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.

The Iphone Finally Tells You Who Is Calling

No Tie Software today is pleased to announce the release and immediate availability of Ringtones Uncensored Pro 6.1 for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices. Antennagate is over and, with Bumpers in hand, iPhone owners will be making and receiving more calls than ever. The big news is that the iPhone can finally tell you who is calling, literally, thanks to Ringtones Uncensored Pro! Users no longer need to remember which song corresponds to which contact. Every caller can be assigned a unique Talking CallerID ringtone using Ringtones Uncensored. Talking Text-to-Speech Ringtones can be both professional and fun! Users can select from dozens of speaking voices, including British Man, Woman, Valley Girl, Jersey Girl, Old Man, as well as funny voices like Devil, Space Alien, Synthesizer and Whisper. “We are users too, and we hate being nickel-and-dimed,” notes Todd Bernhard, founder of No Tie Software, developers of the AutoRingtone service that powers the app. “Users are surprised to learn there are absolutely no In-App purchases or subscriptions. Once you buy the app, which is on sale for only $0.99, you have unlimited and uncensored access to the AutoRingtone.com service. Users can create thousands of ringtones and never pay another penny. This approach has helped AutoRingtone users create over 1,300,000 ringtones since November 2009 and that number keeps growing!”

Alarm Clock And Ambient Noise App

Rock Soft, the new software start-up, today is excited to announce the launch of “ShowTime – Alarm Clock & Ambient Noise” the Modern Alarm Clock app for iPhone & iPod touch(R). Unlike other Alarm Clock apps, Show Time has the all the features you’d want and does it with style. With 58 clock themes and variations you don’t have to keep staring at the same digital alarm clock your parents had on their night stand. Great looks and brains too with feature rich alarm settings allowing you wake up to your own playlist or 8 high quality built-in alarms. And because stressing out building the app kept the creator awake at night, it also let’s you fall asleep to 25 built-in ambient noise sounds or your favorite tunes. From ocean waves to the sounds of a prison cell, Show Time has something for everyone. Show Time also comes in a free Lite version so you can give it a test run or you can also get the free App/Widget for your desktop, social site, or blog. The widget is available for OSX Dashboard, Myspace, Yahoo Widgets, iGoogle, Friendster, Orkut, Bebo, Hi5, and Widgetbox.

The Emergence Of The Portable Bluetooth Speakers For iPhone And iPad

Over the last few months there seems to have been a growing trend of portable bluetooth speakers for iPhone and iPad hitting the market, which could be a reaction to the new Apple iPad and other devices increasing in popularity and creating a demand for more universal compatible speaker solutions. Bluetooth has been around for a long time now, and there have been bluetooth speakers and solutions for allowing you to play music wirelessly from your handheld device, such as from an iPhone or iPad. What seems to have changed is that there are more of these portable iPhone speakers now becoming available in the lead up to peak Christmas shopping season. The beauty of course of the bluetooth speakers is that you can take them wherever you want to go without having to worry about wires or the length of them + of course the fact that they are universal in the way that any compatible bluetooth player can be connected to them. We have had a look at some of the new emerging portable bluetooth speakers that are focusing on the likes of the iPhone and the Apple iPad. Creative D100 Pure wireless bluetooth speaker The Creative D100 portable bluetooth speaker is one that is growing in popularity, much thanks to its simple but stylish design, which includes a range of color options, and the easy of portability without compromising too much on the sound quality. Featuring 2 fairly powerful 3-inch drivers the sound from these boombox style speakers are not half bad, and with battery play time of up to 25 hours on 4 AA batteries you can keep the party going. The Creative D100 portable bluetooth speaker is available from $70 - buy from Amazon USA Supertooth Disco Portable Bluetooth stereo speaker This Amazon bestseller combines being ultra portable with delivering a good and powerful audio quality through its high efficiency subwoofer system. Battery time is also good at about 10 hours, and it charges quickly, which is always a plus. The Supertooth can be connected with any bluetooth A2DP compatible device for easy streaming of music. Get the highly rated and popular Supertooth Disco Portable bluetooth speaker for $120 - buy from Amazon USA Logitech Pure-Fi bluetooth speakers Another portable and handy portable bluetooth speaker from a well known brand, the Logitech Pure-Fi Mobile comes with 2-inch active and 2-inch passive drivers for advanced accoustic audio quality, and it also features a built in microphone so can also be used as a wireless speakerphone. The rechargeable battery provides up to 12 hours of playtime. The Logitech Pure-Fi portable bluetooth speaker is available from $76 - buy from Amazon USA Sony Ericsson MBS-200 portable bluetooth speaker The lowest priced one among our chosen few, the Sony Ericsson MBS-200 is among the most stylish ones with its spherical design and OLED display that gives you track information. But this is not just a stylish little bluetooth speaker from Sony Ericsson, as for its size it competes with the others on sound quality as well. Battery life is announced to around 6 hours of play time and about 40 hours standby. The Sony Ericsson MBS 200 is available from $50 - buy from Amazon USA For those of you that are perhaps after some quality iPhone speakers for use at home, already own an iPod docking stations with speakers, but want to make it wireless, there are options for you as well. Personally i use the Cerulean RX/TX bluetooth dock adapter with my Focal XS sound system. Please let us know your experiences with these portable bluetooth speakers, or give us the heads up on any other ones that should be added to the shortlist by leaving a comment below.

