Dubai
Jawbone’s new redesigned ERA Bluetooth headset is sleek, light and small with good sound quality. It is the most beautiful and attractive mono headset in the market.
The device fits into the ear tip with ease and it is secure. Initially, I had problems fitting into the ear in fear of the device falling down.
The ear tip uses the natural contour of the ear to create a secure fit so it’s comfortable enough but it will take days to get used to the fitting it in the ear.
Jawbone supplies four silicone ear buds – one on the device itself, one small, medium and large – inside the box for different type of users.
It comes with a handy charging cradle with a micro USB plug and a leather strap for hooking to a keychain.
The main advantage is that it has a built-in battery to provide six hours of additional life on the go, which is very useful. The device also has a flip-up USB port for charging.
The sound quality is very good and Jawbone has added NoiseAssassin technology which eliminates background noise.
ERA’s HD audio delivers clear sound to the listener on the end with no background noise but the music playback on the device is not fantastic, the volume is too low to enjoy the music.
The device’s wireless range is rated at 10 metres but the signal starts to drop when you are around eight metres and that is the case in most Bluetooth headsets. If the phone is in your pant pocket, then the signal and reception are weak.
It has got a multi-function single button on top of the device next to the USB port. At 1.83-inch long, 0.83-inch wide and 0.51-inch tall, it weighs just six grams. The small button is tricky to operate for those with big fingers, including me. There is a separate button to turn the headset on.
It has got two microphones; one is towards the top while the other is near the bottom.
Pressing the button once will answer or reject the call while double pressing the button will redial the last number and pressing the button three times will resume the last track from the phone’s music player. One press will pause audio. One disadvantage is that it does not have a dedicated volume control. Users need to keep pressing the key to adjust the volume up or down.
There is a Jawbone app to customize the device and offers easy access to Siri or Google Now for hands-free control, which works well but the phone needs to be in unlocked mode. If you need the phone to be taken out from the pocket and get it unlocked, you might as well use your hands to do the search.
The built-in locator helps users to locate the device if it’s misplaced. The app can be downloaded from the Apple or Google app stores. When you press and hold the button it activates the digital personal assistant on the smartphone.
The app displays the battery life in percentage on top of the phone as an icon.
But the sound quality is low when you need to listen to the music stored on the smartphones. Jawbone need to give it a thought in their next device.
It will name the caller ID and integrate into calendar and conference numbers. A single on the top button tells users how much battery life is left in a female voice.
The device’s battery charges within one hour and gives close to four hours of talk time, which is average. For heavy users, it may last for less than half a day. The charging cradle will come in handy for a short trip which gives an additional six hours of life. The standalone device is priced at Dh419 in black streak, silver cross, bronze streak, and red streak colours, and with the charging case for Dh499.
