I just popped over to ShopBlackBerry (RIM’s Accessory Store) to see what they had to offer, only to find RIM’s new Bluetooth headset. The new BlackBerry HS-500 headset features a newer smaller design, with background noise reduction and great price point. This product is listed on ShopBlackBerry for $79.99 USD / $89.99 CAD, however its listed as Coming Soon and is not yet available for purchase.

Get the freedom of hands-free calling with the easy-to-use BlackBerry® Wireless Headset HS-500. With the simple touch of a button, you can answer, end, and mute calls, or activate voice dialing, even while you’re juggling your keys and coffee in the morning. Plus, the volume automatically adjusts and background noise is reduced, so your calls and turn-by-turn directions can be heard loud and clear in noisy environments. With the quality and performance you expect from a BlackBerry® product, the BlackBerry Wireless Headset HS-500 fits your life so you can hit the road with confidence.

I know everyone has listed their favorite accessories for the Tour. I’m going to go through mine, and hope that everyone else keys in as well. Maybe there’s something none of us have checked out before. As a BlackBerry user who uses my phone for both personal and business, I’m going to touch on both.

Accessories to dress your phone.

The number one accessory I’m going to touch on is the micro sd card. While the Tour comes with two gigs, we are so past that stage. I carry an eight myself, but why stop at eight when the phone can use sixteen? The micro sd is a life saver for memory on the phone, pictures, video, movies, voice notes and ringtones, and even files. Yes, it’s more of a necessity than an accessory.The BlackBerry Sync Store has a variety of sizes from 1 GB to 16 GB and prices starting from $14.95 to $59.95.

Number two I’m going to state is the screen protector. A privacy screen protector is the one I opt for. If I’m out in public, and even at work, it’s nice to know that my screen is protected not only from scratches but from prying eyes. You can find Privacy Screen Protectors online for about $12.99 such as this one.

Number three, if you’ve learned anything about the Tour if you have one, it’s the battery life. I cannot stress enough how clearly enhanced your relationship with your Tour will be with an extended battery. You can purchase Seidio’s Innocell Extended Battery 1600 mAh OEM size for the Tour for only $44.95 from the BlackBerry Sync Store.

Number four, now we’re getting to the look. Many people like the silicone cases for their phones, I’m not really feeling it unless it’s a Body Glove case with the kickstand. While the Tour comes with a nice leather case, I still use a hard case to protect it. I like the colored one. I have a pink one, but they come in clear, chrome, and other colors. I like them because it raises the screen a bit. It also secures the phone in the case, providing more secure fit. You can purchase the Smartphone Experts Snap On Case for $14.95 from the BlackBerry Sync Store here.

Number five is a headset. It is bluetooth compatible and with many states passing the banning of being on your phone while driving, it’s getting to be a necessity as well. The great news is that ALL of the bluetooth headsets compatible with the Tour are on sale and you can find your’s in the BlackBerry Sync Store ranging from $19.95 to $109.95. If you’re looking for a bluetooth headset, sales are the best time to grab them! I listen to music, so my favorite accessory for talking is a stereo headset. It allows me to listen to my music and take my calls as well. So that’s definitely a big thing for me. My favorite headset because it’s comfortable and has the case is the BlackBerry Premium Multimedia Stereo Headphones with Case for the Tour which is in the BlackBerry Sync Store for $39.95 (a fifty dollar savings from the original price!)

Number six is an alternative case. I like Body Glove’s cases with the clip that converts to a kickstand. Body Glove’s case sells for $29.99 and you clip it while on the go, and covert it to a stand so the phone can be propped so you can see who’s trying to get in touch while you work. BlackBerry has a nice leather case that comes in three colors. You can purchase the black case of the BlackBerry Leather Folio Pouch from the BlackBerry Sync Store for $24.95. This case has a soft interior to protect the phone, is leather, has the magnet closure, and allows you to put your money and/or cards in there too. Please be careful with the debit and credit cards to be sure they don’t get distorted by the magnet. There’s also the infamous OtterBox. OtterBox is great to keep your phone protected, a little more water resistant but not waterproof, and dust resistant. It also protects it from hard knocks and drops. You can download the OtterBox Defender Case for the Tour for $44.95 from the BlackBerry Sync Store here. I haven’t even shown you all the other cases available. The BlackBerry Sync Store has a wide selection of cases in different prices ranges, styles, and materials, so take a look, you’re going to be surprised at what’s in store for you.

Number seven is car charger. Now the one I have is really nice because it’s a dual charger. It retails for around $39.99 to $44.00. Not only does it work as a car charger, it also works as a home charger allowing me to not worry if I forget my home charger and my phone starts dying because I have the dual in my car. From the BlackBerry Sync Store you can find a few others there that have the same ability. Mobi also has a Duo Charger for $14.95 that does both as using the cables.  Griffin has a PowerDuo Universal for $34.95 as well.

