Hitachi Maxell has released a pair of noise-canceling headphones that work a bit differently from their cousins. The HP-NC20 headphones don’t require separate power. They simply connect to iPods via the dock connector. They manage about 20dB of noise reduction via their "Active Noise Rejection" system. They also manage to reduce your battery life by as much as 50%. The headphones will also only work with 4th gen or later iPods and iPod touches. They do not work with the iPhone. They are available now for about $80.

Logitech’s new USB-based ClearChat Comfort and ClearChat Pro headsets aim to make your gaming and Skyping easier and more comfortable.

The ClearChat Pro features "laser-tuned" audio drivers, the SoundSwitch auto-optimizing EQ, a flexible boom, audio controls located right on the earpiece, and a mute indicator. The ClearChat Comfort offers adjustable, ultra-padded ear pads and in-line volume and mute controls.

Coming in September, the Pro will sell for $49.99, and the Comfort will be $39.99.

Harman/Becker Automotive Systems is introducing its Traffic Assist Highspeed 7934 GPS. Featuring –
* Detailed maps of the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico
* 3.5-inch touch-screen with color display and a day/night display option
* 400 MHz processor for fast route calculations
* Two internal speakers for better sound quality
* Speed limit display (legal speed limits are shown on the display and a voice signal warns the driver in case of excess speed)
* Integrated MP3/WMA player to listen to music via two integrated speakers or headphones.
* A display which supports JPEG format photos and a slideshow feature.

The new product is available only at Office Depot for $299.

United Airlines is upgrading passenger comfort with lie-flat seating, and the Business cabin gets cool gadgets like new 15.4-inch LCDs, a USB port, and an iPod adapter to let you charge your iPod and play your own music and videos on the seat’s entertainment unit. You will have 20 channels of "stored XM audio," with an additional 30 channels of other "stored audio." They will even give you noise canceling headphones. No word on meals though…

So here’s what’s been confirmed about the Apple iPhone and the tid bits it doesn’t have. I have to admit, some things on the list suprised me. Why take a step backward on these features?

Stuff in Bold = Are you kidding me?

Doesn’t do this:

• Songs as Ringtones
• Games
• Any flash support
• Instant Messaging
• Picture messages (MMS)
• Video recording
• Voice recognition or voice dialing
• Wireless Bluetooth Stereo Streaming (A2DP)
• One-size-fits-all headset jack (May have to buy an adapter for certain headphones)

Stuff we already knew it didn’t have:
• 3G (EV-DO/HSDPA)
• GPS
• A real keyboard
• Removable battery
• Expandable Storage
• Direct iTunes Music Store Access (Over Wi-Fi or EDGE)

Just when we thought the 3 in 1 combo was enough.  Some of these missing in the iPhone are crucial to the way we communicate via cell phone.  Now here’s a few good reasons why you might want to wait for the second one.