Welcome to the 411, my Q&A column answering all your questions about cell phones and cell phone accessories. I receive plenty of questions about these subjects via e-mail, so I figured many of you might have the same questions, too. At times, I might solicit answers from readers if I'm stumped. Send your questions and comments to me at nicole.lee@cnet.com. If you prefer to remain anonymous, let me know in the e-mail.
Thanks to Bonnie Cha for her help with the first couple of questions!
I am thinking of getting the BB Tour or the HTC Touch Pro 2 from Sprint. I was wanting to know, if you were going to purchase one of these phones, which one would you choose and why? I know the Pro 2 has Wi-Fi and may offer an OS upgrade later. Do yo think this would make a better phone than the Tour? -- Bruce, via e-mail.
It depends on your preference. For a simple messaging e-mail device, the Tour is probably the better handheld, since the interface is a little easier to understand. The Tour is also better if you want a world phone that you can use in any country on the globe. If you don't plan on using the phone outside the U.S. and you want a smartphone with a little more multimedia power, the HTC Touch Pro 2 is definitely the better of the two. The Touch Pro 2 offers Wi-Fi while the Tour doesn't, and the wider touch-screen interface on the Touch Pro 2 is also more conducive to video playback.
My cousin would like to get the Blackberry 8900 (I'll have to unlock it, of course) to use overseas, so I was just wondering what was the big difference between AT&T's 8900 and T-Mobile's 8900, because there is a $240 difference between the price on Best Buy Web site. Is there really a big difference between them just because AT&T calls theirs the Javelin and T-mobile's the curve? The specs look the same to me? -- Damion, via e-mail.
In terms of specs, both the AT&T and the T-Mobile version of the BlackBerry 8900 are about the same. The only differences are the carrier offerings. For example, AT&T has AT&T Music and AT&T Navigator on the 8900, while T-Mobile's version has UMA support so you can make calls via Wi-Fi if you have a T-Mobile HotSpot @ Home plan. But if you're going to unlock it and use it overseas, then it doesn't matter which one you go with, since you probably won't be able to use those services anyway. P.S. "Javelin" is just an internal code name, I believe.
Any comments on the Jabra Halo? I plan on using it mostly with my iPhone, (for hands-free driving), as well as for music enjoyment when not driving. Would you recommend this stereo Bluetooth device or suggest another? -- Frank, via e-mail.
I have to be honest, Frank: I wasn't a huge fan of the Halo. In fact, I didn't like it much at all. It just didn't sit well on the ears and the call quality was subpar. The best things I can say about it is that it's very attractive; it folds down to a more compact shape; and it does play music as promised. Even if I did like it, though, I wouldn't recommend using it while driving; I think only a mono headset is allowed in that scenario. If you want a headset that can be used in both stereo and mono, take a look at the Samsung WEP870, the Plantronics Voyager 855, or the Jabra BT8010 for starters. Do note, though, that the new iPhone OS does not have full AVRCP (Audio Video Remote Control Profile) support. This means that even though you can stream music from it, you can't control the music playback from the headset--you still have to play/pause and advance tracks on the phone itself.
The Jabra Halo stereo Bluetooth headset, open and folded.
(Credit: Jabra)I was quite impressed with the Jabra Halo stereo Bluetooth headset when I first saw it at CTIA 2009 in Las Vegas. It looked thin and lightweight, and promised to be the first wireless stereo headset with dual-microphone noise cancellation. Indeed, it was our cream of the crop nominee for best accessory at the show.
Now Jabra has made the Halo official, announcing that it'll be available for sale in Best Buy retail stores next week. Other features of the headset include multipoint technology, eight hours of talk or music time, Zirene Power Bass, and a 3.5mm cord option in case you can't or don't want to use Bluetooth. It also folds down to a more compact shape. The suggested retail price is $129, which may seem a bit costly, but if the HALO delivers on its promise, it would be well worth it.
Now that the iPhone OS 3.0 firmware has added stereo Bluetooth functionality to the Apple iPhone, we thought it would be a good idea to revisit stereo Bluetooth and what it promises.
Motorola Rokr S9 HD with iPod adapter
(Credit: Motorola)Stereo Bluetooth, or A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile), is essentially a Bluetooth profile that lets you stream music from one device to another without the use of wires. The technology has been around for years, and almost all music phones have this feature. In fact, it was quite a big letdown that the original iPhone and iPhone 3G did not have this built in when they first launched, considering the iPhone's iPod heritage. Still, it's better late than never. The iPhone OS 3.0 update also brought stereo Bluetooth to the iPod Touch 2nd gen. If you have a music player instead of a phone, you can also purchase additional stereo Bluetooth adapters, like this Motorola D650 iPod adapter.
Stereo Bluetooth headphones come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some, like the Motorola Rokr S9 HD, are meant for active lifestyles, as it's shaped to hug the sides of the head. Others, like the Samsung SBH-600, are meant for serious audiophiles, especially with its promise of surround sound and bass boost. We also like the mono-to-stereo headsets, like the Plantronics Voyager 855, that can change from a mono headset to a stereo version simply by connecting an additional ear bud. One of the more popular stereo headsets among our readers is the Jabra BT3030, which isn't really even a headset so much as it is a pendant that you can use with any pair of 3.5mm-compatible headphones.
