The Hindu : Front Page : Say hands-free hello!

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Sunday, Dec 28, 2008
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Say hands-free hello!

Anand Parthasarathy

A wireless headset, now a necessary tool for mobile phone users

Jabra has launched two models in India BT4010 may be fine for walker-talkers, but not for car owners

For a mobile brigade: Jabra BT4010 (left) and BT 2050 (as worn) offer key phone controls with Bluetooth headset.

Bangalore: Jabra’s Bluetooth devices replicate most call controls. You see pedestrians, seemingly talking to themselves — and no longer conclude that they are mentally challenged. You know they are heavy mobile phone users who have freed their hands and invested in a wired (or wireless) earpiece. A year ago most of us might have written this off as needless additional expense; today many will consider carefully if they need to join the ranks of the Bluetooth-enabled mobile brigade, people who have simplified life somewhat: buying the ability to say a hands-free ‘hello.’

Jabra, from Denmark, pioneered the mobile Bluetooth headset in 2000. The company has just launched two models in India, both likely to appeal to cellphone owners who need to do a lot of phoning while walking or, for that matter, driving.BT2050 is a featherweight at eight grams and allows about four hours of talk time (180 hours on standby) before needing recharge, Almost all key controls — on/off; answer or end a call; redial, increase or decrease volume — can be achieved with a single or double tap on the headset. It costs Rs. 2,490.

Slightly pricier at Rs. 3,390, BT4010 promises six hours of talktime and features a sharp LCD display, which tells you about the battery level, and call and connections status with a single glance sideways. This might be fine for walker-talkers, but not for car owners. You are not supposed to take your eyes off the road.

Paying almost the price of a new phone might seem a bit of an extravagance for those whose handsets are very basic; but if you have invested in a better model, a Bluetooth umbilical might be a worthwhile add-on.

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