Hasta La Gadget!

webOS version 1.3.5.2 for Euro-spec GSM Pres just hit over the last handful of hours, bringing a host of changes — but the biggest, perhaps, is the addition of Bluetooth tethering capability. The move is particularly interesting in light of Palm’s announcement last week that it’ll use its Mobile Hotspot app to enable tethering via WiFi, but it’s unclear how much (if any) crossover there’ll be between units that support one technology or the other. All things considered, which would you rather have?

Palm’s webOS 1.3.5.2 for European Pres adds Bluetooth tethering originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Concerto, the latest Bluetooth headset from Bluetrek, aims to make hands-free work a breeze with its new voice-texting and voice-e-mailing capabilities. The headset is said to offer the ability to read your e-mail messages and texts out loud as well. The Concerto was unveiled this week at CES.

To activate the hands-free, voice-activated messaging system, you tap a button on the headset and then use voice commands to send, listen to, or dictate e-mails and texts. It can also post to social networking sites like Twitter.

Some hands-free features will be available for a monthly fee, while others are free with purchase. For $3.99 a month, users can do every action mentioned above. The basic free plan allows you to send memos, send tweets, and access your Google Calendar by voice command.

The company says the device offers 6.5 hours of talk time and 5 days of standby. The Concerto comes with a travel charger, magnetic headset holder clip, and ear buds in four sizes. The Concerto will be priced at $89.99 and go on sale in March 2010.

There was a time when man and woman alike roamed the earth without large earpieces hugging the side of their head — but that time has long since passed. Jabra‘s got a couple of new devices right up its alley. The Jabra Extreme Bluetooth features noise blackout extreme, dual mics with DSP and automatic volume control. The going price to slot into your canal is $80 and it should be available now via Best Buy. Less bionically plugged in is the Jabra Cruiser Bluetooth speakerphone for car usage. Noise blackout, caller ID via voice, the ability to pair two BT devices at once, remote MP3 control, and built-in FM transmitter for taking that lovely sound and playing it through your car stereo. That one’s being sold online or via AT&T / Verizon for a cool Benjamin. PR is after the break.

Continue reading Jabra Cruiser Bluetooth speakerphone and Extreme BT headset unveiled

Jabra Cruiser Bluetooth speakerphone and Extreme BT headset unveiled originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blue Microphones’ original Mikey made the quite the impression when it landed back in late 2008, and while a good bit of time has passed, the new and improved version doesn’t stray from its roots. Debuting here at CES, the second-generation Mikey Portable Recorder for iPod and iPhone touts “improved circuitry for superior recording and enhanced new features,” which happens to include a pair of custom-tuned Blue capsules and an optimization for recording high-volume concerts. There’s also a 3.5mm line-input here for direct recording of other sources, and the USB pass-through connections enables simultaneous charging and syncing. You’ll get a 230-degree range of adjustability with seven detent positions, and it’s bundled with a delightful carrying case to keep it safe from harm as you shuffle through the masses. Interested? Check it later this Spring for $99.99 at Apple Stores, Guitar Center, Amazon.com and your local nondescript white van.

Continue reading Blue’s new Mikey iPod / iPhone microphone still rocks the retro

Blue’s new Mikey iPod / iPhone microphone still rocks the retro originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ralink has been hot on the high-definition streaming content front since this past summer and is now introducing networking hardware that’ll make it easier to get all those lovely pixels from disk to display wirelessly — plus a bevy of other high-speed networking goodies to boot. The RT3572 is a 300 Mbps 802.11n-enabling chip designed for inclusion in high-end displays and media players, including wireless streaming of Blu-ray playback, DLNA content, and IPTV. For general networking the company is introducing the RT3883 and RT3593 chips, which enable 450Mbps 802.11n connectivity and feature beam forming, meaning the transmitter can locate receivers and modify “various transmission parameters” to optimize connectivity. Finally, there’s the RT3090BC4 combination 802.11n and Bluetooth Half MiniCard adapter, and a “world’s smallest” USB 802.11n adapter, little larger than the USB port you’ll plug it into. You know what that means: no unsightly protrusions.

Ralink debuts suite of networking hardware to form your beams and transmit your HD originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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