INTRODUCTION

   How many times have you used Skype (or any video chat program for that matter) to communicate with your friends, distant relatives or immediate family only to find out that you can't really rely on the built-in camera microphone to have a clear conversation with them? Things are even worse when we are talking about laptops since both the built-in microphone and speakers are average at best. The same of course happens quite often with VoIP calls and although most consumers are quite happy with what basic hardware offers at seemingly no extra cost the same does not apply for everyone out there especially people who also use the above for work purposes. Well to cover that segment of the market Jabra recently launched the SPEAK 510 Bluetooth and USB speakerphone so naturally we couldn't just sit back and not get our hands on it.

   GN Netcom, led by the Jabra brand, continues to build on its standing as one of the world’s leading and fastest growing suppliers of hands-free communications solutions. With approximately 875 employees and sales offices around the world, GN Netcom develops manufactures and markets a broad range of wireless headsets for mobile users and both wireless and corded headsets for contact center and office-based users. GN Netcom’s business activities also include its original equipment manufacturing (OEM) business to a wide range of global customers including mobile phone, PC and PDA manufacturers.

   Just over a year ago we had the chance to test the very good SPEAK 410 USB Speakerphone which actually did exactly as advertised and offered considerably good audio clarity on both ends allowing us to place/make calls without the slightest issue. However since there definitely was room for better audio quality while at the same time the wired-only connectivity was not really ideal for all environments and did limit compatibility with many devices it came as little surprise to us when Jabra announced the availability of the SPEAK 510 which basically improved on the original by offering HD audio quality and Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity (along of course with USB). Design wise the new SPEAK 510 is almost identical to its predecessor and i personally don't see why they should change it since the saucer like design works like a charm. However i don't really believe everything i read or hear (not if i can test something and see for myself) I’m quite curious to see what changes Jabra has really performed.