talking heads(et): BlueAnt V1 voice control headset

BlueAnt V1 headset talks to you -- and listens

How many of you have, like me, bought a Bluetooth® headset because you thought it’d be easy to use and helpful, only to dump it into your “tech junk drawer” after a few weeks because it was too difficult to remember all the clicks and beeps?

BlueAnt Wireless, an Australian Bluetooth accessories designer and manufacturer (note, my company works for BlueAnt, so I am openly biased!), has created a headset that is so simple and straightforward to use that you’re not likely to put it down. The new V1 is the world’s first voice-controlled headset. And no, we don’t just mean voice dialing here. This headset actually talks to you and – get this – understands your voice commands. While this isn’t specifically a travel tool, it’s tiny, charges by USB and weighs just about nothing, so it’s a perfect travel companion – whether we’re talking a the drive to work, a noisy bus ride or a two week vacation in Europe.

It works right out of the box — put it in your ear, push one button, and it talks you through the pairing process with your phone. Then, push the same button and say “teach me” and it talks you through all its functions and commands. No beeps, no ‘push button a, wait for beep and then push button b.’ One button starts the voice dialog, and then you just talk. You can tell it to answer or ignore calls, have it dial office, dial home, redial, etc. All simply by saying what you want. If you can’t remember a command, say ‘what can I do?’ and it’ll tell you. Check out this video on YouTube.

The V1 also has powerful noise suppression and voice isolation that makes your voice clear in the noisiest environments. It can be customized with two included ear hooks and foam/gel ear tips.

Check out the BlueAnt Web site for more information. US$129 at Amazon. In Asia, you’ll be able to purchase it by end of month at blueantshopping.com.

~ by efdixon on November 21, 2008.