Bluetoothwireless technology has been around for about 15 years and gained traction enable wireless communicating for hand - free chatting in the machine , cellphone phoneheadsets and computer accessory ( like keyboards and control stick ) . Gadgetry ’s still improving in that region ; while sound and connection quality has hold up up , prices have fall down to the point that Bluetooth is now widely available as a standard feature or factory option , even on many basic , budget - friendly cars .
So … once Bluetooth pairs every cell phone to a car , or every car to a cell , what come next ? Now Bluetooth is found in everything from home interior decoration to medical equipment . It seems like there ’s no shortage of gadget that can be made wireless , and anything that can be pair off in all probability will be , regardless of its productivity potential . Once the practical possibilities were thoroughly explored , companies startle to have a little sport . Some of Bluetooth ’s late applications seem kind of zany ( like pairing a wireless bathroom scale to a information processing system program to track weighting from day to day ) . Others are n’t much more useful , but are considerably more play ( at least , your pets will reckon so – you ’ll see what we mean ) . In add-on to a bit of prank , our tilt of the latest must - have Bluetooth gadgets have some of the more obvious candidates , like new home audio equipment . So whether you ’re holiday gift shopping or simply curious , keep reading to instruct more about the latest in Bluetooth engineering .
5: ThinkGeek Retro Phone Handset
Like Juno and her beefburger speech sound , athrowback telephonealways generates a bit of comic relief . Thanks to ThinkGeek , there ’s no demand to go too far back in time , though . Wires and cord can stay banished to the junk draftsman . you’re able to savour the tactile feel of an older schoolhouse rotary telephone with the Bluetooth Retro Handset , and you still do n’t even need your land argumentation .
useable in red or black , the Retro Handset use Bluetooth to pair with your electric cell phone to make and have calls . The electric battery charges through a cord to aUSB port(which adds an accidentally hilarious element of magic spell – the necessary of filch the vintage - style handset to a computer ) . But once it ’s rouse and the phones are paired , you ’re good to go .
Though it wo n’t moderate e - mail , revise your Facebook position or stream Netflix , this smoothly - contoured unit will allow you to chat like a champ . Size - wise , it ’s belike on par with Zack Morris ' ginormous cell †¦ but it must be said , even though the Bluetooth Retro Handset is intend to be a whacky and endear accessory , there ’s a comfort factor that ’s since been lost from our telecommunications experience . A traditional French telephone ’s promiscuous to hold , and the weight unit is soothing . The earpiece is situated by the capitulum ; the embouchure is target comfortably and of course in front of the mouth . You wo n’t smear your precious touch screen with facial detritus or gaze dismally at the idle skin cell gathered in the keypad ’s creases . Remember what that feels like ? ( Probably not . ) And the Bluetooth has a decent range , too . you may even wander 30 feet or so away from your cell phone while you let the cat out of the bag !
Sure , it looks a little odd to have a phone handset just pose there , but that ’s part of its charm . Even if you are n’t a nostalgia geek or a kitsch collector , we ’ve make enough more Bluetooth good on the following pages .
4: Phantom Keyless Home Entry
self-propelling keyless entrywas , ab initio , exclusive to the lavishness sector , but gradually dribble down as consumers spring up wonted to the theme . Unlocking a cable car with a wireless transponder requires a sure leap of faith ( so many thing can seemingly go wrong ) . surrender your home ’s security measures to airborne data seems like another fauna entirely , but it was only a matter of prison term . As consumer put more trust in their phones , they seem quick to abandon the tactile satisfaction of feeling tumblers click in a lock as the key is bend .
Thus enters the Phantom Keyless Home Entry System . Thanks toBluetooth , the system automatically recognize your headphone when you ’re within range and unlock the threshold for you – you do n’t want to fire up an app , push any buttons or even pull your phone out of your pocket . When you exit the room access , it automatically locks behind you , so you wo n’t have to occupy about forgetting to mesh up .
Because your original door handle arrest intact , you could keep your regular key as a backup and there ’s no telltale mark to draw potential intruders from a aloofness . ( A small transponder does need to be installed near the lock , but Phantom says it can be easy camouflaged to fuse in with your place ’s exterior . )
Any Bluetooth - capable headphone is adequate to of being paired to the twist ( since the system of rules does n’t rely on apps , even older non - smartphone Mobile River will exploit ) , and the Phantom system will only spread out for phones you ’ve authenticated . There ’s no limit to how many earpiece you could couple to your system , which makes it gentle to give hand brake memory access to friends or neighbors – and it ’s more secure than leaving a key under the flowerpot . If the security is ever go against ( like if a family line member ’s phone is lose ) the system can be readjust quickly .
On the next pageboy , we ’ll show you how Bluetooth can help keep your important datum close at script .
3: Casio G-Shock Bluetooth Watch
Sometimes , technology that ’s intended to streamline our life in reality does n’t solve as intended . Take , for example , the options for Bluetooth watches . These wristwatches work pretty much like normal watches – stop watch , timekeeper , warning equipment – but also match to smartphones to alert exploiter of new calls or content , just in pillow slip the phone is n’t within branch ’s reach 24/7 . But by twin the two appliance , making the phone slightly more commodious has the impression of making the watch considerably less commodious . Bluetooth , put only , is an muscularity sapper – when two gadget are pair , they ’re communicate constantly , even if there ’s no tangible evidence ( like alive downloads ) on either end . In other run-in , if your watch is scanning your phone for newfangled data , both battery are draining even if you ’re not receiving any calls or message . So while most people gestate watches to chug aside for a couple twelvemonth without maintenance , Bluetooth - enabled watch require veritable recharging in much the same manner and agenda as asmartphone .
