This is a review of Anker Bluetooth wireless Transmitter and Receiver. http://www.ianker.com/product/99ANRECV-02BA
How many times you wished to "cut" the wires and use your headphones or speakers without "strings" attached? How about listen to your laptop or TV wirelessly with an existing set of bt headphones or wireless speakers? For sure there are a lot of scenarios, but often it involves 2 separate bluetooth devices, a receiver and a transmitter. If you combine both of these functionalities into one super compact package - you get Anker BT Tx/Rx module I'm going to review next.
You never know what to expect when you see a picture on vendors website in terms of the product size. So when I received this device from Anker for review, I thought it was very small to begin with according to box size. Packaged inside of recyclable box without any hint of plastic, just like other Anker products, the actual surprise came when I opened it up to find a matchbox size device. We are talking about 2" x 1.4" x 0.3" and at 48g - this is tiny, even so it had a metal body with some touches of plastic. Along with a unit, there was also usb to micro-usb cable and 3.5mm male to male audio cable. The device is rechargeable, and supposed to last almost 12 hours in transmitter mode and 7 hours in receiver mode. Controls and ports are very minimalistic. You have micro-usb charging port, 3.5mm audio jack, a small led to indicate power/pair/status activity - on one end side of the device. You have Tx/Rx switch along the edge, and Power/multifunction button at the top. That's it.
Operation is very simple. You flip the switch to Rx (receive), and plug your headphones in. Press and hold multi-function button until blue led starts to flash continuously, and go to your smartphone or tablet to scan for available devices. Select and done! For Tx (transmit) mode, flip the switch to Tx, connect Anker device through 3.5mm cable to your source (I had it connected to my ThinkPad laptop), put your wireless device (I was using wireless speaker) in pairing mode, hold multi-function button down on Anker device and it will get paired up automatically. Anker included very detailed instructions so there is no guessing. Typically different blue led flashing patterns on the device will indicate when its pairing up and when its connected. If you mess up, turn power off, and start again. There is also auto shut-off mode if no devices are connected after power turned on.
I do have to note, this is Bluetooth 2.1 with support of A2DP and AVRCP protocols. As a result you will have a reduced sound quality, not significantly but for sure your audiophile quality headphones will not sound the same as connected wired. I was able to test wireless range to be within 30-33 feet as mentioned by the spec. Another thing to keep in mind, if you wired headphones have in-line remote/mic - it will not work connected through this wireless bluetooth device where only audio going to come through.
Overall, I actually found this device to be very useful and convenient where it combines 2 separate devices into one attractive small package. Factor in 18 months warranty and support you get from Anker - this is one great value for under $30.
Here are the pictures.
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Really helpful review, thx.
Looks very interesting.
I will keep my eye on this!!!
I been looking for something like this!!!
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
Related
This is a multi-part question so please read carefully
Unless it's my only option, I do NOT want to purchase a car charger made specifically for the EVO b/c of the Micro-B connector. I do, however, have plenty of car chargers that have a Mini-B connector. Now, I know I can't use those b/c they won't fit, BUT, I have my old USB "dongle" from my Touch Pro, which has an audio plug plug in it and the audio plug is next to the usb IN. This benefits me greatly b/c the setup in my car makes it a pain to have a charger going into the bottom and the audio going into the top. This way I could plug both, car charger AND audio into the dongle and plug the dongle into my phone. This worked beautifully w/ my Hero but the Hero had a Mini-B so the dongle fit right in.
Now, to make the dongle fit into my EVO, I have a tiny converter plug which has a female Mini-B and a male Micro-B.
So my question is this: since there is so much info on here regarding fast-charging, regular charging, amperage, voltage, etc.; please tell me what specs does my charger need so that it won't ruin the battery.
Like I said, I've got plenty of Mini-B chargers - do I need a 5v, 3v, 1 amp, 0.5 amp?
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Do you actually get sound out doing it this way? I was always under the impression that even with a mini to micro adapter sound still would not come out using the HTC adapter.
If this works for you I need to get a mini to micro...would make my in car setup look so much better! Instead of the whole on plug on top and bottom that I have going on.
Physically impossible.
The Hero had an ExtUSB port, which is a port physically compatible with Mini-USB but has extra pins for audio in addition to the power and data pins.
The Evo has a standard microUSB port, which only has power and data pins. There's no way to get audio out of the microUSB port on the Evo.
