BlueAnt V1 Voice Control Headset

Cool Yule Rating: 5 stars

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Cool Yule Rating: 5 stars

Price: $99.95

Product Web site

Description: I would give this headset five stars just for its amazing setup process, in which a voice inside the headset guides you through the Bluetooth pairing process on your cell phone. Never before have I been able to pair a Bluetooth headset to my cell phone as fast as I did with the V1.

But that's not all this amazing headset has to offer. The V1 includes voice recognition software that allows you to control actions on the phone, including your basic "call, answer, ignore, call voicemail", etc., but also includes a voice-controlled help menu that helps you perform some advanced functions on your phone without having to consult either the phone's or the headset's user manual. For example, saying "Teach Me" and then "Speed Dial Set Up" gives you some instructions on how to set up speed dials on your phone (sadly, the iPhone 3G doesn't support speed dialing, so those functions didn't work that well on my phone). Other helpful commands included "Am I connected?" which lets you know if the headset is still paired to the phone, and "Check Battery", which tells you the relative battery life on the V1. The software also lets you use your voice when an incoming call comes in, you can say "Answer" or "Ignore" to either accept the call or not.

The headset also includes dual microphones and voice isolation technology that focuses on your voice and no others in the room or car, allowing callers to hear much better on calls. During a call to my wife, where my daughter was in the back seat talking away, my wife said she could not hear my daughter on the call.

The V1's rechargeable battery can be recharged via a USB cable to a computer, or an included power adapter, which includes a very cool and flexible gooseneck attachment. The system also comes with rubber ear gels or foam tips, providing different choices for comfort and user preference. I was fine with the rubber ear gel that came attached with the unit, I didn't feel that it was overly uncomfortable and could wear the headset for long periods.

If you've tried a lot of Bluetooth headsets and have been frustrated with them, it's time to step up and try the V1. If you are new to the Bluetooth headset world, you'll find no other headset that's as easy to set up and configure, and the voice features will have you liking the headset even more.

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