The High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is a digital
substitute for analog video standards. It is a compact interface for
audio and visual electronic exchange. It transfers uncompressed and
compressed digital audio files and uncompressed video output files from
an HDMI-compliant source device to a compatible computer monitor,
digital audio device, video projector, digital television etc.
There
are a variety of HDMI cables uniquely suitable for uncompressed PC or
TV video format, enhanced high-definition and 3D video signals, 8
channels of uncompressed and compressed digital audio data, a Consumer
Electronics Control (CEC) connection and Ethernet connected data. HDMI
executes Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and Electronic
Industries Alliance (EIA) -861 standards.
HDMI connectors are of five types: A/B (defined in 1.0 specifications), C (defined in 1.3), and D/E defined in 1.4).
The type A HDMI connector has 19 pins. Its bandwidth supports SDTV, HDTV and EDTV modes. It is electrically matched to single-link digital visual interface- digital (DVI-D).
The type B
HDMI connector has 29 pins. It can carry 6 differential pairs tailored
for future high-resolution displays. It electrically complies with DVI-D
with dual link.
The type C is a mini connector. It has 19 pins. It is smaller than type A. The basic difference is that its positive signals of differential pairs are traded with corresponding shields. The type C may be used as a type A using a type A-C cable.
The type D is a micro connector with 19 pins just like type A and C. It is very small. Again the pin assignment is slightly different from A and C.
The automotive system uses type E
HDMI connector. It has a locking stub so that it does not become loose
due to a vibrating machine. There is a shell that shields it from
moisture and dust. It needs a relay connector for getting connected to
the automotive.
There are two categories of cables defined by HDMI 1.3. The
category 1 is a standard cable. It is tested at 74.5 MHz. The category 2
cables are high-speed cables. It is tested at 40 MHz. It gives a higher
resolution. The length of such cables depends on conducting materials
and construction quality. These characteristics affect attenuation.
Category 1 cables with 5 meter length use thinner conductors. A longer
cable needs a thicker connector with better quality construction.
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Thursday, February 26, 2015
You Need Not Be A Technical Wizard To Use An Android TV Box Because Its Features Are Simple
Android TV Box, a TV player, has been becoming more and more
popular because everyone knows that the Android operating systems are
among the most popular systems at present. It is a known fact that
Android TV players are available in various ranges and the features of
these players are varied. Among all the models of Android TV players,
MK802 is the smallest. This smart HD player is just one fourth in size
of a normal TV player. Its size is twice that of a USB drive. You can
attach this MK802 to your television at the back. Because of its small
size, it is highly portable and you do not need a big space for carrying
it with you.
It is through an HDMI cable that this small PC does the task of transferring the data to your television. The power for this comes from a USB cable that comes with the TV player. You need not be a technical wizard to use this player because of the simplicity of its features. The regular USB port that comes with this permits you to connect it to a mouse. If you want, you can connect it to a portable keyboard also. But, you have to get the mouse and the keyboard separately as they are not part of the package. You can easily transfer the data with the help of the USB port. You can connect the port to your computer and get your files copied on it. Another method to copy files is to use its SD memory card. This memory card allows files, pictures and videos to the extent of 32 GB. Though there is no Ethernet port on it, you can have web access by connecting to WIFI. You may consider that these features are quite simple but at the same time, you can not ignore the fact that they are quite advanced. Because of their simplicity, any one can easily understand and use the features of this TV player.
The RAM on this mini PC is 512 MB RAM and its internal memory is a whopping 4GB. The mini PC supports almost all the audio and video formats. Therefore, you get the major advantage of not needing to change the format of files for watching them on your television. The Android 4.0 system used on it is the latest and so, it supports all the applications such as YouTube, Twitter and Skype through wireless Internet.
Users of this device unanimously admire this TV player because of its light weight and attractive features. They find that they need not take highly cumbersome precautionary steps to protect it. The best advantage consumers get is the most affordable price at which they can have this device. Of course, its portability and great features are added attractions. It is true that Android TV Box series consist of many other TV players but this mini PC is the easiest to use. So, users find it extremely easy to transfer all the contents to their televisions from their computers.
When you buy this, you will get a HMDI cable and a power charger. Of course, you will get a USB cable and a connector also. Since there will be a comprehensive instruction manual, you can easily use this device easily with the guidance of the manual.
It is through an HDMI cable that this small PC does the task of transferring the data to your television. The power for this comes from a USB cable that comes with the TV player. You need not be a technical wizard to use this player because of the simplicity of its features. The regular USB port that comes with this permits you to connect it to a mouse. If you want, you can connect it to a portable keyboard also. But, you have to get the mouse and the keyboard separately as they are not part of the package. You can easily transfer the data with the help of the USB port. You can connect the port to your computer and get your files copied on it. Another method to copy files is to use its SD memory card. This memory card allows files, pictures and videos to the extent of 32 GB. Though there is no Ethernet port on it, you can have web access by connecting to WIFI. You may consider that these features are quite simple but at the same time, you can not ignore the fact that they are quite advanced. Because of their simplicity, any one can easily understand and use the features of this TV player.
The RAM on this mini PC is 512 MB RAM and its internal memory is a whopping 4GB. The mini PC supports almost all the audio and video formats. Therefore, you get the major advantage of not needing to change the format of files for watching them on your television. The Android 4.0 system used on it is the latest and so, it supports all the applications such as YouTube, Twitter and Skype through wireless Internet.
Users of this device unanimously admire this TV player because of its light weight and attractive features. They find that they need not take highly cumbersome precautionary steps to protect it. The best advantage consumers get is the most affordable price at which they can have this device. Of course, its portability and great features are added attractions. It is true that Android TV Box series consist of many other TV players but this mini PC is the easiest to use. So, users find it extremely easy to transfer all the contents to their televisions from their computers.
When you buy this, you will get a HMDI cable and a power charger. Of course, you will get a USB cable and a connector also. Since there will be a comprehensive instruction manual, you can easily use this device easily with the guidance of the manual.
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Get More Customers Building Custom iPhone and Android Apps With Automated Templates
One of the hottest opportunities for businesses and marketers
today is connecting with the billions of cell phone users through mobile
apps.
Both Apple's iPhone and Google's Android are gaining more and more users every day, users with their wallets ready to spend money and ready to use apps to find what they are looking for right from their phones instead of desktop or laptop computers.
This article explains how to take advantage of these opportunities using app builders now available through Main Street Marketing Machines.
Face it, unless you've been living under a rock, you either own or know someone who owns a smart phone. Chances are pretty good that you've seen an Apple iPhone or Google Android phone. With billions of users and millions of downloads of mobile apps for these phones, you can see the opportunity for businesses.
Build an app to showcase your business, get yourself listed in mobile search rankings and outsmart, outposition and out market your competition! In fact, if your business is not being found in mobile search now, it's going to virtually completely disappear from your target customer's radar in the next few years.
