Bluetooth

What's better than the Jambox? How about a bigger, more powerful version of the portable Bluetooth speaker? That's right, Jawbone just announced plans for a Jambox on steroids and it's called the BigJambox.

Jawbone hasn't said how much more powerful this larger version of the Jambox is, but just based on size alone, it's clear that this version of the Jambox will probably be almost twice as loud, which should equate to an output level of over 160dB. Like its smaller version, the original Jambox, inside are a pair of proprietary acoustic drivers, dual passive bass radiators and a mic for taking calls via Bluetooth.

In terms of actual size, we're looking at a box that measures 10-inches long, 3.1-inches wide, 3.6-inches high and weighs 2.7lbs. For comparison's sake, the original Jambox weighs just 12oz. Aside from added sound to your music, the BigJambox boasts a 15-hour battery, which is 50% more than the original Jambox. Aside from that, the BigJambox largely remains the same, coming in a variety of colors (Graphite Hex, White Wave and Red Dot) and includes a micro USB port for charging, a 3.5mm input for a wired connection and the ability to pair two Bluetooth devices to the speaker.Read more

With splash-resistance as its selling point, design firm Boombang's latest creation, the G-Project $69 G-Go Bluetooth speaker has hit the market with a fury. It just became available in Target stores, and is available in three stunning colors. This little baby not only gives your portable hi-fi set-up some flair, but it also sound like a speaker that could be significantly more costly.

The G-Go also has an integrated handle for carrying it around. Absent is any built-in rechargeable battery like many portable Bluetooth speakers have on the market today, however, you do get up to 8-hours of on-the-go use with four AA batteries. Additionally, you can stream music to it from any Bluetooth-enabled device, which includes tablets, smartphones and the Apple line-up. And range tops out at around 30-feet.Read more

With a name like "Zooka", this wireless sound bar may seem strange to you, but don't let the name scare you off – this baby provides the killer sound your iPhone, iPad or any other smartphone, tablet or computer has been waiting for.

The speaker connects wirelessly via Bluetooth and features left and right side firing drivers for amazing stereo sound - much better than what the iPad's small speakers deliver.

Designed to function with your smart cover, it is made from medical-grade durable silicone and slides on and off without scratching your device. A cutout groove makes sure your camera lens isn't blocked and its 3.5mm audio input allows you to continue listening even when Bluetooth isn't available. Zooka runs on rechargeable lithium ion batteries, which offer a battery life of up to 8 hours of streaming music, movie audio, web and digital content.

Not available to the public yet, the Zooka speakers are part of another Kicktstarter campaign - a collective fundraising site that allows early adopters to fund projects for rewards. Zooka offers a limited edition glow-in-the-dark version specially made for contributors who give at least $149. A pledge of $89 gives you the chance to pick the Zooka of your choice in black, grey, blue, green, or orange.Read more

Over 20,000 new products were announced at the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES), making it impossible to cover each and every product the week of the show. One little gem we wished we would have experienced hands-on is the iharmonix Q-i-sound Bluetooth speakers by Qmadix. Not your typical boxy design, these ultra-portable wireless speakers deliver stereo sound for a better music listening experience and also feature microphones for hands-free calling.

Great for use with laptops, tablets, smartphones, or any other Bluetooth-enabled device, the speakers – once paired with the device – can be separated from each other by up to 15 feet, and can be placed up to 33 feet away from the tablet or smartphone itself. Each speaker is equipped with a rechargeable lithium polymer battery which charges in 3 ½ hours and lasts for up to eight hours of continuous playtime, 240 hours (10 days) on standby.

A handy zip-up carrying case makes traveling easy and keeps the iharmonix Q-i-sound speakers protected when you're on-the-go.Read more

AVS Gear's ZIPPY BT-500 Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard is now better than ever thanks to a new media feature to control the iPad (both I and II), iPod Touch, and the iPhone 4S. But not just limited to Apple products, the keyboard supports most smartphones, PDAs and tablet PCs that are equipped with Bluetooth technology.

This compact wireless keyboard has a transmission range up to 33 feet and can be connected to six different Bluetooth devices simultaneously. Its fast switch technology allows you to switch between all six devices in a matter of seconds, and Media Function keys let you adjust the volume, scroll through sound tracks, launch the Web browser and more.

The ZIPPY BT-500 features ultra-flat scissor structure keys and is ultra-thin, making it a perfect companion when you're on the go. It is available now at Amazon.com, Newegg.com, and Eforcity.com with an MSRP of $49.99. The ZIPPY BT-500 comes with a three-year Limited Replacement Manufacture Warranty through AVS GEAR. Read more

Nokia hasn't been making huge splashes in the handset market lately; however they are developing headsets that seem to be landing on the 'favorites' list of many industry experts. We recently looked at the Nokia Luna Bluetooth headset, one of the many new gadgets they've brought to market in the last couple of months. Creative thinking went into the design and shape of the Luna. It looks like it fell right out of a spaceship.

The Luna includes a base for charging and storing your headset. Removing it from the base automatically powers on the Bluetooth and saves on battery life when it's not in use. When you place it back in the base, the Luna will power down.

But that's not your only connectivity option here. Nokia has incorporated an RFID chip inside, allowing you to pair it with a smartphone bearing the same technology simply by physically tapping the two together. Other handsets with built-in NFC, such as the Nokia C7, Oro, 600, 603, 700, 701 and N9, will all be able to play nice with it, freeing up Bluetooth for some other device to work with your phone.Read more

Bose technology in a headset? You bet. Bose this week introduced the Bose Bluetooth headset Series 2, a Bluetooth headset that lets you hear conversations clear and natural, even in challenging environments.

Featuring a proprietary dual microphone system, speech intelligibility is far better than your standard Bluetooth headset, rejecting background noise and reducing the audible effects of wind. The headset also has a new internal antenna and the company's TriPort acoustic structure and Adaptive Audio Adjustment technology, features that automatically react as noise levels change, so there's no need to adjust volume settings.

The Bose Bluetooth headset comes in both left and right side versions and include StayHear tips for long-wear comfort and stability. Taking calls requires just one easy top-to-bottom pinching motion on the buttons, and LED indicators allow you to check battery life and confirm the Bluetooth connection with just a glance. Read more

The past few years have seen a big influx of car gadgets, and many consumers will not consider even the best looking car if it doesn't have the gadgets and technology they need. Simply put, people are hooked on gadgets, gizmos and all sorts of tech for their cars and trucks. From music - to Bluetooth - to GPS - to onboard PCs, the automobile's primary attraction is not so much the big engine anymore, but rather, all of the bright shiny electronics that accompany them.

These are the top 5 car gadgets that people are interested in when purchasing a car:

Keyless Ignition: Cars with remote ignition make it easy to warm your auto during the winter. With this gadget, you can push a button and the car starts heating up for you, while simultaneously locking the doors and securing the car. But if you really want to keep your hands free to battle corruption, you should go keyless. With a keyless ignition system, you keep a key fob in your pocket. A sensor will detect the key fob's presence in the car and start. All the driver has to do is push a button on the dash and press the brake.Read more

Gone are the days when your space-saving, mini speaker upped the volume on your new gadgets and … well, that's basically it.

Star Rating:
Cost: $99
Where to buy: Amazon

Enter the iDM15 Rechargeable Portable Bluetooth Stereo Speakers w/ Speakerphone capability, by iHome. You know iHome. They're the makers of famous Apple-compatible clock/radios, and their speed at which they develop new products places them in the gadget news almost on a monthly basis. Read more