Aliph rolls out new smaller Jawbone Bluetooth headset

Aliph’s sleek Jawbone Bluetooth headset has been a popular accessory for iPhone users since its introduction last year. Now the company has introduced a newer, smaller headset that employs “NoiseAssassin” noise canceling technology. It costs $129.99.

Aliph said the new Jawbone is 50 percent smaller than its predecessor. It utilize what Aliph calls a Voice Activity Sensor (VAS) to distinguish the sound of your voice from other ambient noise. It then uses digital signal processing to subtract the noise so only the sound of your voice comes through. This is what Aliph calls “NoiseAssassin,” and the company claims it offers ten times better clarity than competing headsets.

The headset sports two buttons to control all of its functions. The rechargeable battery supports more than four hours of talk time and eight days of standby time. A new battery design lets you charge up to 80 percent capacity in about a half an hour. It can be charged either through USB via the computer or through a wall socket.

The headset weighs 10 grams (about 0.35 ounces), and is made of medical-grade plastic. It includes three sizes of earbuds and four earloops that can be worn on either ear, including two earloops designed to complement glasses. It’s available initially in matte black, but will also be released in silver and rose gold.

The new Jawbone is available exclusively at AT&T retail stores and at the Jawbone Web site.