A Bluetooth killer or an enhancer? Seems Nokia's announcement today about its Wibree technology may be either one.
A unique radio technology extending local connectivity to small devices, Wibree is an open industry initiative developed by Nokia Research Center.
It complements other local connectivity technologies, consuming only a fraction of the power compared to other radio technologies, therfore enabling smaller and less costly solutions.
Wibree is the first open technology offering connectivity between mobile devices or Personal Computers and small, button cell battery power devices, such as watches, wireless keyboards, toys and sports sensors.
With a goal of having the new technology available as soon as possible, Nokia is defining the Wibree interoperability specification together with a group of companies representing semiconductor manufacturers, device vendors and qualification service providers. These include Broadcom Corporation, CSR, Epson and Nordic Semiconductor as well as Suunto and Taiyo Yuden.
Sounds pretty cool ...
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Written by VoIP & Gadgets Blog on October 3rd, 2006 with no comments.
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Recently, I received an email from a pizza delivery solutions provider seeking my assistance in an interesting application that involves VoIP, GPS coordinates, Bluetooth, and of course pizza. This is not the first time I have linked pizza with VoIP. No siree bob! In fact, my
Vonage VoIP line resulted in me getting a cold pizza. Almost
sued Vonage over my damn cold pizza too.
I know what you're thinking. What kind of VoIP application does a pizza delivery company need, right? Well, the best way to explain the application that ties VoIP, pizza, Bluetooth, and GPS together is to include the request they sent to me.
We sell software services to pizza chains. Our system tracks drivers as they drive around town. Since we know where they are and where they are going, when they are about 4 minutes from the customers’ door, we want our computer to initiate a telephone call to the customer to say the driver will arrive momentarily. We imagine some kind of a softphone application running on the PC connected to a VoIP access point to the phone system. Our software already has the .wav files prepared to “speak” to the customers.
Any suggestions on how to configure this or who we should be talking to that might sell the necessary hardware software? Is open source stuff available?
PS Our system is written in C#, so is pretty flexible.
Pizza Pilot recently announced the completion of a multi-store test in Boston-area Domino's Pizza Franchises. Pizza Pilot was successful in reducing labor, mileage theft and lost drivers. New tools for measuring each driver's "Smart Hustle" factor as well as data mining techniques to identify and prioritize target customers with Platinum, Gold or Silver service levels were also introduced.
Pizza Pilot is a software-based product that works with any POS-including Pulse and TMS/National Systems. In combination with Bluetooth and GPS-enabled cell phones, it tracks the location of each delivery driver every 60 seconds. Pizza Pilot mapping software determines the optimal dispatching and automatically assigns orders to drivers-allowing managers to focus on inside operations.
Due to its ability to track each driver's progress on their way to each destination, Pizza Pilot can determine the moment actual deliveries are made and to update drivers' estimated return times as they return to the shop-making subsequent dispatches more accurate. Maps or on-board navigation is also available which reduce lost drivers, while real-time tracking identifies and discourages unauthorized stops.
I'm most impressed with the fact that they want to call you when the pizza is 4 minutes away. Imagine that -- a pizza company that is courteous enough to call you when they are about to arrive. How many times have you been told the pizza will take 30 minutes only to see 90 minutes roll by; then when you call to check on your pizza they simply tell you the pizza guy is on the way. Really they have
no idea where he is and they're simply patronizing you. Well, with this pizza delivery company, they track all their vehicles so they can tell you exactly where the vehicle is and on top of that they plan to call you using an automated dialer using a VoIP line.
Now if that isn't a
hot application for VoIP, I don't know what is. Mmmm.
hot pizza... Ahhhh. GPS & Bluetooth gadgetry... Ooooo... VoIP coolness... Ahhhhh... All I need now is some cold beer &
ESPN -- and I'll be in heaven. Maybe I'll launch
SightSpeed 5.0 and watch some ESPN from work.
I suggested to Pizza Pilot that there is C# code out there to initiate SIP calls and they he may want to consider looking at Asterisk, the open-source IP-PBX. I also referred him to
Erik Lagerway and Ward Mundy over @
Nerd Vittles, an Asterisk blog. Erik suggested that since he was using C#, that something in
Microsoft LCS might do the trick - or paid kits like those offered by
Counterpath. Ward Mundy said he could code something for him and asked for more details on the size and scope of the project.
I'll keep you posted if the pizza/GPS/Bluetooth/VoIP application ever goes live.
GPS VoIP pizza delivery just might be coming to a neighborhood near you!
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Written by VoIP & Gadgets Blog on July 25th, 2006 with no comments.
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Plantronics sent me their
Voyager 510-USB Bluetooth headset
to review. Unlike any other Bluetooth headsets, the Plantronics Voyager 510-USB Bluetooth headset is the first to simultaneously support both VoIP softphones on your PC and your Bluetooth mobile phone simultaneously -- negating the need to deregister/re-register your Bluetooth connection with the other device. Plantronics is able to do this using their exclusive Multipoint Technology.
Measuring 4.0 x 2.5 x 0.8 inches and weighing 5.6 ounces, the Voyager 510 headset is pretty lightweight - after awhile you don't even notice it is there. It is slightly heavier and bulkier than the
Motorola HS850
, but I found the Voyager 510-USB much more comfortable on my ear. The
Motorola HS850 would often dangle and not stay put.
Many PCs or even laptops don't have built-in Bluetooth, but fortunately, the Voyager 510-USB includes a plug and play Bluetooth USB adapter that works without the need for any software drivers. This enables mobile professionals to engage in one-step hands-free VoIP calling. If you want the ability to perform remote-end answer/hang-up integration with softphones you'll need to install the PerSonoCall application.
