Electronic companies are currently trying to come up with the best solution to make your music listening experience more portable while sounding better. The latest craze has to do with the introduction of stereo Bluetooth headsets, most of which are compatible with the iPad. These kinds of headsets come in two forms, they can either have the wired one or they can also have the wireless ones. The wireless ones are the version that features Bluetooth technology and that are considered to be the latest trend. Most of these devices come with good sound, and a rechargeable battery that typically last a decent amount of time.

As with all cutting edge technology the prices of these kinds of headsets are a bit on the high side. However, you will have to understand that they serve their purpose perfectly. If you are interested on being on the move and listening to your music at the same time or you need to listen to some video that you need for work or school, then there is nothing better than having the opportunity of doing so whenever and where ever you happen to be.

Typically, the controls of the headset are located on either the earpeice or the wire itself. If they are located on the earpeice then the multifunction buttons are on the middle of the circle and you can easily manipulate them as you sit there listening to your favorite tunes. Of course, you will have to find out which is the best one from the comfort point of view, and you may have to read some of the reviews online before you decide which one is better.

Most of these headphones work perfectly with all kinds of gadgets including your cell phone, iPhone or iPad. It is important to be sure of what you really want and need in a Bluetooth headset because there are many different styles to choose from.

One more thing to keep in mind is it’s also important to make sure that your callers are getting a very clear sound from you. Some reviews do mention that some of these devices are very good when you are listening to music but they have also may get a bit noisy when you are answering a phone call. This may have a lot to do with the environment where you are and the amount of outside noise is around you. Should this be a big problem there are noise canceling headsets available but they are even more expensive the base models.

Whatever Bluetooth headset you choose be sure to read just a little bit about them online before purchase. A little time spent researching them can save a lot of headache later.

This post was brought to us by the fine folks at iPad Accessories where they review the latest and greatest in cases for the iPad.

The iPad is yet another in a long list of devices that supports Bluetooth technology. While Apple are slowly releasing their grip on application developers using Bluetooth, it is still fairly locked down. However, more and more iPad Bluetooth accessories are becoming available. For example the beautiful Apple Bluetooth keyboard can be used with the iPad and it makes a very nice option for those who may need a full-sized keyboard for typing up blog posts, long emails or writing reports for work. In fact, it was pretty much a necessity for Apple to enable a conventional keyboard to connect up to the iPad so that it would have the best possible chance of making it in the lucrative business market.

If there is one device that has really made Bluetooth technology popular and useful however, it is Bluetooth headsets. Wires are all very well, but wireless connections are just infinitely cooler and we all look forward to the day when we can charge our devices wirelessly. The iPad is no exception for a gadget that will work well with wireless headsets. Of course this is a perfect device to watch films on and if you are commuting you are going to want to use headphones rather than the inbuilt speakers. Bluetooth headphones would be great for this. There are also the various VOIP applications that are available such as Skype. While the iPad and indeed the iPhone have been criticized for lacking a front facing camera for video calls, the Skype app still works very well for making free or very cheap phone calls. Using a Bluetooth headset along with the iPad will allow users to utilize this, and other VOIP services very easily.

What other types of iPad accessories could there be to utilize Bluetooth technology? We asked the people at iPad accessories review and they believe that the real innovations here could be in the business and medical work, depending on how flexible Apple is with the lock down of Bluetooth connectivity. For example, with the iPhone, the usefulness of this interface has already been proved with monitoring patients via remote devices, and even 3D scan imaging directly to doctors on the fly.

Only time will tell how many more accessories will be developed that connect either wirelessly or via Bluetooth to make full uses of the iPhone and it’s various software applications. Releases of hardware like the iPad can make or break the ongoing use of technology, and the fact that Bluetooth continues to be used and developed shows that this is a very useful technology for now and the future.

If you are looking for the smallest bluetooth headset on the market, then the chances are you won’t find anything tinier than the Motorola H17. It’s probably the world’s smallest bluetooth headset!

Motorola H17

Motorola has a history of producing ultra-small headsets. The predecessors to the H17 were the H15 and H12, both of which were smaller than your average device. With the H17, Motorola have adopted a new design, whereby the boom mic flips out when you’re using it and flips back again when you don’t need it. Limited size doesn’t mean limited quality however. The H17’s sound is excellent due to the CrystalTalk technology Motorola now includes as standard on many of its headsets. There are also voice alerts on the headset for when the battery is running low for example.

