Comdex: Sybersay shows off cell phone earpiece

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Sybersay's lightweight, wireless Sonic Crystal will cost a little more than $100, according to the company

by James Evans

(IDG) -- Cellular phone users looking for an alternative to a wired hands-free earpiece will have another option with Sybersay Communications's Sonic Crystal wireless product due out in July 2001.

The wire-free Sonic Crystal is on display this week at Comdex and is expected to cost a little more than $100, said David R. Jones, Sybersay's director of marketing and sales. The wire-free earpiece will have a directional microphone in the earpiece, provide capabilities to filter out low-frequency noise and come in a variety of colors.

As well as shielding users from potentially harmful radiation from their cell phones, the device will allow users to dial telephone numbers by using voice commands.

"Sonic is extremely lightweight," Jones said. "It's comfortable. You can wear it all day. It's very cool looking."

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San Jose, California-based Sybersay will use two methods to make Sonic Crystal wire free, Jones said. Talks are underway with four of the top five handset vendors to embed technology into new cellular phones so those will work with the Sonic Crystal earpiece, Jones said. For users with existing phones, a small external adapter will be plugged into the side of the mobile phone so the earpiece is linked to the handset, he said.

Two Comdex participants at Sybersay's booth expressed interest in a wire-free earpiece.

"I think it would be a good product," said Travis Weeks, owner of Recruit Recruiters in Fremont, California, which seeks out recruiters and human resource specialists. "I have an earpiece from Nextel Communications. This is a lot better fit. If their technology really does what they say, it will be a good product."

"I do think it would be a great idea, especially since several states are making it illegal to drive and use your phone" said Bob Herman, a communications manager at the Tennessee Technology Center in Morristown. Herman, who uses his phone all the time, said he would be willing to pay about $100 for the technology.

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Sybersay Communications

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