Aliph Jawbone to sell alongside iPhones

Aliph's Jawbone Bluetooth headset will accompany the iPhone at its June 29th launch, the company announced today. The $120 device will sell at the Apple Store online as well all of Apple's retail outlets and should offer a relative premium option for hands-free calls thanks in part to a unique noise canceling system that recognizes speech and boosts voice volume while also filtering out background noises. Black, red, and silver versions will be in stock, Aliph says. The company already sells its headset through AT&T's stores.

The inclusion of the Jawbone in Apple's phone accessory offerings raises questions about the availability and pricing of the official Apple Bluetooth headset, which only just met with FCC approval and has yet to receive a formal announcement beyond its mention at Macworld in January. Apple typically sells third-party competing products at its stores (such as headphones) but usually offers them as premium alternatives.