Amazon has the older style Aliph Jawbone discounted to $64.99. This is $5 cheaper than the last time we spotted it on sale. Of course the newer Jawbone 2 is now out in AT&T stores and available on eBay (average price about $130). If you’re ok with a barely older model, head over to Amazon quickly and pick this up before the price rises.

Link:Aliph Jawbone Black - $64.99 at Amazon
Link: Aliph Jawbone Gray - $64.99

Something strange is happening to me. I was having lunch with a friend last week when he suddenly looked up from his plate and said, “I just realized that you drove up to meet me at a vegetarian restaurant driving your new hybrid car with your bicycle on a trunk rack on the back. Who are you and what have you done with my beer-drinking buddy, Chris?!”

Sure, part of my attitude change has come from the upward spiral of fuel costs. I just couldn’t afford to drive a Tahoe anymore so I traded it in on a Camry. I really think that the Greening of America is getting to me. I’m not a fanatic about it, and I don’t know what my carbon footprint is. But when I encounter a choice between doing something that is more socially responsible than the same old, same old, it’s becoming more natural (no pun intended) to take the greener option.

The folks at CREDO Mobile are trying to make it easier to go green with regard to your telecommunications. So if you’re a lazy environmentalist like me, take a look at their latest developments along with an update to my review of the CREDO Solio Charger after the jump.

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Mwave.com brings you this Jabra BT3030 Bluetooth Dog Tag. Plug your old wireless headset in and enjoy the benefits of Bluetooth while maintaining your playboy image. I didn’t check closely but the WifeBeater shirt shown in the advertisement doesn’t appear to be included. On sale now for only $52.

Link: Jabra BT3030: An Adapter Tony Manero would be proud to call his own.

I’m pretty sure that I’ve mentioned this before, but if not then I doubt it will come as a surprise to any of you: I don’t like wearing a headset when using my mobile phone. I’m not sure if it’s because I haven’t yet found one that is so comfortable I can basically forget that I’m wearing it, or if it’s because I secretly think that most headsets look ridiculous. For whatever reason, I have resisted the siren song of the ear roach. But that’s not to say that I don’t appreciate the convenience and safety of handsfree phone use.

I’ve reviewed several Bluetooth speaker devices that were specifically made to use in vehicles, but I can’t recall ever doing one that could also be used in the office. For that, I’ve generally relied upon my mobile’s speakerphone setting, if it had one. The problem is that phones can have vastly different audio capabilities; some you can carry a normal conversation over without TALKING LIKE THIS, and the other person won’t even be wise to the fact that you have them on speaker. On other phones, using the the audible setting will result in an immediate and indignant, “take me off the speakerphone!”

Oh, don’t act like you haven’t had someone say that to you!

The Spracht Aura Mobile BT is a device that says it is the “ultimate option for hands free communication.” Its “dual speaker system” is supposed to provide “crisp, clear audio, loud enough to use in a convertible, trade show, or just about anywhere.” Does it work as promised? Let’s find out…

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This has to be one of the best looking Bluetooth headsets I’ve seen in a while: Plantronics is announcing their new Discover 925 headset today at CTIA, and it looks pretty slick.

Here are the details…

Look Good, Sound Better
The Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth earpiece is your essential conversation piece, blending an elegantly simple design with crisp sound quality and lightweight comfort.

Getting connected is easy with QuickPair set up for Bluetooth phones. Staying connected is effortless with the included, innovative carrying case that recharges the earpiece on the go. Your choice of self-stabilizing eartips creates a couture fit without the need for an earloop.

Hear and be heard in style with AudioIQ noise control technology that automatically enhances your caller’s voice over background noise and the exclusive Plantronics VFrame design that incorporates a microphone boom to increase your voice clarity.
•    VFrame design captures your eye as well as your voice
•    Rechargeable case keeps you in charge
•    AudioIQ noise control technology for clear calls
•    Also available in metallic and jewel tone colors
•    Enjoy    up    to    5    hours    talk    time    or    7    days    standby  from  a single charge

Specifications and lots more pictures coming up…

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Hot on the heels of Judie’s story about Best Buy and the overpriced Jawbone headset, I just spotted an Amazon deal on the same (or similar model) that Best Buy sells for $ 116.99 - Amazon has it for $ 68.88 (with free shipping if you’re in the Amazon Prime club). Warning: Amazon practices what I refer to as “demand pricing” — the more people that order a “deal” the more likely they’ll raise the price. If you’re interested, don’t dawdle - follow this link and order now.

