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Product Description

The Jawbone 2 is the next step in the integration of best-in-class noise elimination technology with personal design that is both humanistic and minimal. It has powerful noise suppression algorithms for use in the most extreme acoustic noise environments including battlefields and helicopters. The algorithms use Jawbone's two microphones and the VAS (Voice Activity Sensor) to accurately model the noise environment. Jawbone detects when and how a person is speaking, models the noise, and aggressively eliminates it. Conventional "noise eliminating" headsets do not have the VAS and can only estimate when speech is occurring with software-based Voice Activation Detection (VAD) systems. For these systems to work, the speech must be significantly louder or spectrally different from the noise. These systems fail in loud environments or in the presence of other people's speech. Furthermore, because they can't accurately identify the speech signals, they distort the speech in the process of attempting to eliminate the noise. The result of this distortion is a significant degradation in intelligibility and quality in order to achieve a perceptual reduction in noise.



Setting new standards for mobile voice clarity and personal style, the new Jawbone Bluetooth headset by Aliph represents a complete departure from the gadgetry of the mobile headset industry. Originally developed for military use in extreme environments, Jawbone features NoiseAssassin--a proprietary technology that eliminates background noise from mobile phone conversations. Jawbone is the only Bluetooth headset with a Voice Activity Sensor (VAS) that actually feels your speech, which helps Jawbone distinguish your voice from background noise.

The new Jawbone in black.

Widely recognized as the best Bluetooth headset on the market, the new Jawbone is 50 percent smaller than the original, award-winning Jawbone, offer over 4 hours of talk time, and comes with three earbuds and four earloops for a comfortable and personalized fit.

Military-Grade NoiseAssassin Technology
Developed over years of research for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Jawbone's NoiseAssassin eliminates real world noise better than competing headset because it's the only hands free device that accurately separates human speech from ambient noise. Unmatched in its ability to remove noise from loud environments like busy streets, cars, crowded cafes, and airports, NoiseAssassin is comprised of two features unique to Jawbone: a patented Voice Activity Sensor (VAS) and proprietary Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms. Jawbone is the only Bluetooth headset with a VAS that feels the speech vibrations from your jaw. This enables Jawbone to capture the distinct frequencies of your voice. Proprietary DSP algorithms work in concert with two powerful microphones and the VAS to accurately model surrounding noise and aggressively eliminate it from the conversation.

Conventional "noise suppression" headsets do not have a Voice Activity Sensor and can only estimate when speech is occurring. This causes performance issues like voice distortion, especially in the presence background noise.

Not Just a Headset, It's Earwear
Made with premium materials like medical-grade plastic and fine leather, the new Jawbone with NoiseAssassin combines science and beauty in the most unassuming, yet richly detailed product. Every effort has been made to contain best in class noise suppression technology in a miniature form that is 50 percent smaller than the original, award-winning Jawbone.

The new Jawbone accomplishes a clean and sophisticated look thanks to invisible buttons. Touch-surface technology allows the user to operate switches by lightly pressing the outer shield. Curved and rectilinear to follow the face, the outer shield is lightly textured and inspired by three-dimensional noise abatement surfaces. The infer surface, the one touching your face and creating contact with the Voice Activity Sensor, is gently curved to be ergonomic and comfortable on your skin.

Offering a comfortable and personalized fit, the new Jawbone comes with three sizes of earbuds and four earloops--two sizes of leather and two of slim, which are ideal for use with eyeglasses. Jawbone can also be worn on either ear and with or without an earloop.

Specifications

• Talk time: Over 4 hours
• Standby time: Over 8 days
• Range: Up to 33 feet (10 meters)
• Weight: 10 grams (0.35 ounces)
• Supports Bluetooth 1.0, 1.1, 2.0
• 80 percent charge in 35 minutes (full charge in less than 1 hour)

What's in the Box
The new Jawbone with NoiseAssassin by Aliph headset, magnetic USB cable and wall charger, 3 earbuds, 2 leather earloops, 2 slim earloops, QuickStart Guide

Customer Reviews:

• Of no value to the bearded among us
  Like it's predecessor, The Aliph Jawbone 1, this sleeker and lighter version has the same essential flaws. 1) It is simply not comfortable to wear and 2) because the technology was developed by clean shaven men (or women) the device must come in contact with the user's cheek to achieve best results. A man with a beard has something on his face that does not permit that direct contact - whiskers. The difference is appreciable, rendering this highly rated device all-but-useless for any man with a beard.
  For a mere $20., the Samsung WEP200 is a far better and more adaptive device for day-to-day use....more info
• Works Perfectly
  This headset works exactly as it's supposed to. Clear sound quality, and almost no complaints from people with whom I'm speaking about noise or interference.
  