In January of 2011 , Casio announce a new gigabyte - Shock lookout man enable with BLE ( Bluetooth Low Energy ) technology , which use a fraction of the energy to do the same matter . This Casio even runs on a unconstipated sentry battery and has a standard two - year electric battery life-time . ( The caution is that BLE is dependent on Bluetooth 4.0 , so this watch may not be compatible with older smartphones . ) The G - Shock brand , staring with its squat manner and undestroyable building , is all the good to reward the estimation that a phone / watch Bluetooth pairing need not be a delicate compounding .
Like its competitors , the Bluetooth G - Shock pairs to a smartphone and displays the phone ’s incoming data . The clock time , date and any previously coiffe alarms on the speech sound sync automatically to the watch , and the phone ’s clone can also be controlled through the spotter . If the telephone set is lose somewhere in Bluetooth ’s grasp ( about 30 feet ) , a command on the watch can make the earphone ring so it ’s easily found .
almost a twelvemonth after the G - Shock Bluetooth was announced , it was n’t yet listed amongst its 1000 - Shock peer on Casio ’s web site , but that has n’t suffocate the lust of gadget blogger . When it does become useable , Casio expects developers to join forces on a range of applications to increase its functionality , such as fitness trackers and stock tickers . You know , just like the smartphone that you ’ll now have to pull out of your pocket a little less often .
On the next varlet , we ’ll hash out a young alternative to complicated , in high spirits - investment menage audio system .
2: Bose SoundLink
In terms of wireless household amusement , theBoseSoundLink Mobile Speaker is among the few formidable competitors toApple ’s AirPlaysystem . The Mary Leontyne Price is on par ; the features are standardised . But while AirPlay is designed to officiate best as part of a full integrate wireless home entertainment system , the Bose unit is less of a commitment . It ’s broken and portable , lending solicitation to customers with a small budget or a dwelling house that , for whatever reason , ca n’t have audio components installed throughout .
The SoundLink is a tablet - sized speaker that can pair with up to six Bluetooth devices ( to connect to the medicine collection stored on your electronic computer , tablet , or phone ) . Just a few taps and your music is played wirelessly through the verbaliser . ( It also has an ancillary stimulant , just in case , so it can be used with non - Bluetooth devices like iPods and portable DVD player . ) Bose says the music current wo n’t be disrupt by calls , e - mail orInternet surfingon the fluid equipment in enjoyment . And to increase durability and esthetics , a portfolio - like pen up cover ( in a choice of colour ) functions as a outdoor stage when it ’s open and automatically turns off the loudspeaker system when it ’s shut .
Bose is a company that hazard its reputation on sound quality , but portability is really the SoundLink ’s marketing point . press in at less than 3 pounds ( 1.36 kilo ) , and measuring just about 10 inch ( 25.4 cm ) wide , 5 inches tall ( 12.7 cm ) , and two in ( 5.08 centimetre ) loggerheaded , the SoundLink is wanton to outdo up and tote around the house while you look for a comfy touch to spend a few hours . Or , you may take the SoundLink with you – it ’s easy to tuck into a backpack or grip along with your laptop . The rechargeable battery lasts about 8 hours ( depending on the bulk ) , and it ’s wet - resistant ( though Bose does n’t give particular ) so find innocent to drift a moment ( poolside , perhaps , but probably not showerside ) .
If the last few Sir Frederick Handley Page of technical information made your head twisting , we have a treat for you – the next page has another lust - worthy Bluetooth - enabled bauble that ’ll make you even dizzier .
1: Sphero
For the last product on our inclination , we eschewed the fourth dimension - save and multi - tasking pick . you’re able to secern yourself , all you need , that you ’re really dropping a mess of cash on Sphero for the benefit of your cats . It ’s OK , we know the the true .
Sphero is composed of a polycarbonate ball that allows light to pass through , even though it ’s strong and durable . The translucency is a key feature , since Sphero ’s core holdsLEDlights that glow through the shell . The LEDs are up to of a color spectrum of yard .
Despite the vaguely airy appearance , Sphero looks otherwise like an average clod , which is at the same time unfortunate and awesome . It would be a ignominy to be unappreciated based on its commonplace outside , but Sphero can enact the most damage on an unsuspicious victim . It pair via Bluetooth to an Apple or Android phone ortablet , and can then be control through a variety of comical trick . For preciseness , try giving Sphero commands with the sound ’s soupcon covert . If spontaneity is your distinctiveness , Sphero will also interpret and accomplish movement ground on your sound ’s apparent motion sensor . In other Son , if you get around your phone through the atmosphere like a Nintendo Wii controller , Sphero will respond in kind . ( Phone holster with wrist strap ? Probably a expert estimation , but not include . ) When Sphero ’s threadbare , it ’s charged by simply repose on its docking station .
Since Sphero is controlled through the phone , and phones are extremely customizable with apps , this is where it gets really fun . The Golf program let you swing your phone like a nightspot , assay to shore Sphero in a practical mess . The drive app allow you tilt , reverse and steer your headphone , so you could race against a admirer or get some clip trial practice through a series of courses ' curve and straight . Or , as we forebode , use Sphero as a high - tech pet toy dog . Once your qat are trite of chasing the ball , flash the LEDs and exchange direction . The KittyCam app even allow you record their reaction .
Sphero ’s creator , Orbotix , describes this little threat as a " mixed realism experience . " We ’re just grateful for an escape from practicality .
Keep read for Lots More Information about the latest Bluetooth goodies .
