Tech Blog

Review: Motorola Elite Silver Bluetooth headset

by Blogger on ‎05-20-2012 11:03 AM

motorola_elite_silver_headset_03.jpgBluetooth headsets may not be for everyone, but even detractors have to admit that they’ve really come a long way on aesthetics. The bigger, clunky models are a thing of the past, and in their stead are stylish and uniquely designed ones like Motorola’s Elite Silver headset. As a model that doesn’t really “hang” off the ear, it offers a sturdy fit, and complements that with noise-cancellation and good two-way audio quality.

 

It should be noted that the ear-wrapping design of the Elite Silver is definitely not going to appeal to everybody. Admittedly, while it feels like you’re not wearing anything once you put it on, it still takes some fiddling to actually wrap it around your ear. It turns on by rotating the lower section in either direction. The call button is on the bottom of the ear loop, and the Smart Key is on the hook. The Smart Key doubles as the volume and voice activation button, which might sound convenient, but also proves to be a bit of a hassle because you can’t choose between the two. For volume, you get three settings: low, medium and high. For initiating voice calls, you just have to hold the button down until you hear the prompt from your phone.

 

Audio quality on both ends is probably going to be just what you’re looking for. Calls come in clearly, even in fairly noisy environments, and by supporting Bluetooth 3.0, the Elite Silver can work up to 300 ft. away. You can also have two phones connected to it at once. Voice commands are limited when used with a non-Motorola phone. A simple “answer” or “ignore” is all you need to say when the phone rings. If you are using a Motorola Android handset, you can use the My Motospeak app to dictate and send text messages or initiate calls from contacts in your phone book.

 

With an iPhone, Voice Control or Siri (on the 4S) will kick in when you press the call button. One thing that is pretty cool is the range, mentioned above, as it allows you to talk on the headset in a house, even when your phone is blocked by walls in another room. Super convenient when your phone isn’t handy, or you’re lounging on the patio outside.

 

Because of the way it was designed, there is no microUSB port for charging the headset, so you have to use the included case to slot it in and charge it that way. The case is kind of nice to have for use as a carrying case. The case also has a built-in battery that can carry up to three full charges for the headset, so you don’t have to look for an outlet.

 

The headset also has a Near Field Communication (NFC) chip inside for simpler pairing than the typical Bluetooth method. The iPhone doesn’t have an NFC chip, and I didn’t have an Android phone on hand that does, so I can’t attest to how good this actually works.

 

Expect to see this headset in Future Shop really soon, and we’ll update that info once it hits store shelves.

 

 

 

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