Number eight, a charging pod or charging cradle/pod is always nice. Especially for work. It makes everything much more convenient. You can find the BlackBerry Leather Desktop Stand for $14.95 from the BlackBerry Sync Store.

Number nine is a Mr. Handsfree Family charger station. This is nice because most of us have more than one phone. The charger holds three and it utilizes your charging cords, keeps them organized, and holds them for you. You can find the Mr. Handsfree Family Charger for $14.95 from the BlackBerry Sync Store.

Number ten is last but not least, are the vehicle mounts. If you travel quite a bit, a car mount can be your best friend. There are car mounts of all types and we have a few available in the BlackBerry Sync Store ranging from $14.95 to $29.95. They can be used to mount from anywhere, such as the windshield, vents, dashboard, and even the cigarette lighter.

Those are my recommended top Tour accessories, and believe me, I wouldn’t recommend something if I didn’t feel comfortable with it myself. And with all the excitement of the Tour, I can’t wait to see what more new and exciting accessories will be available.

So what are your favorite accessories? We’d love to know.

(Picture of BlueAnt Q1, not the new BlackBerry headset)

Al Sacco over at CIO posted a new article talking about RIM’s upcoming BlackBerry Accessories. While he was at WES 2009 he got a sneak peak at a stylish new Bluetooth Headset from RIM, which features a removable over-the-ear loop, stylish design. The headset will also be able to stream audio content including music and podcasts. This headset will sport dual microphones with noise cancellation. Al also menthod the headset looks similar to BlueAnt’s new Q1 Bluetooth headset only its wider and all black with a stylish BlackBerry logo. Unfortuantly he was not able to snap a picture but it’s expected RIM will launch the new headset this Summer. If you want to check out his full article click here.

One of our most favorite Bluetooth headsets just got better. Aliph the creator of Jawbone has announced the the all new Jawbone headset. The new Jawbone starts shipping May 22nd for $129.99 USD. While you may blast them for the price of the headset you will love the extreme noise cancellation! Those we currently use a Jawbone will love the 50% smaller body as well.

The new Jawbone is available in three different colors (black, silver or gold) and will be available online or at AT&T stores.

ALIPH INTRODUCES NEW JAWBONE® BLUETOOTH® HEADSET WITH NOISEASSASSIN™ TECHNOLOGY AT AT&T STORES NATIONWIDE

Humanistic and Minimalist Design Eliminates Up to Ten Times More Noise Energy than Closest Competitor

May 15, 2008

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – May 15, 2008 – Aliph, the established market leader in noise eliminating Bluetooth® headsets, today introduced the new Jawbone® Bluetooth headset. In the tradition of bringing together science and beauty, the new Jawbone design is 50% smaller than the original award-winning Jawbone, and features breakthrough noise elimination technology to provide even better voice quality than the original in a smaller and more ergonomic package. It is available today exclusively at AT&T retail stores and at www.jawbone.com or www.wireless.att.com.

Bluetooth headset shipments are predicted to top 120 million units worldwide in 2009. With over 60% of new phones in North America shipping with Bluetooth, and hands-free driving legislation in effect in five states and the District of Columbia by July 1st, the new Jawbone combines unparalleled form and function just in time to appeal to a broad and growing consumer audience.

The Best Just Got Better
The new Jawbone headset is the next step in the marriage of best in class noise elimination science with a personal design that is both humanistic and minimal. The new Jawbone features military-grade NoiseAssassin technology, which is unmatched in its ability to address real-world noise environments like busy streets, cars and airports, and blocks out up to ten times more noise energy than its closest competitor.

Jawbone's NoiseAssassin technology literally feels your speech with its patented Voice Activity Sensor (VAS). The Jawbone headset uses the VAS to distinguish the sound of your voice from ambient noise with incredible accuracy and then uses proprietary Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms to subtract the noise so only the sound of your voice comes through.

The NoiseAssassin technology was originally developed for Aliph for DARPA (The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), which creates and delivers breakthrough technology for the U.S. military. It is tested and designed to work in the toughest, most inhospitable terrain, when clear communication is critical, which means for the average user it is designed to perform everywhere.

The new Jawbone headset is designed to be simple to use. Two streamlined buttons are operated by touching the outside shield, and they control all the functions of the headset, which is extremely lightweight at just 10 grams.

"In creating the new Jawbone we focused on improving our audio performance beyond the marketing leading noise solution that we already had, and elevating the design to a point where it would appeal to a broad range of consumers who would love to wear it," said Hosain Rahman, CEO and co-founder of Aliph. "Jawbone provides amazing audio quality in a form factor that is a true lifestyle accessory – it's a new and complete departure from the typical gadgetry of the Bluetooth category."

"When Aliph and AT&T launched the original Jawbone, a new standard was set for voice quality and design in Bluetooth headsets," said Carlton Hill, vice president of Product Management, Voice Products and Affiliate Marketing for AT&T's wireless unit. "Given the market response to the original Jawbone, we are thrilled to work with Aliph again to launch the new Jawbone – which once again promises to be one of the most innovative headsets in the marketplace."

