Archive for the ‘Hands Free’ Category

The Zumba phone – first truly hands-free mobile phone

Thursday, February 5th, 2009

zumba phoneAs you know I am a driver, I own a car and I am totally against even hands-free phone systems. My security when driving is more important than any other device that can disturb me. We live in an age when being on time is more important than our safety. Tell me, how many times were you in a hurry because you’ve been caught in traffic? Now, tell me if you use your phone to apologize for coming late at work … when driving! I bet you do.

I’ve seen people reading books behind the wheel in traffic and girls looking in the mirror to put on make up when driving. Anyway, because I will tell you about the Zumba phone (first truly hands-free mobile phone), it’s your brain that’s distracted when you’re on the phone, not your hands. I sincerely advise you to care about your safety as a driver more than your personal problems.

zumba phone backNow, great news! The Zumba phone offers you the world’s first fully accurate voice recognition system for mobile phones. Now I am tempted to say: “So what? To my mind it’s the same if you use a hands-free plugged into your phone or if you use the Zumba when driving!“, but Zumba has a nice feature that allows you to send text messages using speech alone! While doing the kinky job of sending an SMS using voice recognition, your phone’s data (including your contacts) is stored on a 100% secure website.

Zumba has a nice design and you can speak to your friends while it is tucked away in your jacket’s pocket or in your car’s boot. The secret is an ear hook type device that covers your ear. You can do everything by pressing a single button!

It really sounds revolutionary (and good for us, the drivers) but because the producer is a small company, I might be skeptic about his future.

Via.

BlackJack handsfree, no hands, no earpiece

Thursday, January 29th, 2009

blackjack handsfreeFellas! I’m writing about BlackJack for one reason. If one of my best friends would have known about this device years ago, maybe he would have had more days on Earth.

I’m not encouraging people to use their phones while driving, but this gadget is awesome. Because I am not used to handsfree devices and I really like to feel the phone over my ear… I simply recommend BlackJack especially to people who don’t own a Bluetooth cell phone.

Sometimes they forget to connect the handsfree properly before they start driving. Sometimes the speaker is not so useful and you can’t understand what the caller is trying to say. So, I find this gadget as the perfect low budget solution. Let’s say the “no bending over the phone and handsfree solution” (as I like to advise my friends).

blackjack handsfreeBlackJack handsfree turns your radio into a handsfree kit. Just plug the device into your cell phone, switch your FM frequency to 88.7 MHz and then you can make your calls. BlackJack has a fine microphone that transmits your voice very well, and the caller’s voice will come through your car speakers. It also plays your phone stored MP3s.

Battery’s lifetime: approximately 50-hour talk time.

Price: $39,99

Bluetouch = Bluetooth + touchscreen (hands free, only not really)

Thursday, March 20th, 2008

BluetouchWhat most people expect from a Bluetooth car accesory is being able to use their phone without touching it. The Bluetouch does things a little differently: it lets drivers use a large touchscreen to control their mobile phones.

It has both phone and music functions, supporting a range of players and phones (you can check here to see if yours is on the list; and yes, it works with an iPhone) and offering support for English, French and German.

While a touchscreen seems to defeat the purpose of a Bluetooth device (you want it because you can’t look at your phone, right?), it looks like that on-screen buttons are larger and easier to use than those on a normal phone, so it might prove itself useful. At least you can use it easier than a phone while waiting at a red light.

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ANYCOM Solar Car Kit with Bluetooth

Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008

This Solar Car Kit with Bluetooth from Anycom is dubbed “the world’s first solar-powered cell-phone car speaker system with Bluetooth wireless technology”. The innovative part is the solar power, so you should know that three hours of sunlight will provide about 30 minutes of talk time. If you charge it by USB or DC adapter you will get about 15 hours talk time and 25 days in standby. I don’t see any mention of how much sunlight it needs in order to be fully charged, but it’s probably a lot.

solar_powered_car_speaker.jpg

It can be attached to your windshield with a suction cup and its functions include voice dial, last-number redial, hold, mute and 3-way calling.

via.

