Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I have used more bluetooth headsets than I can count from a range of manufacturers. Jawbone typically proved the most frustrating: excellent technology, good controls, and brilliant packaging marred by heavy weight, large size, use of proprietary chargers, poor fit, and weak sound. Over time, as the already incredible noise-canceling technology improved, the size and weight decreased, and output volume increased, leading to the small, featherweight Icon. The Icon also saw the first use by Jawbone of the micro-USB standard for mobile device charging. Sadly, the Icon still suffered from an unstable fit and tinny sound.
Enter the Era, and at last, Jawbone has reached perfection (almost). Most on-line reviews will gush over Jawbone's ability to pack a larger, fuller-spectrum speaker into the same-size housing, and it's true: it is louder, and voices sound more natural, now that they have the "warmth" lacking from the Icon. What they don't tell you is that the eartips are much improved. First, there are four of them now, not just three; what was the Icon's largest one, is now the second-largest packed in the Era's box. Interestingly, the second-largest eartip for the Era is also slightly larger than the Icon's largest, leading to - at last! - a stable, secure fit. One that also remains fairly comfortable for extended periods of time.
One will also read much about the built-in accelerometer. While it seems a bit gimicky, I have to admit, the "tap-tap" to answer and end calls is actually pretty slick. I can't wait to see what other control-ability Jawbone will devise for the Era in time.
Which is one more point you don't find in on-line reviews: through Jawbone's MyTalk site, not only do the Voices and DialApps continue from the Icon, but you can now adjust nearly a dozen of the Era's settings there, too. For example, I disabled the "double shake-shake" pairing function (still accessible via the multifunction button), and changed the button-hold behavior from volume adjustment to Noise Assassin dis-/en-abling. Very cool.
There are just two issues, both minor and not nearly worth the loss of 1 star. An extremely minor nit is the eartip design. I don't understand why no one uses the excellent design of the Plantronics Discovery 640 or Jabra EarGels, which fit more easily, naturally, and comfortably, and guarantee the proper pointing of the headset at the user's mouth. The other issue is Jawbone's insistence on including only one stupidly short USB charging cable. Yes, you can use your own USB/micro-USB one, or buy Jawbone's $15 "cable kit" (which includes a 5' cable and an additional 3" one). But given the $130 price tag and the inclusion of an A/C wall charger (aren't most outlets on or near the floor?), why not include the 5' cable as well?
The best headset I ever had to this point was the Jabra JX10, but now it is second-best - by a long shot - to the Jawbone Era. The fun starts with the very cool and eco-friendly box, and goes from there.
PS: My phone is an iPhone 3GS, for those that may be wondering, and both mono and stereo sound work flawlessly
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Meet Jawbone ERA, the world's First Intelligent Motion Equipped Headset. Specifications: Talk Time: Up to 5.5 hours Standby Time: Up to 10 days Charge Time: 30 minutes (80%);60 minutes (full) Wireless Range: 33ft (10M) Bluetooth: 2.1+EDR, HSP 1.4
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