Native Union Moshi Moshi 02 handset

The Moshi Moshi 02 is a traditional style telephone handset that connects to various devices providing a convenient way to chat using your iPad or iPhone. With an additional USB adapter the Moshi Moshi 02 can connect to your computer as well making it a versatile audio handset.

Created by the French designer David Turpin, the handset comes with a matching base making it look like a rather stylish house phone. That is until you pick it up and realise that there is just a single button. This allows you to answer and disconnect when connected to your iPad/iPhone.

The MM02 handset is available in either “luxurious black soft-touch or white high-gloss”. I am (obviously) reviewing the high gloss white one here.

Native Union Moshi Moshi 02 handset

Native Union Moshi Moshi 02 handset

The handset has a coiled cable that terminates in a 3.5mm jack. This can be plugged directly into your iPad or iPhone, or using a number of adapters available (at extra cost) into a wide variety of mobile phones. The phone base has a pair of 3.5mm sockets, one for the handset and one for a male/male cable that connects to your device/computer. The base to device cable is just over 30″ long and is pure white. The coiled handset cable is slightly off-white.

Native Union Moshi Moshi 02 handset

If you want to use the Moshi Moshi with a computer then you will need to get the USB adapter. This is sold separately and is a zero configuration device that plugs directly into a free USB port. The adapter is about 2″ long by 3/4″ wide a little bit bigger than a memory-stick. Because of it’s width it makes it a little tight to use both of my USB ports on my MacBook Pro as they are sized for normal USB connectors, not the wider USB devices. The USB adapter simply provides an audio interface allowing you to select the handset as input/output for all audio, or just for specific applications.

Native Union Moshi Moshi 02 handset

In use the handset works very well both with the base and on it’s own. I have used is as a handset for my iPhone over the cellular network, and with my iPad using Skype over WiFi and 3G. The quality of the speaker microphone combination works very well, with conversations being as good as or better than other headset/handset solutions. The good thing about this device is that you have what feels like a conventional telephone. One thing I did find a little confusing at first was that the handset button will stop and start the iPod on my iPhone/iPad, as well as answer/disconnect a call.

Native Union Moshi Moshi 02 handset

Of course if you have an iPhone 4 and you suffer from the dreaded signal drops you can use the MM02, with your phone in the pocket meaning that you get full signal strength.

Although the iPad does have a microphone and speaker it is not very elegant, or private to try and use it for Skype or VOIP the handset is a much more practical approach.

Using it on the Apple MacBook Pro I often found that the USB adapter had grabbed the audio output, and I was left scratching my head trying to work out why iTunes wasnt playing properly… Once I got over that I had no problems assigning Skype to the handset and letting iTunes play over my speakers.

Priced at $59.99 or £45.00 with the USB adapter costing an extra $20 or £15 there are certainly cheaper options on the market, but if what you are after is a bit of style to add to your desk then this is for you… My only real criticism is that the coiled handset cable is just enough off-white to mar the overall effect of the handset and base, strangely if they had made it the same colour as the base to device cable it would be perfect.

Native Union Moshi Moshi 02 handset

From a more practical side of things would I want to carry this handset around with me when I am out and about? I think not! The idea of having the iPad is to cut down weight and clutter. I would be better off with a bluetooth handsfree kit, or even the iPhone headset with built in microphone. But this is not what the handset is about…

Check out Native Union’s US website or the UK site for more details including stockists.

Jivo also have some eco-headphones, ‘Elements’, which are made from renewable cedar-wood. I’ve not seen (or heard) these in use but we will try to get some for review in the near future.

They also have a range of other, non-eco, cases and accessories so head over to their website and see what they have on offer!

Given the ease with which children’s hearing can be damaged by loud music, particularly as they seem almost permanently attached to either a computer, an MP3 player or a portable games console, solutions such as this are to be applauded. 85 decibels is plenty loud enough for even the most ardent fan of loud music.

Designed and built specifically for children, the funky ‘myphones’ are an ‘on-ear’ design that sits on your child’s ears and so does not block out external sounds with soft and importantly, washable, ear pads.

The myphones come in a handy clear travel case and to further enhance their ‘cred’ they come with swappable inserts for both the case and the headphones.

Three designs are supplied including a pink panda one for the girls and a blue robot one for the boys (assuming we are gender stereo-typing, naughty!) and an orange one. They also come with pre-cut paper designs that can be coloured.

The myphones web-site also has printable templates so you can make and design more, a nice touch.

Road tested on my 12yr old daughter, a victim to fashion as all youngsters seem to be these days, she was instantly taken with them and has been using them almost constantly since they arrived.

Despite knowing these have a safety design she thought them very trendy and seems happy to be seen using them, indeed a demo at school had her friends clamouring for a pair. So we can safely call them an instant hit.

Available from the Apple Store, Griffin accessory retailers and other outlets mid-October 2009 at £29.99.

myphones web-site

Bose in ear headphones

I don’t know about you, but I think headphones are a critical part of any multimedia player.  It doesn’t really matter how good the player is if the headphones are not comfortable and do not perform the whole experience is spoilt.

I have never got on very well with the earphones supplied with the iPhone or any of the Apple iPods.  I have loads of sets of unopened headsets stashed away.  Using the Apple ones tends to hurt my ears after a while and they are not the best performers in terms of audio.  This is not a big problem as there are literally hundreds of headsets on the market, the problem is more of which to choose.

I am a big fan of Bose equipment.  Yes I know it is expensive, and overpriced, but like a Mercedes car it oozes quality and you know it will be designed well.  The Bose in-ear headphones are typical Bose products, not cheap, but well designed and long lasting.

Bose headphone storage case

The headphones come in a travel/storage case that prevents the cable getting tangled and knotted when not in use.  The earpiece itself is constructed in two sections, with a silicone tip to go inside the ear.   The kit is supplied with 3 different tip sizes so you can obtain a perfect fit.

Even the cable has had thought put into it.  The outer casing of the cable has a soft rubber feel to it.  No cheap plastic here!

So this brings us to the Bose earphones in action.  The look and feel are great, but how do they perform?  Well the answer is stunningly.  There is crystal clear high frequencies and at the other end of the scale the bass rumbles through.  Just as importantly I have worn these headphones on a 13 hour flight and not had any discomfort through wearing them.

Now for the killer news.  The Bose headphones cost $99.95 or £79.00: quite expensive for earphones, but mine have lasted 3 years so far and have outlived a few generations of iPods.