At CES, BlackBerry announced the BlackBerry Presenter accessory. This little device extends the functionality of the BlackBerry into an even meaner tool for business users than it already is. In a nutshell, this pocket sized device lets your BlackBerry be used to wirelessly control PowerPoint presentations seen on a monitor or a projector. All you have to do is download the Presenter App onto your BlackBerry, connect the presenter to the to a projector or monitor, and your BlackBerry is ready to control presentations from a far.What’s in the Box:
The BlackBerry Presenter comes with a convenient faux lather carrying case, a wall adapter that connects to it via micro USB, and a micro USB cable for connecting the device to your computer when it comes time for firmware updates.

Design:
Measuring 3.4 x 2.4 x 0.9 inches, the Presenter is small enough to hold in your hand, and it’s very easy to throw in your bag. Its glossy black top, and metallic rounded curves no doubt compliment the latest BlackBerry Bold 2 in design. On its top lies a single button which is used to put the presenter to sleep, to wake it, or to show a new presentation.

 

Set-Up:
First, you’ll need to download and install the BlackBerry Presenter application on to your BlackBerry before using the device. Then you’ll need to plug the BlackBerry presenter into a power source with the included AC Adapter, and next connect the BlackBerry Presenter to your projector or monitor using an S-video or VGA cable. Any display dedicated for presentations will have a S-Video or VGA input. Once the BlackBerry Presenter is connected to a display, it will go into paring mode and begin to flash red on top. A BlackBerry splash screen will simultaneously show up on the display that the BlackBerry Presenter is connected too. You’ll then need to pair it with your BlackBerry via bluetooth using the 4 digit pass-code. The BlackBerry Presenter is even smart enough to automatically adjust the screen resolution on the display it’s connected too. From there on, all you have to do is start using the Presenter app on your BlackBerry.

Performance/ Features:
For a first generation device, the Presenter is very impressive and delivers as promised. Using the Presenter software on your BlackBerry, you can set a slideshow to Loop, you can skip to the next or previous slide, go to a new slide, and show speaker notes. You can also jump to a specific slide number, instead of having to run through many slides to get to a later or earlier slide. If you’re in the middle of a presentation and need to reference some of your notes, but you don’t want everyone to see those notes, the Presenter will let you freeze the slideshow that everyone is looking at so that you can go to a different slide on the Presentation using your BlackBerry. Try doing that with an ordinary PowerPoint remote! The Presenter has full support to show most of the slide transitions and animations that are used in Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 and 2007.

The BlackBerry Presenter works via Bluetooth and allows you to roam around the room unto 10 meters away from where the presenter is connected. I was able to move around my room while controlling the presentation playing on my TV without any problems.

Compatibility:
The BlackBerry Presenter can connect to any projector or monitor with a VGA or S-Video input. Unfortunately there are no VGA or S-Video Cables included in the box. The device is also compatible with both NTSC and Pal displays, so users traveling overseas to make presentations won’t run into any hiccups. It’s max supported resolution is 1024 x 768, which is more than sufficient for Powerpoint presentations. Most of the recent BlackBerry models are compatible with the Presenter, including the Curve 8520, 8530, 8900, the Bold 9000 and 9700, the Tour 9630, and the Storm 9500 and 9530.

Conclusion:
We’re sure that some might lament the fact that there is no HDMI or DVI support on the BlackBerry Presenter, but the reality is that those connections are more significant for playing back Movies, and aren’t really all that necessary for PowerPoint Presentations. Also, at $199, pricing is a bit high for the BlackBerry 9700, but this is the type of accessory that is really aimed at business users who can afford it if it will help make their work-flow and presentations more efficient. This is also a great alternative for those not willing to give up their BlackBerry for a smartphone with a built-in projector. Overall, the BlackBerry Presenter also makes leaving your laptop at home, or in the hotel room, a lot more plausible. The BlackBerry Presenter should be available soon.

The Good: Portable and convenient to carry along with you, easy to use, delivers as promised

The Bad: No VGA Cables or S-Video cables are included, not compatible with older BlackBerry models, pricey

Popularity: unranked [?]

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Now that Bluetooth headsets have become a mainstay in the market place – design is becoming as important as functionality. Many companies are kicking it into high gear and Aliph’s Jawbone is definitely leading the pack. Never one to shy away from highend design, their latest Bluetooth headset, the Jawbone ICON not only is stylish, but it also has an App store as well.  Now that takes guts.