The only ways to get audio out are the headphone port, the HDMI port, and Bluetooth.
Anyway, I'm in the same boat. I had a car mount for my Hero that let me just plug the one cable in, and it provided audio, microphone, and power all at once. I just ordered a new car stereo with Bluetooth instead for the Evo.
Dang...I could go the bluetooth route...I just don't like playing with bluetooth, idk why.
My experience in the past is that Bluetooth has been more than a little finicky, but so far with the Evo and two car stereos (a Boss 755DBI and a JVC KD-R810) it's been rock solid. I actually like being able to leave it in my pocket or take it down from the mount without interrupting the audio signal or call.
Yeah, I am thinking about getting the Kensington LiquidAUX, and giving bluetooth a go. My stereo only has a AUX input, so I need to get something if I want bluetooth.
Plus, the remote would allow me to control without having to have the phone out, so I can leave it in my pocket if I feel to lazy to put it in my mount
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=206684059&listingid=65080086&&
I had that thing with my Hero, and it rarely worked at all, let alone well. Maybe it'll be better with the Evo.
Be sure to buy it somewhere you can return it.
This is a review of TaoTronics rechargeable bluetooth speaker: http://www.amazon.com/TaoTronics®-Rechargeable-Bluetooth-Portable-Wireless/dp/B00DG0SH7E/
Lately I have been looking more into different ways to enhance multimedia experience of using Note 2 by pairing it up with different wireless speakers and wireless/wired headphones. With speakers it seems that every model offers something different and unique. That is why I took an opportunity to review TaoTronics bt speaker set.
About 3" in height and 2.5" in diameter and 6.7oz in weight this egg-shaped speaker is very compact and fits in the palm of your hand. Although small sized, it actually has a very sold built with a aluminum barrel-shaped body and plastic egg-shaped top. The bottom of the speaker has non-slip rubber pad so it grips nicely with any surface. Through the opening in the top you can actually see two speakers facing each other through a neat disc separator. I assume one is to deliver low frequency while the other for mids/highs. The sound actually has a nice bass, but I wish it would be louder. At high volume you can actually feel vibrations of the pumping sound, it's trying hard but the volume is more appropriate for a small space rather then outside in a bigger area.
The speaker is rechargeable, through micro-usb connector. The same micro-usb connector with attached micro-usb to usb cable (provided with a speaker) could also be used to connect to your laptop or PC. As soon as it's connected, Windows recognized it right away as usb audio speaker to play music externally. Its a great option, but I also wish the speaker would include 3.5mm AUX input to simply connect any device to it. Obviously, the main connection intent is wireless through bluetooth interface where it supports A2DP, AVRCP, and HS/HF profiles. Pair up was fast and effortless. For your convenience it has a multi-function control wheel to play/pause and also change volume -/+ and skip next/prev tracks. I'm personally prefer separate buttons for these functions since it gets a bit tricky with a control wheel where pushing play/control button is ok, but when you want to change the volume vs skipping a track - sometime it's not too easy because you need to do it quickly for track skipping or hold it for volume and often it does opposite. Of course, you can get used to this control and how sensitive it is to the touch, but personally I just prefer separate control buttons.
As a bonus, this speaker also has a slot for micro-SD card which turns this little bt speaker into mp3 players. This works quite good and actually gives you the best sound quality since you are decoding audio directly rather then going through bt transmission where sound gets compressed and bandwidth limited. Also, you have a headphone output for a private listening. And since it supports all these bluetooth protocols, its actually works as a speaker phone really well. You can pick up a call, and use built int microphone to carry the conversation. The phone conversation was relatively clear.
Bottom line, this is a very unique wireless speaker with enhanced multimedia functionality. I was not too crazy about the control wheel and missed having aux input, but other then that there were no complains.
Here are the pictures.
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This is a review of Anker Bluetooth Stereo headset for music streaming and hands free calling. http://www.amazon.com/Anker®-Bluetooth-Headset-HandsFree-Calling/dp/B00ENF5CZQ/
Yes, believe it or not, people still use these single piece on-ear wireless headsets when driving or outside where they still have to be aware of surrounding. That is a key with this type of headsets where your one ear is open to keep you aware of surrounding environment. Typically these feature better sound quality and more functionality in comparison to older models. So let's take a closer look at new addition to Anker's catalog.
