What Are Bluetooth Headsets What Are They For And How Do They Work

Since 2003 it has become illegal do use a hand held phone while driving and now carries a $90 fine and 3 penalty points in the UK. Society in general has now realized how dangerous this act is, although it still doesn't seem to concern the majority. Hopefully this will soon change with more and more variations of bluetooth kits becoming available. One of which is the Bluetooth Headset which is also known as Bluetooth Ear Piece. Bluetooth Headsets have become more popular in recent years. This is for several reasons but mainly due to the awareness of phone driving and the consequences of doing so. There are more bluetooth headsets on the market now than ever before. This growing popularity has had many effects on the current crop of headsets. The design of the ear pieces is more stylish and trendy than ever before, mainly down to the importance of the style and fashion in an image conscious generation. For this reason manufacturers have increased the budget for development of newer products. As these products are designed to be worn on the ear and on display constantly, small, sleek, smooth and simple kits are seen to be more desirable. The size of these types of kit have reduced over the past few years and a lot are now around the size of a 20p piece and due to this the functionality of them is fairly basic. So what are Bluetooth Headsets? Actually more like an ear piece than a headset. The device fits into your ear with most having an arm that loops over your ear to hold in place. The device connects pairs with your phone via bluetooth and allows you to answer and hang up conversations via your mobile phone, but without having to touch the phone. The majority of these devices utilize a one button function method for ease of use, in which one tap will answer the incoming call and the next tap will hang up the conversation. The microphone is usually built in to the ear piece to improve the design and functionality. This has its obvious advantages, one of which is these devices allow you be contactable while you drive. Just a simple tap of the device button while you're driving connects the conversation through the bluetooth headset. Meaning you can hear and talk to the contact perfectly while you concentrate on driving. Obviously this reduces the chances of an accident significantly assuming you would have previously been fumbling around for the phone, then driving one handed for the duration of the call. Usually Bluetooth Headsets are easy to use and set up. Almost all units pair to your phone in the same way, you switch the device on, press the button and select the device in the phones bluetooth menu. Once Paired you are good to go, just insert the device in your ear & you can accept all calls coming through your mobile. The quality of the audio produced by these most of these devices is excellent, because the device fits directly into your ear there's minimal interference outside of the ear piece. Most kits come with a 2 watt speaker which produce a good audio range, so they're neither to tinny or too much bass' when people are speaking on the other end. The majority of these kits are used by professional drivers, who are on the road more often than not. However Bluetooth headsets are very cost effective and are definitely useful for all drivers as your device may save your life without you being aware of it. A Bluetooth Car Kit is a device that provides a safe and convenient way to communicate whilst driving.

Koss Headphones For iPod

Continuing our reviews of ipod headphones we move along to the Koss headphones. You can check the whole comparison broken down into price groups on the ipod headphone and earplugs section, but below are the two Koss headphones we have tested and reviewed so far. Koss Stereo Headphones - For $45 this headset is perfect not only for your ipod but also for other activities as long as they do not require much running or jumping that is. Koss Pro headphones - This is the little brother of the Bose headphones, but still good value for money and for a bit less money! Well worth the investment for the DJ amongst you, and perhaps not for the sportfanatic. The Koss headphones might not be for the sportfanatic or the very active

New Iphone App Replace Your Face Lets You Become Lady Gaga And More

Clever Twist today announces that you too can become Justin Bieber’s girlfriend or even Justin Bieber himself with their new app “Replace Your Face” for the iPhone. And so far, iPhone users have gone gaga over the ability to become Lady Gaga and more of their other favorite celebs, as Replace Your Face shot to #1 in the Photography section of the iTunes App Store within 48 hours of its launch. Becoming a star is easier than you might think. Insert a photo of your own face into that of Justin Bieber’s female companion and upload the new pic to Facebook to impress your friends with your newfound celebrity status. Looking to gain a few man points? Replace Chuck Norris’ face with yours and marvel at your instant man-eating abs and grizzled chest – all with the touch of your finger. With Replace Your Face’s intuitive interface, it has never been easier to ‘replace’ the face of a celebrity with yours and your friends’ faces. With over 150 faces available, you can be anyone from Mister T to Mr. Rogers. Can’t find the right celebrity? Try picking from your favorite decade, funny baby photos, or other unique genres including My Little Pony. With Replace your Face, resizing photos is a breeze. Just pinching and twisting the image on the screen is enough to splice anybody into Wonder Woman’s shoes. Editing the contrast is just as easy, which makes your photo and the original fit together seamlessly for a more realistic end result. And with the use of text bubbles, you can make your picture worth more than just 1,000 words. Finalized photos have the option of being uploaded to Facebook, emailed to a friend, or saved in the photo library and assigned as contacts.

Drivers Risk Lives Using Mobile Phones

One in 20 motorists is risking their life by using a hand-held mobile phone while driving, safety experts have claimed. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) said an observational study also revealed motorists in Cork city were twice as likely to be seen with a mobile in their hand, with one in 10 offenders spotted. RSA's Noel Brett launched a new safety campaign and appealed for road users to be aware of the risks associated with using a phone while driving. "The results of this study are extremely worrying, particularly when we know that you are four times more likely to crash if you use a hand-held mobile phone while driving," said Mr Brett. "We also know that the results understate the true extent of the problem as the study did not capture those texting while driving or those using a hands-free kit. "In fact, research tells us that using a hands-free mobile phone is no safer than using a hand-held mobile phone while driving." Mobile phone use while driving became a penalty point offence in September 2006 and is now the second highest penalty point offence in Ireland after speeding. A total of 93,525 offences have been recorded - including 16,000 in the year up to August 30. The RSA is targeting drivers with a radio ad warning them to 'Switch Off, Before You Drive Off'. Garda Assistant Commissioner John Twomey said it is unsafe and illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving. "If caught, a driver must pay a fixed charge notice of 60 euro and will incur two penalty points. If a driver does not pay the fixed charge and is convicted in court, four penalty points and a fine of up to 2,000 euro will be applied," he warned. The RSA study was conducted in December 2009 at 45 locations in seven counties across Ireland. Of 33,949 drivers observed, 1,964 were using a hand-held mobile phone while driving, representing over 1 in 20 drivers (6%).

