Motorola (NYSE: MOT) has recently unveiled a new Bluetooth wireless headset, the H17, which features a microphone boom that folds. The great thing about it is not only that it makes the device smaller, but also that it works as a switch to turn off the headset.

In addition, the H17 also features voice prompts that guide you through the pairing process, tell you when mute mode is activated or when the battery level is low. Best of all, these voice prompts don’t affect the battery life dramatically — Motorola claims their 9g-light headset can work for up to 5 hours in talk mode on a full charge. Plus, it can be rapid charged, giving users 2 hours of talk time for just 15 minutes of charging. Cool!

Rest of the features include ability to connect simultaneously with two devices as well as “standard for Motorola” CrystalTalk dual-mic noise reduction system.

[Via: MobileBurn]

If you’ve ever dropped, kicked, thrown or sat on your iPhone, you know how damaging it can be. I’m very careful with mine, but still, the darn thing seems to slip and fall from time to time. If you need some added protection, OtterBox has just released some new cases for the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS. The Commuter and Commuter TL series provide the best from the Defender and Impact series cases. Both rugged and sleek, the Commuter and Commuter TL cases are comprised of three layers:

1. a self-adhering screen cover protects from scratches (touch screen remains completely functional).
2. a silicone skin wraps over the device to protect corners from bump and shock. Dust intrusion is reduced with the use of silicone plugs over audio port and dock connector.
3. a smooth one-piece, custom molded polycarbonate shell hugs tightly around the silicone allowing the case to slide easily into a pocket or purse.

The Commuter Case for the iPhone 3G and 3GS will set you back $34.95.

The Commuter TL Case for iPhone 3G and 3GS will run you $34.95 as well. You can check it out right here. The Commuter TL is available in standard black only at the moment, but it looks like a blue, green, pink, red, white and yellow version are on their way soon (I suspect their cart hasn’t been updated with these new options as of yet).

More info? Read the official press release from Otterbox.

I’m happy. Occasionally, we get through innovative takes on mobile gadgetry, and this I think of one of them. OK, it does addresses the business user market segment more squarely, but who would have thought combining a passcard holder and Bluetooth holder could be such a good idea?!

Well that’s exactly what IQUA have done, and what MobileFun are retailing – even better, they’ve given us a review unit, plus THREE (yes, THREE!) units to give away!

Here’s a little info on the units:

Key Features:

• Bluetooth handsfree and corporate ID badge holder combined
• Accepts an ID card that measures up to 85mm by 55mm
• Easy to carry and use
• Stylish design to complement your professional look
• Talktime up to 40h!
• Standby time up to 600h
• Vibration to alert incoming calls silently during meetings
• 3-way conference call
• Support for VOIP calls
• Switch between phone and handsfree modes
• Bluetooth connection active, call status and low battery indicated by multi-colored LEDs

The competition should be going live alongside one of ‘The Signal’ Podcasts, in the next month or so! In the meanwhile you can buy them here.

[Via: MobileFun]

The other day I got a chance to play with an upcoming Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) accessory currently called the MH-100, which promises to turn any set of standard headphones into Stereo Bluetooth-capable ones. The MH-100 is a simple clip-on dongle with a touch sensitive volume bar on one side, music controls on the other, call button on the front, and multicoloured LEDs beneath the front face to indicate volume levels. You can see it briefly in action in some videos; one from way back in May, and another from a little more recently, or my crummy Palm (NSDQ: PALM) Pre pictures below. The only comparable accessory that comes to mind is Jabra BT3030, but I’d much rather go with this clip design than dogtags, mostly since it’s one less string to get tangled. According the filings that recently went through the FCC, the MH-100 will be shipping with the Aino, but if you want to pick this one up separately, I was told it will be available for $100-120.

i.Tech Dynamic has unveiled i.VoicePRO 901, a Bluetooth headset equipped with dual microphones and noise-filtering software to let users hear and be heard clearly. The idea is to kill most of the ambient noise for crystal-clear phone calls even in noisiest of the environments.

The first mic is notched and U-shaped, sitting on the cheek side of the headset and directing the user’s voice directly into it. On the other hand, a second microphone is placed on the side, facing away from the user and targeting ambient noise.

All of the standard handset features are present, including voice-dialing (if your mobile phone supports the option), redialing of the last-number redial, call rejection, call transfer, auto re-link, and mute. In addition, there are dedicated buttons for adjusting volume… All this could be yours for some $80 bucks, which is a lot for a Bluetooth headset. Then again, if the sound quality is there, that’s about the price of similarly capable headsets we’re seeing…

[Via: slashphone]

I was slightly agog (yes, agog!) the other day when I saw Wills post on the pricing for the iPhone bracket for the iPhone. £100? Oh, come on now!