In the Box:
It honestly almost broke my heart to open the Jawbone ICON because it’s packaged like a piece of artwork on display. The review sample we received was the Jawbone ICON – The Bombshell. First you slip off the plastic enclosure covering the headset, and then you slip off the bottom portion which reveals two extra earbuds and an optional earbud with earloop solution -  in case your ears are too small or big to wear the Icon.  The packaging is also worth mentioning, just because of how everything was done to make it as compact and eco-friendly as possible. When you lift up the portion of the packaging that holds the earbud options -  underneath are manuals, a small bendable USB cable for charging, and a power supply. Everything is small and petite with pull tabs for easy access, which is ideal for ladies with long nails.

Design:
The Jawbone ICON comes in six different styles, all with their own personality: the Hero, the Rogue, the Bombshell, the Thinker, the Ace, and the Catch. Each one has a different finish, color, and look, and they each weigh only 8 grams! All of these designs have feminine appeal, but in a classy, not overly girly way. Many other bluetooth headsets try to have feminine appeal by coloring themselves pink, red or purple, or throwing on some floral patterns, yet the Jawbone ICON succeeds in having feminine appeal just by the fact that its design is modern and fashionable. The fact that Aliph includes additional earbuds and the optional earloop is not only a nice gesture, but it ensures that no matter what type of ear size you have – the ICON won’t fall off unlike some other bluetooth earpieces we have tested in the past. There is also a switch on the ICON that lets you turn the headset on or off, and a talk button that is easily accessible to answer calls.

 

Setup:
This is probably the easiest headset I have ever tried to pair with any device. All you need to do is a slide the button to ‘on’ on the Icon and turn your phone on to Bluetooth discoverable mode, and instantly the device is picked up. You can pair the device to another cellphone as well, and operate both devices when needed. I paired it to a Nexus One and an iPhone 3G s.  The Jawbone will indicate it’s being paired by a LED glowing near where the on/off switch is located.  If you have to have the Jawbone Icon in your ear while pairing – once paired a very lovely voice will play indicating the device is now paired. If you press the talk button while not on a call, the voice will also tell you how much talk time you have left too. The voice is the sound of a mature women that speaks to you and it’s weirdly comforting to know that she will tell you what’s up with your Icon as you use the device – it’s almost like having a personal assistant hidden in your Bluetooth headset.

Sound Quality:
Being that I was able to switch between different earbuds or the earloop if I so chose, it made it much easier to enjoy the sound quality and appreciate the Icon even more. Unlike the Jabra Stone where it was a certainly stylish and unique earpiece, the Jabra Stone never sat quite right in my ear. Fortunately the inclusion of earbuds and an earloop enabled me to fit the Jawbone in my ear perfectly and comfortably. The Jawbone Icon is all about style and enhanced sound quality. There is boom that extends on to your cheek but it doesn’t seem intrusive on your face or even annoying. For women with longer hair covering their ears, it practically becomes invisible to the public as it’s hidden away. However, the Icon is really an earpiece that is meant to be seen.

Just this past week we had a Nor’Easter in NYC and what better way to test the Icon’s Lethal NoiseAssassin technology. For those not familiar with NoiseAssassin from Jawbone, it is a technology that was originally developed for military use in tanks and helicopters, and features a wind reduction proprietary technology that eliminates background noise from mobile phone conversations. So this tech is definitely helpful on a noisy NYC street. I put the headset through its paces walking against the wind, standing in the line of fire of screaming fire engines, all the while on the phone talking to my friends and then colleagues who use various different cell phones.  I then went to the dog park and watched as my pup played in the snow and barked away, and still the quality of the voice on the other end of the headset was crisp and clear and they heard me just the same. In fact, my peeps claimed that I sounded even better than when I talked directly into my Nexus One handset, and I have to admit they sounded much crisper and louder too than when I use the handset directly! The earpiece didn’t fall out of my ear once, nor did it give me a headache or ear pain as many of the Bluetooth headsets have done in the past after having worn it in my ear for awhile.

