bluetooth

Instead of making the mistake of giving Mom the Wii Fit or a gratuitous kitchen gadget for Mother's Day, try to remember that exercising and cooking may not be her only concerns in life. There are other alternatives, for example, like a stylish Bluetooth headset.

Chip Chip finds this Motorola H680 model particularly feminine and, shockingly, not even pink. This floral "frost"-finished device lists 8 hours of talk time, a charger, and a carrying case. But if you do get one for Mom, be prepared for some snide comments about your rare calls home.

Microsoft and the Hyundai Kia Automotive Group announced today an agreement to put Microsoft's Automotive Platform, the technology behind the Ford Sync system, into Hyundai and Kia cars by 2010. Ford Sync lets users integrate MP3 players and cell phones with their cars, allowing for hands-free calling and voice-command music selection. There are no details yet about what features will be offered, but we can expect similar functionality to Ford Sync, along with anything else Microsoft can come up with in time for the assembly line. Hyundai Kia has been pushing hard over the last few years to go … Read more

BMW's announcement of the 135i hit us like Pavlov's bell, the one he used to make his dog salivate. Once we got into the 2008 BMW 135i Coupe, all of our expectations were met, and more. BMW threw its best engine into its smallest car, leading to impressive acceleration for a car in this price range. But don't expect BMW engineers to content themselves with this simple concept; no, they tuned the car appropriately, such as making sure its tires would hold the road while being turned by 3-liter, twin-turbocharged power.

You usually have to pay for … Read more

Steve Tobak may be onto something with his prediction for Bluetooth implants. In fact, some existing models are so small that they may lodge themselves permanently in the ear canal as an unintended consequence.

The updated Argard M10 headset--or earset, more accurately--weighs just 5 grams and, depending one's aural anatomy, would seem to be a good candidate. The latest version looks less shiny than the original, perhaps to avoid being mistaken for a piece of jewelry.

It also comes with a "stylish docking station," according to GeekAlerts, which resembles a pair of tweezers. That could also come … Read more

Question: How did the Borg--the not-so-lovable cyborgs in Star Trek--get to be that way?

Answer: it all started with Bluetooth headsets.

I see more and more people walking around with Bluetooth headsets lodged behind their ears every day. Most states are passing hands-free laws for drivers. Even my technophobe wife wants one.

I could be wrong, but I think it's only a matter of time before some enterprising startup comes up with an implantable device.… Read more

Rumor has it Aliph will soon be releasing an updated version of its uber-popular Jawbone Bluetooth headset, but you can grab the original for just $64 (plus shipping)--a pretty solid deal considering that stores like Best Buy sell it for $129.

Renowned for its fashionable design and unparalleled noise-canceling capabilities, the Jawbone earned an 8.7 rating from CNET. Users were a bit less enthusiastic, mostly due to the awkward fit and difficulty pressing the buttons. I use a Jawbone myself and agree with the criticisms, but also think that once you've managed to wiggle the sucker onto … Read more

One of our Best of CES nominees this year was the NextLink Invisio Q7 Bluetooth headset, which promised voice transmission via a one-of-a-kind bone-conduction technology and without the use of microphones. It also has a nice discreet design with a Soft Spring ear bud that fits right in the ear. However, the Q7 has been vaporware for quite some time now--it was first announced two years ago and was slated to finally debut in February of this year, but it still has yet to materialize in the market. Today, we heard some news from NextLink via PhoneArena that NextLink is … Read more

The 2008 Ford Edge presents a more urban design than a typical SUV, fulfilling part of the crossover credo, yet its all-wheel-drive and towing capability let it take on standard SUV tasks. The Edge's engine pulls reasonably well, but fuel economy isn't great. And while not designed for seven passengers like some larger crossovers and SUVs, the Edge handles five with luggage easily enough.

Ford's raft of tech options is available in the Edge, and our test car came loaded with a navigation system as well as Sync, this last a standard feature at the Limited trim … Read more

Mercedes-Benz announced the official launch of its new crossover, the GLK, at the 2008 Beijing auto show. We first saw the GLK as a concept at the 2008 Detroit auto show.

Click here for photos of the production and concept Mercedes-Benz GLK.