What's so great about Bluetooth-enabled
accessories for cell phones?
- Say goodbye to tangled wires and cords once and for all!
- Bluetooth technology is leading the way to a truly wireless
future with stable, secure, and wire-free connections between
personal devices.
- With so many gadgets needed to conduct business and keep
in touch with family and friends these days, Bluetooth technology
allows different devices such as a cell phone, headset PC,
or PDA to seamlessly collaborate.
- The recipient doesn't have a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone?
Bluetooth adapters
enable him or her to go hands free without the cost of a new
phone.
What are installed car-kits?
They are... devices installed (usually professionally)
into your car with the wires running behind the dash mostly
hidden from view. Advanced models are connected to your car
stereo system to let you hear your cell phone call through the
car speakers or provide automatic muting of the stereo when
you have an incoming call.
Pros/cons... Installed car-kits are inconspicuous,
easy to use and provide very good voice and listening quality.
Although installed car-kits still cost more than a headset,
their prices have been coming down. If the car-kit uses Bluetooth
technology, you don’t have to worry about fitting a cell
phone to a cradle in the car. With a Bluetooth car kit, your
investment is better protected in terms of forward compatibility.
The Bottom Line - Installed Car-Kits are great
for people who spend a lot of time in their cars or really value
the simplicity of a truly hands-free cell phone set-up. If you
have a Bluetooth phone, it makes sense to get a Bluetooth car-kit.
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What are portable car-kits?
They are... devices that plug into your
car's cigarette lighter or power outlet, usually with the
speaker and the microphone integrated into the same component.
Pros/cons... portable kits are a cheap alternative
to a fully installed kit but still provide a hands free set-up.
They aren’t as elegant a solution as an installed kit.
You can take your portable car-kit with you if you get a new
car. Portable kits also make sense if you use rental cars
often.
The Bottom Line... portable car-kits are
a good option if you want a true hands free kit but can't
afford an installed car-kit.
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What are wireless headsets?
They are... devices that use Bluetooth technology
to replace the cord from the cell phone to the headset.
Pros/cons... wireless headsets provide all
the mobility of a wired headset without having to deal with
cords. Unlike wired headsets, wireless headsets require a battery
source or will need to be kept charged. You must have a Bluetooth-enabled
phone or buy a Bluetooth adaptor for your phone to go this route.
The Bottom Line - If you have a Bluetooth enabled
phone and like the idea of getting rid of cords, this is the
best option for you (especially if you use your cell phone often
outside your car).
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What are wired headsets?
They are... headsets that plug into your phone.
The differences in price tend to correlate to voice/sound quality.
There are a few cell phone laws that require one ear free of
cell-phone accessories while the car is in motion.
Pros/cons... wired headsets are the workhorses
of the hands free world. They’re a cheap choice but they
can also drive people up the wall with those cords!
The Bottom Line - wired headsets are a popular
choice because they’re cheap. If your phone is not Bluetooth-enabled
and you want to be hands free out of the car as well, this may
be your best option.
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