The Plantronics .Audio 995 Digital Wireless Stereo Headset is here.

Plantronics .Audio 995

A little late to the show, but never more welcome.  If Skype, Logitech, Creative, and Acoustic Research weren’t enough for you, there is a new kid on the plug & play wireless USB headset block.  Plantronics has recently launched their .Audio 995. From their site…

Trade up and experience the freedom of wireless. Enjoy up to 40 feet of roaming away from the PC, and full range performance of digital stereo sound for all your PC audio needs – music, Internet calls, podcasts, DVDs, games and more And with features like convenient on-ear music controls and Fast Mic Mute™ you can stay in control even when you’re away from your desk. The pillow-soft, swivel-mounted ear cushions and lightweight design enable all-day wearing comfort for an enjoyable wireless digital experience.

But, in a word.  Awesome.  At $109.95, the .Audio 995 is one of the nicest looking devices in the space.

Man, when almost every brand of headset maker in the PC accessory market has their horse, it’s a damn sure sign of a product category that’s here to stay.  While to many this isn’t a sexy product space, let me offer this… try to think about what other devices come to mind that let you enjoy so many of the things you love to do – music, movies, talking to friends and family, games – and do so while rendering zero-compromise in audio quality, resting squarely (and comfortably) on your skull and sensitive ears, and while picking up and relaying your every word. That’s a serious chunk of human interaction! So we’re fine with some geeky cynics who say “ho-hum” and cry “commodity!”… in the meantime we’ll be blissfully enjoying what everyone will soon take for granted.

What’s my point?  Well, I’m proud to have been a part of making this product category a reality, and it’s something all those at Avnera and these first OEMs should be similarly proud of.  These are the small successes in consumer electronics that people rarely talk about.  No it’s not Apple and their iPhone, or Palm and their Pre, or Nintendo and their Wii… but it’s born of countless innovations, creative thinking, worn-out roller-bags, and sleepless nights in every time-zone that make these things happen.

It’s nice to think there are many more good ideas being crafted even as the economic news of the day would make you think otherwise.