Last year at CES the folks at Aliph didn't have anything new to show us from the Jawbone that they announced and released at the previous CES. Instead they did some very cool viral marketing by allowing people to switch out their existing headsets for their current line and many people took them up on that offer to gain the noise cancellation headset. They had eluded that they were going to have a new one coming out in 2H 2008 based on customer feedback and a new innovative design with even better sound cancellation than the first version. We couldn't wait to see it after we received their latest press announcement.
The New Jawbone packaging takes a lot of the same packaging design from the previous Jawbone. If I remember correctly it is almost the same, but why change a good thing. :)
The packaging is very similar to the first generation Jawbone with a nice clear case suspending the jawbone on a pedestal. They have a great out of box experience something I am big on when you purchase a consumer electronics device you should always feel like you are getting something special, something of value and the folks at Aliph seem to understand this very well. Quality packaging usually means a quality product lies inside.
Sliding off the black paper sleeve like one off of a Venti Starbucks Chai Tea Latte, you reveal the clear case, that flips up like a jewelry box.
Getting Started Quickly
On the bottom of the case is a black quick start guide with three simple steps -Welcoming you to a 'Whole New Talk'.
Pulling out the Jawbone Quick Start Guide it unfolds to reveal a Jawbone over view showing you the two buttons on the device the Noise Assassin button located on the back session of the headset and the Talk Button which is located in the middle of the headset.
The rest of the guide goes through charging the New Jawbone, Pairing, customizing the fit, explanation of the VAS- Voice Activation Sensor and Noise Assassin technology,how to use the New Jawbone and more.
To remove the headset from the packaging you simply pull on the large clear plastic divider labeled PULL removing the head set from the two halves of the pedestal that suspends it.
Covering the ear piece is a small piece of plastic vinyl labeled Remove Before Use, it just fell off. :)
The New Jawbone has a nice white single stitched leather Ear loop and goes on much easier than the previous Jawbone, that had required some getting used to and repeatedly using it to be able to put it on and and taking it off with one hand and generally required two at times. The New Jawbone just goes on and stays put. The new version is so light and comfortable you forget you are wearing it. The clear white button on the inside of the headset is called the VAS (Voice Activity Sensor) rests on your Jaw senses when you talk and when you don't turning on and off noise cancellation. If the VAS doesn't make contact with your face it won't work properly.
Customizing the fit
Underneath the quick start guide is a small box neatly labeled Customize Your Fit. Opening the box you will find a neatly laid out box with the components for customizing the fit of the New Jawbone to you liking. Included on the headset is a Medium Leather Earloop and a medium Earbud. In the box are a small and large Earbud, Large Leather Earloop(labeled XL), Medium Earloop and a Large Earloop. The nice thing that is different from the previous version is that the Earloops work on either the left or right ear, reducing the amount of Earloops.
There is very little size difference between the earbuds, but having the "right" fit is very important. I found that the smallest earbud actually worked best for me and I could even use the headset with out the earloop and it still wouldn't shake free or fall off like the first Jawbone.
I still take the earloop with me and I was able to find a makeshift case for it as well, from an old JellyBelly jellybeans case that I had hoped would fit my previous Jawbone. (Yes, Ray it fits!)
Since these above pictures were taken(last night) I have also added a custom fitted foam piece from some foam packing material and shaped it for the New Jawbone and the ear loop and it makes for a nice case with out any rattling or "pocket noise".
Power to Go
The larger box beneath the custom fit kit labeled Power Up slides open with a little effort. Its a pretty tight fit.
This reveals a paper pull tab and the word Jawbone peaking through a window. Pulling on the tab opens the top of the second box that secures down its contents.
Which contains a small booklet of "important safety information", a nice light grey transformer labeled Jawbone that outputs 5V at 550mA with foldable prongs for easy transport, and a USB charging cable. I actually like the fact that the cables are a different color from the black and white spaghetti that usually oozes from one's bag making it a bit discernable.
The charging connector in the New Jawbone are recessed near the earbud and there is no rubber cover to loose like in the first Jawbone. On either side of the connector are 2 magnets for providing a secure connection.
The charging cable connects with out any problems and fits like a glove thanks to the pull of the 2 magnet pairs in the headset and in the charging cable. I was also able to use the USB cable coupled with an Automotive Cigarette lighter/Auto Accessory charger with a USB receiver to charge the Jawbone in the car. It takes about 35 minutes to get to 80% charge and just under 50 minutes to get to a full charge from being totally dead.
With the 50% reduction in size so is there a 50% reduction in battery life. In my audio test using BT Audio and playback of Sirius Radio via Sirius WM5, I averaged 3 hours and 42 minutes with the New Jawbone and 6 hours 14 minutes with the older Jawbone. Still for my usage, it works pretty well with a charge needed about once a week.