Usb Car Kit Another Option For Listening To Your Music On The Move

I'm sure you're all aware that music can be played just about where ever you want these days, as new versions of MP3 playing hardware are released almost monthly the choices for playing your music are endless. The Market leader (Apple iPod) are released twice a year if not more often and competitor's release they're new versions around the same time, however is this really the best method of listening to music while your on the move? Granted the main advantage of having an MP3 music player is that you are able to listen to music where ever you want providing your battery is fully charged, after all this the main reason they were designed. However a lot of MP3 devices are not compatible with various other systems, if we wanted to integrate them (iPod being the main exception). So what other ways of listening do we have available? Well a fairly new trend in car audio is to listen to music via a USB stick, new USB car kits connect in to the CD Changer output on the back of your factory fitted radio. This allows the connection of a USB stick (up to 16GB) to be played through your car speakers, which can be controlled from your steering wheel controls (if you have them). This method is much cheaper than other integrated devices and USB sticks can be purchased for around $16 and can hold as much music as the new iPod touch; however the only downside is you can't listen to the audio when away from car or computer. But if you want a cheaper way to listen to the music you love on the move this has got to be one of the best options. USB Car kits and in car USB products are available for around $140

Top 10 Bluetooth Cell Phone Car Kits

Most of today's cellular phones are bluetooth enabled. Among the most popular models, you must have heard about the PalmOne Treo, the Motorola RAZRs, the Samsung T509, to mention a few. There are literally hundreds of Blue Tooth cell phone models in the market today. Chances are, you own one. One of the advantages of bluetooth accessories is their ability to connect to any cellphone as long as it is bluetooth capable. And there is more to it. Regardless of the manufacturer, one can pair a Motorola bluetooth headset with a Nokia bluetooth cellular phone. For those of you who like the comfort of handsfree conversations in your car and do not want to spend an extra $200 for a new car kit every time you change your cell phone, here's what is available. Bluetooth Car Kits can be portable or full installation. # The portable ones usually plug in your vehicle's cigarette lighter plug; some even come with rechargeable batteries and can be moved around, not only in your car, but also used as home/office speakerphones. # Full Installation blue tooth car kits require a professional installer, but this is the last time you will pay for that service. Most of these kits come with a dashboard display in addition to all other hidden components. Most of them have a simple, multi-functional button, which allows to accept, finish, and reject calls as well as voice dialing capabilities. The latest generation of Bluetooth Car Kits now features color screens as well as GPS receivers to be used in conjunction with software like Wayfinder, TomTom, Route 66 etc. Here is the top ten list of best Bluetooth Car Kits. 1. Parrot Easydrive EasyInstall Cellular Phone Kit 2. Parrot RHYTHM N'BLUE CD MP3 AM FM Bluetooth Stereo Deck 3. Blue Ant Supertooth 2 Sun Visor Mounted Bluetooth Speakerphone 4. Nokia Bluetooth Speakerphone (HF-6W) 5. Jabra Handsfree Bluetooth Speakerphone (SP500) 6. Motorola Bluetooth Car Kit (98675) 7. Motorola Bluetooth Self Install Car Cellular Phone Kit (HF820 / 98666) 8. Samsung Bluetooth Car Kit (HKT100BDEG/XAR) 9. Raytel TellPhone 5000 Bluetooth Voice Recognition Car Kit 10. Parrot 3200 LS-COLOR Bluetooth Car Kit Paring any of the models above phones is easy and indicated in any phone user manual. All you need to replace when changing your cell phone is a dashboard phone holder. However, most holders now have universal expandable grips so that the same accessory will work with many of your future phones.

Waterproof iPod Speakers

In these days we can find more and more people who tend to use very day more and more various gadgets and electronic devices because they are the ones that offer numerous benefits and advantages that all of us need in your daily activities. Lots of things play very important roles in our lives like music for example. Music is being listened by people from all over the world because it is fun, relaxing, chilling and can even be a source of inspiration. Lots of people manage to find their selves in certain songs from different artists and that is why many people like to listen to it everywhere they go. Teenagers are the ones that listen a lot to different types of music every day because it helps to relax them and to get their minds out of certain things that bother them. Because listening to music is so popular and people listen to it everywhere they go, the market is nowadays full of different gadgets that helps their users store and listen to their favorite songs. These gadgets are numerous and they can be purchased from lots of places such as stores that are though out a city of from the Internet. On the Internet are found myriad virtual stores that sell lots of products not mattering they are electronic or non-electronic. Nowadays, the Internet became a place that is being preferred by more and more people for doing their shopping because the advantages that it offers are numerous. Buying from the Internet brings you lots of benefits like time saving. Your desired purchases are done just by a few clicks so you have the great possibility of saving time and even money. Because of these great advantages, more and more people can be found over the Internet who make different purchases. Returning to music listening and its importance, we have to mention that the most important and popular mp3 player is the iPod. The iPod is a small but very practical mp3 player that is found in the possession of countless people from all over the globe and the help that it offers is huge. If you access http://www.HqSpeakers.com you will find a lot of things about these highly famous mp3 players. Many iPod owners also have a pair of speakers for traveling. Having a pair of speakers at your iPod is great because you can listen to your favorite music at a high volume anywhere you want. These speakers are being used mostly at camping and the most preferred type is the waterproof iPod speakers. Having a pair of waterproof iPod speakers is great because they are protected in case water is spilled on them by accident. You have here http://thehottestgadgets.com/2009/02/aquatune-waterproof-ipod-speakers-for-the-pool-001975 a short review if them and I bet you will find them interesting. All in all, waterproof iPod speakers are great to have and to use because you know that they will always be protected from water in any place you use them.

