CSR announces its BlueVox2 mono headset solution costing just $5; the world's lowest cost advanced Bluetooth headset. BlueVox2 features extremely low power consumption and zero cost noise reduction. CSR's design incorporates a number of world firsts, including AuriStream for superior voice quality, simultaneous connection of multiple devices and support for Bluetooth version 2.1+EDR. BlueVox2 also presents headset manufacturers with the opportunity to design the world's smallest Bluetooth headsets through an ultra small 4.5x5.5mm BGA package option.

The low eBOM of $5 includes the BlueVox2 QFN chip, together with all of the components necessary for a Bluetooth mono headset mounted on a four-layer printed circuit board. BlueVox2 is incredibly power efficient, permitting 15 hours talktime with a small 120mAh battery. BlueVox2's range of features also includes hardware-based noise reduction technology at no extra cost. CSR's all inclusive eBOM helps OEMs keep their costing simple and predictable.

Just a quick heads up to anyone interested in getting a good deal on a Jawbone bluetooth headset. I found this deal on slickdeals.net and currently has under 8 hours left on the sale, so hurry fast if you want to pick one up. Thanks go to RichardV.

Jawbone Bluetooth headset eliminates background noise so your calls are clearer. It's Noise Shield technology uses an advanced, military grade noise canceling system that continuously adapts to the users changing environment to deliver and receive unparalleled audio quality.

Features:

• Voice activity sensor identifies and isolates your speech and subtracts the unwanted background noise to allow you to speak normally in any environment
• Allows you to hear your caller better by boosting the frequencies that increase voice intelligibility
• Weighs only 14 grams
• Up to 6 hours talk time and 200 hours standby time Range Up to 33 ft

Includes: Multiple sized ear buds and ear loops for the most comfortable fit, Travel (wall) Charger, User Manual and Manufacture 1 Year Warranty.

Iqua announced the arrival of the Iqua SUN (BHS-603) solar-powered Bluetooth wireless headset in the U.S. Following its successful launch in Europe last year, the Iqua SUN will have its debut at next week's 2008 CES in Las Vegas and will hit U.S. store shelves and online retail sites in January.

Based on one of the top-selling headsets in Europe, the Iqua Vogue, the stylish new Iqua SUN is small and lightweight. Even though it measures less than two inches and weighs under an ounce, it incorporates a photovoltaic cell that uses any available light - outdoors and indoors - to extend the talk and standby times of the headset.

Plantronics introduces its Calisto Pro Series offering intuitive design and hands-free capabilities an entirely new way to manage landline, mobile and VoIP conversations.

For anyone who has ever tried to diaper a baby or throw in a load of laundry during a conference call, help is finally here with the Calisto Pro Series. By taking into account direct customer feedback and survey research, Plantronics has designed a compact landline handset with integrated, multi-function Bluetooth headset. Not only can users talk hands-free and multi-task away, they can switch seamlessly between landline, mobile phone and VoIP calls at the touch of a button. It's ideal for busy home pros, occasional telecommuters and multi-tasking parents. Here's a funny video of how the Calisto Pro can help make life simpilar.

Sennheiser announces the delivery of its’ new and versatile wireless headset based upon the Bluetooth technology standard. The Sennheiser BW900 features proprietary Adaptive Intelligence technology to deliver sound quality that is dramatically superior for both the wearer and the connected party, in addition to an advanced ergonomic design, and hot-swap battery changing.

The Sennheiser BW900 is a very lightweight, ultra-compact headset designed for use with Bluetooth-capable mobile phones, office telephone systems, portable computers, personal digital assistants, and the full range of Bluetooth-ready audio-based electronics. Its compact, discreet spiral form and ultra-light microphone “boomlet” make for an extremely flexible fit with total freedom of movement. Its user-friendly controls make selecting and switching Bluetooth signals, and adjusting talk and listen volume levels effortless.

Sennheiser’s Adaptive Intelligence technology automatically adjusts dynamic volume and mic sensitivity to compensate for ambient noise in the user’s environment. What’s more, the BW900 is able to learn the user’s preferred audio settings, remembers them, and applies them to subsequent sessions.

Plantronics put the pedal to the metal with the launch of the Sound Coach, a 44-foot long mobile marketing unit designed to educate and train Plantronics' valued channel partners and end-users on the benefits of wireless headset solutions in the office, at home and on the go.

