World's First Dual Microphone, Folding Bluetooth Headset.

It’s from Jabra and it’s call the Halo. This headset has a very high tech look and is capable of folding to take up less space in your backpack, luggage, etc. But, as you can see, it doesn't fold tightly. When you unfold the Halo you push inward at the hinge on each side to lock it in the open position. There is no “on/off” switch because the Halo goes on automatically when you push in the lock mechanism. And yes, it goes off automatically when you fold the headset. These are on-the-ear headphones so they’re comfortable to wear. There’s a touch of inward pressure to keep them from falling off, but not enough pressure to give you any deep bass notes. The headphones can play deeper bass than you hear. You can test the bass yourself by push them tight against your ears as your tunes play. But obvioulsy this is awkward to do for more a minute or two and it certainly ruins the tech look. Leo loves the new A2DP and AVRCP Bluetooth profiles and these headphones have both. The latter profile enables music playback control assuming you have an AVRCP-compatible device. With this feature you can skip forward and back through different tracks and pause playback. The Halo's controls are on the right side, easiest for most people to reach. One button lets you receive and reject calls. It also starts and pauses music playback on compatible devices when the call comes in. There’s a touch sensitive slider that controls the volume and forward/back functions. This took a bit of practice before I was able to use it easily. Inside the headband are two LED lights to show battery level and Bluetooth status. The Halo can be paired with two Bluetooth devices at the same time. Like most Bluetooth headsets, music playback is muted when a call comes in so you can answer it in quiet. The music comes back on after the call ends. When I first opened the package I didn’t even realize the Halo could also answer phone calls. The twin built in mics are so built-in you can’t even see where they are. I made a couple of calls, including one to my answering machine to judge quality and it was great. The only downside is the lack of bass on music playback.  Price is $129.99. But they’re on Amazon for $99.99

http://www.jabra.com/Sites/Jabra/na-us/Headsets/Pages/JabraHALO.aspx

Here’s an Amazon link for under $100. But I haven’t shopped here:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_0_6?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=jabra+halo&sprefix=Jabra+

Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tvdgw914

I thought the X-10 system was long gone. But it's very much alive!

With X-10 modules and an X-10 control center you could control up to 8 gadgets using the electric wiring in your home. I still use them! Radio Shack dropped them a long time ago, but it turns out that X-10 equipment not only lives on, but keeps getting updated. I recently bought the new X-10 Universal 5-in-1 Learning Remote. It can replace up to five remotes by controlling your TV, VCR, DVD, Stereo, and cable. But wait! There’s more. It can also control lights and  appliances that are plugged into X10 modules. It’s easy to setup - just look up the code for the TV, VCR etc. and enter it into the remote using a simple key sequence. The booklet of codes is quite extensive and includes codes for most TVs, VCRs, Satellite, and cable boxes. If the code can’t be found you can use the Learn function – to add codes from obscure or older audio/video remotes. But this remote also has a X10 Super Key! To turn on a lamp simply plug any lamp into a lamp module, push the X10 "Super Key," then push "Button 1" and "Channel UP." The light associated with A1 turns on! Now push Volume down or up to dim and brighten the lamp, or push channel up or down to turn it on or off! Push the TV button and instantly switch from controlling your lights to controlling the TV! You can use an Appliance Module to turn on the coffee machine, air conditioner, etc. If you don’t have X-10 components already you can buy everything you need at: www.x10.com. Then have incredible sales there! The remote control I bought “retails” for $49.99, but I got it on one of their weekly sales in a really money-saving package! I got two 2 Lamp Module (LM465) which would be $25.98; the 5-in-1 X10 Universal Remote (UR73A-2) $49.99, and something you must have to convert impulses from the remote to the house wiring – a Wireless Transceiver (TM751) $12.99. That was $88.96 worth of goodies for which I paid $19.99 + $5.90 a total of $25.89. If you’re into inexpensive home automation, check them out. You can add video cameras, security modules, and even control X-10 components via a computer program they sell. You can sign up for sales, but they often send out two different email offers a day. It’s a pain sometimes, but they do have incredible sales!

 Universal 5-in-1 Learning Remote (UR74A)

www.x10.com (Wear sunglasses! Everything on the screen is flashing!)

Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw904

World's First Folding Mouse? Could be.