Iphone 4 Online Satisfaction Survey

Apple is conducting a satisfaction survey for iPhone 4. In the survey, a questionnaire is being sent to some of the iPhone 4 users. The questionnaire contains a list of questions about iPhone 4. Each question has multiple options to choose from. In the survey various other information is asked like if the user is using any other mobile set and which brand the user considers can iPhone 4 replace. After the press conference held by Apple for the antenna issue in iPhone 4, it was not accepted completely neither denied by Apple that iPhone 4 has antenna issues. Apple has also announced to give away free cases or refund the complete amount if customer wants to return iPhone 4. Apple has also pointed that all smartphones have signal drop issues in consequence of which, companies like Samsung , RIM, HTC have issued some statement criticizing Apple’s claim. Apple has also announced in the press conference the launching of iPhone 4 in 17 other countries and White iPhone 4 shipping. Both of these will start from July 30. What can be the reasons for the survey? Is it that Apple is trying to make customers happy by building a good relationship? Or Apple is trying to find out if iPhone 4 is really good and liked by users so that Apple should not take any action on its production? Or they should think of something new now? Have you also received any survey? What do you think can be the reason for such a survey; please let us know with your useful comments.

4th Generation Iphone 4g Rumour Central Iphone 4 Announced

Apple has now officially announced and presented the world with the Apple iPhone 4 at the WWDC 2010 and we have had a look at all the iPhone 4 features; what is new and what has been delivered as expected based on all the rumours that we have kept you up to date on in this article. You can still see and read all the rumours around the 4th generation iPhone below. Latest news and rumours - iPhone 4 parts caught on videoToday we came across two videos posted on iPhone Portugal blog that appear to be videos of parts for the iPhone 4G / iPhone HD. According to the site they purchased the frames from China, so we are not talking about another “lost” iPhone 4 prototype like the one that Gizmodo got their hands on a while back. Since we are talking about frames for the iPhone 4 it is difficult to say if we are talking about the real deal on these videos, but the similarity with the earlier prototype leads many experts around the web to lean towards this being the real deal. You can see the iPhone 4 frame videos here. iPhone 4 ready for shipment According to the latest rumours the 4th generation iPhone HD is being prepared for shipment in June, with an expected 24 million units to ship in 2010. The same sources also talks about a 4th gen iPhone HD with double the RAM to 512mb and a 960x640 screen resolution. Improved battery life is also expected as the screen is made thinner to provide more space for a larger battery. It is also rumoured that the 4th generation iPhone HD will be made available with a white front panel, another first for the iPhone that until has only been available with a white back panel. Images of prototype iPhone 4th generation Someone was lucky enough to stumble across what seems so far to be a genuine iPhone 4th generation prototype, featuring a new and interesting design, a forward facing camera as well as an improved regular camera with LED Flash, and a smaller screen with a much improved resolution. So why do so many believe this is the genuine thing(R) Well, it has got a distinct Apple finish to it, and it is packed with components marked with Apple. When connected to a computer, even iTunes identify it as an iPhone, and apparently Apple has reported a prototype lost and would like it back asap. Read more and see the images of iPhone 4th generation prototype Cheapest iPhone to date Analysts from Morgan Stanley has also started to show interest in what could be next for the Apple iPhone, predicting that the 4th generation iPhone 4G could be the cheapest to date in terms of overall cost ownership (cost of handset, mobile contract, and usage) and feature the latest technology. It is expected that the iPhone 4G will be cheaper to operate to both secure increased penetration in mature markets in the US and UK, as well as seeking to increase penetration in the important markets in the east, including the Chinese market. Find out more about iPhone 4G being cheapest iPhone to date. Video calling coming to iPhone 4G The new iPhone 3.2 SDK has been dissected and some of the findings indicate that Apple is preparing future devices, including the iPhone 4G for possible video calling. The icons and information found in the new