So although the H17 is a mono, as opposed to a stereo bluetooth headset, what does your $79.99 actually get you?

Features

Well, it’s certainly small. Measuring just 1.65″ by 0.67″ and with a thickness of just .39″ and with a nicely-designed oval shape that is incredibly lightweight, you would think that the phone’s controls are too small and fiddly to use, but surprisingly that’s not actually the case. The biggest control is the multifunctional call button on the front of the headset. The little volume rocker and the LED indicator are positioned on the right side with the charger jack on the top.

The boom mic is cleverly folded away under the earpiece. The act of flipping it out switches the unit on and folding it back again switches it off, which is a very easy system to remember and prevents you from wasting the battery.

One of the nice features of the H17 is its RapidConnect technology. Again, found an a number of Motorola phones, this feature will automatically remember the last phone it was paired with an will reconnect automatically when within range.

In Use

So what’s it like to actually wear and operate? Well, there is a selection of rubber rings and ear hooks for fitting around the earpiece. These hooks should suit all sizes of ear. I’ve got fairly big ears but I found the medium one was best for me. Once fitted with the appropriate hook, the device sits well on the ear and feels pretty comfortable. For those that prefer in-ear cushions, the headset comes with a couple of those too (personally I’m not a fan but I know some people like them).

As for features and usage, obviously you have the standard call answering, call ending, voice dial (if that’s available on your phone), last number redial and mute, plus you can easily transfer calls to and from the headset an the phone itself.

A clever feature is the ability to pair the headset with two phones at the same time. This is great if you’re at work for example and you want to connect it with both your landline and your mobile. When you get an incoming call, the voice will announce which of the two phones the call is coming in on. You even have a call hold/call waiting facility so you can switch easily between the two lines. The voice will also tell you if you are muted or, as mentioned earlier, if your battery is running low.

On Test

On test, we had the H17 paired with a Motorola Debut and it worked like a dream. The devices paired with each other without problems and the call quality was excellent, whether we were in a quiet room or a noisy street. You do occasionally get the odd bit of static, but that’s always going to be the case with a bluetooth headset. It certainly wasn’t a problem.

As for the people we called and who called us during the tests, they all said they could hear us fine. No static, no distortion, no obvious signs that we were speaking on a bluetooth headset rather than a normal handset. It even worked pretty well in the wind!

As for battery life, talk time is 5 hours and standby time is 7 days and it comes with a nice quick-charge feature that enables you to charge it for 2 hours talk time in just 15 minutes.

Overall, a great little phone.

Motorola H790

Another one of the smallest bluetooth headsets is another Motorola model, the Motorola H790. It’s slightly longer than the H17 at 2.03″, but it’s a lot skinnier at just 0.27″ and it feels lighter too.

List price is about the same at $79.99, but I’ve seen these headsets on offer for less than $30, so shop around.

It has similar feature to the H17 too, like excellent quality sound due to that CrystalTalk noise-cancelling technology.

It’s a lovely looking device, finished as it is in a nice matt silver colour. We found the controls a little bit more fiddly on the H790 than on the H17, but they are still perfectly useable.

Again, you have various sizes of ear hooks and in-ear fittings, to suit all ears.

In use, we paired it up with an iPhone and it worked fine, although it didn’t have the clarity of the H17 and there was a little bit more static. We’re not sure if that was because of the phone or the headset, maybe to be fair we should pair it up with the Motorola Debut too, but unfortunately we didn’t have one available for the test.

On balance, when comparing the two devices, we were unanimous in preferring the H17. Despite it’s tiny size, it feels more ergonomic, the call quality is slightly better and it just felt all round like a better headset.

But if you’re looking for the smallest bluetooth headset, either of these two models could be right for you.

When you are looking for the best Bluetooth car kit because you are thinking of buying one, you have to consider several factors. If you want to spend your money wisely, then there are certain essential things you need to think about before making a purchase.

Although there are various different brands that produce these kits (it seems there is a Bluetooth car kit for everyone!) it’s always a good idea to be a little choosy when searching for new gadgets for your car and not buying the first thing you see.

