Jawbone puts out ERA with motion sensor, larger sound
updated 08:25 am EST, Thu January 20, 2011
Aliph unwraps Jawbone Era Bluetooth headset
Jawbone started Thursday by putting out a major update to its core Bluetooth headsets. The Jawbone ERA is the first earpiece to have an accelerometer inside and can use it for both its own functions and third-party apps. Four shakes will put it into pairing mode, and a double-tap will start, switch or stop a call.
Audio quality has also been given a boost. The speaker is now a quarter larger than on earlier Jawbones and should not only be easier to hear but detailed enough to be listenable for music. A new version of the NoiseAssassin noise reduction system can adjust the EQ and volume from the outside speaker used to drown out external noise.
Subtler adjustments include dual processors, an extra hour of battery life and extra memory. Although it works with any Bluetooth phone, iOS owners continue to get better treatment with a headset battery life indicator on an iPad, iPhone or iPod.
The Jawbone ERA is available today in four colors and costs the same $130 as most previous Jawbone headsets.