SDK are good news for all those that have been longing for video calling and video chatting capabilities on their favourite Apple gadgets, including the iPhone and the new Apple iPad. Again, these are just findings and who knows when compatible devices will be made available, but it is a good sign at least. References to iPhone 4G found in 3.2 SDK According to recent revelations by Engadget, there are references to a device with the code N89, which is believed to be the 4th generation iPhone 4G, in the recently released iPhone 3.2 SDK and the firmware 3.1.3 upgrade that has come in the wake of the Apple iPad launch. Earlier versions of the iPhone has been referenced as N82 and N88. At the moment this rumour does not reveal anything new about the features and technical specs of the iPhone 4G itself, but it possibly confirms what is expected to be a mid-year launch of what Steve Jobs have referred to as a “Grade A+ upgrade” for the iPhone. The same firmware upgrade also had references to what is believed to be the 4th generation iPod Touch G4 with code name N80. iPhone 4G to feature Apple A4 chip In the aftermath of the Apple iPad launch there has been many rumours that the iPhone 4G will receive the same fast Apple A4 chip that was revelaed in the iPad. If this is the case it should based on reports significantly increase the speed of the iPhone as well as potentially improve battery life, both of which is very welcomed improvements from the iPhone community. Magic Mouse touch sensitive casing According to a Goldman Sachs analyst the iPhone 4G will have a Magic Mouse like casing, meaning the device will have a new plastic touch-sensitive casing. There are many that believe that after 3 years the iPhone is ready for a more extensive design upgrade, although we do believe that Apple will not be looking to change the iPhone too much. Then again Apple is known for pushing the boundaries for design and usability, usually in a positive direction, so it will be very interesting to see what they might do with the coming iPhone 4G in terms of design upgrades. We believe that we could at least expect to see a slimmer and ligher iPhone 4G. Release date for iPhone 4G It is rumoured that the iPhone 4G could see a release as early as May or June this year, while it is still expected that the unit will be officially announced at the WWDC this coming summer, just like the iPhone 3G and the iPhone 3GS was announced around that time, and we know that Apple likes to stick to their upgrade schedule. Doubled battery life, OLED screen, and dual core processor With more competitors launching in the last few months, not to mention recently with the Google Nexus One, it is expected that Apple will be including a better OLED based screen with a higher resolution on the iPhone 4G. The current iPhone 3GS features a 320x480 display, while it is becoming more and more common for smartphones/superphones to feature 480x800 displays. Putting a dual core processor into the iPhone 4G would also improve processing speed, and allow for more efficient use and process handling, something that again could result in improved battery life, which is an issue with the current iPhone models. It is rumoured that the device might have double the battery life of the current iPhone, and possibly even a replaceable battery, although we don’t quite believe it until we see it knowing Apple’s track record in that area. 5 megapixel camera, LED flash, and video calling An improved camera is pretty much given for the iPhone 4G as the current models are some way behind many of the competitors in that area already. With the rumors that the iPhone 4G will feature a 5 megapixel camera, same as the Google Nexus One, comes also the rumours that it will feature LED flash following news that Apple is looking to buy a lot of LED flash camera components. Perhaps even more interesting are the rumours that it will not only feature an improved 5 megapixel camera, but that it will also get a forward facing camera for video calling, possibly a camera similar to what is currently used on the 5th generation iPod Nano. Video calling is big in the Asian market, an area where the iPhone has serious competition from amongst other Samsung. Multitasking with background app processing This is a feature that many were expecting with the launch of the iPhone 3GS but that just did not happen. Now the topic has resurfaced with rumors that Apple has finally been able to crack the issue and will be able to at least offer limited multitasking for selected apps and features. The importance of multitasking for iPhone 4G can amongst other be seen by how the Palm Pre has been focusing on this feature in their advertising, targeting the iPhone especially.

