Bluetooth and Cars

Bluetooth's small size makes it ideal for taking on the road. You can use the technology not only at Points A and B, but while you're traveling in between.

The most common use of Bluetooth technology in a car is the hands-free car kit. This simple device can be powered by your car's cigarette lighter and paired with your mobile phone. This device can play your calls at a loud enough volume to compete with traffic noise without draining your mobile phone's battery.

The simplest version of a hands-free kit contains its own speaker. But if you want to get more innovative, a similar kit will broadcast your conversation (very locally) on the FM band. Pick up the conversation through your car's radio and play it as loud as you like via your car's speaker system. A good car kit will automatically mute the volume on the radio or CD player whenever you receive an incoming call or start to dial out.

To kick it up another notch, add in GPS technology and navigation software to receive voice instructions on how to get where you're going. The beauty of this technology is it's so small, so portable, and so easily installed that it doesn't have to be tied to one car. Carry it in your briefcase and use it with a rental.

Or if you like the technology enough to keep it in one place, all this can be had in a Bluetooth enabled car stereo. CDs, the radio, navigation instructions, and mobile phone calls are all played through the same set of speakers and adjusted by the same set of controls.

Many of these features can be controlled by speech alone for truly hands-free operation.

If you prefer, you can wear a Bluetooth enabled headset and hear your mobile phone conversations right in your ear. You can get such a headset with noise filtering technology that works very well and filtering constant noises such as traffic. You'll be able to hear the person on the other end of the phone or the person in the passenger seat a lot better.

Even the speakers can be portable with Bluetooth technology. Battery powered Bluetooth enabled speakers can be paired with your mobile phone, radio, GPS, and/or CD player to give you great clarity. You don't have to worry about the car's poor or non-existent sound system. You brought your own.

In the not-to-distant future, you'll be able to purchase a car kit that uses your rearview mirror as a display. When a call comes in, just look in your mirror to see the Caller ID.