Bluetooth Headsets: Cool or Dorky?

Haha, I guess we're in a cell phone state of mind here. I saw a poll on C-Net that I just had to repost here. They're asking their visitors if they think Bluetooth Headsets are cool or not so cool.

Personally speaking, there is something really distressing about them to me. Yeah, I know they're super convenient and sometimes I wish I had one when I have to fumble around for my wired earpiece for my cell phone, but on a purely fashion level, I don't think I could do it! That says a lot because I'm pretty laid back about the fashion thing when there's a functional reason for it.

I voted Dorky on the Bluetooth Headsets.

I would say the main reason that I don't think that I like them -- is one wears them constantly regardless if you are on the phone or not.

I am shopping for a Bluetooth Speakerphone. With one of these installed in the car, when you are within range (in the car) it switches to a speakerphone, and when you leave range the phone works as a regular cell phone.

A friend has a built in speakerphone in her new car -- she is happy with it.

Attached Image
http://www.socialwave.net/userfiles/125/985534835470e5f9b85488.jpg

I think they look weird and I can never tell if the person who has one on is talking to themselves, talking on the phone, or talking to me. I find it very disconcerting.

QUOTE (stone @ Oct 11 2007, 09:38 AM)

I would say the main reason that I don't think that I like them -- is one wears them constantly regardless if you are on the phone or not.

You know, I never thought about that and that would be a bit "disturbing" for lack of a better word. You can never tell if it's ok to talk to someone or not because at any given time they could be "elsewhere."

I think that's why they look so goofy to me. You walk around all day with a plastic growth in your ear. If you only put them on when you had to use them, they wouldn't seem so odd.

You guys touched on why I think a lot of people are weirded out with people talking on a cell phone. Your word 'disturbing' is perfect.

I think, subconsciously, observers to a cell phone conversation thinks that the person talking is mentally ill, talking to themselves. We all know how uncomfortable we are when, lets say a homeless person, is sitting there having a conversation with themselves.

Exhibit A: Two people are in a cafe having a spirited conversation. All OK, life is good. The noise is OK, no one is disturbed, everyone is going about their daily business.

Exhibit B: ONE person is in a cafe having a spirited conversation -- on a cell phone. Suddenly, all is not OK. People get all freaked out.

With these two examples I painted, I am assuming the volume, tone and words are similar.

I do think with a cell phone -- because of the design of the phone -- one does talk louder, but all things being equal, people subconsciously freak with a 'Single Talker' -- to coin a phrase!

I remember hearing a psychologist talk about people's hang ups with cell phones on NPR one time. He said that the reason why people talk louder on cell phones is because people can't hear their own voice coming out of the ear piece on the cell phone the way they can with a land phone. Try it sometime, talk normally into a cell phone and people can still hear you... not that I ever remember that myself when I'm talking extra loud on my cell phone.

As for the reason why people find loud cell phone talkers more annoying than to people having a very spirited conversation in public, that psychologist was of the opinion it was because people are only hearing one side of the conversation. People who may otherwise be cool with the situation might feel left out and see the talker as arrogant or selfish.

I'm sure it's not just that simple, but his explanation makes sense to me. When I lived in Boston, part of my daily entertainment was listening in on loud conversations that other people were having on the train. I miss my daily dose of real reality entertainment. I'm no voyeur, but if I'm bored to death and someone is offering free entertainment, I'll take them up on it, yet someone telling me about a snippet of their life through a cell phone conversation doesn't seem very entertaining to me. That same person now seems annoying to me.

They're very Star Trek, but not in a cool way. Forget the Bluetooth headset, give me a transporter room. Phaser would be cool too. You could stun people wearing bluetooth headsets.

Topical cartoon of the day...

f anyone is interested in a Bluetooth headset, the Mercury has a article in todays Business section on them: costs, call quality and such.

I can't vote for any of the choices. I've seen them but never used one. But I think it's a good idea in theory, although the "disturbing" factor may make them unappealing. I agree that it's weird that people keep them on all the time, even when they're not using the phone. I always joke with people like that and ask if it's surgically implanted, to which they always reply "yes". Another concern would be whether or not heavy use causes cancer.

To me Bluetooth Headsets are dorky. When I see people at the market, by themselves........and then they start talking, it is weird. I saw a guy on a bike on the Los Gatos trail the other day, talking to himself, nope it was abluetooth. Then I saw homeless guy on the trail REALLY talking to himself. Whats next, maybe people will get a chip implanted in their brain for cell phones, they just can't change their plans.

I think they are ugly but I am going to get one just cause I am tired of fighting with the wires in my car. If anyone ever sees me wearing one when I am not in my car, slap me. I don't know why but the corded ear phones never offended me. I guess because we were used to seeing and wearing radio ear pieces (remember the walkman).

Any recommendations? I would just buy the $20 version since I will only use in the car. I can only find online. Anyone else have a suggestion? Great deal somewhere?

I woldn't recommend paying less than $40 for one. I have had a few cause I'm a commuter over hwy 17 and it seems much safer to me.

The $20 bracket has some gems in it, but you'll find that most are lacking in a few key areas; volume, comfort, and durability. If you can bite the bullet and pay the $40-50 price you'll have a lot fewer issues with those key areas.

I understand the dork factor, but for me they increase my chance of having my hands on the wheel when I need them there. Even if I just got an "emergency" phone call from my wife to pick up more toilet paper from Longs on the way home.

Just take the bloody thing off when you get out of the car, it looks like a plastic cockroach trying to eat your brain!!!