The Ultimate Iphone Accessories All I Want For Christmas Wishlist

If you are anything like me you are always on the look-out for that next accessory for your iPhone 3GS. That little extra that makes your iPhone unique or that enhances its features, protects it from scratches or the elements, or that just shows off your techie-leading status. With Christmas just months away i have found that family and friends starts asking what i would like for Christmas, and every year i find it just as difficult to answer, as i tend to buy what i would like as and when instead of relying on Christmas gifts to bring it to me. This year, to try and make it a bit easier not just for me, but perhaps also a few other iPhone owners out there, i have compiled a list of what i think are great accessories for my iPhone, both that i own, have tested, or want to get my hands on. As i am sure there are plenty of great iPhone accessories i have missed out on, feel free to leave a comment with your own favourites, and together we can create the ultimate iPhone accessories Christmas wishlist. And Santa, here is my list: Jaybird Freedom bluetooth headphones I have not had a chance to test these myself yet, so will have to go with the recommendation from people who have. Who would imagine it would be that hard to find a place that sells these to get a chance to test before i put my money where my mouth is and buy them myself! I love the concept of wireless headphones though, and ones that does not look like a big stick coming out of your ear like most bluetooth earpieces, and the Jaybird Freedom wireless headphones seems to be the best ones i have come across so far. Everyone says that sound quality gets compromised when you use bluetooth devices instead of traditional earphones, but then again i find wires incredibly annoying when out running or at the gym, so i'd rather have a good set of headphones to use at home, and then have these Jaybird Freedom to use out and about. The Jaybird Freedom bluetooth headset is available from Santa's helper - Amazon USA - from $119.99 iSkin Cerulean TX+RX bluetooth dock adapter I actually own these as i wanted to find an easy way to allow me to use my iPhone and iPod Touch with my Focal XS sound system without having to dock with the unit. After searching high and low i came across the Cerulean bluetooth dock adapter and place an order there and then. I find this gadget brilliantly as it allows me to use the iPhone and iPod Touch as normal, right there in my hand instead of in the dock, and i have not been able to hear any significant loss of sound quality from the Focal XS unit while using the Cerulean adapter either. In my opinion a must have gadget for anyone that already have an iPod Speaker dock or another sound system with a remote dock that is not a wireless unit. Read more about the Cerulean TX+RX bluetooth dock adapter here, or get the order in for Christmas from Amazon USA from $84, or from iWorld for $91 Gorillapod multi purpose iPhone stand Unlike other iPhone stands the Gorillapod is multifunctional as its bendable arms allows you to wrap it around pretty much anything, including the handles on your bike to allow you to use your iPhone while out biking, taking advantage of some of the many great apps out there for bikers, including GPS functionality. The Gorillapod's flexible arms rotate and bend 360 degrees allowing you to attached your iPhone to pretty much anything. It uses a strong suction cup to hold the iPhone in place, that according to tests is very reliable so very little danger of harm to your iPhone unless you get too adventurous. This one is a definite on my own Christmas wishlist this year. Grab it today at a Christmas bargain price of $17.99 from Amazon USA - $17.99 (original price $36.95) mStation Mohpie juice pack / charger for iPhone ind yourself out travelling and using your iPhone a lot, then i'm sure you have experience running low on battery, limiting how much you can play with your iPhone before you get to a place where you can charge it (happens to me all the time). The biggest curse of the iPhone is its battery life, therefore the mStation Mophie is an unfortunate necessity, but cool none the less. What is great about the mStation Mohpie is that it doubles as an extra battery and case, providing both an energy boost for your iPhone as well as a protective case, and unlike most other external extra batteries, it looks quite cool. Provide some extra juice for your iPhone this Christmas should a blizzard knock out the power in your ski cabin. Available from Amazon USA for $109.99 Altec Lansing inMotion Max iPhone speaker dock One of the latest models from this well known speaker dock supplier is the Altec Lansing inMotion Max which is fully iPhone compatible and also full of quality sound. The inMotion Max builds further on their long expertise in delivering quality portable speaker docks, as this one comes with a rechargeable battery with up to 3.5 hours of playtime, and no need to set your iPhone into flight mode before docking and listening to your tunes. You can also check out other iPhone compatible speaker docks here. The Altec Lansing can be delivered in time for Christmas even if the post office tries to stop you, thanks to Amazon UK for a very reasonable price of $150.99 (reduced from $229.99). iTunes to create free ringtones The last one on my list is a free one, but yet a great iPhone accessorie; iTunes. Apple has launched their ringtone download service through the iTunes Store as part of the iTunes 9 upgrade, but you can with a few easy steps create your own ringtones from your favourite music as you can see in this little handy guide to create free iPhone ringtones using only iTunes. I hope you have found this iPhone accessories wishlist useful for your own Christmas shopping or for providing friends and family with tips as to what you would like for Christmas. If you have come across other great iPhone accessories please share them with the rest of us by leaving a comment to this post.

Frightbox Possesses Iphones Just In Time For Halloween

SKH Apps today is pleased to announce its frightening new app, ‘FrightBox‘. Boasting to be one of the scariest apps available on iTunes, this app combines dark, gloomy visuals, a slew of eerie sound effects and two chilling features: ‘Possessed’ mode and ‘FrightCall’. This unique iPhone app is sure to scare. Upon opening the app, you are immediately presented with the ‘demons’ sound effects page. After pressing any of the buttons, you quickly find that these are not the ordinary, silly Halloween effects you often hear, but more on the line of sounds you would find in today’s popular horror films. Swiping the screen provides several pages of alarming sounds including zombies, ghosts, screams and more. Along with the sound effects, you can find two special buttons on the front page. One labeled ‘Possessed’ and the other ‘FrightCall’. At first pressing the ‘Possessed’ appears to do nothing, but after a few seconds your iPhone begins randomly vibrating and spewing creepy sound effects. This continues alternating between silence and scary sounds until the button aptly labeled ‘Exorcise” is pressed. Pressing the ‘FrightCall’ button begins a short countdown timer. Once the timer runs out, a call screen opens as if you are receiving an incoming call. The phone continues to ring displaying the caller’s name as ‘devil’. Once answered, unnerving voices come through from the earpiece. The ‘FrightCall’ effect is extremely realistic and sure to surprise unsuspecting victims.

Apple Opting Out Of Environmental Ranking System Forum For The Future

The UK carrier O2 is working with a sustainability advisory group to put the ranking system together. It’s called the Forum for the Future, and it rates everything you might expect, and how it impacts the environment. Rating things like packaging, manufacturing, whether it can be recycled or not, and energy efficiency, among other things. Devices are scored in a zero to 5 system, and there are 63 questions that are “asked” when each device is being ranked. As you might expect, other major manufacturers are jumping on board. Companies like Nokia, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson have already provided handsets for the ranking system. And O2 is actually making a good start, as 93 percent of their handsets currently available for purchase should be covered in the ranking system soon enough. Which is exactly why it’s strange that the iPhone isn’t included in the list. Another manufacturer that’s not present currently is the Canada-based Research in Motion, which manufactures BlackBerry handsets. However, RIM has stated that they will allow their devices to be ranked by early 2011. In a move that may or may not be surprising for most people, when Apple was asked about their position on the new environmental ranking system, the spokesperson said nothing about it directly. Instead, they would rather you look at their own environmental tests, which they publicly release on their website. Apple suggests that the iPhone has a very minimal footprint on the environment. Organizations like Greenpeace have scolded Apple in the past for not being transparent enough in this regard, so this probably won’t help that picture at all.