It's Not a Headset – it's Earwear
The new Jawbone is designed to look and feel like an accessory along the lines of jewelry and eyewear. "If it's not beautiful, it doesn't belong on your face," said renowned industrial designer Yves Behar, chief designer of the Jawbone headset.

Made with premium materials, including medical grade plastic with better cosmetic and health performance, the expressive aesthetic confers a premium visual and ergonomic experience. The new Jawbone provides a more comfortable and customized fit with three sizes of earbuds and four earloops that can be worn on either ear – two sizes of soft, stitched leather earloops and two sizes of slim earloops, ideal for use with eyeglasses.

Availability and Pricing
The new Jawbone is available today for $129.99 at AT&T retail stores nationwide and online at www.jawbone.com and www.wireless.att.com. Available initially in matte black, it will be coming soon in silver and rose gold.

The New Jawbone
Compatible with all Bluetooth-enabled phones, the new Jawbone supports more than four hours of talk time and eight days of standby time. Featuring a new fast-charge battery that charges up to 80% of capacity in just over half an hour, the new Jawbone can be charged with the included USB cable on a computer, or with the wall-charger.

Price: $129.99
Weight: 10 grams
Talk Time: Over 4 hours
Standby Time: Over 8 days
Range: Up to 33 feet (10 meters)
Charge: 80% charge in 35 minutes, 100% charge in < 1 hour
Colors: Black / Silver / Rose Gold
Supports Bluetooth® 1.1, 1.2, and 2.0

Additional Information

• 50% smaller than the original Jawbone
• Military-grade noise elimination technology
• Eliminates up to 10x more noise energy than closest competitors
• Faster processing eliminates unexpected noise bursts
• Unmatched intelligibility – voices sound human, not robotic
• Sophisticated dual microphone array reduces wind noise
• Invisible touch controls
• Three-dimensional texture on shield inspired by noise abatement surfaces
• Premium materials including medical-grade plastic and fine leather
• Magnetic USB cable & wall charger included
• Three (3) earbuds – small, medium, and large
• Two (2) fine leather earloops – medium and large
• Two (2) slim earloops ideal for use with eyewear – medium and large
• Fits either ear

About Aliph
Aliph makes personal technology comfortable, usable and beautiful. The company's flagship product, the award winning Jawbone Bluetooth headset with NoiseAssassin technology set a new standard for mobile voice quality. Unmatched in the industry, Aliph's NoiseAssassin technology was originally perfected with DARPA for battlefield applications, eliminating background noise and delivering unparalleled call clarity in all environments. Since its launch in December 2006, the Jawbone headset has been widely recognized as the best Bluetooth headset in the marketplace and is a top seller at Apple, AT&T, Best Buy, Verizon and Carphone Warehouse retail stores.

The company was founded by Alexander Asseily and Hosain Rahman, who met as Stanford undergrads, sharing a belief that better user experiences around voice and device usability are critical to improving mobile communications.

Aliph is a privately-held company headquartered in San Francisco and is funded by Khosla Ventures and Sequoia Capital. For more information and a demo, go to www.jawbone.com.

Motorola has always been a favorite for me in the Bluetooth selection. I've been testing the mid-range Motorola H680 Bluetooth headset for just over a month now. This headset features a tiny little body with a unique magnetic charging dock. Click on over to see what I think of this headset.

Motorola says the H680 is about half the length of a tube of lipstick and is a stylish, petite and lightweight headset. How does it pair up to other headsets?

SIZE: Starting off myself I find the smaller the headset the better. I'm not a big fan of bigger headsets such as the Jawbone.

BUTTONS: The H680 only has three buttons (answer, volume up/down) and a on/off switch. All the buttons are a good size and you don't get confused by too many buttons.

SOUND: Even though the H680 doesn't feature "enhanced noise cancellation" it sounds pretty good. Most people couldn't tell I was on a headset when I was in my car.

FIT: This headset has a plastic band that wraps behind your ear and remains secure. I don't notice any issues with the headset falling off, which is good.

CHARGER: The H680 doesn't have a charger port build into the earpeice itself instead the kit includes a magnetic charging dock with a micro USB wall charger.

PAIRING: Pairing this headset was simple if you follow the directions. You simply hold the answer key and turn the headset on.

PRICING: This headset is a great value costing around $79.99 CAD/USD.

OTHER DETAILS:

Dimensions: 41 mm x18 mm x 12 mm
Weight: 12 grams
Battery Talk Time: up to 8 hours (approx.)
Standby Time: Over 8 days (approx.)

OVERALL: I'm pleased with this little headset. It's a great size and sounds fine for my use. If I was in more of a noisy area it might not be perfect but it certainly gets by in my books. The price is possibly the best part of this headset. I would recommend this headset to anyone looking for a great basic headset.

RATING: Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Motorola H680 Website