New Jawbone Bluetooth Headset

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2008/05/15/004848-jawbonehand.jpg

Image from Gizmodo (http://gizmodo.com/390592/lightning-review-aliphs-spankin-new-jawbone-verdict-better-and-better)

Aliph (http://www.jawbone.com/) introduced a new version of its Jawbone (http://www.jawbone.com) bluetooth headset today. The new version replaces the original Jawbone and promises a smaller, lighter design with upgraded noise-canceling technology. A PCMag review (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2305360,00.asp) notes the impressive noise canceling technology, which was notably better than the first generation Jawbone: In a series of calls plus 15 voicemail tests, the New Jawbone sounded full-bodied, warm, and detailed—and, with the noise canceling circuitry engaged, there was no background noise whatsoever.Incoming audio performance was described as "crisp and articulate, if a bit tinny."

The new Jawbone retails for $129, but their corporate website has not yet been updated to reflect the new device as of this writing.

Engadget had previously posted photos (http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/14/jawbone-2-in-the-wild/) comparing the old and new Jawbones:


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2008/05/15/005821-jawbone-2-wild-000.jpg




Article Link (http://www.macrumors.com/iphone/2008/05/15/new-jawbone-bluetooth-headset/)

[kjs862]

I been thinking about a blue tooth headset, but the ear plugs that came with the iPhone work just fine; plus you get better battery life my way. :)

[overanalyzer]

Wow, that's a big improvement in size. I always thought the Jawbone looked a bit bulky and square. They've definitely trimmed it down notably.

[Bye Bye Baby]

I just returned my apple bluetooth headset. Didn't get good reception or battery life. Will definitely try out the new jawbone.

[kornyboy]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/4A102 Safari/419.3)

I really didn't like the size of the first generation jawbone but it looks like they addressed that issue in this revision. I also have a friend that has the earlier one and he seems to be pleased with the noise cancelling so that's even better. I may need to look into this jawbone.

[mrwizardno2]

I have a crappy headset that came with an old AT&T phone - I may have to look at this as well. Plus, my friend who works for Microsoft says he gets a decent bit off these things... I may have him order me one :D

[liberty4all]

So why don't they also sell a stereo version that doubles for music/video listening?!

I would love to see a review of how the audio clarity compares to the original -- is the incoming audio on the original also "tinny"?

[Shasterball]

I have the original one and it works great. Best headset I have used by far and people can rarely tell I am on it.

The size reduction here is pretty dramatic -- not enough for me to buy one, but I can see it pushing some people to getting a jawbone...

[stagi]

sweet, I have to get a bluetooth before the CA driving law changes this summer so might have to pick one of these up.

[mdwsta4]

might be tempted as it's a lot smaller than the old one.
does anyone know if they're still using the jawbone specific charging port? or did they finally make it micro USB?

[Rocketman]

I would love to see a review of how the audio clarity compares to the original -- is the incoming audio on the original also "tinny"?

Walt Mossberg reviewed it today on CNBC about 10am Pacific. He says it is a big improvement in size/mass, style, clarity, noise canceling and generally recommends it as the premium item in the category. Battery life about the same or worse. IIRC about $180 or so.

Rocketman

[obeygiant]

The ear piece on the headset was crap. Adjusting it just made it break. The piece never felt secure on my ear. The headset works fine with the iPhone with distance and sound quality and everything. But I couldn't wear it for an extended amount of time, my ear would start to ache. A on the headset D- on the ear hook.

The cheapo Jabra works better IMO.

[mark34]

I have (had) the current version. It worked great but I ended up breaking the ear piece. I am a gadget nut and I baby all of my devices and rarely break anything. It should not have broken. Looking at the design of the ear piece it is not surprising to me that it could break as it did.

I am certainly tempted to buy this, however I will examine it closely to see if they have redesigned that issue.

Performance wise it is clearly the best BT headset I have used, though there are many I have not tried of course.

[BackInTheSaddle]

I have the red Jawbone and it has been a big disappointment. I originally got this because I am often making business calls from the truck. When the noise cancellation is working, it is great but it has been problematic. Also, the earhooks never seem to want to stay on my ear. Volume controls are poor and the overall operation is not consistent. For my money, my old Motorola HS850 was a lot better and far less expensive.

[imac abuser]

I have this Jawbone (original), and I love the headset it works well, but the fit blows. It comes with like 4 different ear hooks and i can't figure out which one actually works the best for me. Not to mention all the little inner ear pieces are confusing. They don't stay in, I feel like once I'm in the car and get it on and put my oakleys over it to hold it in it's ok, but if I try to get out of the car with it, walk or anything else it falls off. I have a 29.00 motorolla blue tooth cheap ass one if it just worked with my iphone. perhaps the simpler ear hook will make it more wearable. Otherwise it's back to an old cheapy.