Hasbro Plans 3d Goggles For Your Iphone

If you’ve ever wanted to view 3D content on your iPhone or iPod touch, Hasbro has you covered. The toy-maker has just unveiled its newest creation, My3D, a pair of 3D glasses with a slot for an iPhone or iPod touch. It promises to deliver 3D content and 360-degree gaming. The Associated Press reports that the device is expected to retail for $30 and will be available in the spring. As CNET notes, the device has the appearance of a View-Master, but it’s targeted at both kids and adults. The AP reports that Hasbro was “guided by Apple during the development” of the product; 3D devices and add-ons have a lot of potential, but in the home setting, it becomes a question of available and valuable content. According to the AP, Hasbro says it is working with Dreamworks Animation to develop material. Dreamworks Animation has a number of successful 3D animated hits under its belt — including the recently released Megamind. Hasbro also says it will use content from 3D TV networks like the Discovery Channel and other content from Sony and IMAX. Other partnerships include the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau, where 3D travel experiences are being created. The appeal for movie and television studios seems pretty clear — this is a way to promote upcoming 3D content in theaters or give users a taste of 3D entertainment at home. The bigger question, however, is if there is enough of a lure for consumers to purchase this sort of content and device — and just as importantly, if this is attractive to app developers. Creating 3D content isn’t inexpensive and that’s one of the hurdles that non-video content creators continue to face. For something like My3D to succeed, there need to be games and content that goes beyond advertisements for feature films. It’ll be interesting to see if Hasbro can pull this off. The $30 price point certainly puts My3D in the “why not?” purchase category. Now let’s just see if it can go beyond mere novelty.

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.

Why Not Be James Bond For A While

Venikom Mobile, an iPhone and iPad application development company, today is happy to announce the release of Spy Status for Twitter 1.0 for iPhone, and iPod touch devices. Spy Status for Twitter is an app which will help you lie to your friends about your current location. This app is used by James Bond (Daniel Craig) in the newest 007 movie. Spy Status for Twitter is very simple app to use. You write your Twitter status and choose your fake location. You can be in the Alps or in the Caribbean Islands, even if you are in the nearest cafe in your hometown drinking coffee. “Why not being James Bond for some time? Why not make your friends be jealous for a moment?”, says one of the programmers of the app with a smile on his face, “We have created this app in order to help people be spies for a while. Everyone wants to be somewhere further for some time. We have made this possible only in few steps.” This iPhone app is interesting and very easy to use. You download it, write your Twitter status, choose your imaginary location on the map and post the status. It will be one tempting status on the Twitter wall.

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.

Why Use Bluetooth Car Kits Are There Any Advantages

We are not in the 18th century any more, are we? And you sure have heard about the Bluetooth adapter, haven't you? Okay, just to refresh on the basics, Bluetooth kits are normally devices that you use Bluetooth technology with your A2DP phone for hands-free facility while driving your car. Previously, these Bluetooth adapters were wired with the mobile phones, but nowadays with the advancement of the Bluetooth technology, you can access the hands-free device without wiring of any sort. It is wireless. Yes, in a lot of cars in the 21st century, you will find a Bluetooth car adapter. And why shouldn't it be so? After all, any change that brings about betterment in our lives is to be welcome with open arms. Here in this article, I would enlist what the plus points of getting you a Bluetooth car kit can be. Usability - Yeah, there was a time when handsfree Bluetooth kit was supposed to be a luxury. But in today's times, it has become a necessity. The heavy fast traffic, the upward surge in road accidents and sometimes, just the irresistible attraction of the merits of the hands-free facility is enough for to make anyone go for one. In simple words, if you HAVE a car, you NEED a Bluetooth adapter. Cost-effectiveness - Well, it would not have been possible for every other mobile phone owner with a car to go for a Bluetooth car kit if it was priced sky-high. But the advancement of the Bluetooth technology and competence of the Bluetooth car kit manufacturing brands made it absolutely possible for the general public to avail of this great facility. Great quality at low costs is the order of the day. Legal - Did you know that in most countries, handling mobile phones while driving is ILLEGAL? And that's why the Bluetooth kit is so necessary. With a Bluetooth car kit, you can save your day if a traffic officer comes pouncing on you. Remind yourself of the story I told you at the beginning of this article. You want a handsfree not to get your car confiscated or be charged a hefty fine just for talking to your mum while driving to your office. And not only these, the user's experience including the high quality sound and crystal clear picture, along with the addition of new features to the Bluetooth adapters every day make it a must to be had in every car. From the plain old MP3 players or other car audio players, you may not be able to get the audio and video output quality and ease that you get from the regularly updated Bluetooth car kits. To sum it up, if you are a passionate car addict as I am, and want to enjoy every bit of your driving, go get yourself the latest Bluetooth car kit in the market. It's the driving experience that counts in the end. Remember, if you OWN a car, you NEED a Bluetooth car kit. A Bluetooth Car Kit is a device that provides a safe and convenient way to communicate whilst driving. Your Phone can connect to the Car Bluetooth system and ensure you and other road users remain safe.

