Mobile gadgets running Blackberry & Android OS'
Gadgets
Tablets: the specs war; it’s nothing!
039 days
Yes, the experts are teaching us the importance of specs; it has x MB of RAM, this and that screen resolution, so and so MP for the camera, but really, once you get a hold of the damn thing, it’s not working. Not properly, I mean!
And that’s why none are a match for the iPad – that one just works! And this will not change until the big players realize that they can’t fool us, they only fool themselves with these crappy, sub par products.
Plantronics Discovery 975 – a Bluetooth headset
0148 days
I’ve been using BT headsets for more than 7 years now. I find them more convenient than the wired ones, although it’s true, it’s a hassle sometimes: keep it safe, keep it close, charge it, try to use it when you make and receive a call – oops - disconnected/out of battery/out of reach, the usual stuff. But all in all, a truly handy tool for long talks at the office or when driving or doing anything else and your hands occupied.
Over the years Sony-Ericsson BT headsets were trustworthy partners. In fact, these HBH series have to be the most reliable they ever launched; they’re still in production after so many years. Great price, battery life, great connectivity, great comfort. And a little bulky – there’s no perfect solution in life!
But after 3 or 4 of these in as many years I decided I need to move on: something without an over-the-ear-hook! And something less bulky! And I chose the Plantronics Discovery 975.
Here’s why:
Hardware:
- Build quality is very good, sturdy, nice aesthetics and ergonomics. Hairpin shaped, this headset has a thin, short arm with nice, glossy, finish - yes, parts of it came off after 9 months of usage, but this is a working tool… So much for Premium quality though. While worn and stuck into the ear, the multi-function button works just fine; I need to press it a little harder in order to operate and I have to grab the unit with another two fingers, otherwise the ear would hurt. I try to interfere as little as possible with the headset while I’m wearing it. There’s also a volume button with 3 stages – they are notably different in volume, which is quite high for a BT headset.
- Charging/protection case: the headset comes with a charging case (with a battery inside) wrapped in Faux leather, which sports a led illuminated mini-display showing you connection status, charge level of both the headset (if inside) and case. The headset itself is a little lacking on stand-by and talk time (more about that later!), so they threw-in the charging case. This one will keep your headset full at all times. Both devices have the Universal Micro-U.S.B connectors, so I am able to use the same chargers for the phone, headset and charging case.
- 3 kinds of different spare small ear-tips for different ear sizes and shapes. I use the medium one, so the headset will fit perfectly in the ear. There is also a lanyard for the case.
Performance:
- With Dual-Mic Audio IQ2 noise-cancelling technology and WindSmart wind noise protection this is the best BlueTooth headset I have ever used in operation terms. Yes, others might be lasting longer for example, but your voice will come-out of this one crystal-clear, even in the harshest of environments. Of course, there is the halo effect you find in every BT headset as noticed by my callers, but that’s reduced a lot thanks to the software improvements above.
- Voice alerts for low battery, as well as led status (red for empty battery, pulsing white light for receiving a call, as well as slow pulsing white light for missed calls – for example, it flashes slowly 3 times for 3 missed calls!) are provided. There is also voice control which I never use because I don’t need it.
- A double press on the operations button will redial the last number used (sent and received).
- Talk time is estimated at 6 hours from the 85 mAh battery inside. I was able to use it for hours at a time but never for 6 hours. I usually find the headset empty after just 2-3 days of being constantly on, used and connected to the phone most of the times.
- Connection is almost flawless. I’ve been able to move around in the house while talking on the headset, even from one room to another (no brick walls, indeed!). Working distance is ~ 10 meters.
All in all, a great headset! Very expensive when launched in the Autumn of 2009 priced at around 125$, now it can be found on Amazon at around 60$. Not in Romania though: still 125 Euros. But hey, all good things come at a price! And sometimes is just justified.
