So it’s been a few weeks since the new “handsfree” law in California — has everyone been good about using a handsfree or headset while driving?
I actually didn’t worry too much about it because my car came equipped with Bluetooth. Unfortunately, automatically accepting calls over speakerphone using the car’s speakers isn’t the best way to intercept calls, especially when you’re carpooling for lunch and have a couple of co-workers in the car. =) And especially when your mom is angry at you for not picking up her 2 previous calls (for exactly the above reason).
So all of a sudden I found myself on the hunt for the perfect Bluetooth headset, as many Californians did over the last couple of months. When you’re looking for a Bluetooth, you tend to look for 3 things:
(1) You want to be able to hear the other person loud and clear. Nothing is worse than yelling “What?” on the phone repeatedly, waiting for a good connection.
(2) You want the other person to be able to hear you loud and clear. Second worse is the other person yelling “What?” on the phone repeatedly.
(3) So once you get a good working unit, you don’t want it to be blaringly obvious and blinking lights on your ear. You want something a little muted and hidden yet comfortable.
So the obvious choice for me was to try out the stunner of a handsfree set, the Jawbone.
At first glance, I thought the Jawbone looked a little flashy so I dismissed it. However, I kept hearing about its awesome bone conduction technology and its unparalleled ability to eliminate background noise — crucial for any car conversations. Ranging from $129 – $150 depending on color, the Jawbone is definitely a pricier choice but after trying out mediocre headsets from Motorola and Samsung among others, I admit that it’s worth the premium price.
As for its flashiness, once you put this on it’s amazing how well the color blends in with skintone and just tucks into the ear. A friend of mine has the black one and it looks like a smooth, clean barrette sitting near her ear. I have the gold version which I think hides well with my skin. Each headset comes with 3 earpiece sizes and 3 around-the-ear hooks so that you can customize your fit for the best possible comfort and sound. The white rubber nub near the mic sits right at your jawbone and uses bone conduction to pick up the cleanest sound possible.
The packaging it came in was very high-end and cleverly designed. The earpiece itself is very easy to setup and use and lasts 8 days on standby. I only take it out of my car once a week to charge.
So long story short, highly recommended. =)
11 responses so far ↓
1 Cupcakes and Cashmere // Aug 2, 2008 at 8:20 am
wow good to know! i happen to think this is super stylish so i might have to give it a go
2 Angry Californian // Mar 16, 2009 at 1:09 pm
You are a complete idiot. I bet you bought that “jawbone” on a credit card, and even if you didn’t, you still could be saving that money I mean your state is in extreme debt and you are out there blowing your money, that you don’t have. Also, your hair covers the stupid “jawbone.” Have you ever heard of just not talking on the phone while you are driving?You are RIDICULOUS! People like you disgust me!
3 CT // Mar 16, 2009 at 4:50 pm
First of all, I didn’t buy a jawbone, I got it as a gift. So thank you for your ignorant assumption. And second of all, wouldn’t you think that stimulating the economy with purchases when you can afford it is a good way to help the economy instead of all of these people who are pulling their money out of savings and long-term investments out of uneducated fear, and in turn, crushing established financial institutions and making our recession worse?
Before you make a nasty remark about my idiocy, you should evaluate your own first. Your entire comment is full of assumptions: blowing money I don’t have on my credit card, blowing said money while the state is in “extreme” debt, and then of course your kicker, “your hair covers the stupid jawbone.” That is an awful lot of negative speculation coming from someone who doesn’t even know me, my financial situation or my need or alternatives for talking on the phone in the car as a passenger or a driver.
4 Anonymous // Mar 16, 2009 at 4:56 pm
angry californian is just jealous.
5 Mooz // Mar 16, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Should have named yourself Ignorant Californian instead.
This is a product review. California law mandates the use of a hands-free mobile device. Talking via bluetooth is no different than listening to the radio, so relax.
And when did state debt have anything to do with personal finance? Get your econ straight.
6 CT // Mar 16, 2009 at 5:04 pm
And by the way, how are you an angry Californian in North Carolina? IP address puts you in the Carolina mountains at the Education and Research Consortium of the Western Carolinas.
Learn some web etiquette before the next time you leave rude, unnecessary comments anonymously.
7 Tracy // Mar 16, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Personally I think the “complete idiot” is the person trolling someone else’s site in order to leave anonymous hate mail. CT, don’t sweat it. Those of us who read your blog with some regularity understand where you’re coming from. And appreciate it, too.
8 kristy // Mar 16, 2009 at 6:40 pm
What an idiot some people are (Angry “Californian.”)
I also don’t see how you buying a Jawbone would cause problems for the state…. Whoever this angry person is, they need to go back under the little rock they came from and stay there.
9 J // Mar 16, 2009 at 7:55 pm
It’s also a strange time to comment since the item was purchased way back in August. It was such a long time ago that it wouldn’t make a difference now.
10 G&R // Mar 16, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Oooo drama how fun.
In everyone’s life they will encounter many assholes. The one thing all assholes have in common is that they love to talk. Enjoy the ignorance rather then let it bring you down.
11 janus zeal // Oct 2, 2009 at 9:51 pm
I know this was posted forever ago, but I wanted to ask, how is the range on the jawbone? Like if I leave it on my desk and walk across the office (about 30 feet) is it going to cut out?
Leave a Comment