Best Iphone Speakers

Due to popular demand we have decided to create this overview of best iPhone speakers, this is in addition to our best iPod speaker dock reviews, as not all iPod speaker docks are fully iPhone compatible. In this iPhone speaker overview you will find information about available speakers for iPhone, full reviews and ratings where we have had a chance to test the speakers, and information about where you can buy the best price iPhone docking stations and sound systems. One of the reasons why many iPhone owners are looking for speaker docks that are fully compatible with the iPhone 4 / 3GS / 3G is that they will have the GSM shielding, meaning you will not get the annoying buzzing interference when you do not have your iPhone in ‘flight mode’. If you usually use your iPhone in ‘flight mode’ when listening to music then you can safely use most of the docking stations and speaker docks on our best iPod speaker dock overview, including the likes of B&W Zeppelin, Focal XS, and Bose Sounddock. If you prefer not to have your iPhone in flight mode whenever you listen to music on your docking system, then these iPhone speaker docks have GSM shielding amongst other things. Update! With the launch of the iPhone 4 there has been many questions around compatibility with excisting iPhone speaker docks, but so far it looks like all of these will work fine with the iPhone 4 as well. Philips Fidelio DS9000 iPhone speakers With the Philips Fidelio DS9000 speaker dock the likes of the B&W Zeppelin have received a serious competitor both in terms of design, but more importantly quality of sound. The design might not be as unique, but the DS9000 is a great looking sound system, and it can also run on battery. It delivers a very rich and clear sound that is not rivaled by many iPhone speaker docks in its class. B&W Zeppelin iPhone docking station The B&W Zeppelin is already a legend in the speaker dock market with its unbique design and quality design. We have earlier tried to cover if the Zeppelin is iPhone compatible, and now we can confirm from the people at B&W themselves that the Zeppelin is indeed iPhone compatible, although it does not carry the ‘Made for iPhone’ mark. According to B&W the Zeppelin does have GSM shielding and works fine with the iPhone not in flight mode. B&W Zeppelin Mini iPhone speakers This is sure to be a hot iPhone speaker dock this Christmas season, as the latest edition from B&W, producers of the legendary Zeppelin speaker dock, has produced the Mini Zeppelin, packed with the same great features as its big brother. The B&W Zeppelin Mini does look different as it does not features that same classic Zeppelin design, but inside there are a lot of great features and sound, and it definitely still looks attractive. The Zeppelin Mini is definitely one to consider if you are after quality for money, and the good news is that it is slightly lower priced than its big brother... Bose SoundDock Portable The Bose SoundDock Portable iPhone speaker dock brings the best of the Bose technology that is normally found in their slightly larger speaker docks into this portable unit that runs on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Expect quality sound from this speaker dock with full iPhone compatibility. iHome iP1 Studio speakers for iPhone With the iHome iP1 studio series iPhone speakers this well known producer of iPhone and iPod speaker docks have taken a step up in the world of speaker docks to challenge the likes of B&W and Bose - delivering a system that will be a good investment for the more critical music lovers amongst us. The iHome iP1 for iPhone looks cool, and sounds great, so definitely one to consider before investing in your iPhone sound system... Beats by Dre Beatbox One of the most awaited iPhone speaker docks of the year from renowned headphones producers Monster Beats by Dre. The Beatbox should be on the shortlist for all that are after a speaker dock that will keep the party going and provide you with quality audio with power. We expect the Beatbox to give the Zeppelins of the speaker dock world a run for their money this year... Altec Lansing inMotion MAX Altec Lansing has just recently launched their new flagship portable iPhone speaker dock, the inMotion MAX that combines the best of the iM600 with the iPhone functionality of the T612. The inMotion MAX comes with chargeable battery that has a playing time of about 3.5 hours, and features GSM blocking functionality that allows you to listen to music on your iPhone without having to set it to flightmode before docking it into the inMotion MAX. No interference and quality sound, what more can you ask for from your iPhone speaker dock... Edifier IF500 Luna 5 iPhone speaker The Edifier IF500 Luna 5 is definitely another one of the iPhone sound systems that catches your eye immediately with its unique design, kinda spacy and futuristic really. Have to admit that at first i was not 100percent sold on the design, but it is actually growing on me. But the Edifier IF500 Luna 5 is more than a nifty designed iPhone speaker dock, it also comes packed with high quality sound and functionality, turning it into a strong contender for the right to have your iPhone docked blasting your music... Vestalife Firefly iPod speaker dock The Vestalife Firefly iPhone speaker dock is an award winning portable speaker dock that is fully compatible with the current iPhone models, securing it the coveted innovation award at the CES 2010, much thanks to its brilliant design and functionality in its price class. We are sure this will be a very popular iPhone speaker dock, both with the image conscious iPhone owner as well as with the ones looking for a different speaker dock that is both functional and funky. Logitech S715i Portable Speaker dock This peanut actually packs an impressive sound with its 8 drivers, with a lot of reviewers being impressed given its price point and its portable capabilities. The logitech s715i has been made with simplicity and quality in mind, stripping away unnecessary elements such as FM radio etc. and focusing on delivering quality portable sound. Altec Lansing T612 iPhone speaker dock The Altec Lansing is one of the few iPhone speaker systems we have come across that is made to compliment the full functionality of the iPhone 3G. There is no need to turn on the ‘flight mode’, instead the Altec Lansing gives priority to a call when someone calls you while the iPhone is docked to the system playing music. Keep your room filled with the sound of 60 watts power RMS (120 watts peak) and enjoy your iPhone fully without missing out on those important calls, unless you want to of course... JBL OnStage IIIP Portable loudspeaker This is an ultra-portable iPhone speaker dock that like the Altec Lansing will allow you to listen to music on your iPhone without the GSM buzzing sound you will sometimes get when the iPhone is not in flight mode. Despite its small and compact size, it does provide a good sound through its many proprietary technologies that combined delivers a clear sound with a good bass level...

