Review: Philips Tapster Headset - kinda cool!

Friends who know me know that I am not so much into Philips products (well, a lot of reasons, but mainly the design and usability). However, this Philips Tapster Bluetooth headset certainly has caught my attention!

I used to have this Philips Bluetooth headset. As I said before, this old version is certainly flawed in its design -- the band of the headset is rigid and cannot be flexed freely. Yet, I use it everyday (and thanks to my good friend for this nice birthday present two years ago). Due to the hot summer nowadays, sweating is unavoidable. Somehow this sweat ruin the cushion of the headset, which cannot be taken off for cleaning or to change for a new one. So, under such condition, I can only buy a new one (in fact the old one is very uncomfortable especially under this heat). With my best friend Freddie's encouragement, I have decided to buy this Philips Tapster, and so far I am very satisfied with the design and performance.


Look: I must say I am very surprised with this design - compact, small, light and quite comfortable so far. It is not a ear clip anymore (even though the package provides you the optional clip). It is actually an ear buds that you stick inside your ears, and somehow it just stays firmly around your ears. At first I thought it would be very uncomfortable to have something stuck in my ears, but after getting used to that sensation, it is not that bad. Moreover, the fixed band, which I hated most, disappears, replaced with a flexible short cable connecting the two ear plugs. In other words, it is more flexible, more comfortable - now I don't have to worry that I would be hit by the band when I lay my head on the seat.

Use: It comes with the so-called touch controls. You can adjust the volume of the music by "sliding" your finger along the volume line on the ear tapster. It is kinda cool, and quite responsive out of my expectation. Well, at first it needs some getting used to. What makes me happier is that this thing is compatible with the Bluetooth transmitter came with that old headset of mine. That means I could use this for those devices that do not support Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP). The sound quality is crispy, probably because it does not have cushion, and the sound really sent directly into your ears. That I do not mind. I am quite happy with it so far. And the price, albeit a bit high, still cheaper than in The Netherlands (thanks Freddie for telling me the price, which is the major encouragement for me to buy it).

Conclusions: Philips learns how to enhance the design and usability, and I really appreciate that! It is not only wireless, but fancy and comfortable in design too. I think it really worth the cost!