Hi-Fun Hi-Call Bluetooth Gloves
1. Convenient for using in cold, freezing places.
2. Long battery life.
Cons:
1. Odd user experience.
2. Not suitable for long conversation.
Hi-Fun has transformed one of the universally accepted gestures into a real world innovation with the Hi-Fun Bluetooth Handset Gloves. While we shake our head vertically to mean ‘yes’ and horizontally to mean ‘no,’ we hold our thumb and pinky finger to the ear to mean ‘call me.’ These are globally accepted signs. It was only a matter of time before some of these signs were implemented in the ever growing field of technology. Though it has taken some time, the ‘call me’ sign is perfectly reproduced by ThinkGeek.
As the warm gloves are built with conductive fibers, it is possible to use touch screen phones and other devices as well. The gloves work perfectly with Android, iOS, Windows Phone, BlackBerry and any other Bluetooth supported devices. The wrist of the glove hosts an LED indicator and two buttons – a power button and a multi-function button. The microphone is on the pinky finger and the loudspeaker is on the thumb.
In order to turn the glove on, you have to press and hold the power button. The LED will turn on once the glove is switched on. If the last paired device is available, the glove will automatically connect to that device. When connected to a device, the LED will flash slowly. If no paired device is available, the glove will automatically turn off after 5 minutes. This feature makes sure that the device won’t run out of juice while it isn’t being used.
In order to pair the glove with a new device, you need to set it to pairing mode. For that purpose, you have to turn off the glove and then press and hold the power button until it starts flashing in red and blue alternately. Then, simply select the glove from your smartphone or any other Bluetooth-enabled device. Once the glove is paired, the LED will blink slowly in blue. Turning off the glove is as easy as holding the power button until the LED flashes twice. After that, the glove will shut off automatically.
Besides making and receiving phone calls, the gloves have some advanced features as well. However, the advanced features will vary according to the paired device. To answer an incoming call, press the multifunction key once. Another press on the multifunction key will end the call. In order to reject an incoming call, press and hold the multi-function key for two seconds. While these are the basic functions, the gloves are capable of performing some advanced-level stuff as well, provided that your device supports them. For instance, you can use Siri, Voiceover or Voice Dialing when the gloves are in idle mode. You can also call the last dialed number by pressing the multi-function key twice.
The micro USB charging port is on the bottom part of the gloves. The charger plug can be connected to a standard USB charger, USB ports on your computer or a car charger. If the paired device supports it, the charging status of the gloves will be displayed on the device screen. The glove can still be used comfortably while it is charging and the LED will turn red during this process. A full charge takes less than 30 minutes to complete. Once the battery is fully charged, the LED will turn off. The glove can be disconnected from the charger at that point. A fully charged glove will last up to 20 hours of conversation and will remain in standby for 10 days, according to the manufacturer.
As the gloves are not waterproof, they cannot be immersed in liquids by any means, which means it is not possible to put the gloves in a washing machine or wash them by hand. However, it is possible to dry clean them. It is also recommended that the gloves should not be used while you are driving and users are discouraged from trying to open or repair the gloves on their own.
With an operating range of 40 feet, the gloves can be used in almost any situation. It remains to be seen how the gloves perform in loud settings. The ruggedness of the gloves is also questionable. However, it is expected that the product will be improved gradually with new models. It will also be very useful in cold and freezing weather conditions. Made with conductive fiber, the gloves will also be useful in using touchscreen devices without using your fingers, which should be very handy during the colder months.
Hi-Fun was founded with the goal of creating a world where people will be able to embrace their inner geekiness and connect with others. All of this started in 1999 when the company was created as a place for unusual gifts and cool t-shirts. Now, the company develops lots of things like electronics and gadgets, fun office and home decor, apparel, collectibles, survival gears etc. Their Bluetooth Handset Gloves are a unique and innovative idea, and definitely worthy of inclusion on our list of iReviews 2015 best smart apparel.
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