So, how can you stop this from happening? Easy, get yourself a personalized mobile app for your business. But how do you do it you ask?
Well, there are three major ways of going about it.
1) You can hire a professional app developer and pay tens of thousands of dollars and wait in line for them to get around to creating your app. You can find dozens of developers online just by doing a Google search for "iPhone App Developers."
2) You can get yourself a copy of Apple's app development software and the Google Android developer kit and spend some serious quality time learning how to do it yourself. It's readily available, just Google search iPhone Developers Kit and follow the instructions Apple gives you.
3) Finally, you can use a template builder to build your personalized app quickly and painlessly.
There are several template builders for apps available on the market now, but the easiest for businesses and marketers that I've found is the iPhone and Android app builders available as part of Main Street Marketing Machines from Mike Koenigs and the good folks over at Traffic Geyser.
If you want to check out all the options, then just Google "iPhone App Building Templates"
These template programs like Main Street Marketing Machines usually grew out of some other would-be developer trying to make the development process easier.
MSMM for example evolved from a beta test called Firepower that I participated in. The system is really designed as a complete done for you marketing system to allow Internet Marketers to get paid by local businesses for helping those businesses to get found online and get new customers from that, but the iPhone and Android development templates are awesome resources for those wanting to design their own mobile apps.
These mobile app builders allow you to build your own apps or create them for others to run on the iPhone and Android.
If you are thinking about doing your own App or you finally reallize the importance of creating a mobile app for your business and getting it found in mobile and local searches, you should check out the free videos about Main Street Marketing Machines that I link to in the resource box below or at least hop on Google and start searching for those who can aid you in creating your mobile apps.
Both Apple's iPhone and Google's Android are gaining more and more users every day, users with their wallets ready to spend money and ready to use apps to find what they are looking for right from their phones instead of desktop or laptop computers.
This article explains how to take advantage of these opportunities using app builders now available through Main Street Marketing Machines.
Face it, unless you've been living under a rock, you either own or know someone who owns a smart phone. Chances are pretty good that you've seen an Apple iPhone or Google Android phone. With billions of users and millions of downloads of mobile apps for these phones, you can see the opportunity for businesses.
Build an app to showcase your business, get yourself listed in mobile search rankings and outsmart, outposition and out market your competition! In fact, if your business is not being found in mobile search now, it's going to virtually completely disappear from your target customer's radar in the next few years.
So, how can you stop this from happening? Easy, get yourself a personalized mobile app for your business. But how do you do it you ask?
Well, there are three major ways of going about it.
1) You can hire a professional app developer and pay tens of thousands of dollars and wait in line for them to get around to creating your app. You can find dozens of developers online just by doing a Google search for "iPhone App Developers."
2) You can get yourself a copy of Apple's app development software and the Google Android developer kit and spend some serious quality time learning how to do it yourself. It's readily available, just Google search iPhone Developers Kit and follow the instructions Apple gives you.
3) Finally, you can use a template builder to build your personalized app quickly and painlessly.
There are several template builders for apps available on the market now, but the easiest for businesses and marketers that I've found is the iPhone and Android app builders available as part of Main Street Marketing Machines from Mike Koenigs and the good folks over at Traffic Geyser.
If you want to check out all the options, then just Google "iPhone App Building Templates"
These template programs like Main Street Marketing Machines usually grew out of some other would-be developer trying to make the development process easier.
MSMM for example evolved from a beta test called Firepower that I participated in. The system is really designed as a complete done for you marketing system to allow Internet Marketers to get paid by local businesses for helping those businesses to get found online and get new customers from that, but the iPhone and Android development templates are awesome resources for those wanting to design their own mobile apps.
These mobile app builders allow you to build your own apps or create them for others to run on the iPhone and Android.
If you are thinking about doing your own App or you finally reallize the importance of creating a mobile app for your business and getting it found in mobile and local searches, you should check out the free videos about Main Street Marketing Machines that I link to in the resource box below or at least hop on Google and start searching for those who can aid you in creating your mobile apps.
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Android TV and Apps
Did you hear about the new Android TV? These televisions have
caught the fancy of people and offers a new way to watch television. Be
it playing games or browsing the net, an Android TV offers a lot.
However, Android apps haven't been that easy to make. So, if you are looking forward for developers to make apps for Android TV as well, you need to consider certain aspects first.
Here is a look at the difficulties developers face when designing an Android TV box app.
Developers work hard, putting in lot of thoughts, time and energy into making a great product. However, many developers fail to take a few key steps that can help them create that magical app. It has to be remembered that almost everyone has a smartphone today. While there are millions of apps for the Android smart phones, apps which are specifically designed for playing with Android TVs are still not that high in number. Developers need to meet different challenges to design newer and better apps. Creating the right product and managing to get loyal customers requires a good strategy.
All about apps
The app icon and the user interface should be clean and be easy to use. Users begin to form opinions about the app once they download it. Developers should read the reports from users to find out the requirements.
Determination of the demographics
Developers get vast information about app users and usage from users. If you are thinking to create a new app, you need to think like a marketer and critically analyze the market to determine your target demographic. For instance, if your app is targeted at low-income people within a particular age group, why would you concentrate on building apps for iOS?
Of course, if you do that, you will spend more money and energy building apps for the wrong audience. Android TV apps in particular, need to be more appealing.
Investing on metrics that can be quantified
Most developers don't understand how to make proper use of app usage data. As a developer, you ought to read usage of app data by users on a daily basis. Developers should also use reports which show how effective their ads are and how much they can possibly monetize it.
Network for discoverability
Networking with other app developers is a great way by which you can take your apps to even greater heights. Utilize social networks and also guest blog about your app in other app developers' blogs. You can also simply attend seminars or webinars where app development is the topic. Building relationships in the right circles can offer results that you never anticipated.
Conclusion
Developers require extra effort and research to come out with something innovative. If they are developing an app for an Android TV, they need to first know the audience well to understand the needs and preferences. There are several ways of doing this. As a developer, the end product should actually be user friendly for the users.
However, Android apps haven't been that easy to make. So, if you are looking forward for developers to make apps for Android TV as well, you need to consider certain aspects first.
Here is a look at the difficulties developers face when designing an Android TV box app.
Developers work hard, putting in lot of thoughts, time and energy into making a great product. However, many developers fail to take a few key steps that can help them create that magical app. It has to be remembered that almost everyone has a smartphone today. While there are millions of apps for the Android smart phones, apps which are specifically designed for playing with Android TVs are still not that high in number. Developers need to meet different challenges to design newer and better apps. Creating the right product and managing to get loyal customers requires a good strategy.
All about apps
The app icon and the user interface should be clean and be easy to use. Users begin to form opinions about the app once they download it. Developers should read the reports from users to find out the requirements.
Determination of the demographics
Developers get vast information about app users and usage from users. If you are thinking to create a new app, you need to think like a marketer and critically analyze the market to determine your target demographic. For instance, if your app is targeted at low-income people within a particular age group, why would you concentrate on building apps for iOS?
