“Plantronics released the MX100 for the iPod, a dual-purpose headset device connecting the iPods and cell phones. “People want to be able to listen to music, but still receive an important phone call,” said Dean Hovey, vice president and general manager of mobile and entertainment markets for Plantronics. “Now, someone can listen to their iPod and easily answer an incoming call via a simple switch on the headset cord.” The MX100 retails for US$39.99 and is available at the Apple store.” Via DIFFERENTDISTRICT.COM
Say goodbye to the days of near-death experiences when using the iPod in conjunction with a cell phone headset.
Unless you are an early adopter of pricey Bluetooth headsets you are probably one of the legions of iPod users who perform a complicated juggling act of wires when trying to answer a call with the trademark white earbuds firmly plugged into your ears. Often it can leave the tangle of wires around your neck and shoulders looking like the wall socket underneath your computer desk. Thankfully Plantronics, a leading player in the headset technology market, has introduced a more seamless experience with the MX100’s.
“Simply plug the MX100’s into your iPod and mobile phone at the same time, set your mobile phone to vibrate, and turn up the tunes! If you feel your mobile phone vibrate, flick the switch from music to phone then answer your phone without taking off your headphones! When you’re on the phone, the AcuSpeak microphone technology delivers clear, crisp conversations. The MX100-s works with your iPod and most headset-ready mobile phones, including Motorola, LG, Audiovox, and Kyocera. Plantronics also makes available – free of charge – adapters for the most popular Nokia and Sony Ericsson mobile phone.”
Of course, until one of the iPod enthusiast sites, such as iPodlounge or iPoditdue.com, reviews the sound quality of the MX100’s vs. the current recommended crop of iPod compatible headphones, like the Shure, Etymotic or Sony Fontopia family of earbuds, it will be tough to say whether Plantronics solution will be acceptable to the more discerning ears out there. But I think it’s pretty safe to say if you are the kind of user who is more than happy with the Apple-supplied earbuds that came with your iPod, and are a heavy cell phone user, the MX100’s may just be the product for you.