And hang on…. The App doesn’t even come with the bracket – so let’s now add on the cost of the App, coming in at a weighty £59.99 (that’s just the UK & Ireland, not full Europe maps!). So whats the total cost? Well by commanding the power of maths, I make it the best part of £160!
That is A LOT of money, and even with the supposed features the bracket brings (enhance GPS signal, charging dock function), it’s still way way more expensive than it’s ‘budget’ (in price, not in features) rival, CoPilot Live. But wait, we shouldn’t compare Apples with Oranges, so let’s chuck in a similar kind of bracket, at least one that will charge the iPhone whilst it’s mounted. I recommend the Brodit Active mount by DSL developments (you can see options here). Right, so totalling up, you need:

• CoPilot Live: £25.99
• Brodit Mount for iPhone 3GS: around £50 (depending on what specifically you choose)
• Brodit Proclip (to attach mount to your car specifically): around £16 depending on car
• Total:  just about £92

Being completely fair, the Brodit mount doesn’t enhance the GPS on the iPhone, but to be honest I’ve found the CoPilot Live app to be more than capable without any need for boosting it. I also think the Brodit clips look better than the TomTom bracket!
In my mind, the choice is clear – save nearly £70, or don’t. In fact, use that £70 to get a pro-install and hide the cable from the mount to the cigarette lighter, and suddenly you’ve got an install that (1) looks professional, (2) charges your device, and (3) doesn’t make you feel like you’ve overpaid.
(Note: I’m more than happy to hear from TomTom PR to explain why in fact their solution is better, and to write an objective piece comparing the two – a word to the wise though – CoPilot PR already seeded me a free review copy of their software – that’s probably a good start )

P-Flip Foldable Power Dock is a neat accessory for your beloved device. It’s an iPhone/iPod Touch dock which doubles as a backup battery. The price is $55 and that price includes a 2000-mAh battery, which is good enough for almost two full charges.

The bad thing about it — aside from the price — is that it doesn’t allow you to keep your iPhone in horizontal position to enjoy movies. Still, you can listen to the music, podcasts, audiobook, etc.

Here’s a link to the page with more information from where you can also grab the P-Flip Foldable Power Dock…

[Via: CrunchGear]

Following on a UK leak that revealed the TomTom iPhone Car Kit’s pricing at €99.99, TomTom has nipped US pricing rumors in the bud with a press release confirming a $120 price-point for the US. The press release (find it here) isn’t filled with the usual marketing fluff we’re used to seeing, it just gets straight to the point:

TomTom announces today that the TomTom car kit for the iPhone will have a recommended retail price of EUR 99.99 or USD 119.95.

The TomTom car kit will be available this October and will be sold separately from the TomTom app. It will be compatible with the iPhone 2G, 3G and 3GS.

All further details on the car kit will be made available soon.

The pricing for the TomTom iPhone Car Kit doesn’t include the actual TomTom iPhone navigation app, so the total price for Americans looking to get in on TomTom’s GPS software is going to come in at $219.94. Of course, you can use the TomTom iPhone GPS navigation app without the GPS-boosting car kit, but GPS performance will suffer.

Is $200+ too much to pay for iPhone navigation? Would you pay for both the app and the car kit?

[Via: Cnet]

Vuzix Corporation is launching its new line of sunglass-style Wrap video eyewear products in time for this year’s festive season. Bringing an all new form factor together with what they claim is the most advanced performance available, the new Wrap line delivers some great style and versatility for users.

The new European edition Vuzix Wrap 230, Wrap 280 Widescreen, and Wrap 920 are the most advanced wearable display technology available today, says Vuzix.  With a sunglasses-styled design, the Wrap line allow you to watch your favourite movies and video’s whenever and wherever it suits you – neat-o!

With ‘virtual’ screen sizes ranging from 46” to an amazing 67”*– equivalent to home cinema screens – and with the added capability to view much of the forthcoming 3D, movies shorts and games, these glasses could be the must have digital accessory!

(* virtual screen size is as seen from 10 feet , approximately 3m.)

Vuzix’ video eyewear can connect to a multitude of devices, including camcorders, portable DVD players, mobile phones, PC’s, game consoles, and of course the immensely popular Apple iPod family. In fact, with the recent announcement that the new iPod nano now has added video functionality, the Vuzix Wrap line is lining up to be the complimentary partner to Apple’s market leading devices.

Available from October via http://store.vuzix.co.uk/, major online retail outlets and on the High Street in Menkind stores, the new Wrap product line range from £129.99 to £249.99 inc VAT.

I wrote about the Mobidapter before (here), but the guys at Elan Digital Systems wrote me to tell me that it has another use also:

you might be interested to know that it can now also be used with Nintendo DSi to transfer photos from the DSi to USB memory

I am interested, and now I do know! Thanks guys!

Check out the YouTube video above to see a ‘how-to’ guide. You can buy the Mobidapter here, from eXpansys.