I’m a talker… Always have been, and will likely be yackin’ my head off the day I die.  I… have the gift of gab. We all know its true, so who are we kidding.

With the influx of new devices I’ve got, E-TEN X800, E-TEN X650, and BB Curve 8310, I’ve been doing a lot of talking lately. I’ve been using the Palm Bluetooth Headset since Palm gave me one with the Treo Trip kit they gave all of the original 700w reviewers a couple-three years ago. its been a dependable, and half-way decent headset.  However, it leaves a bit to be desired: the volume isn’t loud enough, and wind noise is a problem.  As such, I’ve been searching for a new headset.  When I was presented with the opportunity to look at the Yada YD-V1 Universal Phone Holder and Headset, I jumped at the chance.  Let’s take just a quick look and see how it did.

All pictures were taken with the E-TEN X800’s built in rear facing camera.

The Yada, charging in my car. BTW, what’s with the blue LED in the middle of the holder..?  There’s nothing on it in the manual and no power going to it…

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Chris Spera called me the other day while I was driving my Alfa. We talked for a little bit, but then I finally had to admit that I was driving a stick shift in traffic, and holding my mobile phone to my left ear was a little bit tricky…since that was the hand I needed for the steering wheel, while my right hand was working the shift.

He, of course, reminded me that they make headsets for that.

I, of course, don’t really like wearing one.

This review will focus on a compromise for people like me, those who don’t particularly like ear roaches, but who know that driving a stick shift with a phone in one hand and a latte in the other (didn’t I mention that?) isn’t the safest way to get from point A to point B.

The product is the Venturi Mini, and what it does is allow you to listen to music from your mobile phone as it streams via Bluetooth over your vehicle’s speaker system (assuming your phone has A2DP), or you can talk hands-free over the Venturi’s speaker system.

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I admit I love wearing Bluetooth headsets for phone conversations (in the privacy of my car). However to wear them publicly, you have to get past the cyborg ribbing and the crazy look that people give you from looking at you like you’re talking crazy. Truth be told, most Bluetooth headsets are not worth the humiliation, let alone the intended quality. After using several Bluetooth headsets (or ear roaches), there are three that I like that perform double duty previously reviewed here, here and here; the rest are a waste of good money.

I think a majority of people would enjoy the freedom that a headset would provide. Two hands on a steering wheel, voice dialing, less face grease on a phone… I’m just talking about in car use only. In public? - There are social rules: never in a restaurant, at the movie theatre, and please, when you’re not talking to anyone, take that thing off. The blinking light is reminiscent of a blinkety blink blink clock on a VCR - 12:00, 12:00, 12:00 - we got it!

Photo courtesy of Aliph

However, there is a Bluetooth headset that gets it right in several ways - the Aliph Jawbone.

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I have reviewed a number of different higher end headphones, both here and at Just Another Mobile Monday. For the most part, these headphones have involved cramming a small speaker as deeply into your ear as possible, in order to a) block outside noise, and isolate you within the music; and b) get the music as close to your ear drum as possible. Given this background, you can imagine why I was a bit skeptical of the AirDrives. After so much time cramming things into my ear canals, it was strange to find earphones which instructed, “if the earphone blocks the ear canal in any way, the placement is not correct.”

These were going to be an adjustment for sure. Not only would I have to change my wearing patterns, but also my expectations. Not only was I used to cramming earphones deep into my ear canals, but I was also used to intentionally blocking outside noises. So, I was a bit perplexed when I read the AirDrive box, which brags about allowing you to hear outside noises and interact with others while listening. Huh?? Why would I want that? Typically, I put on my headphones in order to intentionally seal myself off from the outside world, wrapping the music around me like a cocoon. Then again, I started thinking about all of the times when I want to listen to music, but I can’t because I have to be aware of outside noises…like my children. OK, I thought. This is starting to make sense. I can listen for the kids (who are supposed to be sleeping) and hear the music at the same time. Let’s give them a try.

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