With hands-free driving laws in 9 states, Bluetooth enabled headsets are becoming a necessity. As more states come on board with hands-free driving laws, it is inevitable that more Bluetooth mobile headsets will be manufactured and sold. There are also a plethora of mobile headsets already being sold. How can you navigate the market and find the best Bluetooth for you? Only you can choose what works for you. Several notable sites, like CNET and PCMagazine, have recently put together a review of the top rated Bluetooth mobile headsets. I have compiled their lists to give you a best of best list to check before you purchase a new Bluetooth mobile headset.

There are really 4 categories of Bluetooth headsets. For comparisons, we have to relate apples to apples. The 4 categories are: mono Bluetooth headsets, stereo Bluetooth headsets, speakerphone Bluetooth devices (usually clipped to your car visor), and then those most compatible with the iPhone (naturally not all Bluetooth headsets are compatible with Apple devices.)

Mono Bluetooth Headsets

PCMagazine lists its top 6 mono Bluetooth headsets with pricing and comments. In order of their ratings, below is their list:
Aliph Jawbone Era – $129 – 4 ½ stars.
Aliph Jawbone Icon – $99 – 4 stars.
BlueAnt Q2 – $129 – 4 stars.
Plantronics Discovery 975 – $129 – 4stars.
Plantronics Voyager Pro+ – $99 – 4 stars.
Sound ID 510 – $129 – 4 stars.

CNET’s list for mono Bluetooth headsets is almost exactly like PCMagazine’s list. The exception is the Motorola Finiti ($99). CNET’s initial review gave it 4 stars, but it has dropped the rating to 2 1/2 stars due to disconnection problems.

Stereo Bluetooth Headsets

PCMagazine lists 2 in its favorite review for stereo Bluetooth headsets. CNET didn’t offer a review of stereo Bluetooth headsets.
Motorola MotoROKR S9-HD – $129 – 3 1/2 stars.
Samsung Modus HM3500 – $59 – 3 1/2 stars.

HubSpot has also given a good review of stereo Bluetooth headsets. Their favorite list includes:
Sony Ericsson HBH Bluetooth Headset – $149 – 4 1/2 stars.
Motorola MOTOROKR S305 – $39 – 4 stars.
Plantronics Backbeat – $69 – 3 1/2 stars.
Nokia BH-905i Bluetooth Headset – $188 – 4 1/2 stars.

Top Bluetooth Speakerphones

PCMagazine only rates one Bluetooth speakerphone.
BlueAnt S4 – $99 – 4 stars. The BlueAnt S4 is an excellent-sounding, voice-enabled, hands-free speakerphone that’s a must buy for anyone sick of wearing a Bluetooth headset in the car.

Top iPhone Bluetooth Headsets

Only HubSpot gave us a list of headsets especially good for the iPhone. Briefly, here is their list:
Plantronics Discovery 975 – $59 – 5 stars.
Plantronics Voyager 510 – $117 – 5 stars.
Plantronics Voyager Pro – $42 – 5 stars.
Plantronics Discovery 95 – $149 – 4 1/2 stars.
Aliph Jawbone Icon – $59 – 4 1/2 stars.
Jawbone III – $49 – 4 1/2 stars.

How do you choose a Bluetooth headset? PCMagazine lists 9 criteria for choosing just the right headset for your tastes. The 9 things to consider are: call quality, noise cancellation, battery life, comfort, style, range, mono v.s stereo sound, bonus features (texting via the headset), and price. No matter which one you choose, getting a Bluetooth headset is a great idea. I love using my Bluetooth any time I use my Droid X Smartphone, not just when I drive. I don’t like having to hold my phone crook’d in my neck to make calls. I personally use what I consider to be a great headset. It’s the NoiseHush N500—light weight and great sound. It comes in a variety of colors. You can get it for only $25 at batteries4less. The best thing about getting at batteries4less is that they offer a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee (in case you don’t like it or it doesn’t work well with your cell phone), and a 1 Year Warranty.

Support for CellPlaza.org is provided by batteries4less.com, the leading online retailer of camera replacement batteries, cell phone batteries, chargers, Motorola RAZR v3 Battery, mobile accessories and cordless phone batteries.

photo credit: Link-to-Cell Cordless Phones

Link-to-cell technology may bring new life back to your home phone system. Have you given up your land line phone? Are you a mobile phone only user? The latest technology for cordless phones may just change your mind. Let’s face it—sometimes your cell phone just doesn’t get the reception at home that your land line phone did. Would you like to have the best of both worlds? The link-to-cell cordless phones may be your answer.

Link-to-Cell Cordless Phones May Bring Back Life to Land Line Phone Systems

Panasonic’s new Panasonic KX-TG6582 uses Bluetooth technology to link your cordless phone to your mobile phone. According to Marketwire, you “simply place the Link-To-Cell base unit wherever cell service is strongest and leave the cell phone charging nearby, then make and receive cell phone calls using Panasonic handsets located anywhere in the home. It is a solution for both “cord cutters” who depend on their cell phones for telephony and those who prefer landlines because the Link-To-Cell works with or without a landline. Link-To-Cell solves the problem of missed cell calls at home. Users also never have to worry that their cell phone is in another room and they won’t hear it ring or get to an inbound call in time.”