So make sure you review these five important factors before buying your own car kit.

Call Quality

If you have the opportunity to test the kit out first before you install it, take that opportunity! You want to make sure the call quality is good and that you can properly hear the person on the other end of the call. So if there’s a demo model in the store, try it out.

Ease of Use

If there are gadgets on the car kit, make sure they are all easy to operate. The hands-free aspect of the Bluetooth car kit can be very helpful when driving, but if you are fiddling about with controls, then you could be an accident waiting to happen! Statistics show a huge growth in the number of accidents caused by people operating their cell phones and other in-car gadgets while driving. Don’t be one of them!

Speech Commands

Another factor to check before buying is the ability of the kit to recognize speech commands for automatic dialing (again, this is especially important for when you are actually driving). This feature is essential because you don’t want to have to manually dial the numbers of the people you wish to call and take your eyes off the raod. If you do not feel comfortable with the speech commands, then choose another kit.

Battery Life

Battery life can be vital for any gadgets you use in your car that are not centrally connected to the car’s battery (e.g. the Bluetooth headset, which often has its own battery). So check that the battery life is sufficient to allow you to use the headset on a long drive.

A note of caution here however. Be careful with headsets. A bluetooth stereo headset, which allows you to listen to music while driving, could prevent you from hearing emergency sirens or other important sounds (e.g. a misfiring engine). So don’t have both of your ears covered while you drive!

Cost

The best Bluetooth car kits are very expensive, especially those from top quality brands laden with all sorts of features. So think about whether you actually need all those features or not. You don’t have to have the most expensive kit, you just want to have the one that’s right for you.

If you check the five points above: call quality; ease of use; ability to recognize speech commands; battery life and of course the cost, then you should be well on your way to making a wise choice when choosing a Bluetooth car kit.

If you’re thinking about buying a bluetooth stereo headset, then one of the main considerations you will no doubt have in mind is “how much will it cost?”.

Bluetooth stereo headset prices range from cheap and cheerful to very expensive. And although they tend to cost more than standard headphones (for similar sound quality), there is a wide range of price levels to suit all budgets. Of course, in this world you tend to get what you pay for but having said that, there are some stand out models for the prices.

Bluetooth Headsets vs Standard Headphones

When you are buying a bluetooth stereo headset, you are not just paying for sound quality, you are also paying for a range of additional functionality. Because of this, if you had to compare side-by-side a pair of bluetooth-enabled headphones and a normal pair of headphones costing the same price, the normal headphones would generally give you superior audio quality. The reason? With a bluetooth headset, you are paying for the extras. The fact that the bluetooth model generally comes equipped with a microphone so that you can use it with a telephone or a computer (as well as just for listening to music or audio) bumps the price up. So keep this fact in mind.

Cheap and Expensive

Bluetooth headsets do however come at a range of price levels. Whatever your budget, you should be able to find something that suits you. Some of the cheapest available models include those from Samsung (SBH-100) and Nokia (BH-501). These can be found for as little as $20 in the U.S. or around £15 in the UK. At the other end of the spectrum, some of the most expensive models can cost hundreds of dollars. Nokia have a noise-cancelling headset, the BH-905, which is considered one of the best in the business and is up there along with similar models from Bose and Sony. These high-end bluetooth headsets provide the last word in luxury, comfort, and serious audio quality. And if you’re looking for the smallest bluetooth headset, try the models from Motorola.

Shop Around

Obviously, there is going to be a massive difference between budget headsets and top of the range models like these. But there are some good headsets to be found at every price point, so it is definitely worth shopping around for bargains. One of the most highly regarded for the price is the Samsung SBH-600, which can be found for between $80 and $100 from various Internet retailers. This headset generally receives very favourable reviews.

And remember, with bluetooth stereo headset prices dropping all the time, now is a great time to buy!

I often get asked the difference between a bluetooth dongle and a bluetooth adaptor. Are they the same think or are they different? Well, they are actually two different things, so what exactly are the differences, when might you need a dongle, and when you might need an adaptor if you are using a bluetooth stereo headset?

Here are a few pointers which should hopefully put you in a better position to know which device you need and which one you want to buy.

