Orb transforms from a ring with a simple twist to become a Bluetooth headset capable of hands-free calling. Incorporating NXT technology the Orb provides high quality bone conduction audio without the discomfort of placing a device inside the ear. A Deluxe edition also features a Flexible Organic Light Emitting Device (FOLED) screen to display caller ID, calendar reminders, and voice-to-text information for communication without taking the ring off the finger.
Cool, right? Well, the deluxe edition has a flexible OLED screen across the surface that shows transcribed voice messages, calendar reminders and caller ID. Both feature bone conduction to improve call quality. A limited edition with gemstones will also be available for a presumably insane pricetag. While I’m tempted to put this thing under “far-fetched concept designs that will never make it to the market”, the Orb is apparently slated for commercial launch in January: $129 for the basic, non-FOLED screen, and $175 for the deluxe edition in April. Manufacturer Hybra Advance Technology will also offer the Orb in a variety of sizes, depending on your finger width. Craziness. I don’t even know how that thing is supposed to stay on the ear. Is the Orb too good to be true?
Orb is scheduled to launch in January 2010 carrying a suggested retail price of USD$129, while the Deluxe edition is due in April 2010 with a price of USD$175. The Limited edition designer models are also due in April 2010 with their price based on the value of the gemstones incorporated into the device.