Of course, if you do that, you will spend more money and energy building apps for the wrong audience. Android TV apps in particular, need to be more appealing.
Investing on metrics that can be quantified
Most developers don't understand how to make proper use of app usage data. As a developer, you ought to read usage of app data by users on a daily basis. Developers should also use reports which show how effective their ads are and how much they can possibly monetize it.
Network for discoverability
Networking with other app developers is a great way by which you can take your apps to even greater heights. Utilize social networks and also guest blog about your app in other app developers' blogs. You can also simply attend seminars or webinars where app development is the topic. Building relationships in the right circles can offer results that you never anticipated.
Conclusion
Developers require extra effort and research to come out with something innovative. If they are developing an app for an Android TV, they need to first know the audience well to understand the needs and preferences. There are several ways of doing this. As a developer, the end product should actually be user friendly for the users.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Portable Bluetooth Speakers - Benefits and Uses
Portable Bluetooth speakers make it effortlessly easy to listen
to your favorite music on the go. Working on the same technology
(Bluetooth) that allows you to send and receive files and data on your
cellphone wirelessly, these portable Bluetooth speakers are easy to use,
easy to set up, lightweight, and perfect for anyone who likes to carry
his music with him.
I can think of dozens of scenarios where a set of portable Bluetooth speakers would be handy. Recently, on a picnic with friends, I found myself craving some good music. While I had plenty of songs in my iPod, I could listen to them only through my headphones. But at that moment, I wanted music to be a shared experience, to listen to it along with all my friends. In such a scenario, a set of battery powered portable Bluetooth speakers would have been very handy. Just plug it in into your iPod, and enjoy your favorite tunes with friends or a loved one.
And really, that is the primary job of these portable speakers: to make music more social. In terms of portability, nothing can beat a pair of earphones. But if you want to share the music experience with others, you will need to invest in a set of Bluetooth speakers. Imagine camping with a loved one, lying under the stars, and listening to your favorite tunes. This is possible only with portable Bluetooth speakers.
Let me forewarn you though that you should not expect the same performance from a set of Bluetooth speakers as you would from a regular 2.1 speaker system. These speakers are underpowered and lightweight. Their motto is portability, not large sound. Although some speakers, especially those by Bose and Altec Lansing deliver crystal clear and lucid sound, you can't expect to go too high in terms of volume. If you are expecting these speakers to play music for a party of 20 people outdoors, you may have to look for alternative arrangements.
In terms of price, portable speakers are slightly more expensive than standard speakers. Typically, the work through USB or single pin adapters. Major brands are Logitech, Altec Lansing, Creative, and Bose. Many speakers are designed specifically to work with an iPod and have special docks to play from the iPod directly, without any cables. If you are a heavy iPod user, you should look to buy one of these.
You can also buy desktop speakers which sacrifice portability for better, bigger sound. These are like any regular speakers, except that they work through USB.
Portable Bluetooth speakers are great for bringing your music with you, wherever you go. They make music a 'shared' experience. If you are a music aficionado, these should be pretty high on your purchase list.
I can think of dozens of scenarios where a set of portable Bluetooth speakers would be handy. Recently, on a picnic with friends, I found myself craving some good music. While I had plenty of songs in my iPod, I could listen to them only through my headphones. But at that moment, I wanted music to be a shared experience, to listen to it along with all my friends. In such a scenario, a set of battery powered portable Bluetooth speakers would have been very handy. Just plug it in into your iPod, and enjoy your favorite tunes with friends or a loved one.
And really, that is the primary job of these portable speakers: to make music more social. In terms of portability, nothing can beat a pair of earphones. But if you want to share the music experience with others, you will need to invest in a set of Bluetooth speakers. Imagine camping with a loved one, lying under the stars, and listening to your favorite tunes. This is possible only with portable Bluetooth speakers.
Let me forewarn you though that you should not expect the same performance from a set of Bluetooth speakers as you would from a regular 2.1 speaker system. These speakers are underpowered and lightweight. Their motto is portability, not large sound. Although some speakers, especially those by Bose and Altec Lansing deliver crystal clear and lucid sound, you can't expect to go too high in terms of volume. If you are expecting these speakers to play music for a party of 20 people outdoors, you may have to look for alternative arrangements.
In terms of price, portable speakers are slightly more expensive than standard speakers. Typically, the work through USB or single pin adapters. Major brands are Logitech, Altec Lansing, Creative, and Bose. Many speakers are designed specifically to work with an iPod and have special docks to play from the iPod directly, without any cables. If you are a heavy iPod user, you should look to buy one of these.
You can also buy desktop speakers which sacrifice portability for better, bigger sound. These are like any regular speakers, except that they work through USB.
Portable Bluetooth speakers are great for bringing your music with you, wherever you go. They make music a 'shared' experience. If you are a music aficionado, these should be pretty high on your purchase list.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Make Your PC Bluetooth Compatible With Bluetooth Dongle
Technology is developing at an alarming rate each day. It
constantly keeps throwing up unexpected but pleasant surprises for the
increasing group of technology savvy people the world over. Users hardly
get used to one innovation that they are presented with the exciting
opportunity to explore the wonders of another. The basic premise,
nevertheless, behind all these engineering marvels is the simple aim to
make everyday living simpler and easier. The Bluetooth Dongle is another
step towards fulfilling this aim.
In a world that is loaded with information, it becomes increasingly difficult for people to manage their data effectively and in a systematic manner. The most notable aspect of all devices that are in use today is that they double up as data storage devices. Besides storage, the accessories that come along with these devices assist in data transfer, making information manageable. Carrying forward this trend, the Bluetooth dongle is a USB device that equips your personal computer with Bluetooth technology, thereby facilitating sharing of data and information.
The USB Bluetooth dongle is simple to use. It just requires plugging in the dongle in the computer's USB port and it transforms into a Bluetooth wireless communication device. The Bluetooth dongle can now communicate with any Bluetooth peripheral device. At the same time, data from your mobile phone can be transferred into your computer without the help of a pen drive or even a data cable.
The Bluetooth dongle has a built-in antenna that provides it a wireless range from 2 metres to 100 metres. Any Bluetooth device within this range can instantly connect with your local computer with the help of the dongle. In cases where data has to be transferred from one device to another, like from a computer to a Bluetooth mobile, but the software in the phone does not support the software in the PC, the Bluetooth dongle helps in transferring data easily. It is an extremely useful device for people who are constantly on the move.
The Bluetooth dongle has made transfer and sharing of information a much easier and smoother task by removing a lot of hassles that are associated with data management.
In a world that is loaded with information, it becomes increasingly difficult for people to manage their data effectively and in a systematic manner. The most notable aspect of all devices that are in use today is that they double up as data storage devices. Besides storage, the accessories that come along with these devices assist in data transfer, making information manageable. Carrying forward this trend, the Bluetooth dongle is a USB device that equips your personal computer with Bluetooth technology, thereby facilitating sharing of data and information.
