the rest of the world. It is also for those who like running, biking, or anything that requires speakers on the go.

The CyFi comes in two forms. The first is designed to be used with Bluetooth A2DP enabled cellular phones. The second works with the iPod, and requires the user to plug a dongle into their iPod for the wireless transmission. This iPod version works for all iPod models except the Mini, Shuffle, and the iPhone.

I definitely would like to give some award to the design team for the shape of these speakers. Someone definitely used a flat clamshell as their source of inspiration. I also admire how the song advance and volume control buttons were seamlessly worked into the framework.

BGP100 Bluetooth Game Pad

I guess I didn’t know that the Mobile Gaming market is growing, but I suppose it was only a matter of time before somebody made joysticks for mobile phone games. In the case of the BGP100 Bluetooth Game Pad, these controllers are wireless.

The BGP100 has a 4-way pad for directional control, and seven programmable buttons for whatever else the game requires. As you can see, these controllers can affix themselves to the side of the mobile device with the use of included rubber strips.

Just think of it as turning your mobile phone into a mobile gaming device like a PSP or DS, and the BGP100 is also designed for Pocket PCs as well as Pocket PC Phones. The BGP100 supports a number of platforms including Window Mobile 2003, plus the Symbian Series.

As for power, the gamepads are powered by a 1.5V AAA battery, which is good enough for three and a half hours of continual use. As far as the range is concerned, it is about 55mm with the smartphone or Pocket PC in the middle, but it can also be used from a larger distance with the Bluetooth-enabled mobile unit sitting on a desk.

Unify4Life uses BlackBerry to control home theaters and garage doors

For years, I have been wondering why I can do almost anything with my mobile phone, but when it comes to my television or garage door, I have to resort to another remote control entirely. Why can’t I control everything with a mobile like my BlackBerry? This is the question that Unify4Life is answering with two new devices: the AV|Shadow and the Garage|Shadow.

The AV|Shadow allows for switching channels, selecting chapters for a DVD, and even allows for adjusting the volume on the user’s audio receiver. It uses Bluetooth Technology, so the user doesn’t have to point at the screen or any other video device.

The user can customize their own settings, and the interface is set up in a circular pattern, perfect for the BlackBerry Trackball. The AV|Shadow is set up for TV, Satellite, Cable, Apple TV, TiVo, DVD, DVR/PVR, VCR, Blu-Ray, iPod, Mircosoft Media Center, even gaming consoles like the PS3.

The AV|Shadow is enough inspiration for any company, but Unify4Life also has another useful application called the Garage|Shadow. This device turns a BlackBerry into a garage door opener. It is easy to install and use, and now the user doesn’t have to worry about losing their RF remotes any more.

Tri-Specs: All-in-one Shades and Headphones

While I was at CES Unveiled, I managed to see a product that I probably would have missed on the showfloor called the Tri-Specs. Tri-Specs are Bluetooth wireless headphones for an MP3 Player or cellular phone that are in the form of sunglasses.

At the ends of the Tri-Specs are two retractable earbuds that the user can put in his or her ears, which automatically turn the Tri-Specs on when extended. The best part is that no one would ever know that you are wearing earbuds while you wear the Tri-Specs glasses. You could be listening to MP3s while you’re supposed to be listening to the human resources director talk about some needless thing. Unless they look closely, your supervisors would never know.

The phone and volume controls are located conveniently on one side of the frame, and the MP3 controls are on the other side. In addition to the manual controls, the Tri-Specs can also accept voice commands with the STEPvoice software that can recognize the user’s voice from others, as well as outside noises.

I was amazed at the design of the shades, because fashion was not sacrificed for functionality. In other words, the sunglasses look like actual sunglasses and not an MP3 Player pretending to be sunglasses.

Joby Zivio Boom

It is amazing the swag that you can get at CES 2009. Who would have thought that I would walk into CES unveiled with nothing but a free press bag, and walk out with a new Bluetooth headset?

