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Posts Tagged ‘Direct connect headsets’

New Plantronics .Audio 655 Is the First Headset Certified for Use With Skype’s New Super Wideband Audio Codec

March 4th, 2009 No comments

SANTA CRUZ, CA, Mar 04, 2009 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) — PLT Quote Chart News PowerRating — Plantronics, Inc. (NYSE: PLT Quote Chart News PowerRating) today introduced the Plantronics .Audio(TM) 655 USB Stereo Headset for PC-based communications and multimedia. The .Audio 655 is the industry’s first headset to take full advantage of the crystal clear audio quality of calls in the all-new version of Skype(TM) for Windows(R).
The .Audio 655 is the first headset certified to work with Skype’s new SILK speech codec, which was introduced earlier this year. This new audio codec delivers exceptionally clear conversations and achieves wideband audio quality (16kHz) using 50 percent less network bandwidth than previously required. Moreover, it introduces a new standard for speech quality — super wideband audio (24kHz) — which delivers crystal clear, richer and warmer sound to those using a compatible headset and a high quality broadband connection. Skype’s bandwidth manager interacts with the codec to adjust quickly to fluctuating bandwidth conditions to produce the most reliable sound.
“Skype’s new super wideband audio is a breakthrough in providing consumers with even richer voice and video calls, so they get the feeling of true ‘face-to-face’ conversations,” said Matt Miller, director of PC and Entertainment at Plantronics, Inc. “The .Audio 655 is the only headset for Skype’s 405 million registered users worldwide to take full advantage of super wideband audio, while delivering great comfort and plug-and-play simplicity.”
“We believe that our new state-of-the-art super wideband audio capability sets a new standard for richer voice communications over the Internet,” said Jonathan Christensen, Skype’s General Manager for Audio and Video. “We are proud to be partnering with Plantronics to showcase this improvement in the calling experience for consumers.”
Plantronics .Audio 655 — A Perfect Skype Companion
The Plantronics .Audio 655 stereo headset delivers deep bass and full-range digital audio through 40 mm speakers, includes a noise-cancelling microphone for clear conversations, and features Fast Mic Mute(TM) technology that lets users quickly mute the microphone by raising the boom. The .Audio 655’s soft, swivel-mounted ear cushions and lightweight design provide all-day wearing comfort so users can listen to music, make internet calls, or play DVDs and games. For ease of use, the headset uses a plug-and-play USB connection and features one-touch volume controls on the earpiece.
The All-New Skype
The all-new Skype is the most exciting and fundamental change to Skype’s software since the company’s inception five years ago. It incorporates many substantive improvements to video calling and overall ease-of-use, making it even easier to communicate online, using whatever method is preferred — free voice and video calls to other Skype users, instant messaging, as well as calls to landlines and mobile devices around the world and SMS at very low rates.

Plantronics Polaris – Discontinued August 15, 2008

June 4th, 2008 No comments

In an announcement from Plantronics the Polaris line of headsets will be discontinued in August 2008. This line was initially designed for Northern Telecom phones and the purchase of a Polaris headset included a bottom cable instead of needing an amplifier. Without an amplifier, you saved money and space on your desk. Other phone manufacturers such as GE, Mitel, NEC, Polycom and Toshiba migrated to this headset solution as well. Going forward after August 2008, you will need to use the standard Plantronics H-series headset with an A10 bottom cable (66268-02). Same result and function at the Polaris solution, but now by using the standard headsets, they will be much more readily available.