The USB Bluetooth dongle is simple to use. It just requires plugging in the dongle in the computer's USB port and it transforms into a Bluetooth wireless communication device. The Bluetooth dongle can now communicate with any Bluetooth peripheral device. At the same time, data from your mobile phone can be transferred into your computer without the help of a pen drive or even a data cable.
The Bluetooth dongle has a built-in antenna that provides it a wireless range from 2 metres to 100 metres. Any Bluetooth device within this range can instantly connect with your local computer with the help of the dongle. In cases where data has to be transferred from one device to another, like from a computer to a Bluetooth mobile, but the software in the phone does not support the software in the PC, the Bluetooth dongle helps in transferring data easily. It is an extremely useful device for people who are constantly on the move.
The Bluetooth dongle has made transfer and sharing of information a much easier and smoother task by removing a lot of hassles that are associated with data management.
Monday, January 26, 2015
Advantages of an Android TV Box - Things to Know
An Android TV box is just like a smart phone. With a television
running the Android operating system, it is easy to load and uninstall
software, programs, games and other services. Quite frankly, Android TV
boxes present a new generation of set-top boxes which is unlike
traditional television sets. Android TV offers users with a wide range
of smart TV solutions. It's simple. You get more entertainment and more
education solutions than with a traditional TV.
A look at the benefits you get
While you might enjoy playing Android games on your cell phone, ever thought of playing them on the television? The set-top box is equipped with an infrared sensor bar. It is convenient to play classic games also on the Android TV.
There are features galore!
The Android TV supports flash, high definition 1080p video playback, web browsing and more than 500,000 apps and games from the Android market. The variety of functions an Android TV box performs won't let you stay away from it for long. The remote supplied along with the device is great, and 1080p video is played pretty smoothly.
Getting back to the basics
The device is a great investment for people who love to entertain themselves. The technology presented through these devices make the video watching experience totally different. Your favourite videos and movies can be directly watched from your local storage or streamed from internet sources such as YouTube, and more.
Share your favourite websites and news directly from your living room with your family and friends. An Android TV delivers everything an Android device can do, but on a big television screen. Be it browsing the internet or playing games, there is a lot you can do. What you need to run an Android TV box is only a HDMI compatible TV and an internet connection. Then, the whole web world can be at your fingertips from the comfort of your couch.
Have the convenience of using internet right from the TV
The widespread use of the internet as a media source means everything can be watched online, from movies to even niche market shows. This makes the cable television obsolete. It seems now that the future entertainment televisions will have broadband connections serving the content from around the world. The box will render old cable TV networks obsolete in the years to come.
How do you set it up?
The box is simple to set up. The device needs to be plugged into a power source and connected to a compatible TV with an HDMI port so that it is ready to boot up. These devices generally run on Android. One of the biggest advantages of an Android powered TV box are the varied capabilities of the device. Pictures, movies and videos can be easily moved from a PC to the device via Bluetooth or USB. Although the box is not as powerful as a tablet or a high end smart phone, they are fully capable of running the majority of apps available in the app market.
A look at the benefits you get
While you might enjoy playing Android games on your cell phone, ever thought of playing them on the television? The set-top box is equipped with an infrared sensor bar. It is convenient to play classic games also on the Android TV.
There are features galore!
The Android TV supports flash, high definition 1080p video playback, web browsing and more than 500,000 apps and games from the Android market. The variety of functions an Android TV box performs won't let you stay away from it for long. The remote supplied along with the device is great, and 1080p video is played pretty smoothly.
Getting back to the basics
The device is a great investment for people who love to entertain themselves. The technology presented through these devices make the video watching experience totally different. Your favourite videos and movies can be directly watched from your local storage or streamed from internet sources such as YouTube, and more.
Share your favourite websites and news directly from your living room with your family and friends. An Android TV delivers everything an Android device can do, but on a big television screen. Be it browsing the internet or playing games, there is a lot you can do. What you need to run an Android TV box is only a HDMI compatible TV and an internet connection. Then, the whole web world can be at your fingertips from the comfort of your couch.
Have the convenience of using internet right from the TV
The widespread use of the internet as a media source means everything can be watched online, from movies to even niche market shows. This makes the cable television obsolete. It seems now that the future entertainment televisions will have broadband connections serving the content from around the world. The box will render old cable TV networks obsolete in the years to come.
How do you set it up?
The box is simple to set up. The device needs to be plugged into a power source and connected to a compatible TV with an HDMI port so that it is ready to boot up. These devices generally run on Android. One of the biggest advantages of an Android powered TV box are the varied capabilities of the device. Pictures, movies and videos can be easily moved from a PC to the device via Bluetooth or USB. Although the box is not as powerful as a tablet or a high end smart phone, they are fully capable of running the majority of apps available in the app market.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Bluetooth Speaker Series: Review 2, Anker
I HAVE NO vested interest in this or any other
Bluetooth speaker, but I've recently evaluated three of the products.
This second review in the Bluetooth Speaker Series is for the Anker
Classic Portable Wireless Bluetooth 4.0 Speaker with 20-hour
Rechargeable Battery.
Today, with this up-to-date technology, anyone can enjoy clear tones emanating from their Bluetooth accessible device on the Anker speaker. With this speaker you not only get loud sound, you get clarity in crisp tones.
PROS:
· Automatic connection to the last connected device as you turn it on
· Very small & portable
· Guaranteed 15 to 20 hour, built-in rechargeable 2100 mAh lithium-ion battery
CONS:
· Consumers may want a connection range that exceeds 33 feet
Qualities
· This speaker works with all Bluetooth enabled devices of 2.1 or higher
· There is a 3.5 millimeter audio port included and it can be used for non-Bluetooth devices
· The size: this is only a 3-inch square cube
· The rechargeable, built-in battery allows the listener 15 to 20 hours of listening pleasure
· All the way up to a 33 foot connection range
· This small speaker is powered by a 4-watt, 2-inch driver with a bass port
· This speaker also doubles as a speaker phone
· To begin play you simply switch the on-button and the speaker streams to the last connected device
· An 18 month warranty with additional free, lifetime technical support
Super Battery
With this small, rechargeable, built-in battery, developed by the techies at Anker, you have extra hours of listening pleasure - up to 20 continuous hours of use. The listener can actually use the speaker throughout the entire day and still have enough battery life to play music into the night.
Listen From Anywhere
With this small cube speaker you can listen while performing almost any activity. This speaker system includes a handy pouch so that you can easily carry the speaker anywhere. Some customers may enjoy using it while they're at work, while traveling, hiking, or working out.
Summation
This system provides clear tones with good pick up. It almost seems as if the sounds are emanating from a large boom-box; but no, it's only a 3-inch, portable cube. My friends and I can enjoy this convenient product for up to 33 feet away and still get clear-as-a-bell tunes with full-bodied depth of sound. We can hear high-definition, full-bodied sounds reaching all the levels of human hearing capability. I'm primarily interested in this speaker due to the small size, portable nature, wireless capability, and quality of sound.
