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More People Using Cell Phones for Music

Posted on: Thursday, 12 June 2008, 06:10 CDT

By Marc Saltzman

Music lovers, listen up. Buying a portable music player is so, well, 2003. If you carry a cellphone, and chances are you do, then it's likely all you need to enjoy your favorite tunes while on the go.

Even today's entry-level phones let you carry hundreds -- if not thousands -- of songs in your pocket, stored on memory cards.

And there are a few inherent benefits of listening to music on your phone: You don't need to lug around multiple gadgets; Bluetooth connectivity means you can enjoy music wirelessly on supported headphones, speakers and car stereos; and your cell carrier might let you download (or at least stream) high-quality music to your phone.

Here are a few accessories to get more out of your music phone:

Most new cellphones feature integrated Bluetooth technology. If your phone offers stereo Bluetooth (also referred to as A2DP for Advanced Audio Distribution Profile), you can listen to your music wirelessly with a pair of compatible Bluetooth headphones.

For example, the comfortable Cardo S-2 ($99.99; cardosystems.com) behind-the-neck wireless headphones can play your favorite songs while your phone is tucked in your pocket, purse, briefcase or backpack.

When a call comes in, the music is automatically muted so you can chat using the S-2's built-in microphone. Buttons on the right earpiece also let you pause, change tracks or adjust volume. Battery life is about 7.5 hours for music and talk and up to 150 hours for standby time.

A similar product, the iLuv i222 Bluetooth phone headset ($149.99; i-luv.com), has an optional adapter (for $89.99) that snaps into any portable media player, such as an iPod, so you can also use these wireless headphones with it.

Thanks to two simultaneous trends -- falling prices and increased capacity -- it's time to replace your phone's memory card with one that can hold all your music, audiobooks and podcasts.

SanDisk (sandisk.com) recently launched its first premium memory cards for cellphones, SanDisk Mobile Ultra. The cards offer larger capacities, faster transfer speeds (when transferring songs to and from a PC) and an included MobileMate Micro Reader that plugs into a computer's USB port.

Prices range from $34.99 to $129.99, depending on which card type your phone takes -- MicroSD, MicroSDHC or Memory Stick Micro (M2) -- and desired capacity, be it 2 gigabytes, 4 GB or 8 GB.

Depending on quality and length of the digital tracks, an 8-GB card can hold about 2,000 songs.

Also consider Kingston's 4-GB Mobility Kit (about $44; kingston.com), which includes a 4-GB MicroSDHC card, adapters for MiniSDHC and full-size SDHC cards, and a USB reader.

Whether you're in your car or your backyard, there are times you don't want to listen to music with earbuds or headphones. A number of clever accessories for your music phone can help.

If you plan on spending time at the beach or at the cottage this summer, the Logitech Pure-Fi Mobile speaker system ($149.99; logitech.com) can wirelessly stream music from your Bluetooth stereo (A2DP) cellphone, even if it's up to 33 feet away.

The compact one-piece speaker system features two integrated microphones: one to block out unwanted background noise and another that turns the Pure-Fi Mobile into a speakerphone for when a call comes in.

Also included is a protective carrying case and lithium-ion batteries that last about 12 hours between charges. A built-in 3.5mm audio jack also lets you attach other music players.

Behind the wheel, music phone owners might consider upgrading to a Bluetooth-compatible car stereo so you can wirelessly hear your phone's music through your vehicle's speakers. The sound quality sure beats those finicky FM transmitters.

The Pioneer DEH-P7000BT ($290; pioneerelectronics.com) is an aftermarket in-dash CD receiver with built-in Bluetooth support capable of playing and controlling your phone's music. This stereo also lets you take a hands-free call when your phone rings.

You can also use the USB port to snap in a thumb drive packed with music files or plug in an iPod.

Your music phone isn't limited to wireless headphones, speakers and car stereos.

The Sony Ericsson Bluetooth Watch MBW-150 Music Edition ($399.99; sonyericsson.com) synchronizes with your stereo Bluetooth phone. You can see the names of the songs your pocketed phone is playing on a small OLED display at the bottom of the watch face. (This same display shows who's calling and lets you reject, mute or accept the call.)

You can also control the music on your phone -- playing, pausing and changing tracks.

Forgetful types will also like how the watch will beep loudly should you walk too far away from your phone.

If the wireless watch isn't strange enough for you, Sony has introduced its egg-shaped Rolly ($399.99; sonystyle.com), a palm-sized gadget that wirelessly plays, dances and flashes to your music via Bluetooth technology.

This robotlike music player ships with 2 GB of built-in memory in case you want to store your tunes on it, but it will also move its arms, shoulders and wheels and play your phone's music through its speakers even if you're across the room -- as well as put on a 700-color light show.

Bundled software lets you program choreographed moves for your white or black Rolly.

Source: USA TODAY

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