Best Headphones And Earplugs

If you have gone tired of the classic white iPod and iPhone earplugs, plainly worn them out, or just want to upgrade to some new headphones with better sound and comfort, then you should continue reading. There are many alternative headphones for the iPhone and iPod available in the market today, to be honest you can use pretty much whatever headphones or earplugs you would like as most are compatible with the iPod, while if you want to be able to take and receive calls on the iPhone you will need a pair with a built in mic and control. Depending on what sound experience you are after, what shape of headphones/earplugs, and not to mention price tag, the choices are many. The following are some of our favourites and that I think gives you the best value for money. We have also given them our Republic Rating based on quality of sound and value for money. iPod and iPhone Headphones - Over $150 Monster Beats by Dr Dre Studio Headphones These are the flagship model in the hottest headphones to be seen in these days; the Studio model from Monster Beats inspired by the legend Dr Dre. These headphones are not only about style, but about recreating the sound that artists listen to in the studios, giving you as the listener the best possible listening experience. They are also fully iPhone compatible with a built in control and mic in the iconic chunky red cable. Average Price $320 (prices updated as per 9th November 2010) Monster Beats by Dr Dre Solo Headphones The Solo model is the little brother of the Studio model, but still keeping that style and sound that you come to expect from Monster Beats. They don’t provide the same noise cancellation as their more expensive Studio model but having used these for a long time myself even the noise from a busy road don’t interfere much with the great music being produced from these headphones. They are also iPhone compatible with mic and control on the red cable... Average Price $225 (prices updated as per 9th November 2010) Monster Beats by Dr Dre Tour earplugs If you are after the quality of Monster Beats by Dr Dre but prefer in-ear headphones instead of the classic headphones, then the Tour model might be the one for you. They are keeping with the iconic look and feel of the other Monster Beats by Dr Dre models, and the sound is great from these in-ear headphones... Average Price $165 (prices updated as per 9th November 2010) B&W P5 Headphones Bowers & Wilkins are probably best known in the iPod and iPhone circles for their legendary Zeppelin speaker dock, but they have now also entered the headphone market with some impressive noise cancelling headphones in the Bowers & Wilkins P5. They themselves refer to the P5 as a “concert for one” and they are really impressive both in sound and design. For the price tag you would not expect anything less either... Average Price $400 (prices updated as per 9th November 2010) Sony MDR-NC500 Headphones Sony describes these as the worlds first digital noise cancelling headphones blocking out 99% of surrounding sounds. The sound quality is impressive, and it is especially interesting to hear how the sound picture changes depending on the outside noises that needs to be blocked out. The noise cancellation can also be switched off, which sometimes can be very useful... Average Price $350 (prices updated as per 9th November 2010) Bose Triport Headphones The price of these headphones might sound ludiocrus, but once you have tried the deep and soulful sound of these Bose headphones you will never regret spending the money for the experience of music the way it should be heared... Average Price $240 (prices updated as per 9th November 2010) Monster Beats PowerBeats The in-ear sports headphones designed for hardcore athletes who enjoy their music while working out, the Beats by Dre PowerBeats is the Lebron James signature line so they come with a high celebrity factor. Definitely a set of headphones to consider if you enjoy your music while out running or at the gym... Average Price $270 (prices updated as per 9th November 2010) Monster Beats Spin/Pro DJ Build and designed for the professional in audio, the Pro DJ model should be on the shortlist of any established or budding DJ. These badboys deliver pro-calibre even response and passive sound isolation. Featuring the backward spinning earcups to allow you to hear the surrounding cheers from the crowd while spinning those tracks... Average Price $500 (prices updated as per 9th November 2010) iPod and iPhone Headphones - Under $150 Monster Beats iBeats The economy line so to speaker from Beats by Dre, the new iBeats in-ear headphones are made to work with the iPhone and iPod etc. While they are the lowerst priced of the range, don’t expect them to be of low quality as these headphones will give you a quality sound... Average Price $120 (prices updated as per 9th November 2010) Sennheiser IE6 ear-canal headphones The Sennheiser iE6 with high-fidelity bass enriched sound is another winner from Sennheiser, one of the leading headphones manufacturers in the world. These are designed for tough use with their rugged housing and the kevlar enhanced cable, created to deliver impressive sound in the toughest surroundings... Average Price $135 (prices updated as per 9th November 2010) Skullcandy Full Metal Jacket The Skullcandy Full Metal Jacket packs some strong sound qualities and as the producer says it themselves; “enough bass to rock a mules ass to the moon”. The earphones has a frequency range of 16Hz 20KHz with a max input power of 500mW from 11mm speaker. Read more about Skullcandy Full metal Jacket headphones... Average Price $75 (prices updated as per 9th November 2010) Sennheiser MM50IP ear-canal headphones Sennheiser is a well known headphone brand and has constantly delivered good headsets for the iPod and iPhone, and for its price class the MM50IP with mic is one of them. Consider these if you want ear-canal headphones with a good sound at a reasonable budget. Read more about Sennheiser MM50IP headphones... Average Price $50 (prices updated as per 9th November 2010) Koss Pro Headphones This is the little brother of the Bose headphones, but still good value for money and for a bit less money! Well worth the investment for the DJ amongst you, and perhaps not for the sportfanatic... Average Price $120 (prices updated as per 9th November 2010) Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones For the price the noise cancelling ability of these headphones from Sony is excellent. Hear more of the music and less of the noise from around you. Block out a nagging boyfriend or girlfriend, the bus and the train when commuting, or the boss at work with these... Average Price $45 (prices updated as per 9th November 2010) Koss Stereo Headphones For the price this headset is perfect not only for your ipod but also for other activities as long as they do not require much running or jumping that is. Do however consider upgrading to a slightly higher price as you will hear the difference clearly... Average Price $51 (prices updated as per 9th November 2010) Creative Labs Headphones These are actually pretty good quality for money. The sound isolation is not bad at all and they are quite comfortable for earplugs. Compared with the regular earplugs that will come with your iPod i find the sound quality to be equally good from these at a lower price... Average Price $12 (prices updated as per 9th November 2010) Sennheiser PX100 headphones These collapsible open air headphones from sennheiser has a very impressive sound reproduction. However if you are using them for more than a trip around town then you might want to opt for some more rough headphones... Average Price $32 (prices updated as per 9th November 2010) iFrogz Earpolution Reflex with mic These in-ear headphones have the comfort factor on their plus side as they sit comfortably during all kinds of activities. Where they fall behing however in my opinion is in the sound experience, with what i found the be too flat a sound for my liking. Especially the bass is low, and volume was an issue when used in noisy conditions. Read more about iFrogz Earpolution Reflex... Average Price $24 (prices updated as per 9th November 2010)