Today, with this up-to-date technology, anyone can enjoy clear tones emanating from their Bluetooth accessible device on the Anker speaker. With this speaker you not only get loud sound, you get clarity in crisp tones.
PROS:
· Automatic connection to the last connected device as you turn it on
· Very small & portable
· Guaranteed 15 to 20 hour, built-in rechargeable 2100 mAh lithium-ion battery
CONS:
· Consumers may want a connection range that exceeds 33 feet
Qualities
· This speaker works with all Bluetooth enabled devices of 2.1 or higher
· There is a 3.5 millimeter audio port included and it can be used for non-Bluetooth devices
· The size: this is only a 3-inch square cube
· The rechargeable, built-in battery allows the listener 15 to 20 hours of listening pleasure
· All the way up to a 33 foot connection range
· This small speaker is powered by a 4-watt, 2-inch driver with a bass port
· This speaker also doubles as a speaker phone
· To begin play you simply switch the on-button and the speaker streams to the last connected device
· An 18 month warranty with additional free, lifetime technical support
Super Battery
With this small, rechargeable, built-in battery, developed by the techies at Anker, you have extra hours of listening pleasure - up to 20 continuous hours of use. The listener can actually use the speaker throughout the entire day and still have enough battery life to play music into the night.
Listen From Anywhere
With this small cube speaker you can listen while performing almost any activity. This speaker system includes a handy pouch so that you can easily carry the speaker anywhere. Some customers may enjoy using it while they're at work, while traveling, hiking, or working out.
Summation
This system provides clear tones with good pick up. It almost seems as if the sounds are emanating from a large boom-box; but no, it's only a 3-inch, portable cube. My friends and I can enjoy this convenient product for up to 33 feet away and still get clear-as-a-bell tunes with full-bodied depth of sound. We can hear high-definition, full-bodied sounds reaching all the levels of human hearing capability. I'm primarily interested in this speaker due to the small size, portable nature, wireless capability, and quality of sound.
Monday, January 19, 2015
Troubleshooting HID Lamps
So you're cruising along lighting up the pavement with your
(hopefully!) well-focused HID lights and some fault comes along with the
lights that totally put a damper on your evening. There are many things
that can go wrong with an HID system, from not lighting up at all to
flickering to fuses blowing out. Not all HID conversion systems are
built to the same standards as OEM lights, and as with most things, you
get what you pay for. Sometimes, even with the best equipment, sloppy
installation practices and/or extreme environmental conditions combine
to ruin that nice HID glow.
Many car enthusiasts who would have no problem replacing injectors or installing a turbo simply tear out their hair when asked to diagnose electrical faults. The wires go through unseeable nooks and crannies or some components work well at startup but fail after 15 minutes of running. There are many possible causes of failure in an electrical system. They can be from heat, moisture, corrosion or vibration. Luckily, wire insulation does not degrade for a long time so that is one thing we don't have to worry about - unless you're restoring a decades-old car and you haven't replaced the wiring harness. What this all means is that when electrical failures occur, you just need to check the connections or the components themselves, and not the wires on the harness.
When an HID lighting system becomes inoperative, a simple check of the power switches, the connectors and splices or a visual check of the lamp itself is enough to diagnose the cause of the problem. Through environmental factors or plain poor workmanship, connections and splices may have gotten loose or corroded, which would result in intermittent faults or failure to operate. Bulbs at the end of their life are characterized by low light output and/or intermittent starting. Visual checks may show discoloration at the ends of the arc tube or deterioration of the electrode tip. As a quick check, you may try swapping the headlight bulbs if one side is acting up. If it lights up, then you know that it was the bulb that was at fault. If it doesn't, however, then the HID componentry is suspect. Check the ballast for signs of overheating such as bulging or discoloration. If everything still seems normal, then checking for line voltage and resistance is in order. This procedure may require a visit to your installer or electrician if you don't know your way around a multimeter.
The message here is if you install HID lighting, ensure that the installation is correct from the start. Check for proper routing so the wires don't chafe and insist of soldered splices. Then weatherproof the splices so that water splashes, oils and detergents don't prematurely degrade the connections. With these simple procedures, you can be assured of a more reliable experience for your upgrade.
Many car enthusiasts who would have no problem replacing injectors or installing a turbo simply tear out their hair when asked to diagnose electrical faults. The wires go through unseeable nooks and crannies or some components work well at startup but fail after 15 minutes of running. There are many possible causes of failure in an electrical system. They can be from heat, moisture, corrosion or vibration. Luckily, wire insulation does not degrade for a long time so that is one thing we don't have to worry about - unless you're restoring a decades-old car and you haven't replaced the wiring harness. What this all means is that when electrical failures occur, you just need to check the connections or the components themselves, and not the wires on the harness.
When an HID lighting system becomes inoperative, a simple check of the power switches, the connectors and splices or a visual check of the lamp itself is enough to diagnose the cause of the problem. Through environmental factors or plain poor workmanship, connections and splices may have gotten loose or corroded, which would result in intermittent faults or failure to operate. Bulbs at the end of their life are characterized by low light output and/or intermittent starting. Visual checks may show discoloration at the ends of the arc tube or deterioration of the electrode tip. As a quick check, you may try swapping the headlight bulbs if one side is acting up. If it lights up, then you know that it was the bulb that was at fault. If it doesn't, however, then the HID componentry is suspect. Check the ballast for signs of overheating such as bulging or discoloration. If everything still seems normal, then checking for line voltage and resistance is in order. This procedure may require a visit to your installer or electrician if you don't know your way around a multimeter.
The message here is if you install HID lighting, ensure that the installation is correct from the start. Check for proper routing so the wires don't chafe and insist of soldered splices. Then weatherproof the splices so that water splashes, oils and detergents don't prematurely degrade the connections. With these simple procedures, you can be assured of a more reliable experience for your upgrade.
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Wireless Cellular Accessories - Cool Bluetooth Devices
One of the significant inventions that have contributed to the degree
of usefulness for all users of mobile phones is the wireless
accessories. Products that are based on this technology have provided
much flexibility for mobile phone users. It is now quite possible to use
these devices while the person is on the move. These products can be
purchased through wireless cellular accessories merchants.
There are several types of wireless accessories for phones that are obtainable on the market. All these products are affordable. Some of the most popular wireless devices available on the market include headsets, Bluetooth devices, flash light pens and many others.
The introduction of Bluetooth headsets has given incredible level of versatility for all mobile users. They will accept calls with big degree of ease that was not possible before. It is also possible to listen to good music while the person is driving without the messy wired devices. These Bluetooth devices are obtainable in different shapes and colors. There are also some fantastic models that these headsets are available in wireless cellular accessories stores.
There is an urgent to find alternatives that are available in these headphones. Using the option above, you can search the entire device, which serves as a platform for playing different music. You can talk for a long time up to 6 hours when using this product. There are many leading manufacturers that produce these Bluetooth products at affordable prices, Samsung, Sony, Nokia, LG, Eriksson and many mobile providers.
If you are able to make notification calls coming your way in an office environment, flash alert is a great new product that is available on wireless cellular accessories shops and you can participate in various calls, easily.
There are several types of wireless accessories for phones that are obtainable on the market. All these products are affordable. Some of the most popular wireless devices available on the market include headsets, Bluetooth devices, flash light pens and many others.
The introduction of Bluetooth headsets has given incredible level of versatility for all mobile users. They will accept calls with big degree of ease that was not possible before. It is also possible to listen to good music while the person is driving without the messy wired devices. These Bluetooth devices are obtainable in different shapes and colors. There are also some fantastic models that these headsets are available in wireless cellular accessories stores.
There is an urgent to find alternatives that are available in these headphones. Using the option above, you can search the entire device, which serves as a platform for playing different music. You can talk for a long time up to 6 hours when using this product. There are many leading manufacturers that produce these Bluetooth products at affordable prices, Samsung, Sony, Nokia, LG, Eriksson and many mobile providers.
If you are able to make notification calls coming your way in an office environment, flash alert is a great new product that is available on wireless cellular accessories shops and you can participate in various calls, easily.
Thursday, January 8, 2015
How To Possess The Functional Projector HID Kits For Upgrading Headlights
Projector head lamps are considered as the most economical way to upgrade any aftermarket headlights. HID Xenon or projector lights are known for rendering maximum performance, functionality and lighting output. Compared to typical HID bulbs, special designed projector HID Kits ensure proper fitment and insertion to bulb slots made for the headlight. All lighting accessories and items inside the kits can be used seamlessly with any aftermarket projector headlights. If you are looking for a functional as well as performance-oriented kit, then you need to go through some smart ways so that you can have better and improved lighting solutions of your choice. These include:
First, you must know your own specific lighting needs before you use your computer and place an online order. It will be ideally good for you if you can check the type, size, design, and color of the HID lights that match vehicle's outer appearance and can make you feel comfortable. When it comes to increasing night visibility, you can make a selection from 3000K, 4300K, 6000K, 8000K and 12000K.
Then, an online research can make a real difference and help you find the best online store dealing in the selling and supplying of quality centered lighting supplies. Once you get a list of online stores using online search engines, you can choose two or three of them to come to a unanimous decision. To have the best HID kits, you must go for features, dimensions and specifications of HID lights that match your needs. Also give attention on the color temperature and lighting output of the bulbs.
Next, you must focus on the kit's quality and it can be done by evaluating quality factors including ISO certification, item no., manufacturing details, signs and symbols. Don't forget to check the kit's factory guarantee or warranty. Moreover, checking customer reviews, testimonials and public opinion can do things differently. When you choose a kit, check its corrosion and water-resistance ability.
At last, the factor that always matters the most and affects your decision directly is the price. It decides the buyers' ability to purchase products on a given price. Interestingly, all lighting kits don't come at the same price tag, but price comparison can help you find the best one with the least efforts. Even, it will help you know whether the price you are
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
A Comparison on the Best Bluetooth Headsets for Listening to Music on the iPad
Initially our intention was to compare every kind of Bluetooth
headset and headphones available. As we were using the headphones in our
day-to-day lives, we realized that certain headsets were better
designed for particular functions. Optimizing a product design for one
usage often involved degrading important characteristics of another
function. This is analogous to building a car. If you want something
fast that can go from 0-60 is 4 seconds flat; it's probably not going to
get the best gas mileage, or be of much use hauling 3 kids around town.
The bottom line is those who want the best headphones for listening to
music, or watching videos, have a different product profile than mobile
warriors looking to make VOIP calls (more on this topic at the end).
In this product comparison, we are looking for the best Bluetooth headphones to listen to music and watch movies on your iPad. While we emphasized sound quality for music and video playback, virtually all the Bluetooth headsets have built in microphones and VOIP capability. Next week we will have a product comparison for Bluetooth headsets designed primarily for voice conversations that are iPad compatible, and play stereo sound.
The criteria for our product recommendations are sound quality, fit/comfort, battery life, features, and build quality. The greatest weight is our scoring was given to sound quality (approx 40% of the weighting); with the other 4 categories given weights equally divided with the remaining allocation. All the Bluetooth headsets recommended were tested with both the iPad 1 and iPad 2 running iOS versions as early as 4.2. Going back to our car analogy, you cannot expect an inexpensive car like a Ford Focus to compare with the performance of a high end car like a Ferrari. With that in mind, we also broke our recommendations into the best iPad Bluetooth headphones within a given price range.
One last tip before we begin is there no such thing as a Bluetooth headset designed for just the iPad. So if you are browsing online, or walking through the aisles of Best Buy looking for products with the words "iPad Bluetooth Headsets" scrawled on the packaging, you will be severely limiting your selection. When shopping for a Bluetooth headset or headphones for your iPad, just look make sure it's a stereo headset or A2DP capable. The Bluetooth headset you buy for your iPad should work with your cell phone and Bluetooth enabled computer as well.
Best Bluetooth Headsets for your iPad under $40: Arctic Sound P311
Arctic Sound P311 (MSRP $39.99)
Overview:
Our winner for the best Bluetooth headset under $40 is the Arctic Sound P311. If you are a techie the name will sound familiar as Arctic Sound is a division of Arctic Cooling, a Swiss owned company that makes CPU cooling and computer accessories. While the MSRP of the P311 is $39.95, you will find this headset online for around $30. It does everything you want out of a headset at a fair price. We loved this headset over more expensive Motorola and Sony models. Sound quality was indistinguishable from the Motorola and Sony models but the features that won us over were the amazing battery life and the folding design. In addition to testing it with the iPad, we were able to pair this headset with a PlayStation 3, laptops (MAC & PC), Android Phone, iPhone, and Nokia Phone with no problems.
Sound Quality
We paired the Arctic Sound P311 with an Android phone, iPhone, and Nokia to test sound quality when making phone calls. Our friends on the other end could hear us just fine. Sound quality was crisp and there was no lag or choppiness in the conversation. For VOIP and cellular pairing, the P311 includes a hidden integrated microphone, built-in sound processor, and Advanced Clear Voice Capture (CVC) technology. The latter is just a fancy way of saying noise cancelling technology. While the microphone picks up on your voice during calls exquisitely, the noise cancelling function is not on par with higher end headsets such as the newest model Jawbone or Plantronic headsets. If you plan on speaking with a person in a noisy place such as Starbucks during the morning rush, the background noise will bleed into the conversation more than the high end headsets.
For music and video playback the sound was excellent for a device of this class. The music was crisp and vibrant at higher range. The built in high fidelity drivers were able to process sound in low range without any cracks or squeaks. The bass does sound flat when compared to higher end headsets and surround sound speakers. These are not the headsets to do sound editing on your MacBook Pro, but if you are watching Netflix on your iPad or listening to your iPod app, sound quality is excellent.