Software:
Yes, the Jawbone Icon has an App store. Well sorta – it’s called MyTalk which is currently in beta and exclusive to Jawbone Icon owners. It offers a selection of AudioApps and DialApps for free (carrier fees may apply but the App to download is free). Once you sign up via the MyTalk website which can be found on the Jawbone website, you will be sent two separate emails allowing you access to this additional feature. As we mentioned before, we where reviewing the Jawbone Icon – The Bombshell which already comes with a standard Jawbone audio voice, which we already liked very much. But Jawbone has turned it up a notch and has offered its customers customized voices specific to each model of Jawbone Icon. These distinct voices alert you to important information like how much battery life you have left and what number is calling you. So just because you own one version of the Icon headset, that doesn’t mean you can’t have the option of getting the voices associated with the other headsets. Personally I found the voices of The Ace, The Bombshell, and The Catch to be the best and they are also female. The men representatives sounded almost comical. In order to sync the new voice to your headset you must download the software to your PC or Mac and then all you need to do is choose which voice you want and then select ‘SYNC’, and it will automatically transfer to your headset when it’s plugged in via USB to your computer. This process is extremely easy, and if you run into a problem there are some video tutorials to help you out.

The DialApps allow you to use your voice to unlock special applications specific for the Jawbone Icon. Directory 411, Jott for hands free email, Twitter, Facebook, and Google Calendar interaction, 1800free411, and HandsFree Assistant. I’m sure there will be more Apps available in the near future as this app store is still in beta testing, but it certainly already offers a wide a variety of options that easily installs and helps you in ways you never thought possible.

Conclusion:
The Jawbone Icon hits all the sweet spots – the device isn’t just pure eye candy, but a functional and well thought-out device that also looks to leave a small foot print on the earth due to its environmentally sound packaging. The headset offers truly excellent sound quality and noise cancellation, that not only will you appreciate, but those calling you will adore it too. The App store might seem gimmicky to some, but a lot of these apps are actually quite neat. For those looking to make the leap to an attractive Bluetooth headset that hits all the right marks, I highly suggest the Jawbone Icon. The boom is not intrusive on your face, the extra earbuds and earloop for optional ways to wear the device are very much appreciated, and it also happens to be one of the nicest looking bluetooth headsets ever made. Overall, you really can’t go wrong with the Jawbone ICON. You can grab the Jawbone Icon on Amazon from $89 to $99.95.

The Good: Excellent sound quality and noise cancellation, great design aesthetics, very easy to pair with devices, extra earbuds and optional earloop are included for a perfect fit, app store extends the functionality of the headset

The Bad: Fingerprints can be annoying, would have liked a carrying pouch for the price, pricier than most bluetooth headsets.

Popularity: 8% [?]

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The Nokia Research Center has another tech tease that gives us a glimpse into one of our many possible mobile computing futures. The so-called, Explore and Share concept starts by placing an N900 onto a “writer” that’s tethered to a PC at a retail store. At that point, the PC recognizes the handset and serves up a number of options to the purchaser. For the purposes of the demo, an unnamed Finn selects an album that downloads to the handset in less than 10 seconds. Less than 10 seconds, wirelessly! If we assume that the 18 track Bruce Springsteen album is somewhere between 100MB and 200MB then we’re looking at a 10MBps to 20MBps transfer rate. Nokia doesn’t admit to what tech it’s using, referring to it only as “a new radio technology.” It’s certainly not NFC which tops out at 424kbps, or Bluetooth 3.0 + HS which tops out at 3MBps. It also negotiates much faster than WiFi (though that could just be editing trickery). It’s closer to Wireless USB’s real-world data rates of around 15MBps or TransferJet’s 375Mbps effective throughput. Or as a long shot, maybe Bluetooth 4.0 which targets 60Mbps (theoretical) transfer rates. Regardless, it’s fast so we have to agree with Nokia when it deadpans: “Sounds great. Doesn’t. It.” Check out the action after the break.

Continue reading Nokia’s Explore and Share concept uses super fast, mystery wireless

Nokia’s Explore and Share concept uses super fast, mystery wireless originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 07:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Popularity: 1% [?]

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We’ve seen Segways built partly from Legos before, but a Segway built entirely from the Legos in a standard NXT 2.0 set? That’s something special.

What’s particularly cool about the NXT Segway is how it balances itself: instead of using a gyro sensor, it leans on the NXT Color Sensor in light sensor mode to detect its angle relative to the ground. It’s controllable via Bluetooth, and has that certain Wall-E-esque feel that makes me feel all fuzzy inside. Complete instructions to make your own are riiiiiggghhhht here. [NXT Programs via The NXT Step via Make]

Popularity: 7% [?]

