Hands-free laws are coming soon to a state near you.  You’ve heard the statistics and you’ve read the reviews, which is why hands-free laws are popping up all over the country.  Effective tomorrow, California and Washington will be the two newest states to jump aboard the hands-free bandwagon.  But fear not, your state will most likely be next.

 Review of California’s Hands-free Law

For the states of California and Washington, the hands-free cell phone driving law is effective tomorrow, July 1.  Here is a quick review of what the California law entails:

18 and older:  If you must talk on a cell phone while driving, you absolutely have to use a hands-free device beginning July 1, 2008.  If you break the law, your first offense will cost you $20 and it will be $50 for each subsequent conviction.  Additional fees may also be applied.

Younger than 18:  It is pretty simple for you … cell phones are completely banned.  You may not use a cell phone while driving and you may not text or use laptops.  This is a strict law and if you are under 18 and using a cell phone while driving, you will be fined.

Other Notes Regarding Hands-Free Cell Phone Law

Emergencies:  If you are in an emergency, it is ok to make emergency calls to police, healthcare providers, fire departments or other emergency agencies.  By all means, do this!

Points:  No points against driver’s licenses will be assessed.

Passengers:  Are allowed to use any type of cell phone while in the car.

PUSH-TO-TALK Device:  These devices are ok for those people who are licensed to operate a truck tractor or motor truck. 

The Law is Coming … What Bluetooth Headset Should I Use?

You’ve got it right.  The hands-free law will soon affect every person throughout the U.S.  So far, only positive results have been shown from the hands-free law, therefore, many states will join in on the madness.  In order to to steer clear of any fines or tickets, here are Gammoth’s recommendations for the best Bluetooth headsets available on the market today.

Jawbone 2 Bluetooth Headset   

The Jawbone 2 is the next step in the integration of best in class noise elimination technology with personal design that is both humanistic and minimal. The Jawbone 2 continues with its creative design that makes for a fun, yet professional look. In the tradition of bringing together beauty and science, the Jawbone 2 is a miracle of miniaturization and is 50 percent smaller than the original award-winning Jawbone. 

BlueAnt Z9i Bluetooth Headset    

The BlueAnt Z9i Dual Microphone Headset is the latest in Bluetooth devices, combining cutting-edge technology with stylish design. Incorporating BlueAnt\’s revolutionary world class Digital Signal Processing solution - Voice Isolation Technology, the BlueAnt Z9i provides outstanding noise suppression, wind noise reduction and echo cancellation in both noisy and windy environments.

Motorola MotoPURE H12    

The first headset to feature CrystalTalk, the new Motorola MOTOPURE H12 is the future of audio technology, delivering maximum audio performance in even the noisiest environments. The MotoPURE H12 CrystalTalk with dual microphones has been designed to cancel background and wind noise, enhance your voice and channel pure, clear audio directly into your ear and experience the difference. The Motorola MOTOPURE H12 is an auricular masterpiece designed to look as it feels. Minimalist design diamond-cut alloys integrate perfectly with TrueComfort engineering.

We’re all looking for a device that can pack as much function into one package as possible, as is evident with the smartphone boom and emphasized by increasingly productive cell phones such as the upcoming iPhone 2.0 and the Blackberry Bold. Enter the LG Decoy, who has taken the notion of a multi-tasking cell phone in a new direction. With a Bluetooth headset tucked right into the back of the handset, that you can remove and use whenever you like, and then return to its handy hiding spot when you would rather do things the old-fashioned way, LG has made a statement. 

Doing Double Duty

A sleek slider phone barely larger than the LG Chocolate VX8550, the Decoy has a stylish with a shiny mirror front and a unique royal blue back plate. Complete with a 2MP Camera & Camcorder, EV-DO, a music player, 1000-entry contact list and VCast support, this is a great phone even without the integrated headset. But the included Bluetooth headset is more than just a cherry on top of this already great product - it sets it apart completely from any competition. The first phone to bring this idea to fruition is enjoying its spot as the only handset/Bluetooth headset combination on the market today.

Specifications  

Network:

• CDMA Dual Band (800/1900 MHz)
• CDMA2000 1xRTT/1xEV-DO rev.0
• 3G Capabilities

Size:

• TBD

Battery:

• Li-Ion

Display:

• 240 by 320 pixels
• 262 144 colors, TFT

Digital Camera:

• 2.0 megapixels Resolution
• Includes Digital Camcorder (Video)
• Self-Timer, Mirror

Multimedia:

• Supports Video Playback
• Supports MP3 audio files

Connectivity:

• WAP 2.0
• Micro USB
• Bluetooth Enabled (duh!)
• Headset Audio Jack (2.5mm)

Other:

• Caller groups supported, 1000-names capacity, Multiple Numbers Per Contact, Picture ID, Ring ID
• Alarm, Calendar, Calculator, Stopwatch, Notepad
• Dialing, Recording, Speaker Phone
• Supports Brew
• Supports Email
• Supports GPS

The Bottom Line

The obvious concern here is whether an integrated product like this will perform well in both areas. Has LG delivered 2 great products in one organized package? Or are we sacrificing quality for convenience? According to a few well-written reviews, including CNet’s, LG pulled it off. Both the handset and the headset deliver clear sound and good service, along with impressive battery life for both sub-products. For a consumer looking for both a new phone and Bluetooth headset, this is a great option for its compact shape, unique storage & charging options (the Bluetooth headset can charge in the handset) - and the organization of the whole package can’t be beat.

On Tuesday, July 1, the states of California and Washington will be under new law — all cell phones will be banned while driving.  Citizens of these states must use hands-free devices in order to be a law-abiding citizen.  Whether using Bluetooth headsets, Bluetooth Speakers, or a Bluetooth Car Kit, if you want to use your cell phone while driving, you must be hands-free.

A Look into the CA Cell Phone Driving Ban

Laws between states can be very confusing and sometimes a little overwhelming.  And while the new hands-free ban is approaching in less than a week in two more states, millions of people need to be prepared.  The best advice available whether you are in a hands-free state or not:  USE BLUETOOTH!

Here is the rundown for CA Drivers …

18 and older:  If you must talk on a cell phone while driving, you absolutely have to use a hands-free device beginning July 1, 2008.  If you break the law, your first offense will cost you $20 and it will be $50 for each subsequent conviction.  Additional fees may also be applied.

Younger than 18:  It is pretty simple for you … cell phones are completely banned.  You may not use a cell phone while driving and you may not text or use laptops.  This is a strict law and if you are under 18 and using a cell phone while driving, you will be fined.

Other Notes Regarding Hands-Free Cell Phone Law

Emergencies:  If you are in an emergency, it is ok to make emergency calls to police, healthcare providers, fire departments or other emergency agencies.  By all means, do this!

Points:  No points against driver’s licenses will be assessed.

Passengers:  Are allowed to use any type of cell phone while in the car.

PUSH-TO-TALK Device:  These devices are ok for those people who are licensed to operate a truck tractor or motor truck. 

Follow the Law — It’s There for a Reason

You might be a firm believer in hands-free technology or you may be completely opposed to this new law, but either way, you need to  follow the law.  If you break the theory behind the law down, it truly makes sense.

Scenario 1:  You use your cell phone and drive with one hand on the wheel

Scenario 2:  You use your hands-free device with two hands on the wheel

It is pretty clear that scenario two is the safest way to drive a car AND talk on a cell phone, which is why many states are hopping on the hands-free bandwagon.  To each their own, but hands-free laws and Bluetooth devices are here to stay … so join in!