Filed under: Accessories, Hardware, Apple, iPhone
iLounge reviews Apple Bluetooth Headset
Those unstoppable cats over at iLounge (whom I am convinced are using genetically modified oompa loompas) have gone and reviewed themselves an Apple Bluetooth Headset. For $129, you get a pretty darn sleek headset that one-ups the competition by including only a single button for control (or perhaps that's 'one-downing' the competition...), a Dual Dock for charging both the iPhone and headset and a travel charger that can handle the same job. iLounge's verdict? Well, it's a mixed bag. The headset doesn't blaze any trails in the places it matters, such as audio quality or battery life, nor is it as functional as many would expect from a typical bluetooth headset (it doesn't even have on-board volume buttons; that's controlled from the iPhone). However, the headset's performance does rank in at around average, and the included accessories are certainly a leap beyond the rest. The headset also features some unique integration with the iPhone in that charging both via the dock or cable will display the headset's battery level right alongside the iPhone's. Also, to some people's surprise, the headset (just like most bluetooth headsets) can be paired with a Mac for audio chats with the likes of iChat and Skype.
All that said, it seems like Apple's Bluetooth Headset will be a good buy for the general customer who can make use of the rich set of extras that come with it. Personally, I'm counting my pennies for one of those Jawbone headsets with the crazy noise cancellation technology. In my opinion, every bluetooth headset on the market sucks. Period. I've tested a very hefty portion of them from the bottom of the barrel to the premium $100+ models (return policies are a beautiful thing), and they're all terrible because both the caller and myself sound horrible to each other, especially when there's anything louder than a pin dropping in the background. Given Apple's tendency to try and solve some of the major problems plaguing a particular technology or industry (i.e. - Visual Voicemail), I'm surprised they didn't at least try for something like the Jawbone with the Bluetooth Headset.
But I digress - if you're on the Apple Bluetooth Headset fence, iLounge's review might be able to help you out with the decision. Check it out.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Andy Matthews said 10:00AM on 7-31-2007
any chance of this website getting back to talking about Macs?
Some of us are really bored of the iPhone. Why not set up a separate area for iPhone related topics?
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Paul said 10:03AM on 7-31-2007
I had a jawbone, and frankly was NOT impressed. The sound quality was awful. My call recipients said it sounded like I was in a bucket, and I couldn't hear them. The noise cancellation was impressive, but for such mediocre sound quality, I can't understand why people think they're great. They're bad.
My friend also returned his for the same reasons. Jawbone noise cancellation is great, the sound quality sucks, don't bother with them.
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Paul said 10:06AM on 7-31-2007
Oh, and I echo what Andy said up there. Back to Macs please.
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David Chartier said 10:16AM on 7-31-2007
#3: The Jawbone actually does have noise cancellation technology in it that filters out background noise from both ends of the conversation to provide a cleaner speaking experience. The demos at their site show it off well - switching the jawbone's noise cancellation on in a car, for example, filters out all the noise from the wind and car radio. Of course, this kind of filtering always comes at a price, and the sound of your voice degrades a little bit, but from the overwhelming majority of people I've talked to, they love the advantages it brings.
I still maintain my argument that the audio quality out of every bluetooth headset on the market sucks whenever a pin drops in the background. Nevermind actual noise like people talking.
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David Chartier said 10:19AM on 7-31-2007
Also, we've posted and re-posted this iPhone-free TUAW RSS feed, but here it is again:
www.tuaw.com/2007/06/22/iphone-free-tuaw-feed/
This will be the only way to get away from iPhone stuff on TUAW for some time to come. The unfortunate truth is that this gadget is one of Apple's most significant products of all time, and easily one of the most significant gadgets across the entire industry of all time. That's just the way it is.
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Thomas said 10:45AM on 7-31-2007
tuAw not tuMw
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Quix said 10:50AM on 7-31-2007
"any chance of this website getting back to talking about Macs?"
Yeah, perhaps when Apple actually releases something new and Mac-related???
Geez, enough with the whining. Apple is obviously focused on the iPhone launch right now. When they roll out some new Mac stuff, or software (iLife, iWork), I'm sure we'll all be talking about it. It's not like TUAW is ignoring a bunch of exciting Mac-related news. There just isn't any right now.
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B deR West said 11:06AM on 7-31-2007
"The Jawbone actually does have noise cancellation technology in it..."
Dammit. Well I tried.
I hear you about the degrading quality though. I had a Motorola H3 and it was god-awful with my RAZR (although suspiciously it worked like a dream with my girlfriend's Nokie...) if I separated the two more than three inches.
When I buy a bluetooth headset, I look for something that allows me to use my phone while in my jacket pocket, ala I, Robot
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Alair said 11:06AM on 7-31-2007
I have an iPhone but I am not purchasing this earset. it it the most expensive one, and because the performance are really under all the available models from SamsunG, Nokia and others that are Blietooth 2 compliant, noise cancellation technologies, better audio quality, smaller, lighter, better battery life, etc... With this one, it is clear that Apple steal your money (50% more expensive) to pay for a logo. Comparing with the Jawbone is not useful. If you want to compare and understand, look at the Samsung WEP410.
