Parrot readies Bluetooth speakers, hands-free car kit
updated 03:15 pm EDT, Tue May 29, 2007
Parrot Party and PMK5800
Bluetooth specialist Parrot today unveiled two devices for avid cellphone users. The Party (shown at left) streams audio from any device with Bluetooth's A2DP stereo audio support, including many cellphones as well as a handful of media players and nearby PCs. A unique addition is an RF dongle that can plug into virtually any device with a headphone jack to play music without cables. Its size also belies its sound quality, Parrot claims. Onboard hardware both widens the sound field for the 6W stereo and can artificially deepen bass for dance music.
Following up will be the PMK5800 (right), an all-in-one speakerphone kit for phones with an added music element. This represents one of the first completely installation-free Bluetooth adapters, Parrot claims. It plugs directly into the 12V power port on many cars and includes its own FM transmitter for beaming audio to the nearby stereo, saving the difficulty of rewiring the head-end unit or including a separate cable for power. It also includes A2DP support for playing music as well as calls.
Both devices will be available worldwide from Parrot as of this summer; prices in Europe should be fixed at 89 Euros ($120) but may change for other regions.
