Bose Introduces First Single-Ear Bluetooth Headset For $150

Bose. It's a name that most people recognize. It's a respected, and equally controversial, name in audio. But mostly, Bose has focused on home theater and bedroom audio systems. They have branched out into headsets and over-ear headphones in recent years, as well as putting their name on a new HDTV setup earlier in the year. But now, the company is doing something radically new and different: a Bluetooth headset.


What's interesting about this move is that Bose isn't riding a bandwagon. In fact, most would argue that this ship has sailed. Bluetooth headsets aren't nearly as popular now as they once were, but obviously Bose believes that they have something special here. The company has revealed their first single-eat Bluetooth headset (a self-titled device), and as you may expect from the notoriously secretive company, it relies on proprietary technologies that "lets users hear and be heard -- even in changing noise environments."

It uses Bose's TriPort acoustic headphone structure and new Bose Adaptive Audio Adjustment technology -- an advancement that measures incoming speech and background noise, and adjusts voice levels automatically and smoothly. These are so the user can hear the caller even in noisy environments, and the caller can hear the speaker just the same. The microphone itself is held within a special housing, which enables the microphone to selectively sense the user's voice, and acoustically reject background sounds that interfere with it. It also relies on StayHear tips for a comfortable fit, and the call end/volume buttons are about as simple as they come.

The headset includes a protective case and 3 ear-tip sizes (small, medium, large) and will be on sale next month for $149.95.

BOSE INTRODUCES THE BOSE® BLUETOOTH® HEADSET

A New Level of Performance for Bluetooth Headsets: Communication, Comfort, and Ease-Of-Use

Today, Bose has introduced its first single-ear Bluetooth headset -- the new Bose Bluetooth headset. Using proprietary technologies, the new Bose Bluetooth headset lets users hear and be heard -- even in changing noise environments. Featuring a unique design and user interface, the Bose Bluetooth headset stays comfortably and securely in place, and makes call control easier than ever before. The resulting experience is unrivaled in the vast marketplace of Bluetooth mobile headsets.

The Bose Bluetooth Headset features enhanced Bose TriPort® acoustic headphone structure, now optimized for speech reproduction, and new Bose Adaptive Audio Adjustment technology -- an advancement that measures incoming speech and background noise, and adjusts voice levels automatically and smoothly. These innovations work together to ensure what a user hears remains consistent when moving between quiet and loud places -- without changing the volume controls.

The Bose Bluetooth headset is engineered with a microphone built into specially designed housing. This proprietary design enables the microphone to selectively sense the user's voice, and acoustically reject background sounds that interfere with it -- so the caller is heard more, and distractions are heard less.

The Bose Bluetooth headset includes the exclusive Bose StayHear™ tips for a comfortable, stable fit -- without an ear hook. Made of soft silicone and designed with a rounded profile, the tips conform to the ear without creating the pressure points or "tightness" associated with conventional designs.

For a new level of convenience, a sliding on/off switch lets users quickly turn the headset on to answer a call, or see that it's turned off. There is no special sequence of button presses to control functions: volume and call buttons are located on the upper edge of the headset, and taking calls requires one simple top-to-bottom pinching motion -- that won't dislodge the earpiece. Clearly labeled LED indicators are located on the headset's inner face, and make it easy to check battery life, or confirm a Bluetooth connection is established with the phone. They remain out of sight when the headset's in use, enhancing the sleek and understated design.

The Bose Bluetooth headset is compatible with other Bluetooth devices using Bluetooth 2.1 (or earlier) specifications that support the Bluetooth hands-free and headset profiles.

Availability

The Bose Bluetooth headset includes a protective case and 3 ear-tip sizes (small, medium, large). It will be available from Bose beginning in late November for $149.95. It will be sold at select authorized Bose dealers, Bose retail stores, www.Bose.com, and toll free at 1-800-444-BOSE (2673).