Jabra FreeSpeak for Pocket PC Phone Now Shipping

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.mobileplanet.com/product.asp?dept%5Fid=1081&pf%5Fid=MP800973&listing=1' target='_blank'>http://www.mobileplanet.com/product...00973&listing=1</a><br /><br /></div>MobilePlanet now has the Pocket PC Phone version of the Jabra FreeSpeak Bluetooth headset in stock. This is a useful workaround for the fact that the HTC unit doesn't have Bluetooth built in - this bundle ships with a small adapter that plugs into the special 2.5mm jack (no other adapters necessary) that then talks to the headset. The headset itself has volume controls and an answer/hangup button.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/MP800973.gif" />

[Mobile Bob]

Good news, but pretty expensive ($179.95, ouch!). Too bad the XDA doesn't have a CF slot for a BT card, so that you could use a Jabra Freespeak BT Headset without the adapter (which can be purchased for around $80 right now).

I have a Jabra Freespeak BT Headset (w/o adapter) that I use with my T68i, and they are great. Only yields a little over 2 hours of talk time on a single charge, however.

[JMountford]

Beautiful looking device glad there is a PPC PE edition.

[GQ19]

that's why when the Samsung SPH-i700 is released, with an SDIO slot, BT and WiFi and all these things can be added..i dont want to have 'workarounds' for my PDA, that just shines light on it's inferiority.. Any PPC without SDIO is going against the grain of the future of PPCs

[Bloop]

Yea the battery life on it is not great at all, I sell them at the store I work at, they feel pretty comfortable when on the ear. They are nice a compact compared to the plantronic version (other bluetooth head set we sell). They also work on normal home phones (same 2.5mm jack). Only thing is the battery is not replaceable on this unit. Also they are pretty expensive, as said before.

[johnegq]

I've had this FreeSpeak model for 3 months and used it with a Sprint Samsung A460 with the adapter & with TMobile t68i without the adapter. I am suprised at how poor the quality of sound is with the chops and static. I walk outside with it and chop, chop...Someone nearby using a microwave and chop, chop... 8O

Using the adapter isn't a breeze either. It takes several steps to answer the phone. (same steps to make a call)
1. Remove headset from dock
2. Place in ear & press talk (to activate link from headset to adapter)
3. Nex fumble the phone and press answer

Next is the issue of where to put the headset and its docking adapter. I am purchasing an XDA in a few days and I am hoping to be able to clip the adapter to the leather case. Regardless of where you put it, a bluetooth headset is just another gadget to add to the bulk. The ultimate bluetooth headset would come docked into the phone like a stylus is docked in a PDA 8) . I switch service providers and bought a t68i because of the extra bulk of the adapter and the extra steps involved in making a call. But switching to the t68i didn't solve everything because I still have two items to put in my pockets.

I'm very near to selling the headset on Ebay.

[Ethan]

Why does the XDA need a special version of this? Why wouldn't it work with the standard Jabra headset with 2.5 mm headset adaptor?

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=670259/ut=18a803fc5a0a461f

Also...I have an /// r520 (Bluetooth phone). Could I buy the Jabra phone with 2.5mm adaptor and then plug that adaptor into, say, my cordless phone, and then use the headset either with my cordless phone or my cell phone, whichever rings? Is there a way to "tell it" which one to connect to when placing an outgoing call?

[Ethan]

Oh yeah and is that 2.5mm adaptor a regular Bluetooth device with services and such? So I could then, say, reroute my desktop (voice gateway profile) or Ipaq's audio (with the new registry hack) to whatever device the adaptor is plugged into? Can't think of a reason to do that, except Because I Can. :D

Ethan

[PetiteFlower]

Jabra makes a headset for phones with built in bluetooth and one that comes with an adapter for non-bluetooth phones. As far as I know though, the one with the adapter is compatible with ANY phone with a 2.5mm jack, it's not specific to any company or OS or anything like that. Also both headsets came out at the same time as far as I know, which was a while ago.

You can also find them on ebay quite prolifically. Ending auction prices I've seen in the $80-90 range.

[R K]

Why does the XDA need a special version of this? Why wouldn't it work with the standard Jabra headset with 2.5 mm headset adaptor?

The XDA has unique internal wiring which is different compared to other mobile phone 2.5mm jacks.

[ricksfiona]

I've had this FreeSpeak model for 3 months and used it with a Sprint Samsung A460 with the adapter & with TMobile t68i without the adapter. I am suprised at how poor the quality of sound is with the chops and static. I walk outside with it and chop, chop...Someone nearby using a microwave and chop, chop... 8O
I've had my FreeSpeak for several months as well using a Ericcson T28/Bluetooth module. I also get very sporatic sound quality. I've been disappointed with it big time. I rarely use it. I'm really interested in the Bluespoon, but I won't go with any device that pokes into the ear anymore.

[claude4]

I use it with my T68is and I find it very useful.

I wear it all day long and can almost forget that it is in my ear. I like the design and how well it works with the T68is, (voice commands and all that) however it is inconsistamt in sound quality, sometimes clear as a bell, other times broken up and choppy) and has hardly any range at all.

As I wear my phone on a belt clicp on my left side and the Jabra in my left ear it serves its purpose BUT I sure do wish the range was better.

I got mine for $81 delivered (T68 has BT built in).

For what its worth, it serves my purposes well.

Claude H.

[Tom_Gilheany]

I bought the one for BT-enabled phones. After using it awhile, I decided I wanted to use it with my laptop & some other devices as well.

THEY DON'T SELL the 2.5mm Adapter unit separately, and since I dont' want to purchase duplicate headsets just to get the 2.5 adapter, there is no option.

The belt-clip also acts as charger. If you want two charging areas (one at home & one in the office at work, or in your car), forget it -- you must buy two headsets (which I refuse to do).

They need to realize that people MIGHT want to use their headsets with more than one device, -and- might want more than one charging station...not sure why this isn't obvious to them.

-->Tom

[PetiteFlower]

Can't you just get a BT adapter card for your laptop? Couldn't you connect it to that?