Jabberin’ on the Jawbone

Posted Jun 5, 2008 @ 1:48 pm, Viewed by 251 Visitors, Read 270 Times.

 

          About six months ago my brother called me from his car. He was testing out his new Bluetooth earpiece. It was awful. I could hear traffic and lots of fuzz. He thought it was wonderful. I thought it was horrible.
            For years I have been using a wired Jabra earpiece that worked fine. Thing is, I was on my third one. (I cut my wire once with garden shears right in the middle of a conversation.) I didn’t wear it in my real estate office—too “old school”. It also was getting to be a royal pain when I was in the car to open my purse, grab the phone, flip it up and answer it while driving. Sometimes, I got lazy and just threw my phone in my very large purse instead of snapping it in its special pocket. More than once, I found myself missing a call, because I couldn’t find my phone amongst all the necessary junk I carry around. It’s not a very wise thing to do—dig in one’s purse while driving.
          It was time to upgrade my phone and time to go Bluetooth. I had great phone coverage for my rural area (Douglas County, Oregon) and I had been resisting doing the Treo/Blackberry thing, because it would mean changing plans, spending more money, etc. My old phone worked great—still did when I turned it in and upgraded.
            My first Bluetooth was a neat, expensive little Motorola one. Just like a round hearing aid, it fit snuggly in your ear and was almost undetectable. It had one problem. It only had one and a half hour talk time! I could use that up fast, especially talking long distance to relatives. If you wanted more talk time, you had to carry the charger around with you in your purse and it was even less convenient for guys. I didn’t research it. I felt silly that I bought it on impulse and I packed it up and returned it. That night I got on the net and did what I usually do, I researched what was the best one out there.
            My next purchase was the original Aliph Jawbone. What appealed to me were the rave reviews it got from users and other bloggers. Guys were making demos about it and putting them on YouTube. The feature that appeals to all of these users is the noise reduction. I usually check Consumer’s Reports and they coincidently pretty much panned the thing. The most important feature---noise reduction, was absent from their review.
            There are two versions out right now. The New Jawbone which is supposed to have better noise reduction than the first Original Jawbone. I bought the Original Jawbone. It was about $40 cheaper than the newer model. I got a red one, but they also come in silver and grey.
            The first time I put it together, I went outside of my office and called my brother. I was standing on the curb and I told my brother that five cars and one eighteen wheeler truck were about to go by. I asked him to tell me if he heard anything. He didn’t hear them at all and he said my voice sounded great.
            All in all, it’s easy to connect, use and wear all day. It really comes in handy. I don’t have to fiddle with my cell phone anymore and it stays put all day in my purse while at work. So the Jawbone works for me. I couldn’t find much out there about the microwave scare and earpieces, but I think these gadgets are really handy little things for real estate agents. Like cell phones however, you need to think about situations and social etiquette that may necessitate you turning it off or ignoring a call.
           
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3 Responses to “Jabberin’ on the Jawbone”

photo judyo

I never use my close to 100 buck bluetooth earpiece because it just doesn't work well.  Since I never use it I forgot how when I do need it (driving through Chicago).  My husband called me the other day using his (the same one I have which I can't remember what it is) and I couldn't hear him - forgot about background noise.  He kept fading in and out.

Since I'm hating driving with phone in hand I've been thinking of upgrading.  I can't believe how prices have dropped on these things.  I've never heard of the Jawbone and it looks like jewelry.  And I'm now at phone upgrade time and trying to figure out what to do.  My beloved provider doesn't offer what most other's do so I'm weighing leaving them (and my affordable plan that works well for me) for a better selection of Smart Phones at other places - with higher costs).

 

Posted 2 months ago
photo Marin

Timely topic (at least in our area) since California laws go into effect July 1 which prohibit cell phone use while driving unless a wireless headset (or similar) is being utilized.   For drivers under 18, no cell phones can be utilzed, even if a wireless speaker is utilized.

Personally I haven't been overly impressed with most of the bluetooth headsets (either for performance or looks) however my car has a pretty good bluetooth system 'built in' that provides good call quality and the ability to receive and place calls (as well as text messages) via the factory head unit (i.e. stereo system).

Posted 2 months ago
photo mybrokerdiana

Hi Marin and judyo

My sister drives a Dodge Magnum and it has a really great Bluetooth system. The only problem is if you are with people, they all hear the conversation.

If you check out  the Jawbone demos on YouTube, (I especially like the one with the lawnmower and leafblower) you will see how they work. 

I couldn't find one in Roseburg, Oregon and had to order mine on line. Your cell service provider probably doesn't stock them and I didn't find them at Office Max or Staples either.

Cheers 

Posted 2 months ago
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mybrokerdiana

mybrokerdiana  Diana Peterson is a licensed Oregon Broker with Prudential Real Estate Professionals in Roseburg, Oregon.  Douglas County living is the best kept secret in Oregon. Read More

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