Two of my international friends Nghia Nguyen Dai and Jerome Tranie, the people behind the largest Windows Mobile website in France – Mobifrance-, have launched MaxiMobileShop with cool accessories for various mobile devices.
In the past I reviewed the iClooly iPhone 3GS Alumi Stand, and one of my favorite accessories the MaxiMobileShop 4-port USB Power Adapter Kit (that allows you to simultaneously charge 4 mobile devices). In this article I will have a detailed look at the Movon MB20 Buzz Band.
“The Movon MB20 Buzz band informs the user of incoming calls via vibration. Out of range vibration helps users to prevent missing their mobile.”
What is in the box ?
The picture above shows the retail box of the Movon MB20 Buzz Band, which has a colorful and trendy look.The Movon MB20 Buzz Band itself reminds me of the Philippe Starck watches. It has very clean lines, and a minimalistic look and feel.
In the picture below you can see an overview of the contents of the Movon MB20 Buzz Band retail box. It consists of the Movon MB20 Buzz Band itself, a USB charging cable and a user manual.
Movon MB20 Buzz Band Specifications
On the backside of the Movon MB20 Buzz Band box you will find an overview with specifications:
- Compliant: Bluetooth 2.0;
- Profiles: HFP ,HSP;
- Standby Time: Max. 120 hours;
- Band Length: 248 mm.;
- Battery Lithium Polymer Battery;
- Weight: 23 g.
- Accessories: USB cable, Manual;
Movon MB20 Buzz Band in practice
You simply power on the Movon MB20 Buzz Band by press-and-hold the button for 3 seconds, till a blue LED blinks 3 times. Despite the 90 hours standby mode, you can power off the Movon MB20 Buzz Band with a press-and-hold of the same button for 4 seconds. The blue LED blinks 4 times until the power if off.
Pairing the Movon MB20 Buzz Band
In order to pair a turned off Movon MB20 Buzz Band with a smartphone, you need to follow some simple steps:
- Press and hold the Movon MB20 Buz Band for 6 seconds until the LED turns on steadily (make sure you hit the 6 seconds and don’t stop after the 3 seconds of the turn on sequence);
- Add the device in your Bluetooth settings,and when your smartphone finds the Movon MB20 Buzz Band, select it from the list of discoverable devices and confirm it by selecting it from the list and configuring that you want to connect with the Movon MB20 Buzz Band;
- On the smartphone side you need to confirm the pairing by with the Movon MB20 Buzz Band by entering a pincode “0000″. When the pairing process is completed the Movon MB20 Buzz Band vibrates once shortly and you will get a “connected” message on your smartphone.
Accept or reject an incoming call with the Movon MB20 Buzz Band
When your smartphone receives and incoming call, the Movon MB20 Buzz Band vibrates twice every second. When your press the button on the Movon MB20 Buzz Band the vibration stops. However the call is not rejected.
In order to reject a call you need to press the button on the Movon MB20 Buzz Band twice shortly.
Out of Range Alert on the Movon MB20 Buzz Band
When the Movon MB 20 Buzz Band loses the connection with your smartphone because you are out of range (10 m.) the Movon MB20 Buzz Band vibrates 3 times (every 10 seconds during a period of 30 seconds). When you come back in the connection range, the Movon MB20 Buzz Band reconnects automatically and vibrates once shortly to let you know it is reconnected again !
This out of range alert reminds me -in concept- of the “ring my phone” feature in the premium offering of Microsof My Phone !
Concluding thoughts and wrap-up
I have tested the Movon MB20 Buzz Band in two outdoor scenario’s: (1) riding on my roadbike with my phone in the backpocket of my cycling jersey, and (2) hiking/walking with the phone in my backpack. Furthermore I have tested the out of range alert (and auto-reconnect) inside the house.
The Movon MB20 Buzz Band does what it is intended to do in all scenario’s. However for out-door use I would like to see a better water resistant construction around th charging port. Currently the port is covered with a rubber flap, but not sure if this is enough for a long ride or hike in the rain. Fair enough I need to remark that the Movon MB20 Buzz Band is NOT sold as a water resistant device.
“Would be better if it came with its own watch display to add more functionality, but we’ll have to take what we can at the moment.”
While I agree with the editors of ubergizmo, you also need to take the huge difference in pricepoint in consideration. The Movon MB20 Buzz Band is available for €24,95 , while the LG GD910 Watch Phone is considerably more expensive !!
Overall the Movon MB20 Buzz Band is a fun accessory that does what it is intended to do. It provides a new way of interacting with your smartphone. If you are interested or have a different creative scenario in mind to use the Movon MB20 Buzz Band, head over to the MaxiMobileShop website and order one in the color black or white !
Also take a look at one of my favourite accessories, the MaxiMobileShop 4-port USB Power Adapter Kit.
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