Comparing the New and the Old
When on their sides and alone there doesn't seem to be much difference between the two Jawbones.
When placed side by side, you can clearly see the difference between the two.
Even the Earloop design and earbuds are different. The New Jawbone has a larger hole and I no longer have to use a Jabra earbud on my Jawbone to get a clearer sound.
From every angle it is amazing how much smaller the new version is.
On the head you can clearly see a difference and when you are wearing it you really notice the difference.
Pairing Up
The first step is to plug in and Power Up the Jawbone for 50 Minutes with the included AC adapter behind the black quick start guide. I couldn't wait that long and just turned it on. I figured I could charge it up later after I got it paired. :)
The next step is to pair the headset with your phone. The first time the headset is turned on it automatically going into pairing mode, which is very cool. If you wish to pair it with other phones, computer, devices,etc. You just hold down the hidden talk and Noise Assassin buttons for 2 seconds. The indicator light flashes between red and white like the original Jawbone and is ready to pair with your device once it is found with the standard pair code of '0000' .
Once paired you are ready to make a call with your New Jawbone. If you are a previous Jawbone user it takes some getting used to on how it works since it now works a bit differently. I found myself hanging up on calls when I went to increase the volume until I got used to where the Noise Assassin button was located, which when you are wearing it is located on the back of the device. Voice Command also works differently from the first version in that it used to be a press of the Talk button now its a press and hold for 2 seconds of the Noise Assassin button. A triple tap of the Noise Assassin button will redial the last number. I did like the feature of turning off the LED by pressing the talk button 5 times while in standby since that LED can be bright and distracting to others. I was able to pair the Jawbone with 3 other devices without problem Motorola Q9H, Nokia N80, Sprint Moto Q, and an HTC Wizard (pictured). I was able to use it between devices without any problems as long as the bluetooth was off and unpaired from the Jawbone. Yes it also works with an iPhone
Can You Hear me Now?
The call quality of the New Jawbone was indeed better than the previous model. I was actually surprised because the Jawbone had given me the clearest sound I had from any Bluetooth headset I had tried and I have tried many, as many lie in my headset graveyard drawer. The New Jawbone seemed to do a good job as I answered a call with my kids watching the recording of the American Idol finale at volume of -24dBs, (which is pretty loud in our house), my oldest was practicing her clarinet, while my other two children were "talking loudly" to each other about the show -a true Calgon moment. However, even with all the noise I was able to talk and the person on the other end thought I was home alone.
When listening to the playing back of some voice mails through the new Jawbone, voices sounded a bit digitized even with both the Noise Assassin on and off (holding the Noise Assassin button for 2 seconds while in a call). However all of my phone conversations sounded clear, so it must be the voicemail system of my provider that caused the digitization that I heard. I even did a sound test between the built-in microphone, an old Plantronics headset without noise cancellation, the old Jawbone, and the New Jawbone. The person on the other end could hear the difference and noticed a gradual improvement as I switched them out. I even tried to fool my tester, by switching back to another one and they could clearly hear the difference.
Product Details:
Price: $129.99
Weight: 10 grams
Talk Time: Over 4 hours
Standby Time: Over 8 days
Range: Up to 33 feet (10 meters)
Charge: 80% charge in 35 minutes, 100% charge in < 1 hour
Colors: Black Silver Gold
Supports Bluetooth® 1.1, 1.2, and 2.0
Additional Information
- 50% smaller than the original Jawbone
- Military-grade noise elimination technology
- Ten times better voice clarity than competing headsets – meaning it transmits 90% less noise
- Faster processing eliminates unexpected noise bursts
- Unmatched intelligibility — voices sound human, not robotic
- Sophisticated dual microphone array reduces wind noise
- Invisible touch controls
- Three-dimensional texture on shield inspired by noise abatement surfaces
- Premium materials including medical-grade plastic and fine leather
- Magnetic USB cable & wall charger included
- Three (3) earbuds — small, medium, and large
- Two (2) fine leather earloops — medium and large
- Two (2) slim earloops ideal for use with eyewear — medium and large
- Fits either ear
The New Jawbone is now exclusively at AT&T retail stores and Jawbone.com for $129. Just like the previous version the New Jawbone comes in a variety of colors like Gold (goldy lips), Black (blah,blah black), and Silver (silver tongue).
I was always hoping for a smaller version of the Jawbone and got just that. I really despised the loop on the Jawbone and hated the fact that it wasn't easy to put on. The newer version is 50% smaller and lighter with an Earloop that goes on easily. Better yet I found that I don't really need to use it at all since the fit is so good. The other version I had broke a few of the Earloops due to the fact of getting caught on things in my pocket or my pocket liner. I do wish that they included a carrying case with this headset, but my makeshift version works fine. If you are looking for a new Bluetooth headset that has great sound quality and is comfortable to wear I highly recommend the New Jawbone. It is not just a headset, it is EarWear.