Bluetooth headset use plummets in the US, humanity celebrates a small victory
[Image courtesy of eHow, via HotHardware]
[Image courtesy of eHow, via HotHardware]
Relevant Posts
- Jabra Stone to bring 'new shape' to Bluetooth headset field (60 days ago - 1 Comment)
- Jabra STONE Bluetooth headset brings extreme noise blocking, $130 price tag (33 days ago - 4 Comments)
- i.Tech's SolarVoice Bluetooth headset could save the environment, not your look (25 days ago - 0 Comments)
- Cartel's CT-2000 in-car Bluetooth handset adds music control, can't shake the retro (20 days ago - 1 Comment)
- T-Mobile Tap and webConnect Jet now available (11 days ago - 8 Comments)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Peter F @ Sep 6th 2009 10:06AM
All fun and games until that gust of wind knocks it out of her ear
Ryan @ Sep 6th 2009 10:10AM
I really hate it when I see people walking around the grocery store or Best Buy with a BT headset on like they think it makes them look FBI or something. I even see people wearing them in loud bars or clubs. Seriously? You look like an idiot. That being said, I do use mine every day in the car because it's the law in NYS and the last thing I need is a ticket. I can see where the usage drop off occurs, though, with so many cars having Bluetooth built in now, even on lower models... Still, I'll probably continue using my Jawbone for a while now...
En @ Sep 6th 2009 10:23AM
yah the whole "look at me i'm a bada** with my sunglasses on (inside a building no less) and bling bling bluetooth just looks trashy. hopefully one day people will realize having a cellphone conversation in public does NOT make you look awesome.
ace587 @ Sep 6th 2009 11:31AM
i wear mine when driving though its not mandatory (FL) , but i keep mine on if i have to grab something very quick.
Ben @ Sep 6th 2009 11:37AM
The only time I remove my BT headset in in the shower or in bed, it's unimportant to me if some nobody thinks it looks strange.
thomas b. @ Sep 6th 2009 12:49PM
or simply the number of bluetooth headset owners in the USA has increased, while the number of users has remained the same
--don't trust any statistic you haven't falsified yourself
RCC2k8 @ Sep 6th 2009 1:33PM
The main problem with BT headsets is that there's always a lot of compromising with those things. A BT headset is either uncomfortable, falls off your ear to easily, have poor range, poor battery life or audio quality sucks. With most headsets you have to put up with more than one of these issues.
Still, I wear my BT headset everytime when I'm out. I only take it off at home. I don't care how you think I look, and I'm not going to hide in some dark room everytime I have to take a phone call, so if you don't like people talking on the phone in public, screw you!
Zach @ Sep 6th 2009 2:05PM
Is it really that hard to put your phone up to your ear when you're at the supermarket? Car I understand totally, outside of it- no.
fastharryDOTcom @ Sep 6th 2009 8:13PM
it is when I have to keep both hands on the cart for safeties sake...esp when you have wobblin' wheel syndrome.....
moe @ Sep 6th 2009 4:37PM
all this is useless info as more and more locations require it when driving.
Nfstashun @ Sep 6th 2009 6:09PM
Wow engadget. I'm not sure if it's a popularity issue for you but doesn't it seem that using a hands free device is much more responsible than not? I some how found your story as being a bit anti hands free ? Care to comment?
Rollins @ Sep 6th 2009 8:24PM
Studies have shown that hands-free sets are just as dangerous to use while driving as handsets. The lion's share of the danger of talking while driving comes from the conversation itself rather than the effort involved in using the handset.
Nfstashun @ Sep 6th 2009 8:45PM
All good Rollins. Post a link to where you read those "Studies". I would really like to check them out. And I'm not being harsh I really mean I would like to see that. I listened to a very interesting discussion on NPR about the dangers of driving and talking on the phone handsfree or no handsfree. I mean no harm to my beloveide engadget it just seems to me that driving and speaking on a handsfree device is much more responsible than holding up your cell device to your ear. I can see how the article is really more hating on those that think they are super stars because they have a Bluetooth .. and yes I laugh at them too. I only use mine while driving. But would love to see those "studies".
