High-end Bluetooth headset maker, Jawbone,  launched a headset with built-in accelerometer today. The headset, called Jawbone ERA, can be shaken into pairing mode, and tapped to end or instigate a call.

Philippe Kahn, CEO of Fullpower, the Jawbone development partner that worked on the project, said that “This is the first step in a roadmap of continued innovation for years to come.” This statement leads one to imagine more functions might be coming–maybe turning the audio off if your head-motion indicates you have fallen asleep, or even warning you if you start to doze when driving.

Another product along the lines of helping consumers use their cell phones while driving is the DrivenTalk BHF-2000 demonstrated at CES this week. The Bluetooth device serves as a go-between for drivers and their cellphones, interpreting voice and even gesture commands for touch-less usage.

The device connects to cellphones via Bluetooth and to vehicles using a built-in FM transmitter, and can be charged via USB, cigarette lighter and even using its solar panel. The BHF-2000 is Bluetooth v2.1 / EDR compliant, and supports the following profiles: HFP, HSP, A2DP and PBAP.

Today at CES, we met with Bruce Haendel to discuss the company’s latest product, the Tazzle IT.

This slim USB device features a Bluetooth radio used to connect to a Blackberry to a guest computer in order to share and print the latest versions of your files.

When the Tazzle USB key is removed, the desktop user no longer has access to any of the Blackberry’s files, providing a layer of security.

This allows an individual to quickly print from Blackberry without pairing with the target computer, or transferring files via WiFi or memory card. The device retails for $79.95, however, use code “CES” for 40% off through January 20th.

SPOT Connect is a small module that connects to bluetooth enabled smartphones and provides a satellite link. The device transmits GPS coordinates to your smartphone as well as allowing text message communication and updates to Twitter and Facebook. The main claim to fame relates to emergency services, and an SOS message can be sent for the device. User’s who travel out of cell phone and data coverage areas will appreciate SPOT Connect’s ability to communicate regardless of coverage availability.

The SPOT Connect module will be released by the end of January pending final FCC approval.

Size:
3” x 2.6” x 1.2”
(7.6 cm x 6.6 cm x 3.2 cm)

Weight:
4.9 oz (w/ batteries)

GPS Lat. Lon. datum format:
WGS-84

Operating Environment:
• Operating temperatures: -13°F to +140°F
(-25°C to +60°C)

• Altitude: -328 ft to 21,325 ft
(-100 m to +6500 m)

• IPX7 Waterproof: Up to a depth of 1 meter
for up to 30 minutes

•Bluetooth range ~30 feet

Certifications:
FCC, IC, WEEE, SAR, RoHS, CE

Satellite Technology:
• GPS accuracy: 32.8 ft (10 m) location accuracy

• Commercial satellites (LEO):
1610-1620 MHz L-band frequency

• Visibility: 1 to 4 at any one time

• More satellites for SOS detection than
anyone for faster signal detection.

BATTERY
Type: 2 AA Energizer Ultimate Lithium 8X (L91)

Today Casio unveiled a new watch that incorporates a Bluetooth wireless connection for syncing and sharing services with smart phones and other Bluetooth enabled devices like tablet PC’s.

Battery life has to be one of the most important criteria in the watches design as Casio has create Bluetooth Low Energy BLE technology which should allow the device to function for up to 2 years without recharging, merely replacing the wristwatch sized button-cell battery.

Casio expects to have the watch available in 2011, and is actively seeking 3rd party application development to communicate with other devices.

Unlike traditional Bluetooth devices, the radio range of the watch is only expected to be 2-5 meters.

GM has announced that it will begin to offer its OnStar service as a non-OEM aftermarket installation option beginning this Spring through authorized aftermarket installers and Best Buy.

The new service, dubbed OnStar Anywhere consists of a replacement rearview mirror with an MSRP of $299.99 which features the OnStar control panel as found on equipped GM vehicles.

