The Parrot Minikit Smart is an easy-to-use smartphone cradle that works well on the go. It is primarily used as a Bluetooth speakerphone, making it useful for hands-free calling. It also comes with a windshield mount and when paired with an app, it can be used for navigation. So, basically the Parrot Minikit Smart is a Bluetooth speakerphone and a dashboard- or windscreen-mounted smartphone cradle.
Design
The unit has a spring-loaded arm that holds any mobile device in place. Any bulky cased iPhone or Droid should fit in it without any bother, just be sure that the suction cup is securely fastened because the combination of smartphone and cradle weighs quite a bit.
The controls of the Minikit Smart is located just below the dock. A knob is used for selecting and it can be pressed to confirm your choices. Full-size and mini-USB connections are found on the right side and is used to charge the device. On the left side lies the microphone that can be pulled out so you can place it anywhere you like. This feature is useful in convertibles and in loud cars.
The speaker is placed at the back, where you can put the mounting arm. The speaker is loud enough for you to understand the directions when running a navigation app and can be easily adjusted to suit.
The Minikit Smart enables you to charge your smartphone when connected to your car’s 12-volt outlet. It also comes with a series of USB cables that end in mini-USB, micro-USB and Apple’s connectors for charging.
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Performance
You can pair your phone with the Minikit Smart using a four-digit PIN via Bluetooth and its memory can store up to 10 mobile phones. The Parrot Minikit Smart supports A2DP for streaming audio, hands-free profile and PBAP to sync your address book. Thanks to the PBAP sync, you can call by tapping the green button and speaking the name of who you’re going to call. The red button will end an ongoing call.
The Minikit Smart speaks the name of the caller when there is an incoming call. You can reject or accept the call by tapping the red or green button.
The center knob enables you to access more functions, such as adjusting the volume, access and update your phone book, create voice tags, and update its firmware.
Conclusion
The Parrot Minikit Smart is easy to use. The Bluetooth connectivity makes it easier to make hads-free calls and it is also useful for streaming audio. The Minikit Smart is one of the best docking systems today, and despite its hefty weight, stays true to the Parrot product line with superior build quality and performance. Prices have come down from over a £100 to a shade under £75 on Amazon, so not the cheapest but well worth the money.
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