- +
Life on the EEEdge: Daily life with Asus' tiny laptop 04 January, 2008 07:15:21
6 annoying things (and 3 great ones) about Asus' ultraportableLike many gearheads, I've owned a lot of portable computers over the years -- and I've wanted to replace every last one with a smaller, sleeker upgrade, from the "luggable" Apple IIc onward. But most of those upgrades have left me disappointed: with the lack of software; with cheap, hard-to-use interfaces; and with "optional" add-ons that were in fact very much necessary to make the machine useful. - +
Are we there yet? 05 December, 2007 13:53:33
Smaller, lighter and faster has long been the mantra from notebook vendors everywhere - but how much further do we need to go? - +
Five tips for low-energy business computing 02 January, 2008 07:00:27
Energy efficiency isn't just for the data center. Here's how to save some greenbacks by powering down out front.First, the data center dialed back its power consumption. Now it's the front office's turn. - +
ARN's A-Z guide to networking 19 December, 2007 14:50:54
As business needs change, so do the requirements for the business backbone. ARN looks at networking trends and technologies and reports on predictions for 2008 and beyond.
Click here for case studies, whitepapers and other useful vendor content Dataract increases e5 Workflow performance with Microsoft® Windows Server® 2008
Bankstown Council streamlines their IT with Microsoft® Windows Server® 2008
NAB works with Avanade® to leverage Microsoft® Windows Server® 2008 for its branch offices
Dimension Data, La Trobe University and Windows Server 2008 partner to improve compliance
Newsletter Subscription
Another of Plantronics' latest Bluetooth hands-free kits, the Discovery 655 is a great device for those who are regularly on the road. It's similar to the 665 but offers increased battery life. The fact that it can be charged by using its extremely handy AAA battery adapter makes it the ultimate solution for the mobile professional.
The best thing about this unit is its charging capability. Plantronics has thought of everything. In the box users get a standard AC adapter, as well as a USB dongle for charging via a notebook or PC. However, the real gem is the included charging cradle that supports a AAA battery. It's brilliant for those who are regularly away from AC power as it allows a user to carry a small stockpile of batteries so that the unit can be charged anywhere.
When running while connected to this adapter, the unit can supply 10 hours of talktime, which is huge compared to the average of six or seven hours we typically see. Without the cradle, Plantronics quotes a talk time of only 3.5 hours and 80 hours of standby time.
In our tests, the 655 produced good audio quality, during incoming and outgoing calls. Callers reported the voice quality to be crisp and clear. While a little more volume on the incoming audio would be welcomed, it's satisfactory for most uses. As with the other models in this series, the controls and the interface are extremely basic. Almost everything is done using the main control button. This includes answering and ending calls, rejecting them and bouncing them between the phone and headset. The only other buttons are for controlling the volume.
The 655 doesn't have a compulsory ear clip (although one is included in the package). Instead, it's supported by a rubber clip as it slips into your ear canal. It weighs only 9g and is perfectly comfortable. Several ear pieces are provided, so users can tailor the fit to the shape of their ears.
The design of the 655 is slim and stylish, with an angular black and silver body that looks quite modern. There is also a small LED ring around the control button that changes colour to indicate whether the kit is paired or in pairing mode.
ARN Member Login
ARN Panel Sessions: Day 3The last of our panel sessions recorded live at CeBIT 2008. Today, the topic is storage. Data is growing at an enormous rate, so what does the future hold?
Top 10 games at this year's E3The big E3 video games blow-out is coming to an end in Los Angeles and to cap off the week, here's a look at the best ten games of E3 as ranked by Gamepro.
Brian's bloopersIt takes a long time to produce an episode of Channel Watch. Maybe you'll understand why after watching this...
When an IT disaster occurs, how handy it would be to push a button and start again as if nothing had happened.
Discover and learn more about CA XOSoft today.
Satyam’s Q1 revenue up by 43% and Net Profit by 45% YoY; revises revenue and EPS guidance upwards for FY09 18 July, 2008 16:58:00
Informatica Reports Record Second Quarter Results 18 July, 2008 13:01:00
Tumbleweed Releases MailGate 3.6 18 July, 2008 10:01:00
Convergys to Acquire Intervoice, Enhancing Leadership in Relationship Management 17 July, 2008 14:41:00
Borland Management Solutions Put the "M" in Application Lifecycle Management 17 July, 2008 13:43:00
WebCentral boosts Security and Reliability with Windows Server 2008
WebCentral, Australia's largest web and application hosting company, relies on Microsoft Windows Server 2008 to deliver the security, manageability and reliability their customers require.
Subscribe to ARN
