Look Ma - No Hands! March 9th, 2010

This winter I’ve been thinking a lot about getting a hands-free phone for my car. It’s not like  I’m a real “road warrior”, but there are certainly times when I would be great to be able to quickly answer a team member’s question, or listen in on a conference call when I also have to be in the car, either at the end of the day or on the way to an appointment…

Oprah caused me to really focus on the issue, with an episode a few weeks ago on distracted driving. She’s issued a challenge to make all cars a hands-free zone; something a few states and many provinces in Canada have recently legislated. Oprah’s show claims that talking on a phone is equivalent to driving drunk. They had several tests to show how dialing and texting can cause distraction with devastating consequences. You can take the distracted driving quiz yourself here.

So I thought I’d better get busy and started to do some research into hands-free systems. First I had to determine clearly what exactly ARE handsfree systems? According to Wikipedia:

Devices that are typically used for handsfree communication use Bluetooth as its wireless technology. They still require a mobile phone or other device to initiate a call. These devices include Bluetooth headsets, hands-free car kits (HFCK), and personal navigation devices (PND). Originally introduced as optional features connected by a wire to mobile phones or other communication devices, they now generally are available with wireless technology.

Bluetooth handsfree options are now also easily found in any high end automotive as part of the vehicle’s stereo system, or in after market stereo system units. This option utilizes the vehicle’s speakers to transmit the caller’s voice in the phone call and have an embedded microphone in the stereo unit itself, the steering wheel, or use a separate wired microphone that can be placed anywhere in the vehicle.

Well, since I don’t have a “high end automobile” I’ll have to settle for purchasing my own system. I quickly found that the choices are almost endless, and for a luddite like me, can be overwhelming. To narrow down the field, I found this great site that has clear and simple reviews for almost any handsfree system you could imagine.

It’s a lot to take in, so before you go looking for your system, here is a list of basic features that you should consider and weight off against each other for your personal use:

• Sound quality – some devices sound as good as a land line, others make you sound like you’re in a wind tunnel – could be important if dealing with picky clients
• Embedded GPS – do you need to find out where you are going while you chat?
• Ability to sync more than one phone to the device – this is important for busy families who may have two or even more drivers at different times
• Compatibility – keep in mind that some systems cannot accept signals form some cell phones, especially if they are dated. So make sure yours is compatible before you purchase!
• Touch screen vs. voice control – many people prefer voice control, but consider the challenges of this if you have young children making noise in the car or frequently called names that are difficult to pronounce.
• Price – of course! There is a huge range of pricing base on functionality
• Features – address book, favorites, etc. – all those special features that make a device feel like you.

By the way, if you are into features and applications, check out this cool handsfree device just released this week and feature in the Wall Street Journal:

Aliph’s $100 Jawbone Icon (http://us.jawbone.com). Like many other wireless earpieces, it connects to your Bluetooth-enabled phone so you can talk, hands-free. Unlike other Bluetooth earpieces, the Jawbone Icon can be plugged into a computer and loaded with different settings and apps. This works using Aliph’s Web-based software platform called MyTalk (http://mytalk.jawbone.com) and some apps enable more than hands-free talking.

For now, there are only two apps that truly expand the functionality of the earpiece, in my opinion. But MyTalk is a good start in making this tiny Bluetooth device more sophisticated and encouraging more hands-free productivity.

The idea of connecting an earpiece to a PC is helpful in two respects. First, it turns the Jawbone into a dynamic product that can be updated and enhanced over time, rather than never changing from the day you buy it. Second, it lets users more easily adjust the settings of a device that’s too tiny to have its own screen, thus eliminating the need for more confusing buttons on the device. Over time, these earpieces could become even simpler and smaller as more of their settings are adjusted on the computer.

I am not a technology expert so I settled for a fairly basic system, one that has embedded GPS (no need for two devices for me!) and decent, but not great sound quality. So far I’m happy with it, and I’ve been able to take a few calls from the road, which has eased a few potentially stressful work situations.

I can’t tell you which handsfree device to purchase because it’s a very personal decision. But I can tell you that this is an important technology evolution and one that is not going away. So whether you do it now or later, eventually everyone who has a cell phone and drives will be using handsfree systems.

Drive safely, everybody!

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Submitted by Heather McCulligh

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Tags: hands free devices, HR