Oh my Jawbone! The Icon just received a very worthy update, as of April 27, 2010, to blow all other bluetooths out of the water. I reviewed this bluetooth back in March and I failed to mention that there will be updates, just like any other device these days with upgrades and new innovations. Also this bluetooth includes a call waiting feature that most handsets don’t, which does not require the use of the handset. I discussed how the Icon is customizable with apps, well the good people at Aliph just updated the Icon to include A2DP!
A2DP will allow you to use your bluetooth to listen to your music, podcast, and even GPS directions. I tried it out and it was superb. The sound quality is great it is true stereo sound, not mono, just in one ear. Please do not expect to turn the volume way up and blast your eardrum. If you need to adjust the volume you will have to go in and disable the Noise Assasin app preprogrammed with the Icon and turn on the Volume adjuster. This new version lets you change the volume of your audio by holding down the TALK button during playback. To adjust your volume, PRESS + HOLD the TALK BUTTON and the volume level will cycle up and down. When you find the most comfortable volume level, release the button and your volume will be set . This feature is for in-call audio as well, so you can adjust the volume without using phone controls.
I have tried another method for the past few weeks that allowed me to use my Icon as a mono device but this A2DP upgrade sounds so much better. This previous way that I used prior to the update also limits you to Slacker, Pandora, and Mobiola xPlayer. It also burnt down my battery on the bluetooth very quickly.
Does your phone support A2DP? The following phones have been tried and tested. If you are not sure check here.
- iPhone 3G and 3GS
- Blackberry Bold, Curve, and Tour
- Motorola Droid
- Google Nexus One
- Palm Pre and Pixi
- Samsung Impression and Solstice
- LG enVTouch and enV3
After you have set up your MyTalk account, for free and neccessary for any of the customizable changes and A2DP support, and you run into problems with setting up your bluetooth refer to this for help.
