Tech Check

Get On The Road With These Hands Free Devices

(CBS) The California hands free cell phone driving law takes effect July 1.  It sounds scary but it's just a matter of getting into the habit of using a hands free device all of the time.

You can still dial with your fingers, but that's it!  Don't hold that phone to your ear.  If you're caught, and officers can pull you over just for that, you'll face a $20 fine the first time and $50 each additional time.  That's an expensive phone call!

Here is the law in detail:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc23123.htm

Ideally, all cars would have built in Bluetooth speakerphone, but it's still an expensive option.  In the meantime, here are some devices I like that will help keep your hands on the wheel:

Wired Headset
This plugs directly into your cell phone - in fact, your phone might have come with one, so check the box again!  It's not very pretty, but it does the trick and audio quality is good.  As a bonus, there's no need to worry about charging it up.
http://www.freeheadset.org/home.php

Bluetooth Headset
You've probably seen people walking around with these in their ears.  Bluetooth is a wireless technology that works in short range.  Pair up your phone and headset and you can talk wirelessly.  You will have to charge up your headset as well, the frequency depends on how much you talk on it - the battery lasts a long time on standby.

Jawbone
http://us.jawbone.com/store/Products.aspx

Jabra
http://www.jabra.com/Sites/Jabra/na-us/products/Pages/JabraBT2020.aspx

Bluetooth Speakerphone Device
This clips onto your car's visor so you don't have to wear anything in your ear.  It's like having a speakerphone in your car.
http://direct.motorola.com/ens/carkits/learn-T305.html

GPS Navigation System with Bluetooth
Most of the major manufacturers have a model with Bluetooth built in.  It's kind of like the Bluetooth speakerphone but it's combined with maps.  Make sure the speaker is loud enough since you usually have the GPS further away from you.
http://www.magellangps.com/products/product.asp?segID=408

http://www.tomtom.com/products/category.php?ID=0&Language=4

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