Bluetooth Dongle

A bluetooth dongle is a dedicated USB key that plugs into the PC or the Mac’s USB socket. This dongle basically gives your computer bluetooth capability, which is good because it can be used not just for transmitting audio from your computer to your headset, but for various other purposes two. If you plug a bluetooth dongle into your PC, you will not only be able to connect your computer to your mobile phone, but you will also be able to connect it to other computers, printers and various peripheral devices that have bluetooth capability.

A bluetooth dongle is great for syncing data between your computer and your mobile phone without the need of a cable. Another benefit is that these dongles are usually very easy to install, you just plug them in and they are usually self detecting, so unless you are running an old operating system, there should be no drivers to install.

Bluetooth Adaptor

A bluetooth adaptor on the other hand, connects on from the audio out socket, usually via a stereo minijack, and actually converts the audio to the bluetooth protocol so it can be transmitted to your headset. The great thing about bluetooth adapters is that they can work with pretty much any audio device, such as legacy MP3 players or even cassette players (do those still exist?).

With a bluetooth audio adaptor, there is no software to install. You simply plug the adaptor into your audio device and away you go. There are various models available in shops and from online suppliers, including ones from Iogear, Belkin and Scosche.

If you are planning to buy you a bluetooth dongle or a bluetooth adaptor, make sure you check your devices thoroughly first because you may actually not need one. Some bluetooth stereo headsets actually come with a dongle and an adaptor included, so check before you spend your money. Also, make sure you get the right adapter for your devices. Although most dongles and adapters are fairly your universal, it’s always worth double checking that whatever you buy will work with the gear you already have.

Can a bluetooth stereo headset make you live longer?  Or might wearing one actually shorten your life?  Well, it depends both on your point of view and upon a number of intangibles.  A bluetooth headset may contribute to your safety whilst driving or performing various other activities, but are you in danger from the long-term effects of wearing one?

Bluetooth Headsets in the Car

In the last few years, the police have started to get very strict about people using mobile phones whist driving.  Whether you are in the U.S., The UK, Australia, or any one of a number of other countries, if you get caught driving while speaking on a handheld mobile phone these days, you are likely to be in big trouble.  And with good reason.  Many road traffic accidents can be attributed to drivers not paying attention to what they are doing. Driving while speaking into a handheld phone (or even worse, texting) is a recipe for disaster.

This is one reason why bluetooth headsets have become so popular.  Wearing one while driving allows you to concentrate on what is happening on the road and not what is happening on your phone. And the smallest bluetooth headset models don’t get in your way at all. You can keep both hands on the wheel at all times.  So using a bluetooth headset is much safer than holding a cellphone while driving.

Bluetooth Headsets and Physical Activities

Another reason why bluetooth stereo headsets can be much safer than their wired equivalents is because there is no chance of you getting tangled up in the wires.  If you are performing some sort of activity like working out, or maybe mowing the lawn or vacuum cleaning, and you want to listen to music, with wired headphones it is very easy for the wires to get in the way of your activity.  With a bluetooth stereo headset, this would never happen.

Long-Term Effects of Wearing Bluetooth Headsets

On the subject of safety however, there is some debate about the possible long-term negative effects of wearing a bluetooth headset.  Some people have expressed concern about the fact that bluetooth headsets operate on radio waves. Their argument is that these radio waves being transmitted so close to one’s head over a long period of time cannot be a good thing.

However, as yet no clear medical evidence has been produced of any danger or long-term negative side effects of wearing these headsets, despite many tests having been conducted.

So on balance, it seems that you will need to form your own conclusion about the safety, or otherwise, of a bluetooth stereo headset.

If you are thinking of buying a bluetooth stereo headset, then there are a number of factors that you will probably want to take into consideration before spending your money.

Specifically, three things that you should think about are comfort (for example, how well does the headset fit over your ears? Will it make you sweat if you work out while wearing it? Etc.); features (such as the battery life and the sound quality); and how compatible it is with existing devices that you may own.

Headset Comfort

Let’s take a look at the comfort of the headset first. Like heads and ears, bluetooth stereo headsets come in all shapes and sizes, some of them more comfortable than others. You can get headsets that are similar to traditional headphones in that they sit over your ears with the band going across the top of your head. And you can get earbud type headphones that go inside your ears, sometimes with a band going around the top of your ear to hold them in place.

