Should you spend $220 on an app and a cradle? Check out our review to find out.
(Credit: Antuan Goodwin/CNET)We got our hands on TomTom's Car Kit for iPhone and took it for a spin--both figuratively and literally, the cradle spins 360 degrees.
The Car Kit holds and charges your iPhone while driving, enhances GPS reception when used with TomTom's turn-by-turn navigation app, and boosts audio quality of spoken directions and hands-free calls. However, the problem with a peripheral like the TomTom Car Kit is that when it's working best, you don't notice it, which makes it difficult for many users to justify the $119 price. People may be less likely to buy it when they consider that it takes an additional $99 app to get the most out of the purchase!
Most users wouldn't bat an eye at spending $200 on a portable navigation device, but how does does an iPhone app/peripheral package stack up? Check out our full review to find out.
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TomTom)
TomTom's iPhone cradle for iPhone has quietly made its way into the Apple Store. So, if you're an iPhone user with an extra $120 bucks burning a hole in your pocket for a navigation accessory (or $220, if you don't already own TomTom's navigation app), pop over to the Apple Store for a look.
According to TomTom's representative, the Apple Store product page is for preorders and TomTom has not yet announced a specific date for the product's availability. If Apple's claim that the product ships in 2-3 weeks is true, we should be seeing it soon, rather than later.
We've already questioned the value of a $120 phone cradle. The general consensus among our readers was that the price is a bit steep for an accessory, even with the inclusion of the uprated GPS receiver, 12 volt charger, and speakerphone. We'll be able to put the issue to rest when we finally get our unit in for testing.
Check out our full review of the BlackBerry VM-605 Visor Mount Speakerphone.
(Credit: Josh P. Miller/CNET)"If you have a third-party Bluetooth-enabled device, you might be able to pair it with the BlackBerry Visor Mount Speakerphone VM-605."
That is Research In Motion's official line about the VM-605's compatibility. In English, this means that while RIM would rather you use this first-party accessory with its BlackBerry smartphones, there's nothing proprietary about it to prevent you from using it with your iPhone, Android phone, or Windows Mobile phone.
But why would someone without a BlackBerry even want a BlackBerry branded accessory in the first place? Well, the VM-605 has a feature set similar to our Editors' Choice-winning Motorokr T505 (including the nifty FM transmitter) and its MSRP is about $30 cheaper. Unfortunately, some of the design choices that make the VM-605 a more beautiful device than the T505 also make it a more fragile one.
Check out the full review of the BlackBerry VM-605 Visor Mount Speakerphone for more details.
Motorola H790 and T215
(Credit: Motorola)Motorola has just introduced two new Bluetooth accessories, the Motorola H790 Bluetooth headset and the Motorola T215 Bluetooth speakerphone.
Both are equipped with Motorola's CrystalTalk technology that promises to suppress background noise. The H790 has a thin and sleek design with dual microphones, and even a voice prompt that lets you know if you're on mute, how to pair, and your remaining battery life.
The T215, on the other hand, is a black speakerphone that you can clip onto your car's visor. It promises 36 hours of talk time, a 2-watt speaker, noise cancellation, plus mute. We're not sure of the price just yet, but we'll get back to you with that.
BlueAnt S1
(Credit: BlueAnt)BlueAnt is no stranger to Bluetooth speakerphones. The BlueAnt Supertooth 3 and the Supertooth Light from years past were favorably reviewed, and for good reason. The Supertooth 3 especially impressed us due to its ability to translate text to speech, which meant it could read out incoming caller IDs to us.
The latest BlueAnt S1 is not quite so advanced (it is meant to be a lower-end and more affordable model), but it does add a couple of cool new features the others lacked. The S1 has multipoint technology, which means it can connect up to two devices simultaneously, and it has stereo Bluetooth compatibility, which lets it stream music wirelessly from your phone. It's also a little cheaper at $79 retail.
BlueAnt S1
(Credit: Nicole Lee/CNET)
Buttons on the BlueAnt S1
(Credit: Nicole Lee/CNET)BlueAnt introduced a new visor-mount speakerphone at CTIA 2009, called the BlueAnt S1. Designed to work in the car, it has pretty much the same features as the Supertooth 3, except it has support for A2DP. That means you can stream music wirelessly to it from a device that has stereo Bluetooth. It's not really meant as a stereo speaker system though, so don't expect it to replace your expensive car stereo.
Like the other BlueAnt devices, the S1 lets you use your voice to make and answer calls. It also has multipoint, which means it can connect with up to two different devices at the same time, and it has background noise reduction too. However, unlike the Supertooth 3, it doesn't have a text-to-speech feature that will read out incoming caller ID. The BlueAnt S1 will be available later this year around June or July for $79 each.
The SolChat retails for $100.
(Credit: Scosche)Hot on the heels of announcing that it would be making accessories for the third-generation Shuffle, Scosche has "gone green" with a $100 solar-powered Bluetooth speakerphone for cars.
SolChat's backside.
(Credit: Scosche)If you haven't seen one before, these types of speakerphones represent one of the better applications of solar-charging in a consumer device. The device adheres to your windshield and collects sunlight to charge the internal lithium ion rechargeable battery. A USB charging cable and car adapter ships with the device so you can charge at night and on days with insufficient sunlight. A windshield suction-cup mount and sun visor clip are also included.
What's nice about the Bluetooth is that once you set up a pairing between your cell phone and SolChat, they will automatically connect once you enter your car and turn on the speakerphone (the SolChat automatically turns off once the pairing is broken). The speakerphone also has voice-announce technology that enables it to announce calls as they come in "so users can keep their eyes on the road while driving."
LG HBM-800 Bluetooth Headset and Cradle
(Credit: LG)LG seems to be leading the way in combining Bluetooth headsets with other things. The LG Decoy, for example, was one of the first cell phones to have a built-in Bluetooth headset in the back. Now at CES 2009, LG has introduced the LG HBM-800, a Bluetooth headset and speakerphone in one. This isn't new--we've seen this before in this ...
Read the full post at CNET's CES 2009 blog.
Sony Ericsson is claiming a segment topping 25 hour talk time on their new HCB-108.
(Credit: Sony Ericsson)On Tuesday morning in London, Sony Ericsson unveiled its new HCB-108 Bluetooth speakerphone. The most interesting feature can't be seen by looking at the photos. Rather, it requires a peak at the specs, specifically the claimed battery life.
Sony Ericsson claims that a fully charged HCB-108 can remain in standby for a month, which is the longest claimed standby time in its segment. For those who'd rather use their hands-free device than watch it sit idle, the HCB-108 will let users talk for a claimed 25 hours before needing a recharge. Of course, these are claimed times and your mileage will most likely vary.
Moving past the battery tech, the HCB-108 is also a full duplex speakerphone with echo cancellation and DSP. Full duplex is at the top of our wish list for any speakerphone, as it allows for fluid back and forth conversation without having to wait for the other person to stop talking.
The HCB-108 will be officially revealed at the Paris Auto Show in October and will hit shelves in Fall '08.
The HCB-108 will be available in silver and black.
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CNET Networks)
With many states recently passing laws requiring the use of hands-free cell phone devices while driving, we're seeing a flood of new Bluetooth gadgets into what is already a pretty crowded market.
The Funkwerk Ego Cup is one such device, promising clear calls without fear of a citation. It stands apart from similar devices by mounting in a cup holder, which can be a blessing or a curse.
