Why would one need a Bluetooth bracelet you ask? Well obviously so it can tell you when you have a phone call!! The BlueQ is a wristband/bracelet that, when linked to your Bluetooth-enabled phone, will vibrate when you receive calls. I decided I had to give this thing a try.

The company sent me a boring-looking pre-production model, but once the BlueQ hits store shelves, QSkins will be available for your customizing pleasures. You can upload images to their website and print them on the special QSkin paper that comes with the wristband.[You can see a larger image of my creations after the jump.]

The first step is to charge the BlueQ for several hours. After that first charge, it shouldn't take more than a half hour or so to juice it up, which I found to be true. It promises a standby time of 30 hours, but I never actually turned the device off, so I have no idea if this is accurate.

The BlueQ has two buttons--the "C" button which puts it in pairing mode, and the "T" button for transferring the call to your cell phone. (Some cell phones do the transferring automatically when you answer a call, mine, an LG Chocolate, did not.)

Pairing the BlueQ with your cell phone is easy--just hold down the "C" button until the red and blue lights on the wristband (next to the buttons) start flashing, then put your cell phone into discovery mode, and connect. Your phone and the BlueQ must be within 30 feet of each other for this to work. If you walk out of range, it's easy to reconnect--once you're back in range you just hold down the "C" button again until the lights start flashing. The BlueQ performed well in my tests--I silenced my cell phone, walked out of range and back again, and was consistently notified of incoming calls. Of course, if I wanted to ignore a call, I still had to dig through my bag to check caller ID, and the first time I answered the phone, I forgot to transfer the call to my phone.

I would absolutely love this device if it had a caller ID display. I also found its rubbery texture to be a bit uncomfortable--I wish the inside were lined with cloth or something. It would also make sense as an armband--that way it's hidden from view, but you can still feel the vibration when you get a phone call. The BlueQ will sell for $39.95, and should be available sometime this month. Check the BlueQ site for updates.

Charge the BlueQ easily via USB.

My QSkins consist of Nabaztag and my cutie niece and nephew.