The Microsoft Wireless Arc Mouse could be the world’s first folding mouse. It’s certainly the first one I’ve ever seen. It’s cleverly designed and ergonomic. Unfolded it’s just about a full size mouse. When you travel this is way more convenient to use than a laptop or netbook touch pad!  When it’s time to pack, the Arc folds to fit into the included travel bag. Folding it shrinks the overall size by about 40%. But wait, there’s more! When you fold the Arc Mouse, you automatically shut it off. That way you’ll save battery power. (Microsoft says battery power should last about six months. It uses two AAA batteries.) Also the small USB dongle that makes the Arc wireless, stores under the closed portion of the mouse. It’s secured in place with a special magnetized niche. The USB micro trans-receiver dongle is small, but not as small as the ones Logitech uses. I had to remove the dongle before my Acer netbook would fit in its carry bag. The buttons on the Arc mouse are pretty standard — left and right click button with a scroll wheel between them. There’s an additional button on the left side that can be used as a “back button” in Web browsers. But there’s a problem with the placement of this button. You really have to change the potion of your hand to use it. It can’t be pushed with the hand in the normal ‘mousing’ position. The Arc utilizes laser technology so it works well on almost any surface, except the usual things that stop practically any mouse – like glass. I didn’t download the Microsoft’s IntelliPoint software, but if you do, you'll have additional features. My netbook identified and installed the Arc drivers in less than a minute with no software. You can ignore the $59.95 price. If you do a web search you can find it for about $31 to $35. It’s available in many colors. For some reason I found the maroon version (the one I have) on Amazon for under $30. I haven’t shopped at this place, but here’s the link:

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-ZJA-00002-Arc-Mouse-Red/dp/B001C4ETUU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1251007695&sr=1-2

Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw903

A "Pen" designed to keep your camera lens spotless.

It looks like a kind of thick fountain pen, but it's actually the LENSPEN. It was sent to me by the Spoon Sisters who find unusual gizmos for their website: www.spoonsisters.com. LENSPEN is a quick and easy way to clean your camera lens.  On one end is a convenient, retractable brush, made of soft, natural bristles. Use that to dust away any hard particles or contaminants. (I used this brush on my Netbook keyboard to get dust out from between the keys.) On the other end of the device there’s a unique tip that holds the special LensPen cleaning compound. It flexes, matching the contours of the lens. By applying gentle pressure on the lens and using smooth circular motions, any smudges or fingerprints will be removed instantly. Fingerprints are oily and that’s why some cloths just smear the oil without actually removing it. But wait, there’s more! More than just protection for the tip, the special LensPen cap replenishes the tip with more cleaning compound each time it is replaced and twisted a half turn. The same company makes Digi-Klear, a similar device to clean other digital equipment. It’s the same price and also available from Spoon Sisters. $13.50.

 http://www.spoonsisters.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=64603

 Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw906 

Tame Airplane Cabin Noise with the New Bose 15 Quiet Comfort Headphones

I love to go Bose Press Events because they’re famous for their “fake you out” demos. That’s where you think you’re listening to one thing, but it’s really not that way in reality. At their latest demo, four members of the press at a time were ushered in a special area setup in the Bose Time Warner store in Manhattan. Inside this room, interior “cabin noise” from various airplanes were played and the loudness level was displayed on a large screen. One airplane cabin registered 91-92 db, which is pretty loud! Then we put on the QuietComfort 2 headphones that were on top of each desk. The QC2 headphones did a good job of reducing the airplane cabin noise. I’ve been using the QuietComfort 2s since they came out and they make a long flight much more bearable. (There’s also a Quiet Comfort which 3 has a lighter, more open design, but performance is about the same as on the QC 2.) Then we were instructed to open a drawer at the side of the desk so we could experience the brand new Quiet Comfort 15! When I slipped them on – well they were ‘knock your socks off’ amazing!  I asked if I had missed 12 models of the Quiet Comfort since the number jumped from 3 to 15! The gentlemen from Bose said “no”, but the engineers felt the new headphones offered such a dramatic improvement, just going up one number wouldn’t be right. Then we went onto a demonstration of the audio quality of the headphones. We watched a video of Yo Yo Ma and Diana Krall. Great sound, great bass, great everything. And here’s the Bose “gotca” came in. We didn’t know it, but as we were watching the music video, the sneaky Bose folks added back the airplane noise to the demo room. No one watching the demo noticed it. When the music ended, there was silence. Then we took off our headphones and everyone broke out laughing when realized we had heard the mini-concert quietly, over the 91decibel airplane noise! That showed just how effectively the QC15’s work. Very impressive! The price is $299, the same price as the ones they’ve replaced. And they’re available now. By the way I asked the President of Bose, Bob Maresca to verify the demo was totally on the level. I knew it was, but I knew you would ask. Bob said: “Would we fake a demo? Never! Trust us, you were listening to that music over the cabin noise!” Hey, Bob grew in Brooklyn, 2 blocks from where I grew up, so I know he’s telling the truth! Besides, it’s Bose. Like they need to fake anything.

 www.bose.com

 Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw908