Motorola ultra-small inner-ear Bluetooth headset

by Bob Crabtree on 28 June 2006, 12:06

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If you'd thought that Bluetooth headsets couldn't get much smaller, think again. Motorola's H5 MINIBLUE is a miniscule inner-ear model measuring just 33mm x 41mm. Where's the microphone? Well, like the speaker, it's inside - the MINIBLUE picks up your voice through the ear canal!

And, having the mic pick up this way is said to offer one other big advantage - it allows the person you're calling to hear you more clearly when you're in a noisy room or driving. On the downside, talk time, at 1.5 hours, is pretty limited, though the standby time is a bit more reasonable, 7.5 hours.

There are no details of UK pricing or exact availability as yet but the H5 MINIBLUE should be on sale well before Christmas.



Motorola H5 MINIBLUEH5 MINIBLUE (shown many times larger than life)



SUMMARY OF FEATURES (supplied by Motorola)
• Revolutionary technology designed around the way your body works
• Built-in speaker and microphone route voices through the ear canal, reducing outside noise
• Tiny size - only 33 x 41 millimeters
• Talk time - headset up to approximately 1.5 hours, system up to approximately 7.5 hours using the included portable charging base.
• Works up to 30 feet (10 metres) away from a compatible Bluetooth-enabled phone
• Compatible with any brand of Bluetooth-enabled phone that supports headset and handsfree profiles
• Comes with a chic, metal portable charging base

Any comments on the practicality of this one or about other Bluetooth headsets? Love to hear 'em in the HEXUS.community.

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Posted by Jonny M - Wed 28 Jun 2006 12:15
Motorola do make some nice looking bits of kit, but they always have the problem of being Motorola. Which means they will blow.
Posted by chrestomanci - Wed 28 Jun 2006 13:22
This is only a bit larger than the modern in ear hearing aids. I guess it is only a matter of time before Bluetooth headsets are so small they can be worn invisibly in the ear, without anyone else noticing.

A problem with small BT headseats is controlling them and getting information from them when they have no screens and only a few buttons. In ear hearing aids often come with remote controls (similar to a TV remote) that allows the user to change the volume, frequency response etc without taking it out.

It would be nice if you could do the same with small BT headsets via your mobile. What there needs to be is a standard for communitaing information and commands between your phone and headset, so via your phone you would be able to change the volume, and the headset would be able to tell you about a low battery etc without resorting to cryptic bleeps.

NB; I work for Nokia, but I have nothing to do with BT headset design or featues.
Posted by Funkstar - Wed 28 Jun 2006 13:26
chrestomanci
It would be nice if you could do the same with small BT headsets via your mobile. What there needs to be is a standard for communitaing information and commands between your phone and headset, so via your phone you would be able to change the volume, and the headset would be able to tell you about a low battery etc without resorting to cryptic bleeps.
I've thought this ever since i got my BT headset about 3 years ago.

The down side of near invisible head sets is that you really will look like a special person talking to yourself in the street or car. It's bad enough when i spot someone smilling or giggling at me singing along to the radio when stuck in traffic jams!
Posted by UKMuFFiN - Wed 28 Jun 2006 13:26
chrestomanci
This is only a bit larger than the modern in ear hearing aids. I guess it is only a matter of time before Bluetooth headsets are so small they can be worn invisibly in the ear, without anyone else noticing.

Lol how many looks will you get off people then. The men in white coats will be following you around.

Another lol at the ‘actual size’ pic
Posted by YorkieBen - Wed 28 Jun 2006 13:27
chrestomanci
This is only a bit larger than the modern in ear hearing aids. I guess it is only a matter of time before Bluetooth headsets are so small they can be worn invisibly in the ear, without anyone else noticing.

At least now they are visible so you can tell that the bloke talking to himself is just trying to look self-important by having a bluetooth headset :rolleyes:

if they get much smaller people using them will look like a bunch of loonies… :mrgreen:

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