More Bluetooth Products

One of the standard Bluetooth products is a wireless headset for use with your mobile phone. But even this product can have more than a single use. Purchase a Bluetooth headset that offers an "audio profile" and you can use it to connect to your computer. Now you can play games on your laptop with a wireless sound connection. Or you can use the microphone on your headset to make a voice recording for the computer.

Another Bluetooth product will allow you to speak on your mobile phone hands-free while in your car. The only wire for this device is the one that plugs into the car's cigarette lighter to draw power for the speaker. Simply pair the device with your mobile phone, the same way you would a Bluetooth headset, and you can talk away without taking your hands off the wheel.

Take the trouble to pair your mobile phone with the hands-free device, and they become friends for life. Any time you and your mobile phone get in the car, the two will automatically connect with each other and be ready for use.

A good hands-free device will allow you to use voice commands for a variety of functions. You can record a series of commands that you then link to the mobile phone's capabilities. Any time you voice one of these commands, the mobile phone will do your bidding. Answer the phone, redial, hang up, or choose other functions, all with your voice alone.

In addition, you'll be able to record the names of people you normally call. Then, when you want to make a call, simply tell the unit to dial that person's number and you'll get connected. Also, with caller ID, you can connect that person's number to their name for incoming calls. When the phone rings, the hands-free device will tell you who's calling. You won't have to take your eyes off the road for a second.

Another advantage to this unit is that it's easy to swap between cars. You just plug it into the car's cigarette lighter and you're good to go. This can be quite a convenience, especially if your work takes you around the country and involves numerous rental cars. But even if your car is just in the shop and you're driving a loaner, it's nice to know that you don't have to leave all the comforts of the home car behind.

On the other hand, you may prefer to have a hands-free unit installed more permanently in your main vehicle. This will avoid the problem of a wire sticking out of the cigarette lighter and a portable device sitting on the passenger seat or resting awkwardly on the cup holder. It's possible to get a hands-free device installed just like a car radio.

In fact, one of the advantages of such a device is that it uses your car's own speaker system. The radio doesn't even have to be on for it to work.

For a portable hands-free device, expect to pay a little over $100. For an installed system, expect something in the $200 to $300 range.