  Only two minor problems:
  1. the earloop had to be removed, as my glasses kept pulling the noise cancellation node away from my face. Fortunately, the headset is light enough that it never threatens to fall out of my ear;
  2. I wear a beard, and occasionally people can hear my beard scratching against the headset. (Guess that's what I get for being a hairy throwback!)
  
  Suffice it to say: I've never used a headset that works this well, with this high quality of sound--including wired headsets--and am COMPLETELY satisfied with it. You'd do well to get one yourself!...more info
• Great Headset.... if you get the right eargels
  This headset is fantastic, but only if it stays on your head, and it stays in contact with your cheek. That is a real problem if you rely on the crappy earhook and rubber earpiece that Aliph provides. It is probably the reason for most of the poor reviews. For those who can make this headset actually stay on, they love it.
  To address the fit issues that the standard earpiece accessories fail to do, I first tried jabra minigels. I was able to use the jawbone without the earhook, and I raked leaves with it on, no problem. So it seemed pretty good, but I found that the minigel irritated my ear canal after a day, and it did not always feel real stable.
  I then ordered some eargels for the Plantronics Discovery 925 headset. THEY ARE PERFECT! Totally comfortable, channel the sound into my ear correctly, fit the jawbone 2 like a glove, and I can't shake the headset off no matter how hard I try. It keeps the jawbone firmly connected to my cheek no matter what I am doing.
  I can't believe Aliph did not come up with this kind of solution. This is what the jawbone2 should have included. If you want the best Bluetooth headset solution out there, get the JB2, get the Plantronics gels, and throw out the earpiece junk from Aliph - you will never need it again....more info
• Terrible sound quality & poor fit
  I was looking for the very best in terms of noise reduction.
  What I learned the first time I put it in my ear is that the sound quality is more horrible than I could have imagined. It sounded like an AM radio being played through a tin can!
  Additionally, It came with 6 of the same size ear loop instead of 3 sizes it promised, and I could not find a comfortable/steady fit.
  An old $30 plantronics sounded better and fit better than this.
  
  Don't waste your time or money on this!
  
  ...more info
• Good deal for my Jawbone
  I'm glad I paid far less for my Jawbone than if purchased at Best Buy or where ever they're sold. Any more would have been overpriced due to some drawbacks. The sound quality is very good, it is easy to use but not worth the higher price at other stores. The problem with the Jawbone is that the noise cancellation relies on the white button on the face side of the device to touch your face. If the sensor lifts from the face your conversation is cut off. One must always be aware of he required contact. Sure, the feature can be turned off but what is the purpose of having noise cancellation if you have to turn it off to have a conversation while moving around or laying back. It is a good feature while driving and having the ability to keep you head fairly still while talking. You will have to reach up and gently press the device to your face periodically to insure contact is maintained.
  There is a bit of a learning curve to master all the features. I would say it is a good device but not for everyone....more info
• The Best Bluetooth Headset Available
  I owned the original Jawbone and was in love with it for the year that I had it. The Jawbone II is even better than the first one. The person on the other end never complains of hearing background noise and this version is also more comfortable with different sized earloops and earbuds. It's very lightweight and sometimes I don't even remember that it's on my ear. That is a good thing because I am never tempted to take it off because it's annoying, which means less possibility of losing it. It has a very good battery life as well as a very quick charger. It takes less than an hour, sometimes maybe even only 30 minutes to fully charge....more info
• I bought it to hear my IPod
  I thought it would work for I-Pod (the reason I wanted it) as well as for receiving and calling on my IPhone - none of the reviews said it didn't.I didn't think to ask- returning from vacation I opened it, tried to get it to hear the podcasts and found out it didn't!
  Very disappointed.
  ...more info
• Didn't work for me.
  Very cool looking, but could not get it to fit in order for it to stay on my ear, or operate correctly. I tried every combination of ear buds and clips without success. I returned it for a Plantronics 510. The 510 may be old school, but the reception and sound quality on both ends is very good. I'm disappointed that Blue Tooth technology has really not improved since its origin....more info
• Works well, but...
  This is a good product, it works well, but it is easly disconnected and eats a lot of battery life....more info
• Nice gadget, once you can get it connected
  The noise cancellation does work better than most of the ear piece or head set around...its very sleek and comfortable. My husband actually uses it w/o the ear rod....more info
• Not as expected
  I like the Jawbone 2 but I don't think it has lived up to the hype entirely. I do get less comments about background noise but sometimes the volume is WAAAY too low for me. Overall, an okay bluetooth...more info
• Electronics work well, physical fit and interface don't
  I purchased this unit for the excellent noise cancellation and disregarded most of the comments about poor fit. This was a mistake.
  