All of this is thanks to Joby, the company who gave us the Gorillapod Go-Go Collection. They allowed me to review the Zivio Boom, which is one of the most unique headsets that I have seen. The Zivio Boom has a microphone that can extend outward like a radio antenna for better sound quality on the speaker’s end.

Beyond that, the features of the Zivio Boom are pretty standard. For example, all buttons are conveniently located on the side, and it has 10 hours of talk time and 200 hours of standby time. It’s wireless range is about 10 meters or 33 feet.

The Zivio boom not only gives the user better sound, but it has a look that doesn’t follow the normal Bluetooth headset wearing crowd. After all, we are living in an age where Bluetooth headsets are a dime a dozen, and I’m sure you know at least one person who wears their headset 24/7.

Dell Wasabi PZ310 Mobile Printer

For those of you who have digital photos stored on any mobile device, and want a mobile way of printing them, you might wish to purchase the Dell Wasabi, which measures in at 4.8 x 2.8 x 0.9 inches. The Wasabi might not be a green paste that makes your sushi more zesty, but it is the first Dell product that is ZINK-y.

Yes, the Wasabi PZ310 is an ultra mobile printer is Dell’s first ZINK-enabled product, and it is able to produce 2 x 3 inch prints. All the user has to do is send their digital image to the Wasabi PZ310 via Bluetooth, and they can have a scrapbook-quality photo in under a minute.

ZINK technology doesn’t require the use of ink cartridges at all, instead, you use a special kind of paper that goes through the Wasabi, and it will come out on the other side as a full color photo. Hopefully ZINK technology will catch on so that landfills have one less problem to worry about, although I do hope that the special print paper it uses won’t be too expensive in the long run.

Well, the price for the Dell Wasabi is about $99, in black, pink, and blue. The $99 is just the introductory price. I’m not certain if it will go higher.

So dude, you’re getting a Dell Wasabi! Yeah, that ad campaign is like, what, nine years old? Next thing you know, I’ll be doing the Budweiser “Whazzzup?”

LG Bluetooth Headset gets made over with Swarvoski crystals

Bluetooth headsets are rarely eye catching. That is besides the fact that they make you appear as if you’re talking to yourself. Well now not only can you have the perk of looking like a crazy person, but you can also look like a crazy person with a shiny headset. Actually, you might look even more insane, considering you’d most likely have to pay quite a bit to get your hands on one of these.

For once, I don’t find the placement of Swarvoski crystals on a gadget to be nauseating. Partially, because I like the placement of them on this headset, it’s not just covered in them. I also like it, because most women where shiny earrings anyway, so why not add to the glitter with this headset. The headset was features at CES this year, sadly, they still haven’t stated when this will come out or how much it will cost. Knowing Swarvoski products, it’s going to be expensive to get your hands on the LG HBM 530. If these came out a bit sooner they’d be a great gift for Valentine’s Day.

Philips Tapster

Considering that Bluetooth Stereo Headsets are definitely going to be the way people are going in a wireless age, then I applaud Philips for trying to get ahead of this game with the SHB 7110, or Tapster.

Not only can the Tapster sync with the user’s MP3 Player or smartphone, but it has some very unique touch-sensitive controls. I can only assume that this is why it is called the Tapster, because the controls are all done by tapping or some touches.

For example, if you want to adjust the volume, just do a single finger swipe along the ear. Also, if you are switching from music to taking a phone call, all you need to do is tap yourself on the ear.

All phone calls are advanced with audio quality with “Full Sound technology and clear calls enhanced by EverClear”. I am assuming EverClear isn’t the cool nineties band that gave us cool songs like “Santa Monica”.

Unfortunately, there seems to be no telling when this Tapster will be available. So far, the product is showing up on the Philips website, and you can even buy it. However, I found that when I started the buying process, I couldn’t get a price, just a little more information. So, we are looking at some technology that will eventually be released, but we don’t know the when, or the how much.

On Time Headset System Concept

Every once in a while, some new concept comes out that is actually a good idea. We have been seeing a lot of wrist watches that can act as mobile phones lately, but I think we are just creating those to fulfill some vintage Dick Tracy fantasy. This is one concept wrist phone device that won’t require you to talk to your wrist.