The service rates will range from $18.99 monthly to $199.99 yearly for the following features through the control panel:

Automatic Crash Response: An accelerometer is built into the mirror that detects the sudden shock of an impact from the front, side or rear of the vehicle and automatically calls an OnStar advisor.

Emergency Services: Pressing the red emergency button links customers to a specially trained emergency advisor for assistance in situations occurring inside or outside of their vehicle.

Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance: OnStar will tell law enforcement where it is if you report it as being stolen.

Turn-by-Turn Navigation: Downloadable spoken turn-by-turn directions for reaching customer’s destinations.

Roadside Assistance: In non-emergency situations, drivers can push the blue button to help with problems like a flat tire or running out of gas.

Hands-Free Calling: Hands-free, voice-activated calls through a Bluetooth connection to the driver’s mobile phone or through prepaid packages of minutes purchased through OnStar.

Hit the Read More link for the list of pre certified vehicles.

Ford/Lincoln F-Series/Mark LT

Toyota Camry

Honda Accord

Dodge/Chrysler/VW Caravan/T&C/Voyager/Routan

Dodge Ram Pickup

Honda Civic

Ford/Mercury/Lincoln Explorer/Mountaineer/Aviator

Ford/Mercury Taurus/500/Sable/Montego

Toyota Corolla

Nissan Altima

Ford Focus

Ford/Mercury/Mazda Escape/Mariner/Tribute

Chrysler//Dodge Sebring/Stratus/Avenger

Ford/Mazda Ranger/Mazda Pickup

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Honda CR-V

Toyota Tacoma

Ford/Lincoln Expedition/Navigator

Honda Odyssey

Ford/Mercury Crown Vic/Grand Marquis

Today only, 1SaleADay is selling the Motorola T805 Bluetooth GPS adapter for $9.99 plus $4.99 shipping.

The T805 is a good option for those with jailbroken iPod touch devices. The iPod touch includes Bluetooth as of the second-generation, and jailbreaking the device bypasses Apple’s restrictions on Bluetooth GPS. With a GPS conduit (available from Cydia), the Bluetooth GPS will then appear as an onboard GPS to most turn-by-turn navigation and GPS apps.

The T805 is in new condition.

Wireless.1SaleADay.com

Accessory developer Boxwave has announced the launch of its Bluetooth Keyboard Buddy iPhone 4 case with integrated sliding QWERTY keyboard. The keyboard is powered by its own battery with a miniUSB port for charging and is available for $69.95.

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group has revealed a variant of the Samsung Galaxy S in the Samsung I897.

The device detailed features a a 4.0-inch AMOLED screen, Android and Samsung’s TouchWiz 3.0 interface, quadband GSM/EDGE, triband US 3G and various Bluetooth profiles, including stereo Bluetooth. The specifications suggest a variant compatible for AT&T, but nothing has been confirmed at this time.

A Frisco, Texas based holding company by the name of SmartPhone Technologies LLC has filed suit against Apple, AT&T, RIM, Samsung, Sanyo, LG, and Motorola alleging that all the companies named are infringing upon patents owned by the aforementioned company.

Apple faces six counts of patent violations which include power conservation, telephony features, and email sync along with Bluetooth capability. The other companies were named together in violation of U.S. Patent No. 5,742,095, entitled “Personal Communications Internetworking”.

Smartphone Technologies is also seeking undisclosed damages from all of the companies involved, while requesting a jury trial in the Eastern District of Texas, where patent lawsuits are often filed in hopes of a favorable outcome for the plaintiff.

In a 2009 patent case also filed in Texas, Apple lost a similar case against patent holder OPTI Inc. when the same U.S. District Court had found that Apple infringed on patent No. 6,405,291, which meant that Apple was ordered to pay the company $19 million on top of an additional $2.7 million added on as pre-judgement interest, bringing the total judgment to $21.7 million.

Smartphone patents have now become a hot-button issue, with Apple, Nokia, HTC and others all involved in different lawsuits involving various technology patents involving one and/or the other manufacturer in recent months.