Daniel Gniazdo, Author at Jabra Blog

Headsets make task workers more productive

Daniel GniazdoMay 20, 2016June 28, 2016 1 Comment

There’s no shortage of UCaaS platforms out there: Skype for Business, Cisco Jabber, Avaya Aura – you name it. These platforms are quickly changing the way people communicate and work. Companies now need to look at something they may not have considered before: How to deploy headsets for their many different employees?

Most businesses haven’t had much experience with deploying and managing headsets for a large group of employees. There’s one exception: businesses with employees that are “call-centric.” These professionals listen to and talk with customers for a living – think stockbrokers, insurance agents, or call center agents. Their typical day includes a lot of phone conversations and the occasional quiet time to get some focused work done. Call-centric workers treat headsets as a critical business tool; they wouldn’t even consider doing their jobs without one.

Today, more and more businesses are starting to deploy headsets to completely different types of employees in order to improve their productivity and help them make better use of new UC tools.

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Will my Bluetooth headphones work with my [blank]?

By Daniel Gniazdo

Daniel GniazdoMay 13, 2016January 17, 2018 11 Comments

Finding out whether your Bluetooth headset or headphones will actually work with your phone, tablet, or computer is kind of a big deal. Here’s what you need to know about that.

Bluetooth has become ubiquitous nowadays. You find it in phones, headsets, smart fridges, and – yes – even socks. Yet when it comes to figuring out whether your Bluetooth headset will work with a phone in your hand or a computer at your desk, people often have doubts.

Well, if you must take just one thing away from this post, here it is:

All Bluetooth headsets should work with all Bluetooth smartphones, tablets, and computersThat’s because…

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Here’s how the cloud is reshaping UC

By Daniel Gniazdo

Daniel GniazdoDecember 18, 2015January 17, 2018

New cloud computing models are reinvigorating the UC market and opening up new opportunities for companies, their employees, and manufacturers of audio devices.

Not so long ago, cloud computing was a concept still largely unexplored by the corporate world. In just a few short years, new cloud computing models and market players have spurred new approaches to managing IT resources and deploying UC.

Unsurprisingly, these developments have far-reaching implications for how companies will operate in the future and what tools they’ll need. Continue reading →

Headsets and headphones buying guide

By Daniel Gniazdo

Daniel GniazdoDecember 11, 2015January 17, 2018 41 Comments

Finding the right Jabra headset to buy can be tricky. There are many different types and models on sale. Whether you’re on the lookout for a Bluetooth headset or a pair of music headphones, this guide should help.

All Jabra headsets and headphones come with a microphone, letting you make calls as well as listen to music and podcasts. Beyond that, there’s a wide assortment of headsets and headphones for every imaginable need. Continue reading →

Waterproof or water resistant? What’s behind an IP rating?

By Daniel Gniazdo

Daniel GniazdoDecember 4, 2015May 16, 2018 5 Comments

Manufacturers often describe their products as “dust resistant” or “moisture proof.” To back these claims up, products can be given an IP rating. But what does it mean?

We’re used to seeing terms like “waterproof,” “weather resistant,” “dust protected,” and countless other variations. While they give product marketers plenty of ways to massage their message, these terms can lead to major confusion for the rest of us. Continue reading →

Why is Bluetooth called “Bluetooth”?

By Daniel Gniazdo

Daniel GniazdoNovember 27, 2015May 16, 2018 8 Comments

Have you ever wondered where the name “Bluetooth” came from? You probably haven’t, but—curiously—the name for this modern technology traces back all the way to the Middle Ages and a Viking king.

Bluetooth technology has become ubiquitous over the years and is the go-to standard for short-range wireless communications. There’s a good chance you’ve used Bluetooth today. You might even be listening to the latest pop tune on your Bluetooth headphones this very moment.

But how did Bluetooth end up getting its name? Continue reading →

Headphone burn-in: Fact or fiction?

By Daniel Gniazdo

Daniel GniazdoNovember 20, 2015January 17, 2018 11 Comments

There’s a serious battle raging on about the concept of “burning in” your headphones. Dedicated audiophiles swear by it. Others think it’s mostly just babble. Who’s right?

If you’re like me, your first reaction to hearing about the idea of “burning in” your headphones was, “Huh?!”

If you’re already familiar with the concept of headphone burn-in, you might have some strong opinions on the subject. But let’s start at the beginning. Continue reading →

Here’s how you solve two common Bluetooth problems

By Daniel Gniazdo

Daniel GniazdoNovember 13, 2015January 17, 2018 238 Comments

Bluetooth headsets have been around since the turn of the millennium, so they aren’t exactly brand new technology. But if you’ve only recently gotten your very first Bluetooth, you may encounter a few hurdles in getting it to work. Maybe I can help.

Bluetooth headsets are meant to make your life easier, at least when it comes to talking on the phone while keeping your hands free. But Bluetooth tech isn’t flawless. Sometimes, people have a bit of a hard time making their headset do what it’s supposed to do.

Before you smash that earpiece against the wall in sheer frustration, don’t! At least two common issues can be quite easily solved, like so: Continue reading →

Siri, Google Now, and Cortana are more than gimmicks

By Daniel Gniazdo

Daniel GniazdoNovember 6, 2015January 17, 2018 1 Comment

Talking smartphone assistants like Siri, Google Now, and Cortana can make your life easier. They’re also getting smarter ever day. Let’s take a look at what they can do.

In 2011, Siri charmed her way into our hearts with humorous quips and silly answers to no-less-silly questions. Since then, intelligent assistants have become a staple of modern smartphones. Every major player has one: Apple has Siri, Microsoft has Cortana, and Google has the decidedly unsexy-sounding Google Now.

I’m sure that a few of you are actually using these assistants to get things done. It makes sense: Why bother typing a message by hand when you can simply dictate it to your helpful smartphone elf? Continue reading →

What’s NFC and why should you care?

By Daniel Gniazdo

Daniel GniazdoOctober 30, 2015May 16, 2018 1 Comment

Near Field Communication, or NFC for short, has gone from being obscure tech mumbo jumbo that only gadget freaks cared about to an increasingly useful feature in many modern smartphones. So what is NFC, and what can you do with it?

Photo credit: HLundgaard

More likely than not, you’ve heard someone use the term “NFC” before. Even more likely, the smartphone some of you are reading this article on has an NFC chip inside. See for yourself. Go ahead, I’ll wait.

But if you’re like most people, you still have no clue what NFC really is and what in the world you can use it for. Let’s change that. Continue reading →