Fit/Comfort
Weighing just 2.5 ounces, the P311 is very light. The closed acoustic ear cups provides good comfort as we could where them all day without a fatigue or irritation. Some of our readers might not like the behind the ear design but we found this ideal if you are planning to use these headsets at work, as they will not mess up the hair like over-the-head headsets.
Features
One of the most useful features is the right earphone has 5 buttons that control certain settings. They allow you to answer a call, adjust the volume and forward/reverse the music. The device you pair the headset with must allow these functions but we found most do. If paired with a cell phone and there is an incoming call, the Inter-Call-Manager will play a ringtone into the headset. The music will then be paused and will resume after ending the call. Pairing to my iPad was not a problem and the controls worked for volume, skip, reverse, and pause. The Antic Sound P311 does not support multipoint Bluetooth.
Battery Life
The Arctic Sound P311 has a built in rechargeable 400mAH lithium polymer battery similar to the lithium polymer technology Apples uses for the iPad and MacBooks. The manufacturer claims up to 20 hours of listening/talk time for the Arctic Silver but you can only achieve that time under very unrealistic circumstances. When talking on the headset for over an hour and spending the rest of the time listening to music at mid volume, we averaged 12-14 hours per charge. While not the 20 hours claimed by the manufacture, this was enough for a full day's work and double the battery life of other headsets. Mobile warriors will love that the Arctic Sound P311 headset charges via mini USB instead of a proprietary design. If have a Blackberry, you can use that AC Adapter or USB cable to charge the headset leaving one less item to lug around. Charging time starting from a dead battery is about 4 hours. A USB cable is provided for you to plug into your computer or iPad AC adapter.
Build Quality:
The Arctic Sound P311 comes with a nylon hard case so they easily tuck away safely in your briefcase, purse, or backpack. The headphones themselves are made from hardened plastic. Because of its folding design, it can be damaged if you too much force is applied against the hinges. By no means does it make the headsets fragile as the headset was dropped accidentally a few times without any damage.
Bluetooth Compatibility: Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR, A2DP, AVRCP, HSP, HFP 1.5
Honorable Mention:
Jabra CLIPPER Bluetooth Stereo Headset (Ear bud Style)
Best Bluetooth Headsets for your iPad under $100: Plantronics Backbeat 903+
Plantronics Backbeat 903+ (MSRP $99.99)
Overview:
The Plantronics Backbeat 903+ is the upgrade for Plantronics best selling 903/906 series. The Backbeat 903+ was released last year incorporating the newer Bluetooth standards. The most important feature this headset has over the Arctic Sound P311 is the multipoint Bluetooth technology. What multipoint allows you to do is pair two Bluetooth devices with one headset. As long as your devices support multipoint, you can pair your cell phone to the Backbeat 903+ while streaming audio from your iPad. Most new phones support multipoint including the Android and Blackberry platforms. Both the iPhone and iPad support multipoint as long as you are running iOS version 4.1 and above.
Why is multipoint so important? If you have multipoint, you will not miss a call if you are listening to music on your iPad or iPod! If your iPhone rings while your blasting away Metallica on your iPad, the Backbeat 903+ supporting multipoint will pause the music, and notify you of an incoming call. The one touch features on the Backbeat 903+ will allow you to answer the phone without having to physically answer it.
We recommend not paying MSRP by searching online for the best deal. We bought our Backbeat 903+ on Amazon for $69.99.
Sound Quality
In terms of sound quality when making phone calls, the Plantronics Backbeat 903+ is superior to the Arctic Sound P311. This is the result of the superior noise cancelling feature and windshield. The headset has two microphones instead of just one. Both microphones are positioned be shielded from direct wind. Plantronics calls their noise cancelling technology AudioIQ2. Basically what happens is they microphones pick of your voice and digitally erase the background noise to provide a superior phone conversation.
The Backbeat 903+ has a rich and vibrant sound, and can stream music, video, and app sounds from your iPad. The headset has an enhanced bass that provides a deeper, and more earth moving feeling than the P311. While the Backbeat 903+ does have noise cancelling technology, it should be noted that it is for voice calls and not streaming music.
Fit/Comfort
Like the Arctic Sound headset, the Plantronics 903+ is a behind the ear design with close fitting earpieces. Each earpiece adjusts three ways for a custom fit.
Features
The Backbeat 903+ has a unique technology called OpenMic that allows you to hear what's going on around you with a touch of a button. The Backbeat also supports one touch controls allowing you to start/end calls, and control music functions such as volume and pause/play. Voice alerts tell you if there is a low battery, when there is an incoming call, and when you have lost a phone connection. You can also monitor the battery level of the headset on your iPhone with built-in software. And as discussed earlier, the Backbeat 903+ supports multipoint allowing you to connect to your cell phone and iPad simultaneously.
Battery Life
Battery life provides 7 hours talk time. Standby time is 7 Hours. Charge time is 3 hours and the charging interface is micro USB. An AC Adapter is provided.
Build Quality
The Backbeat is constructed of high impact plastic designed for more abuse than a typical headset. If you are runner or plan to use the Backbeat in the gym, you will love its sturdiness and flexibility. The headphones can folded up and a soft protective bag is provided.
Honorable Mention:
Sony DR-BT100CX Ear Bud Style Stereo Bluetooth Headset
In this product comparison, we are looking for the best Bluetooth headphones to listen to music and watch movies on your iPad. While we emphasized sound quality for music and video playback, virtually all the Bluetooth headsets have built in microphones and VOIP capability. Next week we will have a product comparison for Bluetooth headsets designed primarily for voice conversations that are iPad compatible, and play stereo sound.
The criteria for our product recommendations are sound quality, fit/comfort, battery life, features, and build quality. The greatest weight is our scoring was given to sound quality (approx 40% of the weighting); with the other 4 categories given weights equally divided with the remaining allocation. All the Bluetooth headsets recommended were tested with both the iPad 1 and iPad 2 running iOS versions as early as 4.2. Going back to our car analogy, you cannot expect an inexpensive car like a Ford Focus to compare with the performance of a high end car like a Ferrari. With that in mind, we also broke our recommendations into the best iPad Bluetooth headphones within a given price range.
One last tip before we begin is there no such thing as a Bluetooth headset designed for just the iPad. So if you are browsing online, or walking through the aisles of Best Buy looking for products with the words "iPad Bluetooth Headsets" scrawled on the packaging, you will be severely limiting your selection. When shopping for a Bluetooth headset or headphones for your iPad, just look make sure it's a stereo headset or A2DP capable. The Bluetooth headset you buy for your iPad should work with your cell phone and Bluetooth enabled computer as well.