The Ultimate iPod Speaker Amplifier From Podspeakers

The Podspeakers amplifier is the perfect companion for the Podspeaker range from Scandyna. Its innovative and audiophile sound are combined in this stylish and groundbreaking stereo amplifier. It’s versatility is another quality as it can stand on feet or it can be wallmounted. The spesifics of the Podspeaker amplifier is 2x50 watts with only 0.12% distortion between 1 watt and 25 watts. It comes with 4 stereo inputs, 1 sub out you can use with tv and mp3 players. Dully compatible with the Minipod, Micropod, Drop and Megapod. Available from the following merchants: Amazon.co.uk - $679.99

iPod Fm Transmitters Offer Good Value For Car Audio

There are a lot of different types of transmitters available to purchase, each differs in performance and quality. As with everything else in life you get the good and the bad. The problem with transmitters is that the bad are very bad and give the other products a poor reputation on the back of theirs. FM Transmitters by nature are designed with a slight fault, in that they are prone to interference from other signal frequencies. This can manifest in two ways either the transmitter signal is blocked because the other signal is stronger or interference is received over either audio playback, resulting in echo, buzz or both. The actual quality of the audio being played through the transmitter is generally quite good. Most genuine products such as Griffin iPod FM transmitters, Dexim and or Logic3 offer audio equivalent to a good radio station (radio 1 for example) however its generally expected if you use a frequency close to a powerful local or national station you will receive a little interference at some point during connection. The solution to this problem however is simple. Firstly select a signal which is clear of any radio stations, this will reduce the amount of interference heard, secondly if your frequency picks up any in the future simple change frequency. The Griffin iTrip Fm Transmitter for example has 3 pre-set frequencies to change to if you do happen to receive quality issues with the current settings. FM Transmitters are a good solution if you only want a simple iPod input in your car, If for example you don't need an integrated kit that offers full digital quality, iPod control and text display the Transmitter could be the kit for you. A small saying that my granddad used to say to me "you get what you pay for" generally rings true in all walks of life. If you buy a cheap transmitter you should expect the performance to be poorer than other kits, from our experience the griffin tend to offer the best all round performance in the iPod FM Transmitter world.

Communicate And Driving Is Safer With Bluetooth Car Kit

Since mobile phones have saturated the market, this gadget has proven to be of much use to everyone aside from being handy. In fact, among all other things which you need to bring with you, mobiles have become a necessity. Without it, we get a feeling that something is missing. Why? Because it is our way to always be in contact with our families, business and social groups. We bring it with us even in churches. The moment it rings, it is a must for us to pay attention to it. And this is the very main reason why drivers still pick up their phone although they are aware of the risks. Solutions has arrive! Unfortunately there isn’t a solution for improving the stupidity of other road users like the old gentleman, however there will more than likely be a solution for improving your safety if you wanted to use a mobile device’s functions. There are numerous gadgets to allow the connection of your mobile phone to your vehicle, each type offering different functions and features. Generally speaking the more you spend the better system you get. The emergence of the Bluetooth car kits can resolve this issue. Paired with your mobile phone, the Bluetooth car kit provides the wireless connection allowing you to make a phone call or answer a call while driving. This is safer because you can still continue your driving, pay attention on the road and at the same time communicate using your mobile with no bother of holding it with your hand. Handsfree Bluetooth car kits come in two forms. An integrated kit that connects into the vehicles stereo system, auto muting the music and offering numerous other features. Or a universal kits that either connect to the sun visor, dashboard or directly into your ear. The hard wired kits offer better quality functions than the universal kits. The auto-mute function is very handy, Its surprisingly inconvenient to reduce the volume on the stereo every time you answer a call. Other features can include text navigation to save you manually routing through menu structures, iPod or MP3 connectivity, steering wheel controls, Text to speech TEXT message service reading incoming Text messages when required and Voice Dial. Universal Kits usually offer a basic handsfree service, Answer and hang up calls and sometimes phone book compatibility. However the main advantage of having a universal kit in your car is that it is removal allowing you add to any vehicle you may drive. This is especially useful if you have a family of drivers. Conclude We still have to remember that when you drive, you always have to have presence of mind. As a driver, you have the responsibility to be cautious enough by following driving and traffic rules. It is only you who can actually assess if you can do both things. Nevertheless, it is honest to say that the Blue-tooth kits will definitely help in the safety of not just the phone drivers but also the passengers and the other road users.