The On Time Headset System is a bracelet that comes with a pop-out wireless headset. I suppose that is a better place to put your Bluetooth headset than your pocket.

The bracelet has a secondary display, so if your headset rings, you can just look down and see who is calling. I would imagine that the bracelet display can show the time, making it a very fancy wristwatch.

By the way, did I mention that the displays are both touchscreens? Well, they are, and they would hopefully not require tiny fingertips in order to use.

My source referred to the OnTime Headset System as the “future of bling”, and I can’t help but feel that it is about time that tech and bling combined to create something like this. Well, as I mentioned before, this is only a concept, but I already want it on my wrist.

Scosche SolCHAT

I think we all know that what the world needs now, is solar power, sweet solar power. Yeah, I probably shouldn’t be stealing old classic songs and adding green messages to them, but what the heck, it is quite true.

Scosche has recently unveiled a new solar-powered endeavor with the SolCHAT Bluetooth Speaker phone. It is designed to be used in the car, so you can chat and drive without breaking any new laws.

It has a built-in lithium ion rechargeable battery with a solar panel. I’m not certain how efficient this is, as many solar-powered gadgets that I have seen in the past have been historically inefficient.

Fortunately, if there is no sun out, you can recharge the SolCHAT via USB. Of course, a lot of cars don’t have USB ports in them, but times are changing all the time. After all, most new cars have responded to consumer needs and added an iPod dock, so why not a USB port as a new standard?

Blueguard Self-opening Doors

Even before the recent Star Trekreboot, we were always fascinated by the technology from that science fiction franchise. It wasn’t just the warp drives, food synthesizers, and transporters, but something all too simple: self-opening doors.

Yes, for some reason, the United Federation of Planets outlawed the doorknob sometime before the 23rd century, and all doors must open with an odd swish sound effect, provided the user is in close proximity.

This is very similar to the Blueguard, which is able to open your garage door when you get 33 feet of it. It uses Bluetooth wireless technology on your cellular phone to detect when you are close. It has the capacity to obtain a signal from 10 cellular phones.

So you don’t have to hit a button or use RFID or access cards when you approach the garage. You can even set it to work as you walk up to the door, or make certain the user is in a vehicle before the garage opens up.

For some reason, I cannot find a price for this item, even on the product page. Too bad there isn’t a way to put a Blueguard on every door in my house, but none of them slide open like my garage.

The Orb Bluetooth Headset

Imagine receiving a call from your ring, removing it, and then turning it into a Bluetooth earpiece to take the call. That is the simple concept of The Orb, a ring-shaped device that becomes an S-shaped device to fit into the ear.

The Orb has a flexible OLED that will display the caller information, calendar items, and voice-to-text information. So the next time you receive a ring, you can look at your ring.

You may notice that the opened up headset is hanging securely from the ear, but none of it is in the ear. Yeah, you don’t have to mess around with it too much, as the Orb uses bone conduction technology. Some of you have not seen bone conduction before, but it is a way of transmitting sound directly into the brain through touch.

If the Orb sweeps the nation, I look forward to seeing them as wedding rings. I’m not certain the Orb is a good name for this device, as Orb implies something that is spherical, right?

Aura BluNote

I’ve reported on Spracht's products before, and they are well known for their Bluetooth products and accesories. The latest is the Aura BluNote, a portable wireless speaker that can stream music wirelessly from any Bluetooth device.

Sure, devices like these are a dime a dozen, but this is one that promises to improve sound quality. Considering that the speakers are “smaller than a breadbox”, it makes up for it using a “bass boost and stereo widening feature to create a three-dimensional soundscape”.

Pairing is as easy as pushing a button on the device, and it should recognize a Bluetooth device right away. If you are using the BluNote to play music, the sound will automatically go down when someone calls. After that, you have a perfect speakerphone apparatus.

As for power, it can be plugged into the wall with an AC adapter, or, if you want to take it on the road, you will need 4 AA batteries which is good for about ten hours.