However, the "stone" isn't just a storage case or a pass-through connection base for a charger. It has its own battery, which, when fully charged, can completely charge the headset--a boon for folks on the go. This means that you always have extra headset charges in your pocket even on long business days when you can't get to an AC outlet or a USB charger.

While the headset's battery alone provides up to 2 hours of talk time and 2.5 days of standby time, traveling with the charging base increases available talk time to 8 hours and standby time to 12 days, according to Jabra. The base takes 2 hours to charge with its AC adapter. As a traveling companion, the base makes the headset easy to find in a cluttered pocket, and it provides some protection for the headset as well. The headset and its 0.67-ounce, 1-inch-thick base measure just 2.3 by 2 inches together, which hardly makes a dent in a jacket pocket.

The concept of a travel case equipped with its own battery isn't new: Plantronics uses a different style of travel-size battery case with some of its units, such as the .

The Jabra Stone supports the and can pair with up to eight devices, two of which can be in use at the same time. Two small LEDs on the inside of the headset provide feedback on battery status and Bluetooth connectivity. A single LED on the base lets you know if it has enough juice to charge the headset fully.

Jabra's penchant for simplicity is reflected in the Stone. Like the company's other headsets, such as the earmuff-style , the Stone has no on/off switch. Removing the unit from its base activates it, and pushing it back in turns it off. Instead of a volume-control button or switch, the Stone has a touch-sensitive area where sliding your finger up or down will raise or lower the audio. The volume slide area lacks tactile feedback, however; in my use, getting the right touch took a little practice. You can also adjust the headset volume from your phone, if you prefer.