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Kyp said 11:26AM on 7-31-2007
What's wrong with iPhone news? It's an apple product and this is TUAW not TUMW. I'm sure when there is Mac news they'll post it.
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Geordie Korper said 11:35AM on 7-31-2007
The Jawbone bluetooth headset isn't much worse than any of the other headsets out there, but one would hope the Apple one is better than that. I have yet to find a head set that I don't have people ask me to repeat myself all the time.
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Eli Hodapp said 12:23PM on 7-31-2007
I had a Jawbone, and was extremely underwhelmed with everything BUT the noise canceling. The build quality was mediocre at best, the ear clips were flimsy, and I thought the design was gaudy. I refuse to wear a bluetooth headset constantly, so a big feature for me is pocketability. The clip the Jawbone uses is so flimsy that it broke about two days after buying it.
Like I said, the audio quality was nice... but they need to work on EVERYTHING ELSE. It was cool being able to talk on the phone during a space shuttle launch or while running my leaf blower- but realistically, how often do you need to do that? The Jawbone still sucked at getting rid of wind noise, which really is the only noise type I have issues with on a daily basis.
My Apple headset is due to ship any day now. Size is a big selling point, it looks very pocketable.
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jps said 12:45PM on 7-31-2007
The jawbone, like every other bluetooth headset, fails in one key category: it still makes you look really freaking stupid.
The minimalist apple headset makes a little sense and I'm interested in it ... but I don't have my iphone yet, nor do I think I'll have another 100$ lying around when I do.
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B deR West said 1:14PM on 7-31-2007
"...one of those Jawbone headsets with the crazy noise cancellation technology..."
The jawbone doesn't have noise-cancellation technology, it just doesn't use a standard mic to receive data -- it monitors your (surprise!) jawbone for vibrations, much like SEALs' and SWAT teams' neck-mounted mics. At least that's what they used in "Speed" -- must be the real thing.
But the technology does cancel a lot of noise, so, I guess you're still technically correct.
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B deR West said 1:17PM on 7-31-2007
WTF that's my comment from before? Sorry to seem to repost. E-mail screwed me up.
My new comment was all about how I just use the bundle white earbuds, and look crazy and like I'm talking to my iPod. They work fine, and didn't cost extra. And don't have a battery.
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Charles said 1:17PM on 7-31-2007
I ordered an Apple Bluetooth Headset early, and waited about 3 weeks for it to ship. The design and function were absolutely brilliant. Then after a few days, the audio started to "stutter" like I had bad radio reception, and then it totally died, it will no longer pick up calls. The phone sees that it's paired, but you push the headset button and nothing happens, the iPhone menus don't show the headset as an option when you switch audio sources during a call. Oh well, it's not surprising that there are a few DOA units, particularly since this is such a microscopic device, it must be hard to build. I talked to Apple iPhone Support (the phone rep had a thick Indian accent, must be an outsourced support deal) and they promised to FedEx me a replacement overnight.. IF I reformat and restore my iPhone and it still doesn't work. Haven't gotten around to that yet. I'll do it today and see what happens.
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Destro said 1:32PM on 7-31-2007
Yes, the Jawbone is not all it's cracked up to be. And the Apple headset looks like it won't stay seated in the ear very well, plus it costs way more than the best headsets available.
The new headset to look for is the BlueAnt Z9. Apparently, it one-ups the Jawbone on noise canceling, voice quality, size, and price. Hope it isn't too good to be true.
http://www.blueantz9.com/
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Rich said 2:11PM on 7-31-2007
I have several BT headsets. The jawbone is by far! the best in a really noisy environment - works flawlessly. However, it's very average in low background noise situations. The new apple one is a nice evolution of the bluespoon/samsung/jabra/plantronics/etc. small form factor earpiece. I llike it's styling and it's cohesive integration with the iPhone. It's not best in any category; just another highly priced, well designed, well integrated piece of kit from my favorite hardware maker, Apple. I recommend it to anyone who doesn't care about paying for style and simplicity. There are many cheaper options that work well or better. Happy iPhoning.
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Rich Cornia said 2:15PM on 7-31-2007
I have several BT headsets. The jawbone is by far! the best in a really noisy environment - works flawlessly. However, it's very average in low background noise situations. The new apple one is a nice evolution of the bluespoon/samsung/jabra/plantronics/etc. small form factor earpiece. I llike it's styling and it's cohesive integration with the iPhone. It's not best in any category; just another highly priced, well designed, well integrated piece of kit from my favorite hardware maker, Apple. I recommend it to anyone who doesn't care about paying for style and simplicity. There are many cheaper options that work well or better. Happy iPhoning.
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Gary Brinkman said 2:51PM on 7-31-2007
Destro: "And the Apple headset looks like it won't stay seated in the ear very well"
It actually stays in the ear pretty good. Unlike the Nokia BH-800 that I had and lost in less then 24 hours as it didn't stay in very well and I couldnt' tell when it was in my ear or wasnt' due to the lack of weight to the thing.
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