Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Latest News
    • Reviews

    Giving Voice to Bluetooth Headsets

    By
    Jim Rapoza
    -
    August 29, 2008
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      BlueAnt V1

      I’ve never been a big fan of Bluetooth mobile phone headsets. Typically, the second I stick one of those geeky devices in my ear I start making Locutus of Borg jokes.

      Combine this with the general poor usability of these devices and it’s been pretty easy for me to avoid assimilation by the Bluetooth-wearing collective. But I’ve recently had the opportunity to test out a new device that may change my opinion on Bluetooth headsets.

      At first glance the BlueAnt V1 looks just like any other Bluetooth headset, with its standard ear clip and blinking button. But there’s one major difference. The BlueAnt V1 can be pretty much totally controlled through voice commands.

      The BlueAnt V1 is powered by the BlueGenie Voice Interface software that can remarkably work on such a small and simple device. With this software, the BlueAnt V1 comes pretty close to a fully hands-free mobile phone experience and justifies the device’s $129.99 price tag.

      Getting up and running with the BlueAnt V1 was very easy. I simply turned it on using the big BlueAnt button on the device, stuck it in my ear and said “pair me”. The device then talked me through pairing with my Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones.

      The BlueAnt V1 comes with a manual that lists the possible commands but even easier is to just say “what can I say” which prompts the device to give a list of possible voice commands.

      Using the BlueAnt V1 I could answer or ignore calls by simply saying “answer” or “ignore.” I could also call numbers by saying “call home,” “call voicemail,” “call office,” etc.

      The BlueAnt V1 handles this through your phone’s speed dial list. To get this to work, on your phone you’ll need to set up your voicemail as speed dial 1, your home number as speed dial 2, office as 3, your favorite number as 4. The phone uses the space for speed dial 5 for the Goog-411 service. To call speed dial numbers above 5, the voice command is simply “call speed dial 6” (or whatever the number is).

      Answering calls can be done without any hands interaction using the BlueAnt V1. To initiate calls or any other voice commands did require a single push of the button on the device.

      While the BlueAnt V1 has its own voice commands, I could also get the device to work with phones that had their own voice controls simply by saying “phone commands” at which point all of my voice commands went directly to the phone.

      Along with commands associated with calls, most management of the BlueAnt V1 can also be done by voice commands, including checking the battery charge and putting the headset into an isolation mode.

      Aside from the voice control features, the BlueAnt V1 is overall a solid headset, not too large and geeky looking and with good isolation capabilities for noisy environments. The device can be charged using standard USB cables and with the bundled charger.

      I was surprised how often I used the BlueAnt V1 given my normal resistance to Bluetooth headsets. Its quickly become my favored device for driving, as I can leave my phone in a bag or pocket and still make and receive calls.

      And while I’m still a little uncomfortable walking through crowds with an implant sticking out of my head, the convenience of using my voice to make commands without fumbling for a phone or earphones is pretty compelling.

      So maybe I will become a regular Bluetooth headset user. I guess resistance really is futile. For more information on the BlueAnt V1 headset go to myblueant.com.

      Jim Rapoza
      Jim Rapoza, Chief Technology Analyst, eWEEK.For nearly fifteen years, Jim Rapoza has evaluated products and technologies in almost every technology category for eWEEK. Mr Rapoza's current technology focus is on all categories of emerging information technology though he continues to focus on core technology areas that include: content management systems, portal applications, Web publishing tools and security. Mr. Rapoza has coordinated several evaluations at enterprise organizations, including USA Today and The Prudential, to measure the capability of products and services under real-world conditions and against real-world criteria. Jim Rapoza's award-winning weekly column, Tech Directions, delves into all areas of technologies and the challenges of managing and deploying technology today.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      Alteryx’s Suresh Vittal on the Democratization of...

      James Maguire - May 31, 2022 0
      I spoke with Suresh Vittal, Chief Product Officer at Alteryx, about the industry mega-shift toward making data analytics tools accessible to a company’s complete...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      Applications

      Cisco’s Thimaya Subaiya on Customer Experience in...

      James Maguire - May 10, 2022 0
      I spoke with Thimaya Subaiya, SVP and GM of Global Customer Experience at Cisco, about the factors that create good customer experience – and...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

      James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
      Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×