Name: Plantronics Discovery 925
Category: Bluetooth headset
Price: Open price (about JPY17,800)
Release date in Japan: July 11, 2008

"That's one small step for a man..." "Houston, we have a problem..." Did you know that some of the most famous words from space were spoken into headsets from California-based Plantronics?

The company's popular Discovery 925 headset is coming to Japanese electronics shops and online retailers including Amazon Japan. The Bluetooth ver2.0+EDR device sits in one ear and is built for simplicity, with only a power button and a talk button. Its Multipoint technology will connect to two devices (like phone and PC), switching between the two as desired, while AudioIQ noise-control tech analyses surrounding sound to optimize voice quality.

The device looks great and comes with a leather storage case that doubles as recharger. Expect 5 hours of talk, or a week of standby, on a charge.

Plantronics Japan president Hiroshi Murata told the press, "The Japanese Bluetooth headset market is already over 1 billion yen, but looks to be growing rapidly in recent years. We expect 50-70% annual unit growth from here out."

The Discovery 925 shares a July 11 Japan release date with the iPhone. Added Murata, "We'd really like people to pair [the Discovery 925] with the iPhone going on sale the same day. On the US Apple Store, it gets the highest 5-star rating."    

More info: http://www.computernews.com/DailyNews/2008/06/2008062717098E5293632020.htm (Japanese)