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Bluetooth technology really is handy and wonderful. Wearing Bluetooth headsets, though, can be a bit of a fashion and comfort nightmare. Enter the Jabra Clipper, which discretely gives any pair of 3.5mm headphones the Power of Bluetooth.

The controls are in the 20-gram Clipper itself, which you can, well, clip to your clothes. It connects to two devices at once, but if you’re listening to music from your PMP, calls will automatically override the song. You also get six hours of talk time and eight days of standby.

While there’s no word on US availability, the Clipper will be available soon in the UK for about $60. And don’t worry! It’ll be our secret. [Pocket-Lint]

Popularity: unranked [?]

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Jabra Clipper stereo Bluetooth headset gets official originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Popularity: 2% [?]

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Is the N900 the most hacker-friendly phone ever created? All sources are pointing to “yes.” Just two short months ago, we saw one determined code monkey turn his N900 into a PS3 controller; today, we’re looking at someone who did the exact opposite. If you’ve memorized the Debian source code and aren’t afraid to dabble in the wild and murky world of N900 modding, you too can one day use a spare SIXAXIS controller in order to dictate gameplay on your Nokia handset. All the instructions you need are there in the source link, and for everyone else just looking to have a watch from the sidelines, hop on past the break and mash play.

Continue reading PlayStation 3 controller used for N900 gaming (video)

PlayStation 3 controller used for N900 gaming (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 13 Feb 2010 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Popularity: 1% [?]

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Yesterday we saw the Samsung Wave from afar, today we get our first close look at Samsung’s first Bada-powered handset. The Wave is indeed the S8500, the first handset to receive Bluetooth SIG certification for the new Bluetooth 3.0 standard.

Ironically, Bluetooth was left out of the list of leaked specs but we will presume that Bluetooth 2.0 and possibly 3.0 is on board. Besides Bluetooth, the Wave will offer a 3.3 inch AMOLED capacitive touchscreen display, five megapixel camera with autofocus and flash, 720p video, DivX support, 2GB internal memory with microSD expansion, HSDPA connectivity, Wi-Fi, 1 GHz processor, 3.5mm headphone jack, aluminum body, 1500 mAh battery, and the Bada OS with Touchwiz 3.0. The Wave has the typical appearance of a Samsung phone with two flush front buttons, a triangular four way navigational button, triangular camera and flash, and brushed metal accents. Other than the performance of the Bada OS, which will have to wait until the first hands-on video is released, all that is left to find out about this handset is its launch date and geographic availability, a not so trivial fact we hope is announced when Samsung officially unveils this handset next week at MWC. [DailyMobile.se]

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Popularity: unranked [?]

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The Jaybird Sportsband is a wireless headset that aims to be the perfect workout companion by letting you wirelessly stay connected to your phone and music while you burn calories.

Design:
Even the JayBird Sportsband packaging exemplifies the fact that the Sportsband is intended for those who work out and are athletic. It’s headband style design seems to be a growing popular trend for bluetooth headphones, since its design is pretty similar in style to the Jabra Halo that we reviewed not too long ago. So forgive us if we compare it to the Halo a lot. But unlike the Halo, its design is not foldable so you’ll need to be careful when tossing it into a gym bag, that it doesn’t break. However, the Jaybird’s Sportsband’s earpads do move and contour to your ears for extra comfort and improved sound quality unlike the Jabra Halo which earpads are stationary. The headset itself is a made of a rubberized material and if bent hard enough, it just might snap, but it is otherwise very sturdy. The headset is also adjustable to the size of your head, allowing for the earpads to fit onto your ears perfectly regardless of the size of your head.

Also, unlike the Halo, rhere are no touch controls on it’s earcups, but instead there are actual tactile buttons that you press to increase/decrease the volume, pair the device and go the next song or answer a call. I prefer this over touch controls on the Halo which aren’t always reliable. The previous/next buttons also indicate that the headphones have AVRCP support, unfortunately the iPhone doesn’t fully support AVRCP so you wont be able to take advantage of the previous/next buttons when playing music.

 

What’s in the Box:
In the box is of course the Sportsband, as well as a USB cable to charge the device, and User Manual. That’s about it – no carrying case or holster for your Sportsband.

