Could this be the Bluetooth headset the world will wear?

It is no big secret that people feel awkward about wearing Bluetooth headsets in public. Some of the market researchers are saying that usage is declining, not growing. It is true, there are some clunky headsets out there, but there are also some that are quite discrete and – dare we say – stylish. So, user reluctance is a little hard to understand.

But things could be about to change with the launch of the Jabra Stone, a new headset from GN Netcom, the Danish company that is already well established as a leader in headset solutions. The Jabra Stone is described, with some justification, as a revolutionary wireless headset that signals a new era in style and breaks the mold of the traditional Bluetooth headset.

It certainly has a shape like no other headset on the market, and wraps behind the ear, eliminating the standard on-face microphone. As another really neat feature, the Stone comes with a wireless portable charger that also functions as a compact carrying case that fits into the palm of your hand – simply plug your headset into the charger and power-up whenever and wherever you want to. Once you’ve docked the headset into the charger, this becomes one tactile device, that everyone wants to hold and examine.

It is not just all about looks though. The Stone contains some pretty advanced technology, including noise cancelling technology while taking the microphone arm off your face. Jabra’s trademark for its system is Noise Blackout Extreme, and this is a new generation of noise cancelling technology that reduces ambient sound without compromising voice quality. It does provide an excellent balance between noise elimination and the delivery of a natural sounding voice. The technology uses dual microphones to capture sound while intelligently filtering background noise only.

Anne Rasmussen, Vice President, Mobile Division at GN Netcom told Incisor: “The Jabra Stone is truly the most revolutionary product we have ever created and we are confident that it is going to change the way consumers think about Bluetooth headsets,” said “The unique shape combines with noise cancellation technology so advanced that a boom arm isn’t needed make it an all new concept.”

The Stone also has discreetly placed controls that, unlike many Bluetooth headsets, are easy to operate. With a nearly invisible touch-controlled volume pad on the outside of the headset, users can slide their finger up or down to control the volume while on a call. The headset’s flexible frame is lined with soft rubber padding, and stayed comfortable after several hours of use while this writer drove across the USA. An ultra-soft ear gel around the speaker ensures a natural feel and the headset is flexible for a perfect fit. Nobody likes the struggle to put a Bluetooth headset on as you try to answer a call, and the Stone avoids this, slipping on without a problem.

The Jabra Stone supports Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR & eSCO, easy pairing and multi-point so that you can connect two Bluetooth enabled devices at the same time with MultiuseTM capabilities and provides up to 8 hours talk time and 12 days standby time with the Jabra Stone Charger. Other features include voice dialing (depending on the phone used), and music streaming music from A2DP enabled mobile phones. Oh, and it is lightweight – weighing only 7g.

Here at Incisor we are ready to go on record and say that this is one excellent headset. It looks good, works well, and crucially, when we have shown it around, people who have previously said they wouldn’t wear a Bluetooth headset have said “wow, can you get me one?” That is telling, which is why, in answer to our own question in the headline for this review, we would say – yes, we certainly think so.

At the time of launch, the Jabra Stone was available exclusively in the UK at Carphone Warehouse stores and is priced around £99.00.

See the IncisorTV movie showing the Jabra Stone here. (click to view)