Plantronics, Inc., the world leader in communications headsets, today announced the Plantronics M1000, a Bluetooth wireless headset. This product was recently shown at both the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) show in Las Vegas, Nevada and at CeBIT in Hannover, Germany.
The M1000 is the first headset to be powered by second-generation chipset technology, which delivers better sound quality, longer talk times and lighter weight than earlier chipset designs.
The Plantronics M1000 headset delivers wireless, hands-free communications with other Bluetooth products, such as mobile phones and PDAs. "With the launch of the M1000, we`re delivering the headset that our customers and the market have come to expect from Plantronics; superior sound quality, outstanding style and comfort, and a price point that should increase adoption," said Ken Kannappan, Plantronics President and CEO. "As voice-driven applications increase, we believe headsets will become the preferred method for communicating naturally and comfortably with other Bluetooth products, freeing people from dial pads and wires."
The M1000 headset is an all-new model created specifically for the needs of mobile professionals. "The Plantronics M1000 is an exceptionally comfortable, well-designed headset," said Joyce Shimizu, president of Plantronics Mobile Communications Division. "We know from our research that mobile users have very definite expectations of what a Bluetooth headset should be: it must have superior sound quality, be both comfortable and easy to put on and take off, and it must have style. With the M1000 headset, our team has exceeded these expectations across the board, from the sleek, stylish design, to the user-friendly interface, to the superior sound quality, we have a best-in-class product."
The Plantronics M1000 Wireless Headset
The Plantronics M1000 Wireless Headset weighs less than an ounce -- only 26 grams -- so it rests lightly on the ear. The headset is held securely in place with a unique conformable earloop that can be easily shaped to provide a comfortable fit for any ear.
The key to the exceptional balance and fit of the M1000 headset is the design of the controls and battery. The Plantronics team created a versatile interface that lets mobile users easily operate the headset while they`re on the go. The Answer/End button on the side of the headset serves two purposes -- it turns the headset on or off and answers or ends a call. The button is textured so it can be easily located by touch, and also contains an in-use indicator light, so others know when the user is talking on the headset. A second control allows users to dial the volume up or down with the touch of a finger. The same control can be pressed in to engage the mute feature. To keep the mobile user aware of the headset`s status, Plantronics designers created a unique system of audible tones that alert the user to various conditions, such as mute, low battery, or out of range.
In addition to the innovative interface, the boom-style design of the M1000 headset contains a noise-cancelling microphone that delivers clear, crisp conversation by minimising the background and wind noise commonly found in mobile environments. The adjustable boom, which allows optimum positioning, and the noise-cancelling microphone, makes the design of the M1000 headset well suited for voice-activated dialling services and future voice-technology applications.
Mobile users will also appreciate the longer battery life made possible by the M1000 headset`s second-generation design -- up to three and one-half hours of continuous talk time, and up to 100 hours of standby time. Powered by two nickel metal hydride 1/3 AAA batteries, the headset can be fully recharged in one hour.
The Plantronics M1000 Wireless Headset can be recharged via an AC adapter included with the product, or with an optional cigarette lighter adapter. The cigarette lighter adapter has a "Y" connector, so users can charge both the headset and a mobile phone simultaneously. Knowing that mobile users may sometimes need to continue calls even when batteries run low, Plantronics designed the M1000 so it can be used while it`s recharging. The batteries are user replaceable.
The Bluetooth Market
A study by Strategy Analytics projects the shipment of Bluetooth computer and communications devices to accelerate rapidly over the next four years, reaching almost 275 million units by 2005. According to the study, by 2005 the demand for Bluetooth headsets could reach 50 million units.
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Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a low-cost, short-range wireless technology that promises to eliminate the cables and wires that currently connect most computing and communications devices. Plantronics was one of the earliest members of the Bluetooth consortium (number 20), and was the first Headset Company to join the Bluetooth initiative, which now includes over 2100 companies. Plantronics is now an Associate Member of the Bluetooth with early access to working drafts of specifications for Special Interest Group (SIG). Associate Members are a select group of the consortium new Bluetooth functions, and the opportunity to become more active in technical working groups.
Plantronics
Plantronics introduced the first lightweight communications headset in 1962 and is recognised as the world leader in communications headsets. A publicly held company with more than 2,400 employees, Plantronics is the leading provider of headsets to telephone companies and the business community worldwide. Plantronics headsets have been featured in many high-profile events, including Neil Armstrong`s historic "One small step for man" transmission from the moon in 1969. Plantronics launched the Computer Audio Systems Division to the public in April 1999 to elevate awareness and drive the direction of the PC headset industry. Information about the Company and its products can be found at http://www.plantronics.co.za