Arrived in their signature environmentally friendly plastic-free package, you get a wireless headset with 2 sets of high quality adjustable ear-hooks, 3 pairs of silicone eartips in different sizes, and usb charging cable. This wireless headset is very light, at only 12g, and dimensions of approximately 55mm x 17mm x12mm and additional 15mm for earpiece part. The ear-hook rotates to adjust the angle by 360deg and can also be flipped 180deg for left/right ear use. It has a very sleek professional look with minimum controls, multifunction call/power button facing outside and volume up/down on the bottom edge. The top edge has micro-usb charging port.. Also, I was glad that Anker logo was printed inside, makes the outside of this headset to look clean. Furthermore, inside there was multi-color led indicator and microphone.
Pair up took seconds, and after initial connection a voice guidance provided a confirmation. Although I only tried using this headset inside where everything sounded crystal clearer up to 40ft away from my phone, according to the spec this headset is equipped with CVC (clear voice capture) echo and noise cancellation technology to help you in a noisy environment. As a bonus, beside just a phone connection, it was also connected to phone media (thanks to A2DP and AVRCP protocol support), and I was able to stream music from my Note 2 and remotely control the volume of the audio on my phone. Its a great feature since switching between playing music and picking up the call is seamless, and on a full battery charge you get up to 5hr of talk or audio playback.
Overall, its a great little wireless headset that packs a lot of features, has a nice solid build, and a very professional look. Considering a price of under $20 shipped and 18-month warranty with lifetime tech support - this is one great value as well.
Here are the pictures.
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anker
i also bought one
but to be honest, it doesn't work very well with my samsung
maybe not a great choice for me
This is a review of iHave NFC BT4.0 headset. http://www.tvc-mall.com/details/IHA...r-iPhone-iPad-Samsung-Sony-HTC-Etc.-BLUE-506/
Every time I think these single on-ear headsets are the thing of the past, I ran into more people on the street or in the cars using it. That is why I continue reviewing these wireless bluetooth headset and constantly look for something new and innovative. Typically, they all have a similar functionality, only with different design looks. But some do stand out by offering the latest low power BT4.0 or support of A2DP and HFP profiles to stream your audio from the phone. More expensive models from brand names go into other features but those will cost you over $100. While I was researching for the next review, I came across this new Chinese brand, iHave, which is currently being sold on www.tvc-mall.com as one of their official distributors. When I started to read the spec, I thought to myself that it's almost too good to be true, so obviously I requested a review sample to test it myself so I can share my review with you. Here is what I found.
This iHave headset arrived in a very professional package with a nice clear display presentation, though I wasn't able to read anything on the back since it was in Chinese. Luckily, they included a set of detailed instructions in English, although the operation is very intuitive so you don't even need instructions. In addition to headset, the accessories included 3 sets of eartips including 2 with stabilizer, behind the ear hook, and a magnetic charger. Though there is no direct micro-usb connection to headset, to keep a design slim, the included magnetic charger is something you will find only in high end expensive headset. For whose who use this type of headset, you probably aware that plugging/unplugging of micro-usb connector puts a lot of wear'n'tear on the headset. Here, it's a zero effort to bring it close for an attachment and plugging full usb connector into your wall charger or computer. It fully charges in less than an hour, provides almost 4hr of talk time, and about 5 days of standby time.
Now, about the headset design. It's very thin and lightweight, with an elegant surface texture. It definitely doesn't look or feel cheap, though made out of plastic. Conveniently located at the corner of back edge, there is a multifunction button, wide enough for easy location. At the bottom edge you have a physical on/off switch which is a great option to eliminate any second guessing if you headset is on or off. At the top edge, you have volume up/down rocker which also supports playback control. YES, you can skip next/prev track when streaming the music by holding down volume buttons, while multifunction button works as play/pause. I hardly seen any other headsets of the same type which offer full A2DP1.2 and HFP1.6 support including playback control.
And if that wasn't enough, this headset also support NFC for a fast pair up with your phone. All I had to do is to place it near my Note 2, and it recognized and paired to phone and media audio within seconds without me even lifting a finger. The operation was very robust and worked even with my phone case on. You can pair it up with up to 8 bluetooth devices, and it even supports pair up with 2 devices at the same time. Though I tested the calling in relatively noise free environment (everything sounded crystal clear), it supports CVC6.0 dual mic noise cancellation.
