Aliph Jawbone Era bluetooth headset

For the first time since I've started using mobile phones regularly, I decided to get a BlueTooth headset. To be honest, I've always laughed a little on the inside when i saw someone using one of these gadgets. Yet, I've used telephone headsets at work for more than 15 years now. I did a little research and discovered that two companies really seem to be leading this industry: Aliph and BlueAnt. 

After learning more about the specific features of each device, and reading several reviews I settled on the Aliph Jawbone Era.

I think that i made the right choice; I have been blown away by several features of this great headset.

Aliph markets their headsets as the first "intelligent" devices in this category. What they imply by this is the capacity to incorporate apps within the headset, apps that provide added features to the user. And I found the approach brilliant; download and install the software, plug in the headset through USB and navigate to the MyTalk website. After creating an account and logging in, the headset is automatically recognized and apps, voices and advanced features can all be configured and uploaded to the headset!

Another first is the addition of an accelerometer which allows the user to use various gestures to control the headset. A simple double-tap and calls are answered and another double-tap hangs up (yes, very mich like a communicator is Star Trek!) 

The built-in voice prompts also help to make this a truly handsfree solution; incredibly,as I mentioned previously, it is also possible to update the voice to one of several choices, as well as voices in several other languages!

The headset is not the smallest made but at a little over 8g, it's barely noticeable. Aliph provides several fitting options as well as an ear loop for hard to fit users. Charging the headset is done through a micro-USB port on the earpiece end of the device.

Pairing the headset to a Bluetooth device couldn't be easier. Just give the headset a double shake-shake and it enters pairing mode. Alternatively, press the single button while turning the headset on to do the same. The Era supports up to 8 pairings and can also switch between two active devices.

Overall, I feel that the Era is entirely worth its price and provides outstanding quality and features and I'm sure you will feel the same way!

Sony Experia Mini Pro

I had been in the market for a new mobile for a while but simply could not find any device that "tickled my fancy" so to speak! The current trend in smartphones has left most mobile users with one of three choices: an oversized iPhone clone, with dual processor, 3D displays and no battery life, a Blackbery model of one kind or another and whY I like to call the "relics", those few devices that could be considered practically ancient in this fast moving industry. 

Then I set my eyes on the new Sony Xperia Mini Pro and found the device I had been looking for all this time! 

Finally, a smartphone in a smaller form factor and a slide out QWERTY keyboard!

This is the second generation of Sony's Mini Pro and it has received numerous updates. Powered by a 1gHz processor, the Mini Pro also runs the latest Android OS (Gingerbread) and offers the standard bells and whistles, including HD still and video camera, GPS, capacitive multitouch-capable screen and removable battery (a feature sorely lacking in most smartphones!)

Sony, the old masters of the proprietary technology, seem to have embraced a number of standards, specifically the use of mini USB for charging and a 3.5mm headphone jack, as well as support for the most common media formats for sound and videos!

The form factor really sets this phone apart from the rest, as it can truly be used with one hand if required. The use of haptic feedback on touchscreen keyboards one-ups Apple in this department! A short vibration to confirm each keystroke is simple genius!

A great mobile so far, but I will be sure to update this article once I've had a chance to use it a little more!

Time for a new phone...

I know that smartphones are all the rage and as a dedicated Apple user, it would seem that the iPhone is the device to get, but it's just not doing it for me... I know that the device is great and that's not really the issue. The real problem are the providers and the exhorbitant fees they charge for iPhone packages. I just can't justify that kind of price point for unlimited service, let alone services with so many limitations. As I began to browse through the different canadian providers websites in search of a new phone, I could not help but notice that almost every device available are touch-screen, iPhone-clone smartphones. Where are the plain, regular phones?

Well, Rogers has decided to keep a few of these devices for the "old folks" like me. One of these really caught my eye and after doing a little research, I decided that this would be my next phone: the Nokia 6700 Slide.

I am partial to stick-type phones and although a slider, I still consider this one to be in the same category. What really sold me was the construction quality though; all metal body and very stiff sliding mechanism lend a feeling of durability to this phone. One of my main gripes with "smartphones" is the massive size of the device and the relative fragility of their screens. I know very few people who have not dropped their mobile phone at least once in their lifetime and I would like to know that my mobile will survive the inevitable drop and rigors of daily life.

Although not the only phone to contani a camera (trying to find a camera-less mobile phone today is a virtual impossibility), at least, the one included with this one is quite good. You have to give Nokia some points for trying to benefit from the associated quality of Carl Zeiss lenses by including a CZ-designed and manufactured lens with this device.

I will update this post with my impressions once I get to use the device regularly.