Many people buy a bluetooth stereo headset for listening to music while they are working out, because they want to avoid the wires that can get in the way with wired headphones. But if the headset is heavy and made of unsuitable material, then it can make you sweat, which can be quite unpleasant. So think about the comfort aspect of any headset you are planning to buy. You want to make sure you choose the right pair of headphones to fit your head (and your ears) that suit the purpose for which you intend to use them.

Headset Features

Another area to take into consideration is the feature set on offer. Unlike standard headphones, Bluetooth stereo headsets require power, and therefore batteries, in order to work. So you will probably want to take a look at how long those batteries last between charges, especially if you plan on using the headset for extended periods of time.

Sound quality is also something that is very important, particularly if you are an audiophile There is no reason why you should have to sacrifice sound quality for the additional features that a bluetooth headset gives you over traditional wired headphones. But as we all know, quality comes at a price. And the higher quality you want, the more you are likely to have to pay.

At the very top end of the market are noise canceling headphones, which can give you pristine audio quality while canceling out all external noise. Although expensive, these are definitley worth considering if you spend a lot of time on trains or aeroplanes for example.

Compatibility

The final thing you will need to think about when buying a bluetooth stereo headset is the compatibility aspect. Bluetooth headphones should work with any bluetooth compatible audio device, whether that device is a cellphone, an MP3 player, a computer or a hi-fi system fitted with the appropriate bluetooth transmitter. But should does not mean will. So make sure you investigate the compatibility specifications thoroughly, to ensure that whichever headset you choose will work with the various devices you plan on using it with.

Once you have taken all these factors into consideration, the experience of actually buying a bluetooth stereo headset will be made much easier because you will have significantly reduced your choices down to the best few. And you can always check out some bluetooth headset reviews if you are still unsure.

One thing we haven’t mentioned is of course price. You can find cheap Bluetooth headsets, expensive headsets and everything in between. This is a big subject, so we will cover headset prices in a separate post.

The headphones are the core component of any bluetooth stereo headset.

When investigating which headset to purchase, your decision will probably be based on a number of factors including price, comfort and (for many, the most important issue) the quality of the audio you hear in your headphones.

After all, what is the point in listening to music in stereo if the sound quality is rubbish?

Good quality audio usually comes at a price however. You tend to get what you pay for. (Although there are always some bargains to be had if you know where to look).

Bluetooth Headphone Quality

Many people who are coming to this technology for the first time worry about whether a bluetooth stereo headset will be able to deliver the same kind of audio quality as a pair of wired headphones. Well, allow us to set your mind at rest. With the introduction of the latest Bluetooth 3.0 specification in April 2009, which added AMP 802.11 for high-speed transport, the latest bluetooth stereo headphones are able to deliver CD-quality audio over a distance of up 30ft (60ft in some cases).

Of course, just because the protocol enables CD-quality audio to be delivered, it doesn’t mean that every bluetooth stereo headphone manufacturer actually produces models that deliver pristine sound. But certainly some of the higher-end models now available on the market are indistinguishable from their wired counterparts. Even true audiophiles would be hard-pressed to be able to state, in a blind listening challenge, which are the bluetooth headphones and which are the traditional sort.

Headset Controls on Headphone with Bluetooth

Unfortunately, sound quality is often compromised to make way for all the other stuff that bluetooth stereo headsets need to do, i.e. allow the user to make and receive calls via his/her smartphone.

On most bluetooth wireless headphones, you will usually find small panels on the left-side earpiece containing the telephone-related controls and on the right-side earpiece containing the music/player controls. While it makes a lot of sense to have these, they can be a bit fiddly to operate and unfortunately there are some models where sound quality has been sacrificed to make room for the necessary electronics etc to make these controls work.

Bluetooth Headphone Comfort

Comfort is essential for any quality listening experience. After all, what is the point of something sounding great if you can’t appreciate it because your ears hurt? The best bluetooth headphones really take comfort into consideration, so that you are hardly even aware that you have the comfortable earphones on.

In conclusion, if you are looking for a bluetooth stereo headset and you are a true music lover, always make sure to go for a set with good quality, comfortable headphones. Feel free to use the resources on this site to find an appropriate set.