Setup:
Typical of all Bluetooth devices, in order for them to work they need to be paired. The same goes for the Jaybird Sportsband. Unlike, the Halo It doesn’t turn on automatically when adjusting the earcups. To power your Jaybird Sportsband, you must first hold down the main center button on the right earcup and wait for a red light that then turns blue. Second, in order to pair the device you must again hold the center button down for at least a good thirty seconds and the blue light starts to turn red and pulses quickly between both colors to begin pairing phase. I paired it first with my Macbook Pro and then my Nexus One, so that they were both paired at the same time. Overall, the headphones paired easily between each device. To shut the Sportsband off you just hold down the main center button on the right earcup again and it shuts off by emitted a red light, and then a slight beep noise.

Call Quality:
Call quality was clear indoors and outdoors. Would I answer a phone wearing a pair of headphones all the time? Probably not, but having that option is certainly handy when you are exercising. I was able to pick up a call and chat for a few minutes clearly without any noise or feedback, and the party on the other end had no problem hearing me either. I was also able to walk pretty far away from my Nexus One without the call dropping out or getting any kind of noise. I would say that I was able to get as far as 30 feet away without audio starting to cut out.

Music Quality:
As much as we love to answer the phone to chit chat, really this device is going to be used for traveling, working out, or just lounging while listening to music. The need to listen to your music with out the pain of wires is becoming more the norm, but sadly the sound quality for these type of wireless bluetooth headsets are usually poor in comparison to its wired counterparts.And unfortunately, in the sound quality department the Jaybird Sportsband didn’t blow us away – the sound quality was just OK. I listened to music on both my Nexus one and Macbook Pro and even the iPhone, and I wasn’t that all impressed. In comparison to the Jabra Halo, the Halo performed much better. The Sportsband exhibited a lot of noise and feedback, especially when I turned the volume up. And yes, you could hear the bass in the Sportsband, but the overall quality of the sound was not very impressive.  I had to keep increasing the volume in order to really feel the music and when I did – it became even more watered down with static… The sound quality did improve, when you played songs with higher bit rates, but most Mp3 players or cellphones will generally not be playing higher bit rates. We had expected more from this pair of headphones since our previous review of the JayBird JB-200 headphones left us very impressed with the headphone’s audio quality. The headphones also don’t provide noise isolation, but that really didn’t bother me as I like to be aware of my surroundings.

Battery Life:
According to Jaybird the battery music time will last 8 hours, the total talk time will last 11 hours, standby will last 250 hours. Well first things first – the Sportsband did not last the 250 hours it claims on standby – by the next day the battery was already dead and I had to recharge it. It’s also annoying because it charges on by the included USB cable that was included and that needs to be attached to a computer in order to charge. The 8 hours of music playback was about right, but because the battery life is sucks on my Nexus one, I never made it to 11 hours of talk time. However, when I recharged my phone and attempted again (the Jaybird had not been recharged) it did last another few hours of talk time. So all in all, it’s battery life is solid, and as long as your phone has a decent battery life – the Sportsband will keep up with it.

Conclusion:
The Jaybird Sportsband definitely has a lot of nice features: earcups that pivot, a very comfortable design that stays on your head, dedicated buttons that you can operate easily, decent battery life, and solid call quality. However the few places were it lacked seemed to overshadow the other aspects that were good, like the overall sound quality for music and the fact that the Sportsband is not convenient at all for traveling without the fear of breaking it. Pairing can be temperamental as well, when trying to re-pair with a device after you switched to another device. If the Jaybird Sportsband and the Jabra Halo got together and had a kid, then maybe we would have the perfect Bluetooth handsfree headset once and for all. To its credit though, the JayBird Sportsband is much more affordable than the Halo as it retails for $89.99 or $79.99 at Amazon.

The Good: Adjustable earcups, sits on your head comfortably and doesn’t slip off, pairs quickly, tactile buttons.

The Bad: Sound quality was just passable and not outstanding, Sportsband doesn’t fold and could be cumbersome to travel with.

Popularity: 19% [?]

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Ah, Bluetooth Special Interest Group, our second-favorite source for mobile leaks (next to the FCC, of course). Here’s two new entries care of Acer, both touchscreen devices with quadband GSM. The Android-powered E110 (pictured, right), however, also touts the AT&T-friendly 850 / 1900 frequencies and A-GPS. As for the P300, it’s got an unknown version of Windows Mobile, 802.11b/g, and Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR. That’s quite a bit of detail for two tiny entries — now let’s get Mobile World Congress started already, give Acer a nice platform to spill the beans.

Acer’s E110 Android / P300 WinMo phones unearthed by Bluetooth SIG originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Popularity: 10% [?]

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