There is a tremendous amount of new hardware available today for Windows Mobile devices: how do you find out what's good and what's not? It's too expensive to purchase a product that may or may not work well for you. So, each month I review a variety of new accessories and select an exceptional product based on how useful I believe it will be to our readers and how well it works. Then, I post my "Monthly Hardware Pick" in my New Product Report newsletter and online (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/newsl_NPR/editorspicks.asp).
This article summarizes these picks for last year. I hope they help you find a hardware solution that will save you time, money, and make your daily use of the Pocket PC more effective!
Bluetooth Stereo Headset BSH-100
This folding wireless stereo headphones/headset combo performs double duty: it's both a high-quality BT stereo headphone that supports the A2DP Bluetooth stereo headphone profile, and a headset with microphone for use with cell phones and PDA phone devices via the headset profile. For storage and transportation, the headband hinges at the center and both earphones fold back towards the headband, making for a very compact footprint that should fit into most pockets; the total size folded is only 2 inches by 3-1/2 inches. There is also a boom microphone (1-1/4 inches) that plugs into the same mini-USB connector on the headset that's used for charging the battery. The microphone is removable, allowing you to use these to listen to music, as well as with a phone. Controls are located on the outside of the right earphone and include Up/Down, Next/Previous, On/Off, and Action buttons. Battery life is about 7 hours; the batteries are rechargeable.
Price: $97.95; available from Anycom, Inc. (http://www.anycom.com)
Anycom folding Bluetooth wireless stereo headphones that double as a phone headset.
6i Isolator Earphones
Hear more music and less noise with these high-end earphones for your Pocket PC, Portable Media Player, and (with adaptor) Smartphone. These earphones are like earplugs; they cut down external noise by about 35 decibels, which makes them ideal for listening to music while on a plane or in a car. High frequencies are quite clean and low frequencies are rich. These quality earphones are design by a company that specializes in "electroacoustics."
Price: $149; available from. Etymotic Research, Inc.(http://www.etymotic.com)
6i Isolator Earphones: Less noise and more music for the mobile device audiophile.
Touch Bluetooth Clip Headset
This headset has great audio quality, and its clip-on design frees up your ear from having to wear a headset all day long. Touch clips on to your clothing and has a short cord with an ear bud attached. The microphone is on the base of the clip and a small speaker is located on the cord going to the ear bud. The speaker emits a loud sound alerting you to a call. You place the ear bud in your ear and press the small button on the bud to receive the call. The headset was developed by i.Tech Dynamic Ltd (http://www.itechdynamic.com)
Price: $51.95; available for purchase from Expansys (http://www.expansys.com).
Touch clip-on headset alerts you when you have a call!
Secure Digital Scan Card 3E
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