Apparently, Aliph isn’t a huge fan of model numbers or extraneous branding. They’ve already managed to re-associate the word “Jawbone” with “really friggin’ good headsets”, so there isn’t really any reason for them to call a new one “Ultra Jawbone Facerocket Plus” or something. As such, Aliph’s newest Jawbone is simply going by “the new Jawbone”.
The new Jawbone is 50% smaller than the model it’s replacing, and promises crazy levels of noise reduction through its NoiseAssasin technology. I’m not usually one to get all giggidy about marketing names, but that’s probably the coolest possibly name they could have come up with it. It doesn’t just block noise - it sneaks up behind it and stabs it in the head.
The headset comes in black, gold, and silver. You can grab one for $129 through AT&T or Jawbone.com. I’ll have a review up as soon as I get my hands on one.
Full press release below.
ALIPH INTRODUCES NEW JAWBONE® BLUETOOTH® HEADSET WITH NOISEASSASSIN™ TECHNOLOGY AT AT&T STORES NATIONWIDE
Humanistic and Minimalist Design Eliminates Up to Ten Times More Noise Energy than Closest Competitor
Might 15, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Might 15, 2008 - Aliph, the established market leader in noise eliminating Bluetooth® headsets, this day introduced the new Jawbone® Bluetooth headset. In the tradition of bringing together science and beauty, the new Jawbone design is 50% smaller than the original award-winning Jawbone, and features breakthrough noise elimination technology to provide even better voice quality than the original in a smaller and more ergonomic package. It is available this day exclusively at AT&T retail stores and at www.jawbone.com or www.wireless.att.com.
Bluetooth headset shipments are predicted to top 120 million units worldwide in 2009. With over 60% of new phones in North America shipping with Bluetooth, and hands-free driving legislation in effect in five states and the District of Columbia by July 1st, the new Jawbone combines unparalleled form and function just in time to appeal to a broad and growing consumer audience.
The Best Just Got Better
The new Jawbone headset is the next step in the marriage of best in class noise elimination science with a personal design that’s both humanistic and minimal. The new Jawbone features military-grade NoiseAssassin technology, which is unmatched in its capability to address real-world noise environments like busy streets, automobiles and airports, and blocks out up to ten times more noise energy than its closest competitor.
Jawbone’s NoiseAssassin technology literally feels your speech with its patented Voice Activity Sensor (VAS). The Jawbone headset uses the VAS to distinguish the sound of your voice from ambient noise with breathtaking accuracy and then uses proprietary Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms to subtract the noise so only the sound of your voice comes through.
The NoiseAssassin technology was originally developed for Aliph for DARPA (The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), which creates and delivers breakthrough technology for the U.S. military. It is tested and designed to work in the toughest, most inhospitable terrain, when clear communication is critical, which means for the average user it is designed to perform everywhere.
The new Jawbone headset is designed to be easy to use. Two streamlined buttons are operated by touching the outside shield, and they control all the functions of the headset, which is extremely lightweight at just 10 grams.
“In creating the new Jawbone we focused on improving our audio performance beyond the marketing leading noise solution that we already had, and elevating the design to a point where it would appeal to a broad range of consumers who would love to wear it,” said Hosain Rahman, CEO and co-founder of Aliph. “Jawbone provides incredible audio quality in a form factor that is a true lifestyle accessory - it’s a new and complete departure from the typical gadgetry of the Bluetooth category.”
“When Aliph and AT&T launched the original Jawbone, a new standard was set for voice quality and design in Bluetooth headsets,” stated Carlton Hill, vice president of Product Management, Voice Products and Affiliate Marketing for AT&T’s wireless unit. “Given the market response to the original Jawbone, we’re thrilled to work with Aliph again to launch the new Jawbone - which once again promises to be one of the most innovative headsets in the marketplace.”
It’s Not a Headset - it’s Earwear
The new Jawbone is designed to look and feel like an accessory along the lines of jewelry and eyewear. “If it’s not beautiful, it doesn’t belong on your face,” stated renowned industrial designer Yves Behar, chief designer of the Jawbone headset.
Made with premium materials, including medical grade plastic with superior cosmetic and health performance, the expressive aesthetic confers a premium visual and ergonomic experience. The new Jawbone provides a more comfortable and customized fit with three sizes of earbuds and four earloops that can be worn on either ear - two sizes of soft, stitched leather earloops and two sizes of trim earloops, best for use with eyeglasses.
Availability and Pricing
The new Jawbone is available this day for $129.99 at AT&T retail stores nationwide and on the internet at www.jawbone.com and www.wireless.att.com. Available initially in matte black, it will be coming soon in silver and rose gold.
The New Jawbone
Compatible with all Bluetooth-enabled phones, the new Jawbone supports more than four hours of speak time and eight days of standby time. Featuring a new fast-charge battery that charges up to 80% of capacity in just over half an hour, the new Jawbone can be charged with the included USB cable on a computer, or with the wall-charger.
Price: $129.99
Weight: 10 grams
Speak Time: Over 4 hours
Standby Time: Over 8 days
Range: Up to 33 feet (10 meters)
Charge: 80% charge in 35 minutes, 100% charge in
Colors: Black / Silver / Rose Gold
Supports Bluetooth® 1.1, 1.2, and 2.0
Additional Information
* 50% smaller than the original Jawbone
* Military-grade noise elimination technology
* Eliminates up to 10x more noise energy than closest competitors
* Faster processing eliminates unexpected noise bursts
* Unmatched intelligibility - voices sound human, not robotic
* Sophisticated dual microphone array reduces wind noise
* Invisible touch controls
* Three-dimensional texture on shield inspired by noise abatement surfaces
* Premium materials including medical-grade plastic and fine leather
* Magnetic USB cable & wall charger included
* Three (3) earbuds - small, medium, and huge
* Two (2) fine leather earloops - medium and huge
* Two (2) slim earloops best for use with eyewear - medium and huge
* Fits either ear
As you know, after Feb. 17, 2009, all analog television broadcasts will end and the U.S. will go digital. Companies are competing with one another to set the standard for mobile TV, which will grant mobile phones to receive and display digital signals from local broadcast stations. Samsung Electronics and LG are joining the arena where only one standard comes out the winner.