5 Fun Iphone Accessories For Kids

As more and more kids are toting iPhones and iPod touches, we thought we’d take a look at the child-friendly accessories that are now available for the new gadget-loving generation. We’ve found five fun products that will suit a wide age range of kids, from the toddler borrowing Mom’s iPhone right up to older children with devices of their own. And with news from the Duracell Toy Report that the iPhone and iPod touch are currently dominating children’s Christmas wish lists this year, it’s a market that we expect to see growing rapidly. Do your kids have their own gadgets? Do you loan yours out to them? Should kids even be playing with iPhones and iPods? Have your say and let us know what you think in the comments below. 1. Woogie Billed as the answer to the question — “Can I play on your iPhone?” — the oddly named Woogie is a fun way of child-proofing your precious Apple handheld. Boasting built-in speakers, a screen protector to guard against sticky fingers, and plushy limbs to cushion the inevitable fumble, it’s the wise parent’s way of turning an iPhone into a toy before handing it over to junior. Cost: $19.99 2. Buzz Lightyear iDance Assuming your offspring likes Toy Story (which is a pretty safe bet), this eight-inch Buzz Lightyear will be a big hit with your kids. Buzz spouts pre-programmed phrases, and there is a line-in to hook up an MP3 player to blast your music through his speakers. When the music hits the airwaves, Buzz busts a move, which will keep your kid dancing alongside him for hours. Cost: $39.99 3. MyPhones You can protect your child’s delicate hearing with these specially designed headphones. The MyPhones have an automatic volume minimizer that caps the audio at a sensible 85 decibels so kids don’t harm their eardrums listening to Raffi’s blistering guitar solos. MyPhones come with three colorful ear cap designs and there’s also the fun option to design your own. Cost: $39.99 4. iHome Portable Speaker Case This is a great option for older kids with their own gadgets, or as a way to protect yours if you’re going to be handing it over to smaller children to play with. As a case, it offers robust protection, with shoulder straps and a splash-proof design. The iPod or iPhone can be controlled via the see-through window while the battery-powered, built-in speakers are a great for boosting the sound when sharing the screen with a buddy. Cost: $79.99 5. iHome Desk Organizer Lamp and Speaker We think this would make a great gift for an older child. This desk organizer holds pens, pencils and other clutter neatly, offers some desktop illumination and boasts a built-in speaker that will work with iPods and iPhones. Best of all, it’s available in a range of bright colors to match the bedroom decor. Cost: $29 BONUS: Seat Buddy Although not the most exciting-looking present for a child to receive, we think the Seat Buddy could become an indispensable part of a traveling parent’s arsenal. The Seat Buddy will hold an iPod or iPhone securely against a car (or airplane) seat to help keep young ones entertained on long journeys. Cost: $20, or two for $30

A History Of Dension iPod Car Kits

iPod Car Kits started out back in 1999 with Dension, they were the original manufacturer of the very first iPod Car Kit. Back then, the kids were very basic. The very first kit started out with just an audio feed (similar to an Aux input from the iPod to the stereo) but before long Dension wanted to improve the kit and next came along a feature which is still regarded as one of the most important; Charging the iPod while connected. Apple have made hard work of keeping this feature as of late when they changed the charging from 12v to 5v but Dension have bounced back with an update in hardware inside their units. In 2003 Dension realized that there was a big market for iPod kits and wanted to improve on the kit even more. Along came two more important changes. The first was the introduction of a cradle, cleverly designed in a "one size fits all" base where you simply add an insert/sleeve which makes it fit your iPod. The second introduction was the ability to be able to control the iPod from the car stereo. In its first stages, this was set up based around playlist control. You would map your playlists on the 1-5 buttons on your car stereo and when you wanted to change playlists you could then simply press button 3 for example. Within 6 months, this advanced and you could also skip tracks forwards and backwards as well as rewinding and fast-forwarding. In 2006 Dension pushed the "control" feature further and introduced another two features. The first this time being a mode which allows you to change the control back to the iPod so it doesn't lock out the iPod when connected. This was great for people who couldn't get along with the playlist mode. The second improvement was one of the most important thus far, Artist, Album, Podcast, Track control; Now instead of only being able to control the iPod using playlists, you could now change the mode and search by artists, or albums, or anyway you wanted! Dension moved forwards quickly with more products coming rapidly. 2007 saw the debut of the very first iPod kit to have an optional "add-on" to allow bluetooth connections through the iPod kit and your car stereo and steering controls. This meant that using your phone in your car was now seemless. Next came the AV Extender, a clever device which allowed you to play the iPods videos onto your cars screen (or an external screen if needed). This sold out 3 times in its first 2 months. Dension are now still the market leaders and constantly producing new products. Their line up now includes the Dension Gateway 100, Gateway 300, Gateway 500 MOST, Gateway 500 D2B, AVR, BTA1500 and much more! Dension products are available from many Online iPod Car Kit Stores.