Scala Q2 lets you talk with riding buddies

Friday, January 18th, 2008

First the Rider Scala gave you the option to add Bluetooth to any motorcycle helmet and made talking on a cell phone much easier than taking it out of your pocket and having it blown 1 mile back down the road.
scala_rider_q2.jpg

Two years later, the updated Scala Rider Q2 brings something even better. Now you can talk to other Q2 users up to a distance of 500 meters (1640 feet), in full-duplex. The range might be limited, but this disadvantage balances out with the fact that you don’t have to push any button to talk and that you don’t have to stop speaking in order for your partner to say something.

Because, like its former version, the Q2 is Bluetooth-enabled, you can make and receive phonecalls and get vocal instructions from your GPS. And, if you get bored of talking to people, you can always use the FM radio feature.

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Cigarette Lighter Rechargeable Bluetooth Headset: Plantronics Discovery 665

Thursday, December 20th, 2007

Living in a big city may prove to be a little bit overwhelming. But the rush hour is what may slowly kill you. Still, speaking on the phone in the hours of commute between work and home might make it easier. But What do you do when your headset battery time is slowly ending? Well, you just plug it in. In the cigarette lighter, of course. With this new system offered by Plantronics, the Discovery 665, you can talk as much as you need while driving around.

Cigarette

The headset itself is good looking and seems usable, but what makes it stand out is, without a doubt, the charger. (more…)

Dashboard Camera for Your Car

Tuesday, December 18th, 2007

How many times did this happen to you: you see something interesting while driving, but your phone’s camera isn’t good, you just lost the moment and so on? Well, not anymore, with the camera in the image below:

Dashboard Camera for Your Car

This way, you can catch that accident when it happened, or you can record that stupid a$$hole when he cut in front of you. Or that nice lady crossing the street… or whatever. It’s as easy as 1,2,3. The camera has a red laser assistant beam that you can use to have a more clear shot at what you are recording, it can be powered by AAA batteries or it can be plugged in the car’s cigarette lighter. (more…)

Attachable Bluetooth Controls for Your Car’s Steering Wheel

Tuesday, December 18th, 2007

I have to say that something attached to your steering wheel might not be the smartest idea in the long run, but it surely beats talking to the phone without a hands free device so, what the heck, here it is: Seecode Wheel Bluetooth Kit. It is not on sale yet, it was just approved by FCC, but it might be worth the wait. I mean, if it helps you not take your eyes off the raod, why not?

Attachable Bluetooth Controls for Your Car's Steering Wheel

source, via

Parrot Car Kits and Hands Free for iPhones

Saturday, December 8th, 2007

Parrot just released a Press Release saying that iPhone users can now use their hands free and car kits.

They say that some of their gadgets, including, among others, the Parrot MINIKIT, Parrot 3000 Evolution, Parrot 3100 LCD, Parrot 3200 LS-COLOR, Parrot MK6000, all work with the ultimate gadget of the 2007: the iPhone.

What does this mean for the iPhone users?

iPhone(TM) users will enjoy crystal clear conversations directly through their car speakers in hi-fi quality audio with an installed Parrot car kit or music kit, both which allow drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. The iPhone(TM) also supports the same automatic synchronization of contacts available in all Parrot’s car kits.

Parrot, Via

Hands free for bikers: Parrot SK4000

Wednesday, November 28th, 2007

Hands Free for Bikers

When I first saw this gadget (the Parrot SK4000) I thought: “Now, this is expected for a long time: a hands free for bikers. Good news!”

Then, it got me thinking: is it really a good thing? I mean, bikers already have to pay more attention to the road then drivers do, since an accident on 20mph will just scratch a car. So, is it good to be able to speak on the phone while riding a bike? Apparently, the guys at Parrot thought that it is quite ok.

Some details about the gadget: it will be compatible with all bluetooth devices, it will have voice recognition, a radio and mobile remote control.

Via