Ben @ Sep 6th 2009 10:28PM
Rollins, That depends entirely on which study you choose to beleive, All safety issues aside the convience is such that I cant imaging going anyplace without one, RCC2k8, I have a Jabra JX10, a Plantronics Discovery 925 and an old Plantronics 222, all 3 are very comfortable to wear all day, range is sufficent, they only have to reach from my belt to my ear, I have never had one fall out of my ear and the battery life on the 222 (The worst of the three for battery life) is around 11 hours, and like you, I take mine off at home but not untill late, I have no landline.
trstack @ Sep 6th 2009 9:08PM
Yes, I have BT in both my vehicles but I still wear a headset when I know I'll be on the phone while running errands. I don't have to hold my phone up to my ear while carrying the dry cleaning, holding a coffee cup and trying to get cash out of the ATM. Just like we don't carry "briefcases" with just handles, we use shoulder straps to allow both hands free to fend off the whack job coming at us down 6th Ave, I like my "hands-free"... I'm not trying to a be a secret agent, just trying to get stuff done with less aggravation for me. If u don;t like the way it looks, screw off...I don't like u anyway.
CJ @ Sep 6th 2009 11:26PM
The only reason usage is down is because they all suck...everyone goes back to using the phone...
JayMonster @ Sep 7th 2009 11:09PM
CJ - I think you nailed it. Even the best of the best of these (whichever you believe that to be) is a far cry from perfect. I have spent entirely too much on so many headsets only to once again be disappointed and/or frustrated.
Brent @ Sep 7th 2009 3:27AM
Although I've been unable to find them locally so I can see them for myself, I have read that there are in-ear Bluetooth earbuds that look like traditional mp3 player/phone earphones that come packaged with mobile devices. They are earbuds though (in the ear canal for isolation and a better quality sound).
These look MUCH LESS SILLY to me in their design, but I'm sure people will really question anyone talking while wearing one of these. Be ready for continued ridicule.
Since I do use my phone (G1) as a music player too, I'd really like to see these locally dammit.
Here's a sample of one that I'm talking about:
http://swagbucks.com/?t=s&q=Plantronics 7521501 Pulsar 260 Bluetooth Pendant Headset&prodid=909129530
JayMonster @ Sep 7th 2009 11:12PM
I could be wrong (certainly wouldn't be the first time), but I am fairly sure that such sets are actually illegal in many places when driving. The noise isolation is considered to be a danger since with them, you would not be able to hear traffic (and horns, etc) around you.
Rob @ Sep 7th 2009 11:03AM
I think the main reason why it's going down is, because more and more car stereo's come with BT built in. People who like having the BT set on their heads all day long probably aren't going to decrease their BT use, but people who have BT in their cars and used to wear a BT headset while driving obviously don't need it anymore.
I can't wait until my next car comes with a BT radio so I can dump my f*in' Jabra headset. It's not comfy at all (but the battery is good :) )
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread - XBL: SoCoolCurt) @ Sep 7th 2009 7:42PM
the only time i use my BT headset is when i'm playing my PS3 online. other than that, i just put the phone up to my ear, old school style.
actually, i go to college and rarely ever see anyone using one. i mostly see old people using them more than anybody.
Allen @ Sep 7th 2009 9:02PM
I can see some instances where a BT headset would come in handy. Every try to take a sharp left corner in a semi truck while you're trying to hold your phone up to your ear and downshift to 4th gear then pop it back into 6th when you're finished with the turn? A pain in the A. Trust me. I'm a truck driver.
Being a driver on the road all the time I would prefer actually having a BT headset in my ear other than holding up the phone to my ear for hours on end. But like all things that take your eyes or concentration off the road, it is a distraction.
I would much rather someone in a 80,000lb vehical turn on their hazard lights and continue their conversation on the side of the road but in today's "get here, get there as soon as possible mind set" that is not going to happen.
My driving partner is one who ALWAYS uses his BT headseat. We can go from having a conversation to him talking on his headset and there I am not knowing he is talking on his BT headseat responding to a question he just asked the person on his phone then there I am looking like a doofus when I realize he is on his BT headset.
All in all, I think certain people should use them. Some people buy expensive business smartphones when in reality they are never going to use off the applications they would if they were a true businessman. Same goes for the BT headset. You'll see all types of people using a BT headset when really they shouldn't and when really they are only using it to fit in or look cool.
A business person might want a BT headset so he can jot down notes more conviently while talking on the phone, etc. etc.