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Nokia BH-905
(Credit: Nokia)Last week, Nokia launched what it's calling its best stereo headset yet last week, because it has active noise cancellation in both music and calls. The Nokia BH-905 comes equipped with a total of 10 microphones; eight for canceling noise and two for speech in noisy environments. The headset itself is made with stainless steel and soft ear pads for both strength and comfort. If your device doesn't have Bluetooth, the BH-905 also comes with a wired connections for 3.5mm Nokia AV and 2.5mm Nokia AV, a standard 3.5mm jack, home stereos with a 6.3mm jack, and airplane players. It'll be available starting this August for around 285 Euros, or around $394 US.
The Jabra HALO Stereo Bluetooth headset can play music wirelessly as well as make and receive calls.
(Credit: Jabra)Jabra introduced two new devices today at CTIA 2009, and neither of them are traditional mono-Bluetooth headsets. They are the Jabra HALO stereo headset and the Jabra SP200 speakerphone.
The Jabra HALO stereo headset uses stereo Bluetooth or A2DP to stream music wirelessly from a stereo Bluetooth-compatible handset or MP3 player. It also has a wired option if your device only has a 3.5-mm headset jack and no Bluetooth. Like other stereo headsets, you can also use the HALO to make and receive calls; the music will fade out whenever there are incoming calls, for example. It boasts Zirene Power Bass for better audio quality and Noise Blackout for background-noise reduction. The Jabra HALO claims to be the first and only stereo headset with dual microphone noise cancellation.
The Jabra SP200 Speakerphone is for in-car use.
(Credit: Jabra)As for the speakerphone, the Jabra SP200 is a simpler version of the Jabra SP700 of last year. This speakerphone is designed to be used in the car for hands-free calls. It boasts excellent audio quality, background-noise reduction, and can also be used as a standalone speakerphone in the home or office.
The Jabra HALO stereo headset will be available for $129.99 in May, while the Jabra SP200 speakerphone will be available for $59.99 in April.
The Motorola Rokr S305 sits behind the neck for a comfortable fit.
(Credit: Motorola)First Motorola announced the Motorola Evoke QA4, and now it's announced a new pair of stereo Bluetooth headphones to go along with it.
The Rokr S305 is a behind-the-neck-style headphone. It promises high-quality audio with strong bass, easy one-touch controls, and a comfortable fit. It weighs around 1.83 ounces, so it's quite lightweight.
The Rokr S305 will be available in early April, but pricing is yet to be announced.
(Credit:
Apple)
Another day, another tidbit of news about a minor Apple product that most people don't care about.
In this case, it's the company's $100 iPhone Bluetooth headset; a MacRumors forum commenter noticed that Apple's Web site had a "discontinued" notice on the product.
When the headset came out in late 2007, we gave it a fairly positive review (it got 3.5 stars). However, readers weren't as keen on it, rating it at 2.5 stars. Buyers seemed to like the design and build quality but weren't as impressed with performance (sound quality, battery life).
Does this mean that Apple is out of the Bluetooth accessory game? Probably not, because the accessory game is such a good game to be in (as far as margins go). But the big question is whether Apple is getting ready to launch stereo Bluetooth headphones, now that the iPhone and iPod Touch will offer stereo Bluetooth support.
Good stereo Bluetooth headphones are hard to come by, so we'd like to see what Apple can deliver. Anybody else interested? Or are all Apple accessories (with the Apple name on them) overpriced for what you get?
(Source: Gizmodo via MacRumors)
(Credit:
James Martin/CNET)
As an increasing number of mobile phones incorporate a music player, more and more stereo Bluetooth headphones are unleashed onto the market. The audio quality offered is still not on par with wired models, but the headsets offer the advantage of cord-free listening. Still, size can be an issue for some: very few models offer an earbud-style design, and even then, there are often larger earpieces attached.
Sony Ericsson addresses this issue with its HBH-IS800 Wireless Stereo Headphones, which are the tiniest wireless earphones we've ever come across. With a suggested retail price of $200, this set is far from the cheapest, but if you're after a cord-free pair in the most compact package, the HBH-IS800 is the best option.
MDS-65 Music Desk Stand
(Credit: Sony Ericsson)Not content to rest easy after its announcement of a slew of new cell phones and a Bluetooth watch, Sony Ericsson has also announced several new accessories as well. They are all music-related in some way or another, starting off with the MDS-65 Music Desk Stand, which acts as a portable speaker of sorts for your Sony Walkman phone, and the MMR-70 FM transmitter for playing music on a nearby FM radio.
MMR-70 FM Transmitter
(Credit: Sony Ericsson)And what's a cell phone accessory announcement without a few headsets? The HBH-DS200 is the only stereo Bluetooth headset in the group, and it has a few music player controls to access your music remotely. Two more regular wired headsets include the HPM-90, which has an LED display, and the HPM-83, which has a behind-the-ear headphone design.
HGE-100 GPS-enabler
(Credit: Sony Ericsson)
HBH-DS200 stereo Bluetooth headset
(Credit: Sony Ericsson)Probably the most interesting accessory, however, is the HGE-100 headset. Not only can it play music, it's also a GPS enabler. It will provide you voice directions to your destination plus record distance traveled.
Pricing for these devices isn't available yet, though we're guessing they'll all be released before the end of the year.
HPM-90 wired headset
(Credit: Sony Ericsson)
HPM-83 wired headset
(Credit: Sony Ericsson)
We were impressed with Sony's MEX-BT5000 Bluetooth-enabled in-car stereo when it came out last year in all respects but one: it cost more than $300. For those of us who want a hands-free and Bluetooth-audio-enabled stereo with a more attainable price tag, Sony has just released an entry-level version called the MEX-BT2500. Check our review and our slide show.
