Bluetooth

Logitech today announced their latest notebook mouse with Bluetooth technology, the Logitech Bluetooth Mouse M555b. The mouse features Bluetooth (obviously), Logitech's hyper-fast scroll wheel (or you can switch to click-to-click mode if you don't like to fly through web pages/documents), laser tracking and a low-battery indicator.

Features:

• Bluetooth wireless technology eliminates the need for a receiver, delivering a powerful cable-free connection
• Two scroll modes give you the option of hyper-fast scrolling for flying through long documents, or click-to-click scrolling for precision when navigating lists, slides, images, and menus
• Laser tracking delivers smooth, responsive, precise cursor control on surfaces that cause problems for standard optical mice, such as polished or wood-grain tables (Note: it does not work on glass and mirrors)
• Efficient power management includes a low-battery indicator to eliminate surprises, a smart sleep mode feature that turns the mouse off after a period of non-use and an on/off switch
• Programmable buttons: Easily access your favorite functions

Information that was given to me states it will be available later this month for $49.99. But Logitech's website has the price at $59.99.

Meet the GPS shoe, aka "Blue GPS." Featuring Bluetooth, the new shoes enable the wearer to be tracked by friends and family through their cell phones. The wearer simply inputs up to five phone numbers of family/friends into his cell phone (eventually this capability will be able to be expanded to up to 20 people) and pushes a button on the shoe to activate a link with those on his list. The Blue GPS can be enabled with all cellular phones.

Another button can be pressed for an 'E911' call. When that button is pushed, a signal is sent to IDG's monitoring division, ID Conex, which then attempts to contact the wearer. If the shoe wearer does not respond, ID Conex then alerts the proper authorities.

This is an excellent idea for people traveling or, more importantly, keeping track of your children. The Blue GPS is expected to retail for about $150 when it hits stores in Latin America this fall. No information when/if it will be available in the United States.

To find out more visit http://isaacdaniel.com

The Jabra BT2080 is designed for anyone to use, from first-time headset owners to experienced users, and it features Jabra's StatusDisplay LED indicators.

The BT2080 also features intuitively placed buttons - an answer/end button is located on the front of the headset and a dedicated on/off button in the back, with a volume control located on the side of the headset. There are StatusDisplay LED indicators, created by Jabra's research and development team, that display multi-colored lights that correspond to the headset's battery level and Bluetooth connection status.

Other key features include:

• Dual wearing style: Over the ear with ear hook or in ear with Jabra Eargel
• Up to 6 hours talk time and 8 days standby
• Weight = 2.8 ounces
• EDR and eSCO technology for clear audio quality

The Jabra BT2080 will be available at retail stores nationwide in July for a suggested retail price of $39.99.

Mio announced 2 new TV PNDs, GPS Phones and 2 Litepad Series Netbooks at this year's Computex.

First, the winner of "Best Choice Award of Computex 2009," the Explora K75. This device is a PND and Smartphone combined, with an ultra-slim body, 3.5-inch touch screen and Mio Spirit mobile edition GPS. It will also operate on Windows Mobile 6.1 OS.

Next, the Mio Moov V500 and V700 range of PNDs. These will feature a built-in TV, making Mio the first major GPS company to launch a comprehensive line of digital TV PNDs. The Moov V Series is designed to be the ultimate in-mobile entertainment and navigation on the road.Read more

The new BlueAnt S1 car speakerphone gives you a safe (and easy) way to use your mobile phone while driving. Want to answer a call? Simply say the word "Answer"… there is no need to take your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road. If your phone has a voice dial feature, you can make calls using your voice too.

What makes the S1 stand out from their previous models is this - thanks to multipoint technology, two people can have their phones connected to the S1 at the same time. Both users can make calls through the S1, and if either phone rings the call automatically transfers to the speakerphone. Read more

Bluetooth is what makes the XLink functional by delivering calls to your home telephone system or phones. If this concept is confusing go here. The purpose for this device is the growing trend of cutting the landline and adopting the cell phone as the primary telephone. Some people are using services like NumberGarage, and forward callers to the cell phone. Yet, a new dilemma presents itself… what do you do with those old home telephones? You use the XLink of course.

If you have a cell phone and landline or VoIP phones, then the XLink BTTN and XLink BT will work for you. The XLink BTTN sells for $119 MSRP, and the XLink BT sells for $99. The difference between the two is the BTTN has a telephone jack for a VoIP line so those old landline phones can work for four (4) separate lines. Meaning Mom, Dad, kids, roommates, etc. can connect up to three cell phones via Bluetooth and all calls to those cell phones ring the old telephones. Read more

Talking on a cell phone with a Bluetooth headset has become the norm for today. The technology continues to improve, and the styles available have also become abundant. The Jawbone from Aliph is a quality earpiece, and the Jawbone with NoiseAssassin 2.0 raises the bar for the competition in this space. Aliph claims theirs has five-times better call clarity than the previous generation.

I like the Jawbone PRIME because it includes multipoint functionality and can be simultaneously connected to two Bluetooth enabled devices. Meaning you can talk on your SIP phone (Magicjack, Gizmo, etc.) and your cell phone (not at the same time of course).

The technology and design from Aliph in this new Jawbone PRIME means that the company is delivering what customers want. I would prefer that the device was not as good looking because it really bugs me when people wear their device all day long and only have a few short conversations on the phone.

The Jawbone PRIME will be available at retail stores on May 2, 2009. Prior to launch, consumers can pre-order it at www.jawbone.com.

The need for speed comes from wireless devices doing more than just delivering voice communication. The manufacturers of consumer electronic devices are building smaller, more functional products that exceed our needs in most cases. Bluetooth technology must keep up the pace, and Bluetooth 3.0 delivers on the requirements for wireless devices that deliver large video files, music and photos.

The good news for consumers is the Bluetooth 3.0 devices have power control built in the device. This means longer battery life and use between charges. Those who understand radio protocols will appreciate the 802.11 speeds that Bluetooth 3.0 uses. This means data transfers will have an approximate rate of 24 Mbps!

The best way to find Bluetooth enabled devices is to search the Bluetooth Gadget Guide.

While attending CES this year I was able to see the LG Watch Phone. The person wearing the Watch Phone could not wait to get off his wrist. He said, “everyone is pulling my arm in ways I did not know I could bend it.” I laughed as I released his arm. This could be the next phone to outsell the iPhone. It is small and functional.

The Watch Phone from LG that I saw was a working prototype of the GD910. The device is a 3G Touch Screen with video phone capabilities, a Flash interface, MP3 Player, Voice Recognition for calling, text-to-speech and text messaging. It is Bluetooth compatible as well as featuring 7.2 Mbps 3G HSDPA for fast speeds to carry that video call … from your wrist.

There is not a price set just yet, but you can expect that it will be expensive for a watch. The memory can accommodate a large phonebook of contacts and a calendar to keep you organized. The device will be launched in Europe at the end of 2009, and Orange will be the first to carry the cell phone – I mean Watch Phone.