Just yesterday we received the all new BlackBerry Wireless Headset HS-700 in to check out.  We had all day to play around with it and try it out.  So with that said, a review was more than ready to be in play.  The HS-700 is one of the most unique Bluetooth headsets I have ever used.  I have a lot of friends that have trouble using these wireless headsets due to trouble pairing, lack of battery life, and all other sorts of nonsense.  The HS-700 takes Bluetooth wireless headsets to a whole new level with amazing options, features, and of course a very sleek design.

Design:

I wouldn’t want it any other way.  Being a huge BlackBerry Bold fan with the leather back, I saw that the HS-700 also rocked a leather finish with chrome around making it really classy looking and keeping it all BlackBerry branded.  Typical headsets you see around throw a huge logo on the side, making you a walking advertisement but this BlackBerry HS-700 gives you an elegant look without branding yourself to the public.  The charger input is all the way in the back built in to the chrome keeping it out of your way and definitely far from the microphone which seemed to be an issue on my former Sound ID Bluetooth headset.

Key Features:

• Voice commands: When a call comes in, just say “answer” or “ignore”. You can also dial, mute, swap calls, redial and more.
• Voice prompts: Once you’re connected, voice prompts alert you with battery status updates, mute status and more.
• Built for your BlackBerry smartphone: Listen to audio files saved on your smartphone and get turn-by-turn directions from third-party GPS mapping apps.¹
• Advanced noise-cancellation technology: Get clear conversations with noise-cancellation technology and dual microphones.
• Automatic volume control: The headset adjusts the volume of your call as you accelerate onto a highway or in other noisy environments.
• Sleek design: Get fit, comfort and style with metallic finishes, a leather face and carefully crafted ear gels and ear hooks.

Comfort:

There are seven different ear pieces that are easily changeable and are most definitely included in the box.  It took me through about three of them to see which one fit best, but believe me when I say this – everyone will find their fit with these.  Not only are they ear bud pieces, but also around the ear hooks for those who prefer not to shove anything inside the ear.  I personally use the smallest ear bud since it clips right into my ear, making me forget it’s even there.

Clarity:

So I tried the headset in various places between yesterday and today.  Places included the mall, my car (windows up and down) home, and office.  I think the biggest thing people are looking for these days is the freedom of speaking clearly with the windows down or in a crowded area.  So using it with the windows down worked a charm, according to the party I was speaking with on the phone.  There were a few moments where I had to speak louder but nothing I had to do to go out of my way as I have with other Bluetooth headsets.

Battery Life:

I’m not much of a phone talker but the headset gave me a good solid two hours of phone conversation with still more than 50% battery life.  I’m still using it here and there today without having to charge it.

Power:

The HS-700 comes with the new and improved mini BlackBerry charger as we see with the BlackBerry Pearl 3G and BlackBerry Torch 9800.  The USB wire is short though which was a bit inconvenient, but I do have other longer ones laying around.

Multimedia:

Here’s some confusion for some of you.  Multimedia options on a Bluetooth headset? Of course.  You can listen to music through the headset at anytime.  Using voice commands, you can go to the next or previous track, increase or decrease the volume, and play, pause, or stop the track as well.

Cool Features:

So what’s so different in the HS-700 that other Bluetooth headsets don’t have?  Firstly, upon turning it on and placing it in your ear.  The headset speaks to you and walks you through pairing it with your BlackBerry.  That’s something you don’t get spending this kind of money any where else.  Also, there are voice commands you can say in your headset that allows you perform certain tasks or check up on statuses such as your battery life of your headset.  That’s key because there’s a lot of folks out there who do not know how much battery life they have until it blinks red and demands a charge.  Stay on top of things and know how much battery life you have left at any time.  Speaking wirelessly is important after all (especially if you’re in a state where talking on cellphones without one is prohibited).

So here’s a quick walkthrough on voice commands:

• If you don’t know what the commands are, simply say “What can I say?”
• To open the options menu say “Options”
• To check the battery level say “Battery”
• To answer a call you can say “Answer”
• To ignore a call you can say “Ignore”

These are just a few examples of what you can say through the headset.  In my opinion, if you’re going to use a wireless Bluetooth headset, stay wireless all the way.  The HS-700 gives your hands freedom allowing you to dictate what you want to do with your voice, without having to take your eyes off the road so much and be easily distracted.

Stock Specifications:

Bluetooth:

• Bluetooth® 2.1 for simplified pairing
• Bluetooth® HFP and A2DP Bluetooth profile
• Range: 10m/33 feet

Power:

• Dedicated on/off switch
• 200 hours standby time
• 4.5 hours talk time
• BlackBerry® USB Power Plug included
• BlackBerry® Micro-USB Charger included

Voice Commands:

• For status info and call tasks:
  • What can I say?
  • Options
  • Battery
  • Redial
  • Call last
  • Call <phone number>
  • Call <contact name>
  • Answer
  • Ignore
  • Mute
  • Unmute
• English language support only

• For music tasks:
  • What can I say?
  • Play
  • Next track
  • Previous track
  • Pause
  • Stop
  • Volume up
  • Volume down

Overall:

It’s a winner for me.  I can safely say that I am putting away my former Bluetooth headset for this BlackBerry HS-700.  Not only is the call quality great on it, but the voice commands system sells itself better than any other ones I have seen on the market.  Of course it works with other mobile phones but if you own a BlackBerry, this is your perfect match.

-by Mac Jadalhack

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