• WHAT: A headset the completely eliminates external noise
• WHY: Most people you call will tell you that your current headset is lacking
• COST: Expensive - about $120

Regular readers of this blog know that I make it habit to avoid reviewing products - there are plenty of wonderful sites that do that with great depth and regularity.  And, I promised myself when I started this blog that it wouldn't turn into yet another product review site.  However, there are occasions when a product comes along that is so outstanding that it's worthy of mention... and, in fact, makes me feel like I'm doing a service to my readers.  That is precisely how I feel about my Jawbone headset after testing it in a variety of situations for a couple of months. 

Most headsets function with great similarity in a few ways.  For example, they all try using a very directional microphone so that the sounds it picks up are from your mouth, thus limiting the surrounding noise.  However, there's really no technology incorporated into those headsets that makes them appreciably better (or worse, for that matter) than the others.  The Jawbone, however, does differ - and the difference is significant and immediately noticable to anyone with whom you are having a conversation. 

The major functional difference between the Jawbone and other headsets is that the Jawbone uses a piece of military-grade technology to determine precisely when you are talking.  The way that the headset is set up pushes it slightly against your cheek and there's a small nub that serves as a sensor for the device.  The sensor can tell by the vibrations from your jawbone (thus the name) when you're actually speaking and uses filtering, sampling and other technologies to block any sounds other than your voice going into the microphone.  The results are nothing short of astonishing.  I've used my headset in my car at 80+MPH, in a loud restaurant and walking down the sreet talking in a completely normal tone of voice with my Mom, customer service departments, clients and other people who would be highly sensitive to hearing road noise.   Without exception everyone that I've spoken to has been surprised - some say they're shocked - to learn that I'm using a headset as their own experiences with them indicate that there's room for a lot of improvement in the one that they use. 

The look of the headset is pretty high-tech, spacey and futuristic.  It has a wonderful light indicator that glows white when it's fully charged (which only takes an hour or so), red while it's charging and flashes white once every 10 seconds or so when it's active (on and paired with a phone).  It's inobtrusive but very effective.  There are several different earpieces and wrap-around loops that come with it to make it comfortable for use on any size ear on either side.  Like all headsets it takes a bit of getting accustomed to - but once you do I believe you'll find this one to be more comfortable than most because of the clever, slightly-spring-loaded ear loop that keeps it in place. 

There's a wonderful demonstration of the noise-reduction technology on Jawbone's web site (their motto, by the way, is "Noise is nothing") that does more to explain how their product works than any blog entry ever could.  I suggest you check it out.   

There's no question that this is a very expensive piece of gear when compared to the variety of $29.99 headsets available - but you get what you pay for.  When you're talking - or listening - to an important client, your spouse, girlfriend, parent or whoever, do you really want to have to struggle to hear what they have to say and for them to barely hear what you have to say?  I didn't think so.  It may be as expensive as the phone you connect it to, but it's a wonderful piece of equipment that comes magnificently boxed and their team provides top-notch customer service.  

In short, if you use your phone for talking, you need a Jawbone.