When is a Bluetooth headset not a Bluetooth headset? well when it fits into two categories at lordpercy.com for a start, Sony Ericsson's latest Bluetooth headset the HBM-30 Bluetooth music player is a conjoined twin of the electronics world, bringing hands free and MP3 replay to the same device.

Its not the most svelte of devices which may make it look a bit strange when clamped to the front of your jacket as is shown on Sony Ericssons press photos, we advise keeping it out of sight, but that's not to say its ugly its more voluptuous in electronic kit terms. The front of the HBM-30 is taken up by the main MP3 controls (volume up/down, play/pause, cue next) and also 2 buttons for answering incoming calls, tucked at the lower edge is a menu key which when used in conjunction with the slim LCD screen onto of the HBM-30 allows access to the music library.

The sides of the sliver clad device have the audio in / out jacks and the memory stick Duo slot respectively, the HBM-30 only supports memory stick duo as a media for replay of MP3 and comes equipped with a 64mb version if you want to use the record feature you'll need a memory gate compliant stick and even then you can only encode ATRAC3 at up to 192kbits.

Replay of both MP3 and ATRAC3 is limited to files encoded at up to 192kbits and only on encoders which adhere to Fraunhoffer IIS and Lame standards.

Of course the unit is a hands free kit too, the headphones will switch to phone mode when an incoming call is detected and the microphone is built into the main unit, which seems a little short sighted and maybe why you have to have the HBM-30 clamped to your jacket like an oversized broach.

The Bluetooth aspect works fine as you would expect from Sony Ericsson, we managed to pair the HBM-30 with a P800 easily and use it to make and take calls, MP3 replay was acceptable but you can't get much on 64mb of storage so at least 128mb would be required to get near the claimed 16hrs of replay from the single AAA battery, quite why Sony didn't equip with a lithium ion rechargeable we are mystified!

We have to admit to being confused by the Sony Ericsson HBM-30 Bluetooth Music player, it sounds like a great idea but is flawed in so many ways, its too big, you can't pocket it and have a conversation, the memory is too small for the £160 price tag and it runs on non rechargeable batteries. Sadly we have to say if you want a Bluetooth headset take a look at the Jabra BT250 or even SE's own offerings and then get your own MP3 player with at least 256mb of memory and you'll still have change from £160.

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