Toshiba unplugs stereo 'phones with Bluetooth

CES 2005 Toshiba has unveiled a pair of wireless headphones that hook up to a host PC across a Bluetooth 1.2 link.

Designed for the company's Qosmio home entertainment-oriented laptop range, the 90g (3.2oz) 'over-the-ear and round-the-back-of-your-head' 'phones will also work with any notebook or desktop that sports a Bluetooth 1.2 adaptor, such as the one Toshiba sells.

The wireless link gives smooth stereo playback at up to 30ft, the company claimed. The 'phones will pair with only one device at a time, though Toshiba said they can be re-connected to another device at the push of both volume buttons. That suggests the 'phones can store the details of multiple devices, much as today's Bluetooth mobile phone headsets can, though Toshiba didn't say how many devices the 'phones will remember.

The right-hand speaker unit also features volume controls, and track-skip buttons. There's room in there for a battery too, one that's large enough to provide up to eight hours' play time.

Interestingly, the Toshiba 'phones appear to be virtually identical to the set HP announced in November 2004 as a wireless add-on for its multimedia iPaq PDAs. Toshiba's Wireless Stereo Headphones go on sale on 9 February in the US for $100. The company's Bluetooth 1.2 adaptor costs $50. ®

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