The Mogo Talk XD from ID-8 Mobile is a well-executed Bluetooth headset/case combo for the iPhone 4. While it commits a few missteps, the Mogo Talk manages to justify its estimated suggested retail price (ESRP) of $99, especially when compared to some of its competitors.
The Mogo Talk XD is special in that it integrates a Bluetooth headset with a protective case. The headset is thin (5mm), with a folding ear piece, and fits neatly into a charging dock that is embedded in the back of the case.
I found the ear piece comfortable and the sound quality on both sides of a call to be excellent. Integration with the iPhone 4’s built-in voice controls is a definite plus. With the press of a button on the side of the headset, iPhone 4’s voice commands are easily activated and contacts and music can be accessed.
ID-8 did some figuring before design of the Mogo and found that Bluetooth users are most bothered by charging and misplacement of their increasingly small headsets. To those ends, the Mogo Talk XD is a good solution. The device can be charged by simply plugging a USB cable into the case and losing the headset is less likely because it stores conveniently in the case.
As is often the case (no pun intended) with accessory makers, ID-8 has forgotten that its design ultimately affects the use of all those other accessories that plug into Apple’s proprietary port at the bottom of the phone. The port opening on the bottom of the MoGo will only allow for a plug that is exactly the same size as Apple’s own small charging connecter.
What does that mean for those who might be using a third-party accessory that accesses that port? I use an FM transmitter to listen to audio through my car stereo and the plug won’t fit through the small opening at the bottom of the MoGo case. Additionally, any of the docking stations I have around the house are equally unusable.
The problem is not unique to the MoGo XD. The last OtterBox case I tried on my 3GS proved to have similar problems. However, I’ll note that Otterbox features a larger opening on their iPhone 4 offering. I thought maybe removing the MoGo case when I was in the car might work, but the MoGo XD case is aggravatingly hard to remove.
Overall, the case protects at least the back of the phone. Where it wraps around the front of the device, the plastic rises at least a couple millimeters above the screen, so if you were to drop the phone flat on its face, you could be in luck.
While the MoGo XD simplifies life for Bluetooth headsets to some extent and is ideal for the business user who primarily uses her phone for email, web and phone calls, it’s not such a good fit for the music listener. One thing worth mentioning is that if you already own a MoGo headset, like the one in the XD package, you can order up just the compatible case for $10.
