Altec Lansing BT headset

Altec Lansing recently introduced its BackBeat 903/6 Bluetooth headset at the currently ongoing Macworld Expo and will also display them at the CES show later this week. The headset, developed with cooperation from Bluetooth earpiece maker Plantronics, stays in place thanks to the use of both ear canal-sealing ear buds and ear hooks. Plantronics' dual-mic AudioIQ technology is incorporated into the headset to increase call quality and raise call volume depending on ambient noise levels.

Users can dial by voice, redial numbers or transfer calls from the headset back to the phone and vice versa. Unlike the 903, the BackBeat 906 includes a transmitter that endows cellphones such as Apple's iPhone with the necessary Bluetooth A2DP profile for streaming music. Either headset includes Bluetooth 2.1+EDR support, while the 3.5mm auxiliary jack allows connecting devices that do not have Bluetooth functionality. A2DP, AVRCP, HSP v1.1 and HFPv1.5 stereo audio profiles are also supported. Battery life is rated at 7 hours of talk or music listening time, while the Bluetooth range from the paired device is 33 feet.

The Altec Lansing Backbeat 906 will be available in February, priced at nearly $130 with the iPhone transmitter, while the Backbeat 903 set ships at the same time for $100 as they do not include a transmitter. [via Wired]