iPod Wireless Headphones
After getting a the Motorola HS810, a wireless Bluetooth headset, to use with my Motorola PowerBook cellphone, I've been finding my iPod's earbuds very annoying. If Motorola can free up my hands with a reasonably small earpiece, why can't Apple get rid of the annoying wires that are always in my way?
So that led me to delve through the net. I was only able to dig up four versions (and talk of other companies putting out new versions). iPodLounge had reviews of all three: Logitech Wireless Headphones, Macally BlueWave Bluetooth Stereo and Streaming Headset, TEN Technology naviPlay Bluetooth Wireless Stereo Kit, and Bluetake i-Phono BT420EX Bluetooth Wireless Headphones.
The naviPlay loses out right away because you're still tethered to a wire. iPodLounge loved this because it let you pick whichever headphones you wanted, but having a wire kills the point of wireless (not to mention having a separate receiver to carrier means on more electronic thing floating around in your bags and pockets, so the naviPlay is out.
The BlueWave uses AAA batteries. I hate being unable to use my stuff when I don't have batteries around and I hate having to buy batteries. The BlueWave is out.
So that leaves the i-Phono and the Logitech Wireless Headphones. Neither of these has any wires nor any non-rechargeable batteries, so my two biggest pet peeves are out of the way. I like that i-Phono's transmitter gets its power from the iPod instead of requiring me to charge yet another thing, as the Logitech Wireless Headphones do. I don't like the extra $100 or so for the i-Phono. However, the real meat of the question is in the functions. The Logitech Wireless Headphones are focused on only music (and their controls demonstrate this) while the i-Phono adds in phone functionality. In the end, I'd have to go with the i-Phono for it's ability to work with my phone as well as with my iPod.
But none of these really get there. Here's my checklist for what the optimal Bluetooth headphones for use with an iPod and mobile phone should do:
So that led me to delve through the net. I was only able to dig up four versions (and talk of other companies putting out new versions). iPodLounge had reviews of all three: Logitech Wireless Headphones, Macally BlueWave Bluetooth Stereo and Streaming Headset, TEN Technology naviPlay Bluetooth Wireless Stereo Kit, and Bluetake i-Phono BT420EX Bluetooth Wireless Headphones.
| Logitech Wireless Headphones | Macally BlueWave Bluetooth Stereo and Streaming Headset | TEN Technology naviPlay Bluetooth Wireless Stereo Kit | Bluetake i-Phono BT420EX Bluetooth Wireless Headphones | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Source | Rechargeable batteries for both headphones and transmitter | Non-rechargeable AAA batteries for both headphones and transmitter | Rechargeable battery for receiver, iPod for transmitter | Rechargeable batteries for both headphones and transmitter |
| Connection | Headphones via Bluetooth to transmitter via plug-in to iPod | Headphones via Bluetooth to transmitter via plug-in to iPod | Earbuds via wire to receiver via Bluetooth to transmitter via plug-in to iPod | Headphones via Bluetooth to transmitter via plug-in to iPod |
| Use wtih mobile phones | No microphone | No microphone | No microphone | Microphone and capability to use with Bluetooth-ready mobile phones |
| Controls | Play, pause, next, previous on headphones | None | Play, pause, next, previous on receiver | Phone, volume up, volume down on headphones |
| Cost | $149.99 | $169.95 | $199.99 | $249.95 |
The naviPlay loses out right away because you're still tethered to a wire. iPodLounge loved this because it let you pick whichever headphones you wanted, but having a wire kills the point of wireless (not to mention having a separate receiver to carrier means on more electronic thing floating around in your bags and pockets, so the naviPlay is out.
The BlueWave uses AAA batteries. I hate being unable to use my stuff when I don't have batteries around and I hate having to buy batteries. The BlueWave is out.
So that leaves the i-Phono and the Logitech Wireless Headphones. Neither of these has any wires nor any non-rechargeable batteries, so my two biggest pet peeves are out of the way. I like that i-Phono's transmitter gets its power from the iPod instead of requiring me to charge yet another thing, as the Logitech Wireless Headphones do. I don't like the extra $100 or so for the i-Phono. However, the real meat of the question is in the functions. The Logitech Wireless Headphones are focused on only music (and their controls demonstrate this) while the i-Phono adds in phone functionality. In the end, I'd have to go with the i-Phono for it's ability to work with my phone as well as with my iPod.
But none of these really get there. Here's my checklist for what the optimal Bluetooth headphones for use with an iPod and mobile phone should do:
- Two separate, reversible (like the Motorola HS810) ear pieces connecting to the phone, iPod, or transmitter via Bluetooth.
- Play/pause button, previous button, next button, music volume up button, and music volume down button (like the iPod shuffle) on one ear piece.
- Phone button (used to answer a call, hang up, etc.), phone volume up button, phone volume down button, two customizable buttons (also like the iPod shuffle), and a microphone on the other ear piece.
- A removable string or cord connecting the two ear pieces together.
- The ear pieces should click together for each storage. When clicked together, the connecting string or cord should withdraw into one of the ear pieces. Clicking the two together should also allow them both to be charged through a single charger.
- Rechargeable batteries for the ear pieces.
- iPod used as a power source for iPod transmitter which aligns nicely on any iPod model (or, better yet, Apple should incorporate Bluetooth into the iPod itself).
- Voice commands for both phone and music use.
posted by Vincent at 5:18 PM
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