Apples Quarterly Revenue Tops 20 Billion

Days after shares of Apple eclipsed $300 a piece to hit an all-time high, the company is out with its latest earnings report, and with it, another milestone: $20 billion in quarterly revenue. Specifically, the company brought in sales of $20.34 billion for its fiscal fourth quarter and a net profit of $4.31 billion, both best-ever quarterly performances. Breaking it down by product, Apple reports sales of: * 3.89 million Macs, up 27% from the same quarter last year * 14.1 million iPhones, up 91% from the same quarter last year * 9.05 million iPods, a decline of 11% from the same quarter last year * 4.19 million iPads (which wasn’t available last year) In a statement, CEO Steve Jobs noted that the company has moved past BlackBerry in terms of smartphone sales. “iPhone sales of 14.1 million were up 91 percent year-over-year, handily beating the 12.1 million phones RIM sold in their most recent quarter. We still have a few surprises left for the remainder of this calendar year,” he said. Among those surprises could be a Verizon iPhone, which looks increasingly likely given the company is set to start offering the iPad on Verizon later this month. We’ll be listening in to the company’s conference call and providing further updates as they happen.

Theodolite Ar Viewfinder With Gyro Compass Fusion

Hunter Research and Technology today released Theodolite 2.1 on the iTunes App Store. This novel multi-function augmented reality viewfinder app serves as a compass, GPS, map, zoom camera, rangefinder, and two-axis inclinometer. Theodolite became the #1 selling navigation app in the US and UK App Stores in December 2009 after being featured by Apple in the New and Noteworthy category of the iTunes App Store, and broke into the Top 40 Paid Apps ranking in the US and Top 20 in the UK. Based on the concept of a centuries-old astronomical instrument, Theodolite overlays real-time information about position, altitude, bearing, range, and horizontal/vertical inclination on the iPhone’s live camera image, turning the iPhone into a sophisticated electronic viewfinder. Theodolite lets users take geo-stamped camera images directly from the app with 2X and 4X digital zoom options, and contains a built-in map with standard, satellite, and hybrid views. Uses are endless, and the app is great for navigation, outdoor sports, home projects, and photography. Theodolite is used in the field by surveyors, geologists, architects, engineers, military personnel, competitive sportsmen, and search and rescue workers around the world. Theodolite comes in three versions – Free, Basic, and Pro – to cover a range of customer needs. The flagship Theodolite Pro includes features for serious users, such as a zero reference angle mode, an A-B calculator for height, distance, heading, position, triangulation, and relative angles, e-mail export with KML data, system-wide clipboard integration, percent grade display, optical rangefinders, military grid reference system (MGRS) coordinates, universal transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates, and four latitude/longitude formats.

How To Pair iPhone Blackberry And Nokia Phones To A Parrot Car Kit

Pairing Bluetooth car kits with mobile phones can prove challenging. Different manufacturers and sometimes individual phones, set up Bluetooth connections with different menus and selections. This guide shows how to pair iPhone 4, BlackBerry Curve 8900, and Nokia E72 phones with an MKi9100 Parrot car kit and accompanies a video on each. People often navigate their phone menu system knowing that they need to achieve a Bluetooth connection, but without any idea how to achieve this. This is not surprising as there are so many different mobile phones on the market, and therefore many different ways of setting up the same Bluetooth function. Often if a successful connection is made, this is down to luck rather than understanding. Here in this guide we set out the pairing Bluetooth procedure for three different brands of phone; the iPhone 4, BlackBerry Curve 8900, and the Nokia E72. This guide should be similar for other phones from these manufacturers, however they are not guaranteed to be the same. For other brands of phone, it is easier to get an understanding of what functions need to be found, by seeing these three sets of menu selections. A mini screen MKi9100 Parrot car kit was used for the pairing of each phone. To begin with it is necessary for the mobile phone to be within Bluetooth range, this means the phone should be inside the car and the vehicle engine needs to be switched on. Pair iPhone 4: 1. Select main menu - Settings - General - Bluetooth, 2. Turn Bluetooth on, 3. Select Parrot device and enter MKi default code '0000'. Pair BlackBerry Curve 8900: 1. Select BlackBerry Menu button - Manage connections - turn Bluetooth on - Set up Bluetooth - Search, 2. The phone finds the MKi9100 device, click on this to select it, 3. Enter the MKi default code '0000' to complete pairing, 4. Before clicking "Yes" on the phone to connect to the Parrot kit, tick the box that says "don't ask this again", for automatic pairing each time the phone enters the car. Pair Nokia E72: 1. Select function buttons: Menu - Ctrl. panel - Connectivity - Bluetooth (for first time Bluetooth use the phone will need to be assigned a name), 2. On this menu there are three tabs - "Settings", "Paired devices" and "Blocked Devices" scroll right on the main navigation button for the second "Paired devices" tab, 3. Click on Options - New paired device - More devices, 4. The phone searches for the kit, when found click on it and enter MKi default code '0000', 5. Click yes to "Authorise device to make connections automatically" (for automatic pairing on entering the car), 6. Click yes to "Authorise device to accept connection" (to synchronise contact address book from phone to car). In most cases these steps will prove to be sufficient however if pairing fails, it can be of assistance to set up the Parrot kit to look for a phone to pair with. Set up the MKi9100 Parrot Car Kit to Look for Phones: 1. Click scroll wheel and turn until reach "Settings" (click to select), 2. Click scroll wheel to select "Bluetooth", 3. Turn scroll wheel till reach "Pair with" (click to select), 4. Click to select "Other phones". Once paired each of these three phones should now benefit from automatic address book synchronisation, from phone to the Bluetooth car kit. This allows caller ID to be shown on the Parrot car kit screen and is a common feature of all kits that have a display.

