I love when companies put thought into their products. I found two such products this week, though the execution may not be as spot-on as expected.
The first is a set of affordable Bluetooth headphones from a company called Kinivo. The BTH240 Bluetooth Stereo Headphones use wireless technology and a rechargeable battery to make it easier to listen to music from portable devices.
The headphones work with any music device that uses Bluetooth, including mobile phones, tablet computers and portable music players. The headphones come with a USB cord for charging the battery and a velvet bag to carry them around safely. The headphones bend just above the earpieces, so they fold up to about the size of your hand. It makes them much easier to transport.
The Kinivo headphones don’t fit over the head like standard headphones. Instead, they curl around behind the neck. The plastic frames fit behind the top of the ears, while the earpieces press against the front. The idea is to have the headphones held in place, even if you’re moving.
The headphones charge using the included USB cable, which must be plugged into a power adapter or a computer. Once charged, the headphones last about 10 hours.
The headphones are made to work with mobile phones, and the buttons on the right earpiece make that fairly easy to do. The center button allows you to answer calls. Buttons around the top of the center button allow you to adjust the volume. When the call is finished, you simply press the center button again to hang up.
My biggest problem with these headphones is that you can’t adjust them. They maybe made to fit any head, but they really don’t. I had issues keeping them on my ears properly. It was far more difficult if I had on my glasses, which I have to wear if I want to see more than 3 feet. One side kept sliding off my ear.
The other issue is the volume. I kept turning up the volume, which I really didn’t want to do. The sound just doesn’t have the depth it needs for good volume. The earpieces did cancel some noise, but not enough to compensate for the low overall volume of the headphones.
The headphones are a great price for a Bluetooth device. They work as described, for the most part, and I love that they fold and slip into their own bag for easy transport. They just need some tweaking to be perfect.
The second product is a line of cases for smart phones and tablet computers.
These cases differ from others because they’re made to help battle microbes that might get on your device or case. Yes, you read right - an antimicrobial case. I tested the case for iPad and iPad 2.
The case is from Tenerarca, and it uses UpSkin technology to battle microbes. UpSkin is a special treatment method for the leather that helps keep microbes from growing on the surface. It’s meant to keep the device, the case and the owner cleaner. Does it work? Well, you’ll have to ask someone with far more technology savvy than me for that answer. It is still fairly clean, though.
The front of the case has metal inserts that frame the screen and provide protection. A large, quilted flap on the front folds over the screen to protect it further and even clean it. It actually did clean it … except for where the stitching was in the quilt cover. Boy, that screen was dirty!
I like the design, which has a clever feature. The flap is kept closed by two magnets - one attached to the metal frame, and one attached to the quilted flap. When you need to use the iPad, you fold the flap back, and voila! Another magnet on the back holds the flap in place so you can work without the flap, well, flapping.
The case comes in several colors and is made of very soft leather, so it feels great in the hand. Tenerarca says the case gives off negative ions that make the person holding it feel better. Again, this is science way beyond my testing capabilities. It feels nice, but I can’t say it made me a happy camper just from holding my iPad.
The case does feel nice, but it doesn’t fit as well as I expected. The cutouts aren’t exactly right. For example, the hole for the landscape lock switch is a little lower than it should be, so it partially covers the switch. I also had to stretch to get the screen flap to fasten properly on the side. The cut just isn’t as precise as I expected. This wouldn’t bother me too much if it were a $50 case. But for $150, I expect it to be nearly perfect.
Both products are very interesting ideas, and they have some impressive features. However, both just need a couple of corrections before I can say they’re must-buy products.
I’ll be eager to see the next incarnation of these products. The thoughts behind both products are great. And, with a little tweak or two, the execution will live up to the promise.
Melissa L. Jones can be reached via e-mail at mljones72@me.com.
Where it’s @
The Kinivo Bluetooth Stereo Headphones BTH240 requires an audio device with Bluetooth capability and a USB port or power adapter for charging. The headphones retail for $29.99. More information is available at kinivo.com. The Tenerarca iPad and iPad 2 Leather Case retails for $150. More information is available at tenerarca.com
Business, Pages 19 on 06/03/2013