Headset maker wants partnership for iPhone4S

PLANTRONICS, a global leader in audio communications for businesses and consumers, said it is planning to partner with Smart Telecommunications Inc. for the voice-guided pairing in the yet to be launched iPhone 4S.

According to Josh Doctolero, senior country manager for Plantronics B.V. Philippines, negotiations are ongoing with Smart to bundle its latest headset, the Plantronics MarqueTM M155, for the newest iPhone product.

Weighing around seven grams or lighter than most ball point pens, the M155 offers voice recognition so that users can answer or ignore calls completely hands-free or listen to music with good stereo quality.

Marque M155 is available for P2,950 in either Jet Black or Arctic White, and will be available by the first quarter of 2012.

"The Marque lets them take advantage of the full range of their phone’s capabilities, even while talking or listening to music or a podcast, all in a great looking, super lightweight device,” Elizabeth Hamren, Plantronics vice president of marketing, said.

Smartphones have seen impressive growth the last few years and people have quickly come to depend on the all-in-one devices.

In fact, the International Data Corp. tracked shipments of 304.7 million smartphones in 2010, and expects that number to hit 472 million this year, for a growth rate of 55 percent.

IDC now expects the number of smartphones to grow at an annual rate of 26 percent a year through 2015. By then, IDC said 982 million smartphones will be shipped by manufacturers to retailers. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)