Arkhippo Concept Makes The Iphone Fat

You can’t do that with the iPhone unless you have a really flexible neck. A new case concept for the iPhone has surfaced called the Arkhippo. The case makes the iPhone majorly fat. The upside is you could probably comfortable hold the phone between your cheek and shoulder with the case on the iPhone. The case has an angled back and bottom that is designed to let you stand the iPhone up or sit it in landscape mode. The concept measures 170mm H x 83mm W x 50mm D and is made from a material similar to that of Crocs shoes. I don’t think you could carry the phone in your pocket if you use this case.

Philips Dc315 iPhone Docking Station Review

Philips have really established themselves in the iPhone speaker market over the last year with the Philips Fidelio speaker dock, bringing a combination of style and performance to the market. With the DC315/05 they have created a topseller. The Philips DC315/05 docking station is targeting more the clock radio bedroom/kitchen docking station market compared to some of the other Philips speaker docks, and it is doing a very good job at it while looking very stylish and modern in its design. Sound and features The DC315 docking station does exactly what it says on the tin, it provides you with a combination of a charging station for your iPod or iPhone while allowing you to listen to your music either from the docked device or from digital FM radio. Dual alarm settings will allow you to set different alarms for weekdays compared to weekends, or if you are sharing the alarm clock, to set separate alarms to wake up to. You can choose what music you want to wake up to either from your iPod/iPhone or from the digital FM radio. Design is definitely one of the strong points for Philips and their iPod docking stations, and it is the same for the DC315 docking station. The display is big and gives you the time as well as information about music source. As for the sound from the DC315 alarm docking station it delivers well for its use. Featuring 2 x 4 RMS total output power with bass reflex speakers, giving you a nicely balanced sound with a warm bass touch. Overall experience The Philips DC315/05 docking station and alarm clock is among the more stylish in its class, and the performance is also up to the same levels as most other docking stations in the same category, proving a winning formula for Philips. Price point for the DC315 is not bad either at about $80 - buy from Amazon UK - making it competitively priced in its category. If you are after a nice little portable docking station that will fit well both in the bedroom or the kitchen for example, and that provides you with alarm clock functionality, then the DC315 is worth a second look. If however alarm functionality is of less importance, then you might also want to check out the Philips DS3000/05.

Iphone 4 82 Percent Higher Screen Damage Rate Than 3gs

Specifically, iPhone 4 owners reported 82-percent more damaged screens in the first 4 months, compared to iPhone 3GS owners. The company is also not entirely impressed with the aluminosilicate glass, which they reckon “doesn’t seem any less likely to break than previous models.” At least a quarter of the broken glass claims involved the back panel, SquareTrade says, and the company is projecting accident rates of 15.5-percent by twelve months after purchase. Of course, as a warranty company it’s perhaps in SquareTrade’s best interests to be ominous about the figures, but with over 20,000 handsets covered you do have to wonder if there’s still something to it all.

Secret Apple Factory For Foxconn

Steve Jobs himself confirmed that Apple was exploring other ways to address the iPhone 4?s antenna issues at the company’s press conference a little over a week ago. While a full recall is not on the cards, there’s been plenty of speculation that Apple is looking to tweak their hardware design alongside the launch of the delayed white iPhone 4. However, a private, more tightly controlled facility would also allow Apple to work with Foxconn on the next-generation iPhone 4; while the latest model has only been on the market for a relatively short period, it’s no secret that development of the handsets stretches into years and Apple is undoubtedly considering the device that will replace it. Foxconn’s record of secrecy has been punctuated by various high-profile leaks together with employee suicides, and this temporary works might be a move to better control access to development information.

Thesixtyone Brings Music To The Ipad With Aweditorium

We loved Thesixtyone’s take on web-based streaming music, and we really love what the company is doing with its new iPad app. Mashable (Mashable) recently highlighted this music startup’s newly redesigned website as one of the best web designs of 2010. Its full-screen, lean-back/lean-in user experience leaves little to be desired and is an immersive way to listen to great music from independent artists. Similarly, the company’s iPad app, called Aweditorium brings high-quality multimedia and unique content for a stand-out experience that’s already getting rave reviews. Through the app, you can view beautiful photography, read lyrics, explore related artists, watch interviews, view high-definition music videos and a whole lot more. Thesixtyone (thesixtyone) co-founder James Miao told us in an e-mail that ever since the creation of album art as we know it in 1939, the record industry has “captured people’s emotions and imaginations through inspiring, tactile experiences. “Of course, all this cultural texture was lost in translation when music went digital. Today, it’s a third wheel, low-fi, and exiled to Adobe PDF. Digital music interfaces look like Excel spreadsheets — what kind of backwards society do we live in where we’re limiting the genius of a Thom Yorke or Trent Reznor to a single vertical column? “And then Apple released the iPad and I told my partner, Sam Hsiung, ‘We’re going to change all of this.’ ” That ambition is reflected in the app’s name — the desire to bring the awe and majesty of album art back to music. Competitors in the very exciting “music-related iPad app” category include the already successful Pandora iPad app and MySpace’s Romeo iPad app. Both of those experiences offer something slightly different to their users, but neither app has the multimedia richness of Aweditorium. Another thing that distinguishes Aweditorium from other music apps for iPad is its focus on independent artists; currently, Thesixtyone works almost entirely with indie artists, although some majors are playing around with the platform, as well. The app is free and available now in the App Store (App Store). If you’re an iPad user, check it out and let us know what you think.

