Making Calls
Here again, many functions are available and would need to be recalled when the time’s right in order to be useful. A device this small should be all about simplicity, simplicity and more simplicity.
When it comes to all the actions to make a call, there’s again too much to remember. Specifically:
To receive a call, tap the call button.
To mute or unmute a call, tap both volume buttons.
To reject a call, press and hold a volume button until you hear two descending tones.
To end a call, tap the call button.
To redial the last call, press and hold the call button until you hear two ascending tones.
To dial a call by voice, tap the call button and speak a name or phone number after the tone.
To answer a second incoming call, press and hold the call button.
To end an active call and resume a call on hold, tap the call button.
To reject a second incoming call, press and hold either volume button until you hear an audio tone.
When questioning the complexity of these indicators, Downey said: “You hit the nail on the head. Because it’s a wearable product, we wanted it to be as small as possible. Since you’re not taking the headset off on regular basis, putting a screen on the H12 [to help with the clarity of the indicators] doesn’t make sense.”
He added: “We did studies to determine what people focus on and people always use the on/off button. That’s why we separated it out. It’s easy as a light switch. Also, the battery indicator is important to know how much time you have left.”
Here again, many functions are available and would need to be recalled when the time’s right in order to be useful. A device this small should be all about simplicity, simplicity and more simplicity.
When it comes to all the actions to make a call, there’s again too much to remember. Specifically:
When questioning the complexity of these indicators, Downey said: “You hit the nail on the head. Because it’s a wearable product, we wanted it to be as small as possible. Since you’re not taking the headset off on regular basis, putting a screen on the H12 [to help with the clarity of the indicators] doesn’t make sense.”
He added: “We did studies to determine what people focus on and people always use the on/off button. That’s why we separated it out. It’s easy as a light switch. Also, the battery indicator is important to know how much time you have left.”
MOTOPURE H12 Headset
Image © MotorolaAs for the more advanced functions and the more confusing light indicators, Downey says they’re “not used as much”. Motorola had to “sacrifice some usability” in order to balance other more important factors.
In other words, aside from the battery-life lights, some may ignore the others and many of the advanced functions you may never use.
Battery Life, Light Indicators
Various colors on the headset indicator signal the H12’s battery level. When the charger is plugged in:
Red means it’s charging with a battery level less than 80 percent. Yellow means it’s charging with a battery level more than 80 percent. Green means charging is complete and the battery level is full. No light means it’s not charging.
To check the battery level, you can magnetically attach the H12 to the small charger. The charger has a cord that plugs into a standard electrical outlet. Once plugged in:
Green means you have up to 5.5 hours of talk time remaining. Yellow signals a wide range of available talk time from 30 minutes to 4 hours. Red means you have less than 30 minutes of talk time remaining.
While there are too many overall light indicators, the indicators for the battery are clear, simple and memorable. Indeed, green would signal to the natural brain full, yellow would signal half full and red would signal almost empty.
In addition, Motorola scores big for its rechargeable battery life. There’s no sense for the H12 to exceed the battery life of your cell phone. If your cell phone dies, the H12 is useless.
In other words, aside from the battery-life lights, some may ignore the others and many of the advanced functions you may never use.
Battery Life, Light Indicators
Various colors on the headset indicator signal the H12’s battery level. When the charger is plugged in:
To check the battery level, you can magnetically attach the H12 to the small charger. The charger has a cord that plugs into a standard electrical outlet. Once plugged in:
While there are too many overall light indicators, the indicators for the battery are clear, simple and memorable. Indeed, green would signal to the natural brain full, yellow would signal half full and red would signal almost empty.
In addition, Motorola scores big for its rechargeable battery life. There’s no sense for the H12 to exceed the battery life of your cell phone. If your cell phone dies, the H12 is useless.
When most cell phones today range from 3 hours to 5 hours in talk time, setting the H12’s maximum talk time at 5.5 hours is perfect. As well, the H12 has a standby battery life of approximately 8 days. The battery is rechargeable but not replaceable. The charger is wonderfully compact and the H12 attaches magnetically.
Tip: If you don’t have your H12’s battery charger with you, you can still check the headset’s battery level. So long as it’s not paired with your cell phone, just depress the up and down volume buttons simultaneously and you’ll see the corresponding color of your battery life.
Distance Range
The H12 is rated to work up to 33 feet (or 10 meters) away from your cell phone. This, of course, depends on what’s in the environment around you.
If you’re “in a building with cement walls, microwaves or heavy wireless waves, on any headset you’d hit your range limit sooner,” Downey said. He added: “Our goal was designed around being in your pocket, briefcase or on the seat the next to you. We spend a lot of time on radio frequency performance and ultimately over test our headsets [to outperform what you’d need].”
In testing, the H12’s distance range was excellent based on how you’d typically use it. You wouldn’t have the H12 in the other room and be on your cell phone from across the house. There’s no cause for concern here.
Price
Available from Motorola directly and from other retailers, the H12 has a shelf price of $119.99.
Tip: If you don’t have your H12’s battery charger with you, you can still check the headset’s battery level. So long as it’s not paired with your cell phone, just depress the up and down volume buttons simultaneously and you’ll see the corresponding color of your battery life.
Distance Range
The H12 is rated to work up to 33 feet (or 10 meters) away from your cell phone. This, of course, depends on what’s in the environment around you.
If you’re “in a building with cement walls, microwaves or heavy wireless waves, on any headset you’d hit your range limit sooner,” Downey said. He added: “Our goal was designed around being in your pocket, briefcase or on the seat the next to you. We spend a lot of time on radio frequency performance and ultimately over test our headsets [to outperform what you’d need].”
In testing, the H12’s distance range was excellent based on how you’d typically use it. You wouldn’t have the H12 in the other room and be on your cell phone from across the house. There’s no cause for concern here.
Price
Available from Motorola directly and from other retailers, the H12 has a shelf price of $119.99.
The price of a Bluetooth headset (definition) today varies widely. They can come as cheaply as $15 and can go all the way up to $200. At $120, the H12 is on the slightly pricey side, but it is marketed as a “luxury” product. The price is fair.
Overall
Beyond sound clarity, the design and features of the H12 are nearly flawless. The only feature concern is its complicated light indictors, but if you keep the H12 in your ear the majority of the time and don’t focus on the light indicator, the audio signals may be satisfactory for you.
The result of this review ultimately yields a strong recommendation of the MOTOPURE H12 for you but serious hesitance for those you’re calling. Because they’re arguably equally important and what you hear is only half the battle, proceed with caution.
Image Gallery: See six photos of the MOTOPURE H12 from all angles.
Your Two Cents: Have a comment or question related to this Bluetooth accessory review? Chime in on the forums!
Overall
Beyond sound clarity, the design and features of the H12 are nearly flawless. The only feature concern is its complicated light indictors, but if you keep the H12 in your ear the majority of the time and don’t focus on the light indicator, the audio signals may be satisfactory for you.
The result of this review ultimately yields a strong recommendation of the MOTOPURE H12 for you but serious hesitance for those you’re calling. Because they’re arguably equally important and what you hear is only half the battle, proceed with caution.
Image Gallery: See six photos of the MOTOPURE H12 from all angles.
Your Two Cents: Have a comment or question related to this Bluetooth accessory review? Chime in on the forums!