Best Bluetooth Headsets for your iPad under $40: Arctic Sound P311
Arctic Sound P311 (MSRP $39.99)
Overview:
Our winner for the best Bluetooth headset under $40 is the Arctic Sound P311. If you are a techie the name will sound familiar as Arctic Sound is a division of Arctic Cooling, a Swiss owned company that makes CPU cooling and computer accessories. While the MSRP of the P311 is $39.95, you will find this headset online for around $30. It does everything you want out of a headset at a fair price. We loved this headset over more expensive Motorola and Sony models. Sound quality was indistinguishable from the Motorola and Sony models but the features that won us over were the amazing battery life and the folding design. In addition to testing it with the iPad, we were able to pair this headset with a PlayStation 3, laptops (MAC & PC), Android Phone, iPhone, and Nokia Phone with no problems.
Sound Quality
We paired the Arctic Sound P311 with an Android phone, iPhone, and Nokia to test sound quality when making phone calls. Our friends on the other end could hear us just fine. Sound quality was crisp and there was no lag or choppiness in the conversation. For VOIP and cellular pairing, the P311 includes a hidden integrated microphone, built-in sound processor, and Advanced Clear Voice Capture (CVC) technology. The latter is just a fancy way of saying noise cancelling technology. While the microphone picks up on your voice during calls exquisitely, the noise cancelling function is not on par with higher end headsets such as the newest model Jawbone or Plantronic headsets. If you plan on speaking with a person in a noisy place such as Starbucks during the morning rush, the background noise will bleed into the conversation more than the high end headsets.
For music and video playback the sound was excellent for a device of this class. The music was crisp and vibrant at higher range. The built in high fidelity drivers were able to process sound in low range without any cracks or squeaks. The bass does sound flat when compared to higher end headsets and surround sound speakers. These are not the headsets to do sound editing on your MacBook Pro, but if you are watching Netflix on your iPad or listening to your iPod app, sound quality is excellent.
Fit/Comfort
Weighing just 2.5 ounces, the P311 is very light. The closed acoustic ear cups provides good comfort as we could where them all day without a fatigue or irritation. Some of our readers might not like the behind the ear design but we found this ideal if you are planning to use these headsets at work, as they will not mess up the hair like over-the-head headsets.
Features
One of the most useful features is the right earphone has 5 buttons that control certain settings. They allow you to answer a call, adjust the volume and forward/reverse the music. The device you pair the headset with must allow these functions but we found most do. If paired with a cell phone and there is an incoming call, the Inter-Call-Manager will play a ringtone into the headset. The music will then be paused and will resume after ending the call. Pairing to my iPad was not a problem and the controls worked for volume, skip, reverse, and pause. The Antic Sound P311 does not support multipoint Bluetooth.
Battery Life
The Arctic Sound P311 has a built in rechargeable 400mAH lithium polymer battery similar to the lithium polymer technology Apples uses for the iPad and MacBooks. The manufacturer claims up to 20 hours of listening/talk time for the Arctic Silver but you can only achieve that time under very unrealistic circumstances. When talking on the headset for over an hour and spending the rest of the time listening to music at mid volume, we averaged 12-14 hours per charge. While not the 20 hours claimed by the manufacture, this was enough for a full day's work and double the battery life of other headsets. Mobile warriors will love that the Arctic Sound P311 headset charges via mini USB instead of a proprietary design. If have a Blackberry, you can use that AC Adapter or USB cable to charge the headset leaving one less item to lug around. Charging time starting from a dead battery is about 4 hours. A USB cable is provided for you to plug into your computer or iPad AC adapter.
Build Quality:
The Arctic Sound P311 comes with a nylon hard case so they easily tuck away safely in your briefcase, purse, or backpack. The headphones themselves are made from hardened plastic. Because of its folding design, it can be damaged if you too much force is applied against the hinges. By no means does it make the headsets fragile as the headset was dropped accidentally a few times without any damage.
Bluetooth Compatibility: Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR, A2DP, AVRCP, HSP, HFP 1.5
Honorable Mention:
Jabra CLIPPER Bluetooth Stereo Headset (Ear bud Style)
Best Bluetooth Headsets for your iPad under $100: Plantronics Backbeat 903+
Plantronics Backbeat 903+ (MSRP $99.99)
Overview:
The Plantronics Backbeat 903+ is the upgrade for Plantronics best selling 903/906 series. The Backbeat 903+ was released last year incorporating the newer Bluetooth standards. The most important feature this headset has over the Arctic Sound P311 is the multipoint Bluetooth technology. What multipoint allows you to do is pair two Bluetooth devices with one headset. As long as your devices support multipoint, you can pair your cell phone to the Backbeat 903+ while streaming audio from your iPad. Most new phones support multipoint including the Android and Blackberry platforms. Both the iPhone and iPad support multipoint as long as you are running iOS version 4.1 and above.
Why is multipoint so important? If you have multipoint, you will not miss a call if you are listening to music on your iPad or iPod! If your iPhone rings while your blasting away Metallica on your iPad, the Backbeat 903+ supporting multipoint will pause the music, and notify you of an incoming call. The one touch features on the Backbeat 903+ will allow you to answer the phone without having to physically answer it.
We recommend not paying MSRP by searching online for the best deal. We bought our Backbeat 903+ on Amazon for $69.99.
Sound Quality
In terms of sound quality when making phone calls, the Plantronics Backbeat 903+ is superior to the Arctic Sound P311. This is the result of the superior noise cancelling feature and windshield. The headset has two microphones instead of just one. Both microphones are positioned be shielded from direct wind. Plantronics calls their noise cancelling technology AudioIQ2. Basically what happens is they microphones pick of your voice and digitally erase the background noise to provide a superior phone conversation.
The Backbeat 903+ has a rich and vibrant sound, and can stream music, video, and app sounds from your iPad. The headset has an enhanced bass that provides a deeper, and more earth moving feeling than the P311. While the Backbeat 903+ does have noise cancelling technology, it should be noted that it is for voice calls and not streaming music.
Fit/Comfort
Like the Arctic Sound headset, the Plantronics 903+ is a behind the ear design with close fitting earpieces. Each earpiece adjusts three ways for a custom fit.
Features
The Backbeat 903+ has a unique technology called OpenMic that allows you to hear what's going on around you with a touch of a button. The Backbeat also supports one touch controls allowing you to start/end calls, and control music functions such as volume and pause/play. Voice alerts tell you if there is a low battery, when there is an incoming call, and when you have lost a phone connection. You can also monitor the battery level of the headset on your iPhone with built-in software. And as discussed earlier, the Backbeat 903+ supports multipoint allowing you to connect to your cell phone and iPad simultaneously.
Battery Life
Battery life provides 7 hours talk time. Standby time is 7 Hours. Charge time is 3 hours and the charging interface is micro USB. An AC Adapter is provided.
Build Quality
The Backbeat is constructed of high impact plastic designed for more abuse than a typical headset. If you are runner or plan to use the Backbeat in the gym, you will love its sturdiness and flexibility. The headphones can folded up and a soft protective bag is provided.
Honorable Mention:
Sony DR-BT100CX Ear Bud Style Stereo Bluetooth Headset
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