Perfect Car Kit For iPhone 3g And 3gs

The apple iPhone combines a fully functional phone with a top of the range MP3 player and so much more. However when it comes to getting more value from your iPhone, its difficult to know what accessories are best value for money and worth while investing in and which are a waste of time. Do to the nature of the iPhone, you should be looking for a kit that matches its performance and usability. The iPhone has somewhat revolutionised the mobile phone industry in the past four years. Although touch screen technology was around before, the iPhone's usability and functionality surpassed all its competitors. The screen was more accurate, the navigation more simple and the music storage and playback included in the package is better than any other phone / MP3 player available today. So if you want to improve the functions of the iPhone or any other iPod for that matter you need something that will a) allow the iPhone to do something that it wasn't capable of doing before and b) ensuring the product is the best on the market for what you want it to do, assuming you don't want to just make do. This is usually where people get confused. What do I want the product to do? There are various products available for the iPhone that allow integration into most vehicles factory stereo equipment. (Assuming you want a hard wired connection) which provide a variety of different functions and features. Ranging from full music control from steering wheel or stereo to track and image display on screens, through to Bluetooth functionality for an additional phone. After market technology for OE (Original Equipment) hard ward installed in the vehicle is now better than ever and can improve the driving experience for all road users. Ipod integration into vehicles is now commonplace, a lot of new vehicles are pre installed with them or have the option to upgrade, however this is usually a more expensive option with less functions than most after market solutions. The market leaders in this area Dension offer a wired connection into the back of the CD Changer port that provides a full digital connection and control of the iPod / iPhone when docked. Other features can include Text display, and advanced track search functions, USB integration and iPod charging, Other kits also provide some of same functions and can be just as reliable however Dension cover the vast majority of vehicles and stereos which most other brands do not. Unfortunately one of the only draw backs to the iPod car kit when using the iPhone is that the phone functions are restricted and the iPhone's flight mode is automatically selected. The iPhone becomes an iPod when connected to the system and to date there no way around this, however with continual software updates and improvements in technology a solution may not be too far away? However the quality of audio played is second to none, the full digital connection plays music to the quality of the MP3 or AAC file uploaded to the iPod. Music downloaded from iTunes usually runs at 256bps rather that the 128bps usually written on CD's meaning the quality achieved is far superior. The continual development of this industry also means that improvements to the systems are common, and additional parts and accessories which offer an improved service are introduced regularly. The need for an iPod / iPhone car kit is purely a luxury, its not essential but it is a fantastic way of passing the time when driving. Enjoying the music you love to hear rather than what ever happens to be on the radio or trying to dig through 100's of CD is one of the main reasons for people purchasing these kits. Apple introduced Music on demand, popularised by the iPod. This is extended further now with the introduction of iPod / iPhone car kits. Your music when you want it, where ever your going. iPod car accessories are useful for long journeys, car accessories for the iPod can range from protective cases, to protect against scratches and more serious damage. Through to fully integrated iPhone car kits which provide a digital connection combined with iPod and music control through the stereo/steering wheel adapters and charging facilities.

Ibend iPhone Stand Thin And Portable And Works For Its Purpose

The iBend claims to be the thinnest iPhone stand on the market, making it easy to carry in your pocket or purse, and for that purpose it works and for that reason i can also recommend it. The beauty of the iBend iPhone stand lies in its simplicity. It is not the most robust or adaptable iPhone stand in the marketplace, and if you plan to play with the iPhone while in its stand it is not very user friendly or robust. But if what you are after is something that will hold your iPhone on a table or any other flat surface, allowing you to watch a video or just kick back and enjoy your music, then the iBend does the trick. The fact that the iBend easily fits in your wallet or purse makes it an interesting proposition. One can always ask the question of how many times one actually needs to have a display solution for ones iPhone, but having tested it on the train and on a flight, it is actually quite handy in terms of not having to hold the iPhone while watching a video. As said, in terms of versatility it is limited, as the iBend is only useful for holding the iPhone on a flat surface, as it is literally a thin flexible sheet of plastic like material that bends to allow you to create a craddle like stand for your iPhone on landscape mode. At a price point of $4.99 for a set of two iBends you might ask yourself if you really need it, but then again, it is not more than many of those iPhone apps we are downloading and playing with only once. If you are amongst those that likes to kick back watching a video etc on your iPhone while travelling, or have your iPhone at the work desk listening to music from, then the iBend does the trick at lower cost than most other iPhone stands in the market. Since its first launch, the iBend is now also available in more creative formats in terms of artwork on the surface of the iBend itself. It is also available in branded format for companies out there that want a new way to get their name out there. Perhaps a fun little giveaway as we are approaching the festive season.