  I am a medium size man, but this unit does not sit well in/on my ear. When I put it on, it barely sits near my ear canal. I used the smallest of the loops and earbuds, but to no avail. Maybe I have unusually small ears, but I think you need to try this unit out in person before you order it.
  
  The other issue I have is with the hidden button interface built into the outside of the unit. The main button for answering calls and pairing is easily pushed while in your pocket or bag. So the headset ends up pairing when you don't want and you answer a call only to find out you have to dig out the unit to talk to the person.
  
  I think if you have large ears and will always wear it on your ear as a fashion accessory, this is the headset for you!...more info
• Bad fit and not that happy...
  I can't endorse this product. For all the hype it doesn't work that well. I was told that Jawbone I was awesome so I thought II would be even better.
  
  Sorry......more info
• Upgraded and pleased I did so...
  I owned the older Jawbone until it's demise by accidental submersion involving a corner, motorcycle, pond of water, and the Jawbone.
  
  I upgraded to the slimmer version and immediately discovered improvements I like. Jawbone II delivers great sound and voice transmission, but is slimmer and best yet the ear piece connects via a plastic post versus the pot metal used before. I used to break those routinely, the ear post has lasted longer than any before. Thank you for that Jawbone!.
  
  It does take some getting used to. I had to train myself to adjust the headset via the earloop to better set it in my ear while talking as if I grabbed the body to do so I would hang up. A minor issue that is easy to work around....more info
• Ear pain
  Although I had read mixed reviews on the Jawbone, I had high expectations that were definitely not met. Even with the smallest rubber gasket that is included, the ear piece was much too large to fit in my ear. I tried some aftermarket silicone adapters, but those didn't work either. In addition, when you push the Jawbone to force it in to your ear, it shuts the unit off because the on/off switch is located in the same spot. I subsequently purchased a Motorola H710 that does NOT fit inside your ear. It has good sound quality, it blocks background noise and is comfortable to wear....more info
• Disapointing
  1. You must have a large ear if you want device to stay close to your ear. I purchased a plantronics earpiece recommened by other review I read. The 3rd party earpiece works better, but sound quality is poor.
  ...more info
• Best product ever
  Bought this for my daughter-in-law's birthday and she has nothing but good things to say about it. Awesome bluetooth! Would recommend highly....more info
• Great headset with iPhone
  Jawbone II is even better than the Jawbone 1 and fixes the two biggest problems with the first generation; charger is much simpler to attach and remove and the ear loop is more comfortable. Only negative is the JB II has a more limited supply of ear adapters than the JB I. But, if you want the ebst fit, you should try using Jabra gel inserts that are bettern than what is included with the JB II....more info
• Do not buy. Awful sound quality
  I bought this for my husband as an anniversary gift. Packaging is great but that is where the good ends. Fit is terrible and noise quality is unbelievably bad. Craking at both ends. Later found out at a retail store that there are many returns on this product. If you want to try, get it from retail store where return is easier. I am returning mine. ...more info
• Great device but not the most comfortable
  This device works really well with my iPhone. The noise cancelling is awesome. It has crystal clear reception. It is a little bigger than some of the others on the market but the quality makes it worth it. The only complaint that I have (which keeps me from giving it a 5 star rating) is that it is not the most comfortable. Granted, anything in your ear for a long period of time is not going to go unnoticed. But even with the custom ear pieces provided, I am struggling to find a combo that fits right plus is comfortable...other than that this is a solid purchase....more info
• Great Sound & Noise Cancelation but very Poor Battery Life
  Simply put Jawbone II has great sound and quality. But the battery life is very poor. It only last 45min to 1 hr. I purchased mine in late Nov. 08 and it is early April 09 and the warranty is void. Cell Phone Shop only gives a 3 month warranty. Let the buyer be ware....more info
• Great product if you...
  After doing market research and owning a Motorola blue tooth earlier, I purchased this product because I drive my old Honda Civic where the compartment is noisy and wanted to get something that would work. I continue to be partial towards the wired headsets, but with the seatbelts and walking around, they get in the way.
  
