MacDirectory Magazine

Winter-Spring 2010 (#44)

MacDirectory magazine is the premiere creative lifestyle magazine for Apple enthusiasts featuring interviews, in-depth tech reviews, Apple news, insights, latest Apple patents, apps, market analysis, entertainment and more.

Issue link: https://digital.macdirectory.com/i/7575

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116 MacDirectory CLOSER LOOK SIZE MATTERS > HOW JAYBIRD'S ONE INCH OF BLUE IS REVOLUTIONIZING THE WAY WE LISTEN Nowadays it is not uncommon to see people traveling around wearing Bluetooth headsets. Whether you are out running errands or just plan running, these ubiquitous headsets have come to be as much a part of our usual attire as jeans and tennis shoes. Yet, though Bluetooth headsets have become very common, they have not necessarily become any more comfortable, lightweight, or easy to wear – at least not until now. Jaybird Gear , long known as a major innovator in Bluetooth technology and products for your stereo, iPod and iPhone, has just created the next new word in headphones. Called BlueBuds, this newest addition to the Jaybird Gear family easily puts all of its competitors to shame. As an example, let's start with their size. At only half an inch wide and one inch in height (one inch of blue), BlueBuds are the smallest fully functional Bluetooth headphones on the market. These tiny buds somehow come jam-packed with full music, call and volume controls along with dual microphones for noise cancellation for calls. Don't let their size fool you though – Bluebuds, like all of Jaybird Gear's products, offer a sound quality that can't be beaten, featuring sound isolating earbuds and APT-X, the new standard in professional grade Bluetooth audio, which eliminates the white noise problems that often come with Bluetooth headphones. The use of APT-X also ensures that there is no latency, more clearly defines bass and treble tones, and has no sound delay when the product is used when watching movies on iPhone for example. And if the small size and big sound quality aren't enough of a reason to recommend Bluebuds, let's talk about comfort. Many people say that their biggest issue with Bluetooth headphones is how hard it is to keep the product fitted to their ears. Standard Bluetooth headphones are traditionally too large and bulky to offer a comfortable custom fit. These issues are nonexistent with Bluebuds, which have been specifically designed to fit securely and comfortably in the wearer's ears. This has been done by adding a flexible top loop to the product, which molds to the user's ear with memory wire. That way, once the wearer has found their perfect fit, they can keep it; no time is wasted having to constantly re-adjust. The loop also guarantees a snug fit, one that not only keeps the Bluebuds in place no matter what you are doing, but also ensures sound isolation for the ear canal. And if you need further proof of how truly amazing Bluebuds are, Judd Armstrong, CEO of Jaybird Gear, told MacDirectory that Jaybird Gear has just secured a sponsorship that makes Bluebuds the official training headphones of USA Triathlon. Armstrong spoke at length to MacDirectory about how excited he was by this product, which will be announced at CES in January and begin shipping in mid-February. "When you see (the Bluebuds) you will be blown away. Never before have complete Bluetooth headphones offered so much in such a small form factor." So what do they cost? Well, that's the best part of all. While comparably sized headphones, which have neither the sound quality nor the fit of the Bluebuds, sell for as much as $199; Bluebuds cost only $129. Bluebuds are available in black and white and come with Jaybird Gear's standard lifetime warranty against sweat. So if you're into top of the line Bluetooth headphone technology, or haven't yet jumped into the world of Bluetooth headphones, this may be exactly what you've been waiting for. Check out Jaybird Gear's BlueBuds Bluetooth headphones – and get ready to be amazed at what one inch of blue can do. WORDS BY JONE DEVLIN

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