9 posts and columns on hands-free

Voices

Transportation Chief Opposes Cell Driving Ban

in Mobile on December 21, 2011 at 4:14 pm PT

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said he won’t back a proposal to prohibit drivers from talking on cellphones, even hands-free devices, giving a boost to car makers and mobile-phone companies that stand to lose if regulators impose a ban.

Videogame Sales Lagged in 2010 Despite Xbox's High Scores

in Commerce on January 13, 2011 at 4:44 pm PT

Microsoft’s Xbox dominated the charts at the end of 2010, despite year-over-year revenue declines for both videogame hardware and software.

Voices

New York Cracks Down on Cab Drivers Using Cellphones

in News on October 20, 2009 at 7:54 am PT

Studies have already shown that chatting on a cellphone while driving is just as dangerous as driving drunk. While several U.S. states have enacted hands-free cellphone laws for drivers, New York’s Taxi and Limousine Commission is going a step further by proposing harsher rules for cab drivers who violate the commission’s decade-old rule against all cellphone use. The current regulations include cabbies who talk while wearing a hands-free headset, but the TLC says it’s tired of the ban being violated.

Weekend Update: 9.5.2009–One for the Kids

in News on September 5, 2009 at 2:47 pm PT

The week that took us from August to September was one for the books over at BoomTown, especially if you’re 12. Kara spent Monday morning at Activision Blizzard, where they are pushing forward with the entire Guitar Hero line, even as the game industry faces a nearly 50 percent decline in U.S. sales this year. Kara got to play hero to several of the forthcoming releases, including previewing the much anticipated DJ Hero console.
DJcat

Bluetooth Headsets That Up the Chic Factor

in The Mossberg Solution on September 1, 2009 at 5:08 pm PT

Review of two Bluetooth headsets that look stylish enough that you won’t mind being seen wearing them: The Plantronics Discovery 975 and Aliph’s Jawbone Prime.
headset

Trn Eng Txting Scnds B4 Crsh

in News on October 2, 2008 at 9:42 am PT

You’d think that with all the text messaging bans and new hands-free cellphone usage laws being adopted these days a motorist would know better than to text while driving, especially if that motorist also happens to be a commuter train engineer. Tragically, that’s not the case.

Voices

PLT: Hands-Free Laws Drive Bluetooth Headset Sales

in News on July 22, 2008 at 4:29 pm PT

Plantronics (PLT) this afternoon reported better-than-expected results for its fiscal first quarter ended June, thanks in large part to strong demand for Bluetooth headsets. The demand surge, the company noted, reflected the July 1 adoption of “hands-free” driving laws in California and Washington.

Cellphone Headsets With Less Bulk, Background Noise

in Personal Technology on May 15, 2008 at 12:01 am PT

Two of the most important wireless earpiece makers are bringing out new models that attempt to make their products more attractive and functional. Both work well, despite some drawbacks.
headset