Chris

[jb510]

I too have an original Jawbone and love it. I've had it 6 months and feel it's truely worth every penny I paid for it. The noise canceling is amazing and surpases anything else I've ever tried. so, if this is even better I'm seriously impressed. The size of the original didn't bother me...

[TuckBodi]

Interesting that people liked the original Jawbone (do you work for them?). I hated mine and thought it was way overpriced for what I got. I always had connections problems to my iPhone, thought the buttons were hard to use and really didn't see/hear any advantages to the noise cancellation. Then to top it off, the first (and only) time I drop it into my pocket, the earpiece breaks off. I thought it looked chincy when I got it in the mail and it was. It'll be a long time before I buy a Jawbone again.

[Chundles]

I still don't get this - everyone I know who uses it looks completely insane as they walk along having a conversation with nobody.

Only place I guess it's useful is in the car (using a phone whilst driving is illegal here and strictly enforced) but that's it.

Just my opinion, I'm sure there are many others to contradict it, who knows, maybe someone can convince me. As an owner of a bluetooth headset I just never saw the point.

[EricNau]

I still don't get this - everyone I know who uses it looks completely insane as they walk along having a conversation with nobody.

Only place I guess it's useful is in the car (using a phone whilst driving is illegal here and strictly enforced) but that's it.

Just my opinion, I'm sure there are many others to contradict it, who knows, maybe someone can convince me. As an owner of a bluetooth headset I just never saw the point.
That's about to become a law in California as well.

You're right, it's definitely appealing for use while driving, and I believe most people just find it convenient to leave it on throughout the day, or at least for the entire duration of an errand or business day, for example.

Sure, it looks a little insane, but as bluetooth headsets become more prominent, this will surely change. So other than that, what's the reason not to use them? It certainly can be nice to have two free hands while talking on the phone.

[Shasterball]

Interesting that people liked the original Jawbone (do you work for them?). I hated mine and thought it was way overpriced for what I got. I always had connections problems to my iPhone, thought the buttons were hard to use and really didn't see/hear any advantages to the noise cancellation. Then to top it off, the first (and only) time I drop it into my pocket, the earpiece breaks off. I thought it looked chincy when I got it in the mail and it was. It'll be a long time before I buy a Jawbone again.

Well, I have tried several headsets and they were all crap. It's too bad Apple couldn't design a reasonable one for the iPhone -- I think they really dropped the ball there.

[Luscious]

Do people that wear this bluetooth ear pieces realize they look like complete and total douche bags?

http://www.surgicalshop.com/health_wellness_products/images/big_douch_bag.jpg

[mark34]

this thread is going a different direction, but I have to lend my two cents.

I think Bluetooth headsets are excellent, particularly while driving. I drive a stick and it is certainly more comfortable and safe to use. That is about the only time I use it. I can see why others use the bluetooth headset WHILE they are on the phone and out and about. But I see people eat lunch with someone and they keep the headset on the whole time. They are not talking to anyone?

I cannot imagine anything more rude that talking to someone in front of you while you have a bluetooth headset on... that is nuts! why wouldn't you take it off?? put it back on when you talk on the phone again. Again, in the car, different story.

[megfilmworks]

Still too Borg like for me,
I'll stick with the discrete and very servicable iPhone bluetooth bud.

[VicMacs]

I tried the now 'old' jawbone and it just didnt fit my ear well... will have to give the new one a try

[vrillusions]

Admittedly I've never tried a jawbone, but I have a Jabra BT150 I bought on sale and it works really well. Has a very comfortable fit and I have forgotten I'm even wearing it at times. Only problems I've had with it are occasionally people say it echos, usually if I need to turn the volume up to hear them and the noise cancellation isn't excellent, but works. I've used it in a large datacenter (anyone who's been in one knows how loud they can get) and it's worked fine.

Headsets can get annoying for me. Main reason is I don't talk on the phone all that much. I have to plan on someone calling me, reach for the headset and turn it on, then enable bluetooth on the phone, then make sure it's all synced before the person calls. I'd love to have a technology where I just take the headset, turn it on, and instantly starting talking on it. But I digress.

[megfilmworks]

Try the iPhone bluetooth earbud. One touch and it takes the call. Easy as can be.

[ntrigue]

I purchased Jawbone II from AT&T last night and I can give my first impressions.

After 2 hours of Talk Time...the headset was comfortable to wear for an extended period of time. It fit my ear from the factory without trying out all the earloops.

The first person I conversed with could detect that I was using a BT headset :( Suggesting, "your service isn't very good where you are." He knows I have AT&T.

The size and fit is wonderful! It rests against the face whereas the Apple BT Headset always came out of my ear and when seated stuck out from my cheek. I feel Aliph found the sweetspot as far as size and design is concerned. The headset emits a white and red LED seemingly from nowhere (much like the iSight LED on a Macbook). Volume is adjusted on a scale by touching the back of the headset; the highest setting is WAY TOO LOUD and showed some distortion.

I will update after more use. Highly Recommended.