Bluetooth technology in your toothbrush
Certain products are known for having Bluetooth technology. Toothbrushes are not one of them, but even that might change if a new product takes off.
Beam Technologies, a year-old startup, is set to introduce a Bluetooth-enabled toothbrush and app that will launch in March. The toothbrush contains a sensor and Bluetooth radio that will send your brushing information to a smartphone app. Later versions will also track how long you spent in certain areas of the mouth and might include features to encourage better brushing.
The Beam Brush should retail for about $50 for the base and $3 for a replaceable brush head. The Android app is ready, and the iOS app should be ready when the toothbrush launches or soon after.
InPulse Smartwatch
The InPulse Smartwatch is one of the first Bluetooth smart watches to be released and available for purchase. (Sony, Casio and some other companies have announced Bluetooth smart watches but not released them yet.)
The inPulse connects via Bluetooth to your phone to send email notifications, text messages, caller ID info, and calendar alerts to your wrist watch. It works with Blackberry and some Android phones.
(February 2012)
WIMM One smart watch
The WIMM One is different from other Bluetooth smart watches in that it's designed to be a platform for developers to use to build "micro apps" that run on this tiny, cube-shaped Android device.
WIMM Labs is currently selling the WIMM One only as a $199 developer preview kit that includes the device and tools for developing Android micro apps and custom watch faces. "What really sets the WIMM One apart," writes Engadget, "is that it puts the Android platform on your wrist, meaing it's capable of running multiple apps."
(February 2012)
Zooka speaker for iPad
A Portland, OR startup company is releasing a unique Bluetooth speaker that slides onto the edge of an iPad or onto the lid of a laptop, improving the weak sound of most tablets and laptops. The slim "sound tube" comes in five different colors and has a rechargeable battery, speakers on either end, and a silicone exterior that grips without scratching whatever you put it on.
Because the Zooka uses Bluetooth technology, there are no wires to connect. The Zooka is available for pre-order at $89. It is funded by a Kickstarter project, which means the team behind the product must reach its funding goal in order to ship the devices.
(February 2012)
Panasonic announces Bluetooth TVs
Spot Connect can send text messages from anywhere
A new device can send text messages via satellite from anywhere by pairing with a smartphone via Bluetooth technology.The SPOT Connect allows smartphone users to send text messages even in the remote wilderness, far from the nearest cell tower range.
The $170 device can pair with an Android phone, iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, letting users compose text messages on those devices and send them via satellite from SPOT Connect, which has a $100 annual subscription fee for the satellite message service.
Because the SPOT Connect is GPS-enabled, it can pinpoint the user's location and transmit that information to personal contacts or an emergency response center, making SPOT devices popular with hikers and climbers.
(January 2012)
ZOMM wireless leash for iPhone
The ZOMM Wireless Leash Plus for iPhone is now available to help you keep track of your Apple smartphone. The $100 device works with the myZOMM iPhone app to keep you from leaving your iPhone behind and also make finding your keys easier.
The ZOMM device connects via Bluetooth technology to an iPhone, and lets you use the myZOMM app to change the device settings, locate your keys, or even geo-tag the location of your car so you can easily find it later in a big parking lot.
ZOMM also has a version of the app that works with Android smartphones and the ZOMM Wireless Leash device for non-Apple phones.
(December 2011)
Spar Zephyr portable speakers stream music and charge your phone
Spar—a newcomer to the wireless audio business—is accepting pre-orders for its new Zephyr line of rechargeable Bluetooth speakers. The portable units are similar to others such as the Jawbone Jambox, offering wireless music streaming, speakerphone functionality and portability, but also feature the unique ability to charge your smartphone over USB.
There are three models in the Zephyr line, priced from $99 to $160. The "pocketable" model 300 has a 12-hour battery. The slightly larger model 500 packs 18-hours of battery life and comes in white or black. Rounding out the bunch is the aluminum-housed 550; it features a massive 28-hour battery and comes in silver or black. The Zephyrs are set to ship by year's end.
(November 2011)
BMW goes beyond handsfree audio in the car
BMW is using Bluetooth technology to extend the capabilities of its handsfree calling system with a text-to-speech function able to read your email messages, notes, calendar entries and text messages over the car audio system. The new feature, called Bluetooth Office, integrates with the BMW ConnectedDrive system to let drivers focus on driving, without having the pick up their phone to access their email, calendar, and other information.
The system also offers Bluetooth wireless audio streaming to play music from your phone. Bluetooth Office is available on many different BMW models, including the 3 series, 5 series, and 6 series vehicles. A list of compatible phones is at www.bmw.com/bluetooth
(November 2011)
Logitech adds a mini speaker
There are plenty of excellent Bluetooth wireless speakers in the $200-$300 range, but for those who want something smaller and more modestly priced, Logitech has released the Mini Boombox - a sort of minature version of its recently released Wireless Boombox for iPad.
With a $100 price and a size that makes it small enough to hold in the palm of one hand, the Mini Boombox speaker is mini in all respects. The Bluetooth technology allows you to roam up to 33 feet away an iPhone, iPod, iPhone or other Bluetooth enabled device playing your music. A small, backlit touch panel lets you control the speaker.
(November 2011)
|
|