Overall, I was very impressed with a design and a performance of this wireless headset. Pretty much it included every piece of available technology from magnetic charging clip, to NFC and BT4.0 support with the latest A2DP1.2/HFP1.6 protocols, full playback controls when streaming audio media from your phone, and universal compatibility with any bluetooth enabled devices. It also looked really cool. The best part? It only cost $27.89. At that price and with all these features, instead of calling it iHave they should rename it to iMustHave This one definitely gets my recommendation!
Here are the pictures.
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So I've just received a Bluetooth adapter from UGREEN for review purposes. No strings attached no nothing - 'just write something about it' kind of a deal - which I dig.
Being a huge nerd has its perks. I enjoy surrounding myself with tech that makes my everyday life a bit more enjoyable.
For bluetooth streaming, my everyday driver are the MDR-100ABN h.ear on headphones from Sony.
Once I go running or at the gym or in any environment that involves faster-than-walking pace, I switch to my all time darling, the Elecom LBT-PAR500 receiver which securely stays attached on clothes.
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So where does the UGREEN Bluetooth Audio Receiver fit in?Well that's easy - It's made to nicely sit on your desk or in your car and hook on to your sound system or dashboard. It's designed that way.
The nicest feature it has is the user experience. The reason I'm not using my sound system with my bluetooth receiver is because it's a hassle to plug it in, turn it on first and so on.
The UGREEN receiver turns on the moment it's plugged into an USB port - but not due to the lack of battery - it has one which lasts around 7 hours of playback - 8 advertised and the playback time also depends on the output volume, used codec, etc. I find this extremely useful while sitting hooked in the car. As soon as you turn the key, it will flash it's light and be ready for paring/connecting.
Design wise, it's bulky yet modern - nothing too fancy. One big button on top, a light, and the I/O in the back. It has no microphone tho - so no calls can be made/received on it - it does not utilize hands-free profiles so an incoming/outgoing call will be heard only the phone. It's probably for the best since I personally can't stand loudspeaker calls.
Again, it's a device that should be plugged in and forgotten. The auto-pairing mode once on and the auto-power on when fed to a powered usb port makes it excellent for a car. Once you disconnect from it, it automatically powers off after 5 minutes of inactivity. Personally I like to have it hooked to the sound system with power supplied from the PC - so when I turn on the PC, it'll automatically be ready.
The audio quality and transmission range are as good as you'd expect them to be in 2018 so there isn't any obvious difference. The advertised bluetooth class is 4.1 with EDR (enhanced data rate) should have a transfer rate of 24 Mbps or higher - wish I knew the available bluetooth codecs. It uses AVRCP and A2DP profiles. But it's 2018 - most of the bluetooth adapters sound pretty CD/Studio quality like.
As my impressions have been presented, I'll be switching to a Pro / Con list as it follows.
PROs:
Great price/value ratio - 16$ on Amazon;
Solid build quality - there's also a rubber ring on the back to keep it from slipping;
Easy to pair and connect - great for car installments;
Long battery life and one button for ease of use;
Whilst it is no amplifier, it's louder than the average phone 3.5 jack output;
RCA and 3.5mm connectivity is a plus - they can be used simultaneously;
Lightweight and portable - if need arises.
CONs
It's a bit too light - hence the rubber ring on the bottom;
The package usb micro-usb arresting hooks are a bit too tightly clawed in the device - exercise care when removing the cable - not really a con, more of a caution;
I wish the status light was on the button ring instead of on the side of the device;
Lack of loudspeaker capabilities - I don't need it but it's nice to have;
Lack of player controls.
To conclude, it's a great device for its price. Perfect for a car or for adding bluetooth connectivity to home sound systems. As I said in the beginning - it makes connected life a bit easier.
I'd like to thank UGREEN for this device :silly:. You can find more about them and their products on https://www.ugreen.com/ and you can learn more about the device here or see their listing on Amazon here
Have a good one,
Sebastian
Hi Sebastian,
I was feeling curious if I could change some config settings of this bluetooth device. I read that Ugreen 3044 works using a CSR chip from Qualcomm, so can be "easily" configured via an UART connection to the chip. The reconfiguration work is undergoing, so until I will get some results I will post here my updates.
Anyway, if you want to open the case, I wish you good luck, because I partially broken some small tightening "things", I think they made this either unbreakable or unrepairable. Here are some photos from inside the box, featuring the CSR8635 chip.
Stefan,