The Plantronics "Sound Innovation Experience" tour includes:

• self-guided iPod audio tours that highlight Plantronics' legacy of sound innovation, headset technology fundamentals and emerging trends driving headset usage for both businesses and consumers,
• product demonstrations that feature Plantronics' newest corded and wireless solutions for use with office, home and mobile phones, and for popular applications such as, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Unified Communications and PC and console gaming,
• an immersive presentation focused on current headset market opportunities with tips on identifying the ideal Plantronics headset, and
• a brief Q&A session with a Plantronics specialist to receive a certificate of completion confirming their education on Plantronics' award-winning offerings.

The Plantronics Sound Coach's first stop is at the VoiceCon Spring tradeshow, March 5-8, 2007 in Orlando, Florida. The Sound Coach will then visit numerous cities in Florida before driving across the U.S.

Cardo Systems has begun shipping its scala-700 VoIP, a dual-purpose Bluetooth wireless headset for talking while using Skype enabled PCs and laptops as well as hands-free mobile phones. The scala-700 VoIP allows users to chat wirelessly on Skype by voice command for up to 8 hours. A Bluetooth audio Adapter plugs into a computer’s USB port allowing the headset to perform hands-free voice control of phone calls on the screen of a computer or laptop.

The innovative headset offers voice-controlled Skype operation and mobile phone communication in one device. Calls can be made and received up to 30 ft/10 m from the computer or mobile phone.

The headset also includes SWAP technology, which offers users the convenience of switching the headset’s connection between VoIP and mobile phone conversations.

The nXZEN VoIP combines a very good noise canceling headset with Skype as an added accessory to use this same headset for telephony. Earlier versions of this headset were found to have second-to-none noise canceling features. For a user who normally tries to use their cell phone in a typically noisy environment, this model is a must. This year Gennum tries hard to make the nXZEN a holiday stocking stuffer by allowing users to listen to music or chat with friends. Released this month with a street price around $125.

You may not have heard of Gennum yet, but in the past their products have been top notch. Like their previous model the new 5000 model is supposed to improve on their noise canceling ability. Featuring a new digital signal processor which Gennum calls their 'FrontWave Technology', is supposed to shield your voice from extraneous noise using twin microphones and something called the 'FrontWave Extreme' patented algorithm.

The Bluetooth VoIP Kit HBV-100 is the perfect way to stay in touch with friends and family over the Internet. Comprising a Bluetooth headset HBH-PV705 and a Bluetooth USB Adaptor, you can get all the normal benefits of using a Sony Ericsson Bluetooth headset – freeing your hands while you talk, long talk and stand by times, excellent sound quality and comfort among others - while making low cost internet calls.

Plantronics, Inc. announced that Oracle, the world's largest enterprise software company, selected the Plantronics Voyager 510-USB Bluetooth headset system to optimize Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications and provide hands-free efficiency to its global workforce.

Combining the Voyager 510-USB with a VoIP-enabled laptop and mobile phone, Oracle employees now have a single wireless headset to use across multiple applications. For example, the Voyager 510-USB allows employees to use voice commands to log into Oracle Collaboration Suite, listen to and draft new e-mails, and access calendar items, address book contacts, and other information. The result: improved efficiency through faster communications and decision making and enhanced collaboration.

Gennum Corporation, a leading provider of technology for personal audio products, announced the release of the nXZEN VoIP headset, its newest Bluetooth product offering. The nXZEN VoIP headset system is a Skype certified combination of Gennum's nXZEN 5000 extreme noise-cancelling Bluetooth headset with the new nXZEN USB audio dongle. Together, this nXZEN pair creates a powerful, plug-and-play VoIP solution that brings both the simplicity of Bluetooth and Gennum's extreme noise cancellation technology to IP telephony users.

These two headsets were put to the test by Yuval Kossovsky of Computerworld for several days. Both had different prices, styles, and most importantly comfort levels.

The Cardo Wireless Scala 700:

• List price: $69.95, $40 or so at Amazon.com
• Size: 1.5 inches and about 30% smaller than the 500
• Parts: BT headset, ear loop, charger, USB charging cable, and a carrying case that also has a belt loop
• Five-hour charge, the Scala 700 yields six hours of talk time and at least three days of idle

To address the growing trend of businesses integrating both VoIP hardphone and PC softphone technology into office communications, VXI Corporation's BlueParrott B200 Bluetooth wireless headset system and B200 USB cord accessory provides users a complete wireless headset solution for traditional PBX, IP Phone, and PC softphone communications. By easily and quickly migrating between traditional standard phones and/or IP phones and PC softphones in the office, users can enjoy convenient Bluetooth wireless headset freedom at the home or office.