Mobile Phones

KT610 is LG's way of saying the communicator class isn't reserved for insanely expensive high end devices. Packing a large full-QWERTY keyboard and neat and simple looks, the S60 Symbian handset spells business. It might have a few features missing but a frown at the spec sheet may as well melt into a smile at the price tag. Economy class is good enough as long as it gets you there. One particularly exciting thing about LG KT610 is the stark contrast between the touchingly old-school front and the serious stuff inside.

Key features:

• Full QWERTY keyboard
• 2.4" 262K-color QVGA display inside
  
• 1.45" 262K-color secondary display
  
• Symbian OS v9.2 with S60 rel. 3.1 UI
  
• 3G with HSDPA
  
• Compact dimensions for a communicator
  
• 2 megapixel fixed-focus camera
  
• Built-in GPS receiver with excellent sensitivity
  
• More affordable than other communicators
  
• Bluetooth and USB v2.0
  
• 64MB of internal memory and microSD card slot

Featuring a built-in FM transmitter allowing users to hear phone calls through their car audio system, Jabra's SP700 is a versatile Bluetooth hands-free speakerphone.

The design of the SP700 is derived from the SP5050; it's similar in both appearance and function. This unit is primarily designed for in-car use, but can also be used at home or in the office - the attached sun-visor clip conveniently doubles as a small desk stand. The unit itself is sleek and slim; when clipped to your sun visor, the compact design won't intrude on the cabin of your vehicle.

Pairing is a simple process - holding down the power button for five seconds puts the SP700 in pairing mode, denoted by a flashing red and blue indicator light.

Once connected, operation is simple. The unit only has three buttons: a large answer/end call button, volume control on the right and an FM transmitter button on the left. A small display sits at the top of the unit and features different coloured LEDs to inform you of power, Bluetooth connection, call status and FM transmission. Activating 'night driving mode' dims the LEDs to reduce the likelihood of a driver being distracted.

Featuring a strange behind-the-ear design, Jabra's BT2020 is a solid budget Bluetooth headset that offers reasonable voice quality.

Jabra describes the BT2020's design, which is different to most Bluetooth headsets, as discreet. The BT2020 is hardly inconspicuous and it may cause some slight discomfort depending on the size of your ear. To help, Jabra includes three different sized ear buds in the sales package, made of a soft silicone-like material.

Thankfully, the BT2020 is easy to pair to your phone and operate. Simply put the unit in pairing mode by turning it on, find the headset using your phone and pair (the default pass code is 0000). Once paired, the BT2020 will automatically connect to your phone each time it is switched on.

The headset's sound quality is average. Like the BT2010, the BT2020 has better outgoing sound than incoming sound. In noisy environments, such as walking down a busy city road, the sound isn't loud enough and overall not very crisp or clear. The outgoing sound is clear and loud.

There are only two buttons on the unit - a call handling button and a volume button. Functions are accessed by tapping, pressing or holding one of the buttons. For example, pressing the volume button increases the volume, while holding it down decreases it. A status light next to the volume button lets you know whether the unit is in pairing mode, or connected to a device.

A simple yet effective Bluetooth headset for hands-free calling, Jabra's BT2010 is a budget offering that won't break the bank. Its sound quality isn't outstanding but the stylish design and decent battery life mean it offers plenty of bang for your buck.

Bluetooth headsets have recently strayed from being large, bulky and ugly units to being stylish and compact designs; the BT2010 continues this trend. It's not the smallest headset on the market, but the gloss black front combined with chrome edging gives this unit a touch of class. More importantly, the BT2010 is comfortable to wear for long periods and it features a removable ear hook that allows it to be worn on either the left or right ear.

Like most Bluetooth headsets, using the BT2010 is as simple as possible. The unit consists of just three buttons - two volume buttons and a call handling key. Turning the unit on with the call handling button automatically puts the unit into pairing mode. Connecting to a compatible phone is as easy as finding the device, then entering the pass code (0000 by default). A status light lets you know if the unit is in pairing mode with a solid light, while a flashing light indicates that the unit is paired.

Sound quality is certainly passable, but not outstanding by any stretch. Strangely, the BT2010 seems to produce better outgoing sound rather than incoming sound - most headsets usually do the opposite.

Jabra's BT5020 bundle is a dual-solution that connects both corded desk phones and Bluetooth mobile phones to a single Bluetooth headset. Aimed at professionals who spend plenty of time outside the office, the benefit of this converged technology means a single Bluetooth headset will work with multiple phones, potentially saving businesses money.

Essentially, this bundle consists of two separate products; the BT5020 Bluetooth headset and the BT7010 Bluetooth hub. The Bluetooth Hub allows the headset to pair with most desk phones including analogue, digital, PBX systems and VoIP phones. Once connected, the hub allows users to take calls from both your mobile phone and your desk phone using the single BT5020 headset.

The hub is quite easy to set-up - simply plug your desk phone handset into it, connect the hub and your desk phone using the supplied connection cord and plug the unit into AC power. Synchronising the BT5020 with your mobile phone is also a simple process. Pairing mode is entered by holding down the pairing button and finding the BT5020 using your mobile phone.

Once your mobile and desk phone are connected, the hub will allow you to take calls from both using the one BT5020 headset. Conveniently, if you decide to upgrade your headset in the future, it will be fully compatible with the hub. Perhaps the biggest issue with the hub is the fact that there is no handset lifter included in the sales package (this is an optional extra). It means that you'll have to lift your office handset like you normally would to make and receive calls, despite sound coming through the BT5020 headset.