  Unfortunately, my ear is one of those where the standard ear hook and rubber ear attachment that comes with the Jawbone do not fit well, so I end up with the problems noted in other reviews, i.e. accidentally hang up as I fiddle with the fit, people not hearing me because the noise canceling mechanism is not touching my face, and finally poor sound due to improper fit.
  
  Solution: As per the other review noted, I bought ear gels made for the Plantronics Discovery 925. I opted for the medium size as most ears fit in that category. Once I did that and read how to use them (got the Plantronics Discovery 925 User Guide online) the Jawbone fit like a glove. I removed the ear hook, the device touched my cheek as per design and it worked great since.
  
  This is why I won't give it a 5 star ratings, the product should work out of the box just perfect, but I figure those ear gels are probably patented and Aliph needs to come up with their own design that does not infringe on Plantronic's.
  
  Sound quality since then has been great. I tested it using Motorola phones, and I did notice a difference in voice quality if I used a T-Mobile network versus AT&T to call a land line. This is probably because the Jawbone can pick up some subtle sounds cheaper headsets don't. The volume was great on them, I did not have yell into the phone in noisy environments to talk. I am able to control the headset through the phone to adjust volume and use voice dialing. In fact I make a point of whispering when I chat so as not to be obnoxious in public and the person on the other line can hear me well.
  
  I have not compared them to other noise canceling head sets, but I have asked others to call me using my jawbone in a noisy environment, and the voice quality was great.
  
  So in conclusion, yes I highly recommend them, you are lucky if the ear buds and hook work for your ear configuration, otherwise, try the ear gels another reviewer recommended and you should be good to go.
  
  -----------------------
  December 25, 2008 Update.
  
  Since I wrote the review, I have logged several hours of usage on the Jawbone with the Platronics gel tips used, I just have to say I love it and I now refuse to use my wired headsets. I have not had any issues with hearing and speaking at all using the Jawbone. Its light, easy to put on and off, and I often forget that it is in my ear....more info
• junk
  this product is great looking but that is it. The fit is horrible and hurts your ear, if you do buy try it out first. I went out and bought a blue ant z9i and love it. Jawbone is very over rated!...more info
• Great Product Overall
  Item works great - as advertised in every sense. This item works better than any other Bluetooth device I've tried, and good enough for me not to need to look for another. I am very satisfied.
  
  5 stars means the item cannot be improved in my opinion. This item clearly can be made more thoughtfully. Here are my issues:
  
  1. Use a standard Mini USB cable that attaches to a charging head, so that you can reduce the amount of cables you need to bring with you when traveling. Mini USB should be the standard for all devices IMO - charging, data, etc. This device comes with a proprietary cable that can ONLY be used to charge the earpiece - yet it plugs into a USB port? Thoughtful, or Thoughtless?
  
  2. Have the ear piece be the type that have a rubber tentacle that goes into the ear. These are on many aftermarket headphones (for music devices) and work ridiculously great. The open air style of earpiece was designed for those that want to ear their surroundings in addition to music - in BOTH ears. However it is presumed that we only are using one ear with this device, so it goes without saying that feature is not desired. If it had a rubber tentacle that went inside the ear the user would be able to hear the caller at least twice as good. In addition, it would fit even more securely onto the user. Its a win - win, yet we are stuck with a 1980/90's style open air ear piece?
  
  Great item though :-)...more info
• Form Over Function
  I've had a few headsets and none had better have sounded than this. That said, I REGRET PURCHASING IT. To make it look better, the buttons that turn the headset on or off, as well as adjust the volume, are hidden under the dimpled surface. The earhook is useless. Unfortunately, this means that when you talk and your jawbone moves, the headset inevitably works its way out of your ear. When you try to re-insert it, you end up turning it off or adjusting the volume. At first, I thought I can learn to re-insert it without turning it off, but I've given up on it. I can't tell you how many important business calls I've inadvertently hung up on, some repeatedly. If this was simply made with a comfortable and secure loop behind the ear, it would be five stars. As it is, it's a $95 white elephant sitting in my drawer....more info