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Introduction
Bluetooth technology is blowing up in a big way. For
those of you unfamiliar with the technology, it offers the ability for
things like Cellular Phones, PDAs, and other such devices to use wireless
technology. Usually BlueTooth devices are extremely expensive and well
outside of the boundaries of the average consumer's price range. For example,
to use a bluetooth device (such as a wireless hands-free headset), you
have to have a bluetooth compliant phone (pricey!).
Unfortunately, a lot of this Bluetooth
technology can also interfere with other radio-based wireless devices
- such as your wireless LAN networks (causing performance problems). So
what foneGear has done is implemented a brand new technology through use
of magnetism and transistors to develop a way to bring a non-bluetooth
wireless devices for ANY cellular phone (normally, you would have to own
a very expensive phone to use this technology).
After talking with the chipset manufacturers and representatives
from foneGear themselves, I used a unit they were kind enough to pass
along to me for evaluation. The unit uses 1 AA battery which you have
to replace approximately once a month and clips onto your belt or pants
and plugs into the jack in your phone. After that it's easily sailing
- the unit on first try worked astonishing well with ZERO interference
... which was previously impossible under our office circumstances (due
to WAN interference).
Specs & Info
The specifications and highlights of the device ...
- Quantum leap beyond Bluetooth headsets.
- Does not need a bulky AC wall adapter, charges from a
AA Alkaline
- One AA battery provides over 25 hours of talk time.
- Low power requirements longer talk time.
- CORD FREE is a Non RF Magnetic Communication device
- None of the fading, blocking and interference of RF
- Works with all Wireless communication devices
- Compatibility chart available on website
how does it work?
Conventional radio frequency
(RF) wireless communication systems are optimal for sending large amounts
of information and communicating over long distances. However, this consumes
power, creates information security issues, and results in interference
and "crowding" among devices. A good example is in the 2.4 GHz
band where simultaneous operation of a cordless phone, WiFi network and
Bluetooth headset is frequently not possible without severe degradation
of Quality of Service. In sharp contrast, Liberty Link's magnetic communication
operates in a "bubble" that envelops the personal space of each
user and is - by the laws of physics - inherently private and secure.
The result is an easier to use, lower-cost system that makes far more
efficient use of power and bandwidth than conventional RF solutions. By
selecting a technology that limits the range and bandwidth to only what
the application requires, magnetic communication achieves a very substantial
savings in power with all of the simplicity advantages of the personal
bubble: dedicated communication channels, no bandwidth sharing, complete
frequency re-use between bubbles, worldwide regulatory flexibility, and
reliable coexistence with WiFi, CDMA, TDMA and GSM transmissions.
In streaming voice and audio communications in personal
electronic devices, Aura's magnetic communication offers better power,
cost and quality-of-service than any other wireless technology, including
WiFi, 450 and 900 MHz RF, and Bluetooth. Magnetic Communications is being
pioneered by Aura Communications, a semiconductor company that has its
root at MIT. Aura Communications is the only company in the world known
to be developing magnetic communications for consumer applications.
but how well does it work?
After using the device on my Motorola flip phone, I am duly
impressed with the level of quality that the device produces. The interference
level doesn't exist - despite being in several environments such as my
wireless networking room, the local shopping mall, and even downtown while
visiting some local pubs. The block clips onto your belt or pants, or
can just stay in your pocket. The block plugs into your hands-free jack
in your phone, and you use the device to your hands-free bliss. The phone
must be within a 2-3 foot range however, otherwise the signal to the phone
is lost - not that big a deal, but one to be conscience of.
Value and Usefulness
Hands-free devices are fantastic to use , but one thing i've noticed that
gets on my nerves is the cord that's somehow always getting in the way.
This becomes a particular distraction when driving - when you need all
your faculties to stay focused while driving (hey it's not recommended
to be on the road, but sometimes it's unavoidable, and taking the precaution
of not only using a hands-free device, but using a CORDLESS hands-free
device greatly reduces the risks on the road).
The value of the device is very high at the given price
point of in-and-around $80 - considering you'd have to pay hundreds of
dollars to upgrade your phone to something that's bluetooth compliant
and then spend about $80 to $120 for a bluetooth cordless hands-free device.
So for a technology to be developed that works with your existing phone
at a cost you can afford, it shows that innovation definitely isn't dead.
Overall Impressions
I was pretty impressed with the product when I first used it at CES in
Vegas ... and I'm still impressed with the device 3 weeks later (I'm using
the same single battery incidentally). The battery life is supposed to
last about a month, and so far so good on this end.
The quality of the sound coming from the earpiece is typically
good to great, but not "crystal clear" - but of course most
of that has to do with the quality of the connection you have with your
cell phone.
The value of the product is extremely high considering that
you can buy this and have it work with your existing cell phone, which
saves you money from having to buy expensive bluetooth devices. The usefulness
is extremely high, and overall, the foneGear Hands Free Headset is a fantastic
product that comes highly recommended for purchase ... definitely one
of the more innovative products that have come our way!
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9 / 10 |
OVERALL SCORE
94%
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10 / 10 |
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10 / 10 |
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9 / 10 |
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9 / 10 |
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9.4 / 10 |
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