The majority of science fiction fans are going to love the new CommBadge for iPhone and Android, which looks like something right out of Star Trek. This project is currently on Indiegogo and has raised just under $27,000 at the time of writing, although the target is $85,000 with 17 days to go.

What is CommBadge? This gadget is basically a wearable Bluetooth speakerphone and also an alternative to Bluetooth headsets. The device can be used with both Android and iPhone, and can be attached to your clothing really easy. The main features include the latest chipset for noise canceling, full access to voice command functions within Google Now and Siri, the ability to place and answer calls, and also send and receive text messages with text-to-speech.

CommBadge will extend the technology found in your smartphone and you only need to tap to answer, just like we remember in Star Trek. The device is designed for both personal and business use. You will find three models to choose from, which include one for casual use, one with a badge holder, and finally another model with a built-in retractable badge wheel. The video below delivers a visual look at each of these models.

Would you prefer a standard Bluetooth headset, or does the CommBadge Star Trek-style communicator look a much better option? Watch the video below to learn more about the CommBadge, and then leave your thoughts in the comments.

So far this year we have seen smartphone manufacturers such as Nokia, Samsung and Research in Motion bring NFC to their devices as it enables quick, easy and secure communication between two devices, so why has Apple opted to overlook this technology?

We don’t truly know the reason why this choice was made by Apple, but we wonder whether NFC chips are currently quite demanding in terms of battery life, which is something which can’t be said for Bluetooth 4.0 chips.

If you head over to Cnet you can read an article titled: Bluetooth 4.0: What is it, and does it matter?, it’s an interesting read and tells us quite a lot about this latest Bluetooth standard, what’s interesting is the fact that Nicole Lee suggests that BT4 could be possibly used for a wireless payment system, which could be very bad news for NFC.

Bluetooth 4.0′s biggest claim to fame is its low-power consumption, this allows the smallest battery-operated devices to utilize this technology and in terms of performance we are told that 24 Mbit/s speeds could be achievable, also there’s potential for a range of up to 200 feet. One thing which is worth knowing is the fact that Bluetooth 4.0 is compatible with previous Bluetooth standards, this means your old Bluetooth devices / peripherals will be supported.

As previously mentioned the low-power consumption is the most-exciting feature, could it mean that we could leave Bluetooth turned on without worrying about battery life? Do you think Apple should have given the iPhone 4S NFC? We would love to see your opinionated answer to these questions in the comments section below.

The executive director of Bluetooth SIG believes that by the end of the year we should expect to see Bluetooth 4.0 compliant computers, headsets and smartphones launched.

Bluetooth SIG believe that Bluetooth 4.0′s ultra-low power consumption will increase this standard’s appeal, this means that complaint devices battery life will not suffer at the cost of offering this latest technology.

It seems as if all of the talk regarding Bluetooth 4.0′s ultra-low power consumption is a bit of a waste of time as Foley later states that “users shouldn’t necessarily expect significant power savings over previous versions when moving to Bluetooth 4.0″, he does however believe that Bluetooth 4.0′s low-energy mode will offer benefits, it seems as if Foley is somewhat contradicting himself.

Source: SlashGear

The SCALA RIDER Q2 headset for bikers is rugged for all weather conditions, and it fits almost all brands of helmets, open-faced or full-size.

The biker using the system is able to receive GPS voice instructions, they can communicate with a passenger on their back seat, make calls on their cell phone, and you can also listen to the embedded FM radio.

The SCALA RIDER Q2 has a range of up to 500m, but the typical range is 250m depending on terrain, traffic or line of sight. The Full Duplex system means that you will no longer have to suffer from the walkie-talkie syndrome, meaning that one rider does not have to stay quiet while the other speaks.

Installation is easy and only takes 5 minutes for both helmets, when configuring the headsets; you will need to read the manual. There are 4 to 5 pages to read, but the steps are simple and works just as instructed. Operating the SCALA RIDER Q2 is easy to use with bare fingers, becoming harder with regular gloves, and almost impossible with heavy gloves on.

When riding, your phone will work perfectly, and voice commands makes life much simpler and safer. When you take a call on your phone through the headset, the caller will not hear the bike noise through the headset and will hear the voice clearly. The rider will also hear the caller very well, the tone of the voice is very clear.

The FM radio also works very well, the volume is more than sufficient and clear, but it is lacking in mid range and bass. The cause of this could be due to the fact that the headset is 1-inch away from the rider’s ear.

What about bike-to-bike communication between both riders, it is flawless, clean and clear and remarkable loud. When you have a passenger on the back of your bike and you are both wearing the SCALA RIDER Q2 ultimate motorcycle helmet headset system, it makes the ride that much more enjoyable.

Inside the box is:

• 2 Scala-rider Q2 headsets
• 2 Dual Speaker Helmet Clamp Mount with MP3 connector
• 2 Dual Voltage Wall Chargers
• 2 Microphone Sponges
• 4 Velcro Pads
• 2 Allen Wrench
• 2 Carry Pouches
• 2 Spacer Clamps
• User Guide and Registration Card

For more information visit: www.cardowireless.com