Hasta La Gadget!

Sometimes the most fascinating bits from a tradeshow come from those booth in between major manufacturers, and while we’re certainly not claiming that the Hi-Call is “the best product at IFA” as its spokesperson suggested to us with a smile, they’re nothing if not interesting. Hi-Fun’s gloves are Bluetooth headsets — or, well, handsets — with the speaker built into the thumb and the mic in the pinky, so you can talk by doing the traditional “call me” hand gesture.

Pairing is simple enough for anyone who’s done the process on a more traditional headset — the button is built into the top of the glove, along with a button to end the call. We took the gloves for a spin, as you can see in the video below, calling the rep’s very confused boss. In spite of turning up the handset volume as loud as possible, we had a lot of trouble actually hearing something on the showfloor — and the fellow on the other end seemed to be having similar issues, leading to quite probably the first time I’ve ever used the phrase “I’m sorry, I can’t hear you, I’m talking into a glove.”

Hi-Call will be out in the beginning of October, just in time for the cold weather. It’ll run you a not particularly cheap €49 for the pleasure of speaking into your pinky. Video evidence after the break.

Continue reading Hi-Fun’s call-receiving Bluetooth gloves, hands-in (video)

Filed under: Wearables

Hi-Fun’s call-receiving Bluetooth gloves, hands-in (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 09:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s time to take a look at Jabra‘s newest effort with the Supreme UC, a bluetooth headset that’s made not just for your home computer, not just your smartphone and tablet, but both! This device is priced at a premium $149.99 and is crafted to make you love that you’ve just exchanged such a sum for great sound. It’s got a completely collapsable chassis, comes with a carrying case as well as an extra earpiece, and works with a universally acceptable micro USB for power.

You’ve got a single button on the boom for basic voice controls, a giant multifunction button on the facade of the unit, and two volume buttons at the back surrounding the covered micro USB port. The device is an extremely high quality piece of hardware by all outward appearances, and it is rather comfortable to wear. Be sure to check out our hands-on with the Supreme UC from earlier this year – the main man himself gives an introduction!

This device is not designed for an extremely active person. Try to do a couple of flips or go for a jog and you’ll find yourself wishing you had a bit more of a firm grip around your lobe. If you’re the type of person to sit at your desk all day long or to walk without bobbing your head uncontrollably, you’ll have a perfectly well-suited device on your head. The design of this device also allows for left or right-eared users, with a hook attachment able to work with the earpiece on either side.

Folding the boom in turns the device off, folding it back out turns it back on, and pairing with any number of devices is quite simple. The device is automatically in pairing mode the first time you turn it on, and from that point forward you’ve only to tap the multifunction button and say, “pair new device” and you’ll be ready to go.

The sound quality is certainly decent on its own with any device, but really shines when you’re using your Jabra Connect Android app where you’ll have the choice of several voice cancellation and sound profiles. Sound on the other end of the phone is superb, even in the middle of a coffee shop packed to the brim with hipsters. The person you’re calling will think you’re in an empty room when you’re chatting with them with the Jabra Supreme UC.

Wrap-Up

It’s difficult to consider spending $150 on a headset when you could just pull your phone out of your pocket instead in most situations, but here’s the killer feature: the USB dongle that comes with the device will allow you to completely skip buying a second unit. The Jabra Supreme UC replaces your in-office headset as well as your mobile headset in one swoop. With excellent sound quality for you (the best if you’re on Android) as well as great sound quality and noise cancellation for the person you’re speaking with, the Jabra Supreme UC might just be the buy for you.

Grab this device at any number of local retailers near you and online. This device is going to be available worldwide immediately if not soon, to get to it!

Jabra Supreme UC bluetooth headset Review is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
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