Using Sat Nav On The iPhone 3g And iPhone 3gs

Since the iPhone 3G launched last year with built in GPS and the new iPhone 3GS launch this year, people have been calling out for a proper Satellite Navigation Application for it. Well, after a long wait, iPhone OS 3.0 finally provides support for turn-by-turn navigation. TomTom were the first company to announce a ‘proper’ Sat Nav solution for the iPhone at last months Apple Developers Conference. TomTom demonstrated the software and introduced the TomTom Cradle – an optional extra to help you get the most out of their mapping software, but they didn’t announce any pricing or release dates. This week though saw the release of the first two Sat Nav apps, and surprisingly TomTom weren’t one of them! First to launch were Navigon - MobileNavigator: Europe came first, with MobileNavigator: British Isles appearing in the App Store this morning. (Both are available now from iTunes and clicking the links will launch iTunes and take you directly to the App Store). Second to release a full turn by turn App is Mobile Maps 2009 by Sygic. From the reviews it’s getting, it’s a better option than Navigon as it has a few more features such as full postcode search. Depending on your budget and what you want to achieve in your car, there are a number of options available: 1. iPhone Rotating Car Holder. If you don’t want to break the bank and just want a simple, no fuss solution, then you’ll need to get yourself an iPhone 3G Car Holder and iPhone Car Charger. The holder simply fixes to your windscreen using a suction cup and can be used in either landscape or portrait mode. 2. Brodit Active Holder for iPhone 3GS. If you don’t like having things stuck to your window or the tell tale circle on the glass that says you have a Sat Nav system, then you should also consider a Brodit Active Holder for the iPhone 3GS. These are phone specific cradles that will hold your iPhone securely and have a car charger wired into them, so there is no need to fiddle with cables. They are made from a strong ABS plastic and have a soft touch coating to prevent your phone from getting scratched as you use the holder. You can use your iPhone in both landscape and portrait modes as these holders have a rotating bracket. Brodit Active holders are designed to be screwed onto your dashboard, although if you don’t fancy doing this you can use a Brodit Pro Clip. These are secure mounting pads that clip on to your dashboard and can be removed without causing any damage to your vehicle. ProClips provide an ideal base for fixing an active holder on to. TomTom on iPhone 3G If you plan on using the TomTom software, then this is probably your best option. The TomTom Car Kit does just about everything you need all in one small discrete holder. The suction mount can be fixed to either your windscreen or dashboard (using a fixing plate) and can be rotated for use in either landscape or portrait mode. As well as holding your iPhone, the TomTom Car Kit will boost your GPS signal for improved tracking; it has an FM Transmitter that allows you to play music from your phone through your stereo speakers, and a built in loudspeaker for the voice navigation while you’re driving. Pricing and availability are still to be confirmed. Music Streaming, Hands-Free Calling and Navigation If you really want to get the best from your iPhone and want an in car set up that can be used with your iPhone 3G / 3GS for handling calls, music and navigation there are a number of Plug & Play and professionally installed options available. There are a few iPhone 3GS Plug & Play Car Kits that will work with the iPhone 3G, and the Jabra SP700 is one of the best. The Jabra SP700 is a self install Bluetooth Car Kit that simply clips to the sun visor of your car and pairs to your iPhone using Bluetooth. The SP700 supports the A2DP profile, which means that you can stream your music to it over Bluetooth and listen to it either using the speaker in the SP700 or you can stream the music from the SP700 to your car stereo speakers using its built in FM Transmitter, in a similar way to how the TomTom car kit works. When you use the Sat Nav app on your iPhone, any voice commands will also be played through your car stereo speakers so you shouldn’t ever miss any directions. The battery life of the SP700 is upto 14 hours talk time and 250 hours stand by. Streaming using Bluetooth can be quite a drain on the battery, especially if you are using Sat Nav at the same time, you will almost certainly need a car charger and a way of mounting the phone in the car. Personally I’d recommend using a Brodit Active holder for iPhone 3G and a vehicle specific ProClip. Fully Integrated to your Car If you want a more permanent solution or one where you don’t need to recharge the handsfree unit, then the iPhone 3GS fully fitted Car Kit will be your best bet. I’ve tried most of these kits out with the iPhone 3G and the iPhone 3GS, and by far the best option here is one of the Parrot MKi Car Kits. Parrot only make Bluetooth accessories and because of that they make sure that every phone works brilliantly with their car kits. There are three kits in the MKi range, but the Parrot MKi9000 for iPhone 3GS is your best bet, mainly because you don’t need an external screen. You can play music from your phone through the MKi9000 either by connecting the Dock Connector (which will also charge your phone) or you can stream it using Bluetooth. The Mki9000 will synchronise with your phone book, and supports voice dialing – even on the iPhone 3G. There is also a small remote that you can attach to your dash or steering wheel to control your music (Play/Pause and Volume only when streaming using Bluetooth). When you use Sat Nav on your phone, voice instructions come through your car stereo clearly, and if music is playing at the same time, it briefly mutes out the music so that you don’t miss any directions. You won’t need to buy a car charger for your iPhone as this kit will charge your iPhone when you connect the dock cable, but you will still need a holder for your iPhone 3GS. Depending on how this kit is installed into your car, you may find that the charging cable may not be able to reach the windscreen, so a dashboard holder such as the Brodit Pass through Holder for iPhone 3G & 3GS will be a better option. It’s made from the same soft touch plastic as the Brodit Active Holder, but instead of having a car charger attached, it has a Dock Connector on the bottom so you can leave the charging cable connected permanently. We would recommend that you have your car kit professionally installed. Click here for details on Mobile Fun’s Car Kit Fitting Service. Over the next few months we will see even more Sat Nav applications make their way into the app store, with products from Telmap, Co-Pilot and Navicore still in the pipeline. If you’ve used any of these Sat Nav applications or accessories, let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below.