The system integrates with enterprise softphone software from leading companies — including
Avaya,
Cisco,
Nortel,
Skype, and others — to offer call notification and remote call answering through the headset. It also is compatible with most popular consumer VoIP services, like
AOL,
MSN, and
Yahoo! although it doesn't feature remote call answer with these yet. I tested the ability to remotely answer incoming
Skype calls from the 510-USB and it worked without a hitch. On an incoming
Skype call from
Greg Galitzine I simply pressed the call control button on the 510-USB and the
Skype call was accepted. Beauty, eh?
Profle of the Voyager 510-USB Bluetooth HeadsetThe headset's "smart" technology knows which Bluetooth device you are using and allows you to take calls from any device simply by hitting the button. With the optional Plantronics Bluetooth Deskphone Adapter you can even switch between your office phone and your Bluetooth mobile phone. Thus, you won't need to use a dedicated "landline" phone headset.
The headset features a noise-canceling microphone for clearer conversations and the mic boom swivels to position on either ear. The 510 supports adaptive frequency hopping (AFH) which helps avoid interference from WiFi networks. It supports a hefty 6 hours talk time using the built-in Lithium polymer rechargeable battery and up to 100 hours of standby time.
Front View of the Voyager 510-USB Bluetooth Headset
When you place the headset on the charging base, it automatically turns off the headset and charges it. Fortunately, when you remove the Voyager 510 from the charging base it remembers to turn it back on. Similarly, if you manually shut off the headset (depress power switch for 3s) and then place it on the charger, if you remove the headset from the base, the headset stays off. I wonder if the headset isn't truly "off" when you place the Voyager headset onto the charging base while it is still on? It's probably in a pseudo-sleep mode, but not totally powered off. The difference in charging the battery is probably negligible, so most users will probably keep the headset always turned on even when charging.
Plantronics USB-510 charging base connected to 1 USB port.
Bluetooth dongle connected to PC's 2nd USB port
Button functionality & testingI had some minor difficulties with the power on/off switch which is very small and located just in front of the volume buttons, and it requires a very hard press. When the headset is on your ear, making a hard button press took a little getting used to. In any case, there are basically three buttons on the headset. The first button is simply a +/- volume button, which happens to be the largest of the three making it easy to adjust the volume.
The 2nd button is the small black button I mentioned which toggles the power button (and mute with a quick depress). The power button requires you hold the button for 3s to toggle the power. Well, they advertise in the manual that it's 3 seconds, but I tested it and it's actually 3s to turn on and just 2-2.5s to turn off. The 3s is a tad long to turn on, but useful I suppose to prevent accidentally turning on or off the headset. Of course, like I said, you have to press the power button pretty hard, so I doubt it would be pressed by accident. It probably has more to do with the time it takes to negotiate a connection with the other Bluetooth devices.
The 3rd button is placed where the boom mic meats the ear piece and it is used to call answer or end the call, as well as toggle between your PC Bluetooth connection and your Bluetooth mobile phone. It is also used to activate voice dialing, redial, and other functions.
To activate last number redial you simply double click the call control button. You will hear a high tone for each key press. When you hear a further tone, the last number has been redialed. In addition, when receiving an incoming call you can press and hold the call control button to reject a call. You will hear a tone. When you hear a second tone, the call has been rejected and you can release the button.
Voice Dialing & Call Transfer to other BT deviceYou can easily perform voice dialing supported by your mobile phone by pressing and holding the call control button for 2 seconds until you hear a second tone. Then you can speak the name of the person you wish to reach. Switching a call from your mobile phone to the headset is pretty straightforward. You simply briefly press the call control button. Switching a call from the headset back to the phone requires a slighly longer button press until you hear a tone indicating the transfer has been complete. I was able to listen to streaming music on the 510-USB, hear beeps in the headset that an incoming call was coming in, and then press the call control to answer the call.
Features
- Multipoint Technology allows you to seamlessly switch between two Bluetooth devices
- Noise-canceling microphone for superior sound quality
- Up to 6 hours talk time and up to 100 hours standby time
- One-touch call answer/end, last number redial and voice activated dialing
- Compatible with Bluetooth devices supporting the headset or hands-free profile
- Noise-canceling microphone and wind-reduction technology for brilliant sound both indoors and out;
- Lightweight, foldable design for all-day comfort and easy storage;
- Boom swivels for use on either ear;
- 33-foot roaming distance. feet away from voice-enabled Bluetooth devices
Pros- Lightweight
- Flexible and foldable to stow in pocket
- Cool charging base
- Excellent Sound Quality
- Comes with 3 different sized ear pieces for the best fit
- Includes a small portable USB Bluetooth "dongle" to Bluetooth-enable any PC/laptop
- Range performance was good - better than other BT headsets I have tested
Cons- Too dependent on the time a button is depressed for some functionality - another button to take the load of one of the features might be good
- Power switch is small and hard to depress
- USB Bluetooth dongle doesn't have a key ring to put in on your keychain
- Can switch from listening to PC audio (music or
Skype call) to an incoming mobile phone call, however if you switch from the mobile phone to your PC (music or
Skype call), it ends the mobile phone call. I wish there was a way to switch to the PC (put caller on hold) without disconnecting the mobile phone call.
ConclusionThe Plantronics Voyager 510-USB is one of the best if not
the best Bluetooth headset you can buy, period. Its ability to register with both your PC's audio software applications (including VoIP) and your Bluetooth-enabled phone is a key differentiating factor. The audio quality was very good and the headset itself is very flexible making it very comfortable to wear. I didn't have any issues with the headset losing the Bluetooth connection (cutting out) at all and the range is very good. I highly recommend the Voyager 510-USB.
The
Voyager 510-USB Bluetooth headset is available on Amazon
for just $47.99.
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Written by VoIP & Gadgets Blog on May 25th, 2006 with no comments.
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