A Guide To Using An iPhone In Your Car

If you drive a lot and love to listen to music in your car, then you must have thought of hooking up the iPhone to your car stereo. The problem is, doing this can be difficult. Unfortunately, There are no car stereo manufacturers which have come up with an all-in-one device capable of seamlessly hooking up your iPhone to the car. In this article, we'll take a look at some options we have for hooking up your iPhone to the car. 1. Overview As mentioned, there are no integrated solutions for connecting the iPhone to the car stereo. As a result, we'll need to look at various component solutions. These are listed below. 2. Option 1 - Budget Solution Here we need a car mount, car charger, FM transmitter and headphones. In this approach, we first mount the iPhone onto the car. Then we hook up the iPhone to a car charging device to keep it full of juice. We also hook up a FM transmitter which broadcasts audio from the iPhone to a specified FM radio channel on your car stereo. Finally, plug in your iPhone headphones and you'll be able to listen any incoming phone calls. The problem with this approach is that the sound quality coming out of the FM transmitter may be sub-optimal. 3. Option 2 - Cassette Tape Deck Solution The second option is to use a cassette tape adaptor. As before, we mount the iPhone into the car. Now In the market, there are cassette adapters which connect to the iPhone headphone jack. We hook up the iPhone in this manner, and any music output from the iPhone can be heard through the cassette tape. A good car cassette adaptor I'd recommend is the Philips PH2050W which goes for under $15. Now, we have a little problem -the cassette adaptor uses the iPhone headset port for connecting to the iPhone speaker. So how do you receive any incoming calls on the iPhone? The answer lies in a Bluetooth headset. Invest in one of these and you'll be able to listen to iPhone music through the cassette adaptor and yet still receive calls using the Bluetooth headset. And for your info, the audio quality from the cassette adapter is far superior and consistent compared to that from the FM transmitter. 4. Option 3 - The Most Integrated Solution Now, there's a 3rd option we can look at that is optimal compared to the previous two. One of the better car integration products in the market for the iPhone is the Bluetrek / Contour Design SurfaceSound Compact. This device adds a Bluetooth 2.0 microphone and flat panel NXT speaker combination to your car visor. So what happens is that when you get into your car, switch on the SurfaceSound Compact and your iPhone and the two will seamlessly connect. Receiving and dialling phone calls is done through Bluetooth - so no messy wires there. For music, again, there is no wired connection as the SurfaceSound Compact will automatically stream music to your car stereo. The only cable you have is one for charging the iPhone. Conclusion So on the whole, I'd say that in terms of car integration, the iPhone as a phone and music device in the car has not really come of age yet. I'm still waiting for a good manufacturer to design a seamless device which can hook up the iPhone (or iPod or even the iPad) to your car with utmost simplicity. Most of the products I've seen on the market (with the exception of the SurfaceSound Compact) are still considered sub-optimal solutions which require a lot of "manual" cable integration. Let's watch this space and hope for better products in the future!