Panasonic KX-TG6582 Link-To-Cell® telephone has received the Electronic House Magazine’s “2011 Product of the Year” award recognition. Marketwire reports that “the Panasonic’s KX-TG6582 features Panasonic’s proprietary DECT 6.0 PLUS® technology, which increases the signal correction rate by 80 times compared to standard DECT 6.0, resulting in crystal clear sound.” Additionally, you can upload up to 650 contacts from your cell phone to the cordless phone, as well as have a distinctive ring that lets you know the call is originating from a call coming from your cell phone to the cordless phone. Panasonic isn’t the only one with this technology. Other manufacturers like Motorola also have the link-to-cell technology for their cordless phones available.

The new link-to-cell cordless phones work without having a land line. With the trend that has people going to cell phone only service and dumping their land lines, having link-to-cell cordless phones is like having extra handsets for your cell phone. All in all, I think this new technology is pretty cool. I almost always use my Bluetooth headset with my Droid X as it is uncomfortable to hold to my head while making calls. The link-to-cell handsets would be better, but they also work with the headsets so I could still use my Bluetooth. I may be a link-to-cell owner soon. I can get spare batteries for cordless phones as well as cell phones at batteries4less, so there’s no excuse. What about you? Do you think this technology is a fit for your needs?

photo credit: CHP Zero Tolerance Day

California Highway Patrol officers cited 216 motorists on February 8th for violating California cell phone laws. 52 verbal warnings were issued and two motorists were arrested for DUIs while being stopped for cell phone violations. February 8th was designated “Zero Tolerance Day” by the CHP. Last year the Zero Tolerance period was for 2 days, with 588 citations. That doesn’t seem like a lot if you consider how large the state of California is and how many drivers there are.

CHP Zero Tolerance Day 2011

California law prohibits use of hand-held cell phones by all motorists. According to an article by Cathy Locke, SacBee.com, the law also forbids anyone younger than 18 years old from using any type of cell phone – hand-held or hands-free – while driving. Motorists also are prohibited from text messaging while driving.

Statewide citation figures are astounding. According to Ms. Locke, from July 2008 through December 2010, CHP officers issued 329,602 citations statewide to motorists who were in violation of the hands-free law and 5,100 citations for texting while driving, according to the CHP’s traffic records system. Cell phone violations carry a minimum base fine of $20 for the first offense and $50 for the second offense. When court costs and other fees are added to the fines, the total cost of the violation exceeds $100 for the first offense, officials said.

To date, only 9 states have a hands free law. See my blog Driving and Talking is Only Banned in 9 States. 30 states prohibit texting while driving. Many states restrict teenage drivers from using cell phones entirely while driving, whether using a hands free device or not. State by state the laws vary, with some cities having stricter laws than the state in which they belong. Regardless of where you live, distracted driving is not a good idea, even if it isn’t against your state laws.

There is a wide spread campaign against distracted driving. Many legislators as well as President Obama are actively campaigning against distracted driving. Oprah Winfrey has a website dedicated to taking the No Phone Pledge. To date, 419,868 people have pledged. I just pledged. You can pledge too at Oprah’s No Phone Zone Pledge.

Whether you pledge or don’t pledge isn’t the question. The real question is “Do you text or use a cell phone while driving?” Save a life, maybe even your own. Be safe while driving.

Dino Zaharakis has designed a stand to fit the iPad, iPhone, virtually all Smartphones and eReaders, like the Kindle. The 11 year old from Pennsylvania accepted a challenge from his father to design a better stand for his iPad, and also a website to market it. The prize? Dino’s dad would buy him a new cell phone.

11 Year Old Designs DZDOCK for iPad

Dino’s story starts out with lacrosse. He painted some stripes on his helmet so he would stand out among his teammates. He wanted his mom to be able to see him easily on the field. His next step was to dye his lacrosse stick head, making it easier to see in the melee. His teammates loved the idea, so he began a little entrepreneurial venture and charged $5 per stick.

The story continues. Dino’s dad was reviewing summer camps on the iPad using a makeshift iPad stand. Dino scoffed at the improvised iPad stand and said he could do better. His father challenged Dino to make not only a better iPad stand, but also a website to market the new iPad stand. He promised Dino a new cell phone if he could accomplish this feat.

Dino’s mind went into high gear. According to the dzdock.com website, Dino began by manipulating pieces of aluminum stock with a miter saw and vise after he had made several paper prototypes. His favorites were dubbed Curly 3 Stooges, Alpha Slick, Big Z. Finally, “One” was created by using the best features of each prototype. Then Dino’s dad took him to Northampton Community College’s Fab Lab where they created 3D solid models and later created prototypes using 3D printing. Dino and his dad then approached a local company, Hill Metal Co. in Allentown, PA, where they produced some real prototypes. Dino’s lacrosse coach and owner of Bracalente Manufacturing suggested an anodized finish. A parent on Dino’s lacrosse team helped get dzdock patent pending. Next they worked on the web site, packaging, bar codes, listing dzdock on Amazon.com, and creating a new corporation named ZLabs, Inc. In addition, dzdock One is shipped using boxes made from recycled cardboard.

One stand fits all the electronic devices. One of Dino’s major goals was to create a stand that could be used by any electronic device. This meant that he had to test out different angles for the display, as well as providing a cord slot that would accommodate any device. Not only did he accomplish the universal “One” stand, but it fits even if the device has a cover or case on it.

Dino’s marketing is paying off. He sold out his first initial production batch and is primed for more success. In addition to being able to order the stand in a variety of colors, Dino also uses an Epilog laser engraver to print company logos on the stands for those corporate accounts. The white and lime dzdocks are out of stock but you can purchase a black, pink, red or silver one for $25.00 at his website dzdocks.com plus shipping.

Let’s applaud this 11 year old entrepreneur. Seeing a need and fulfilling it is the marketplace’s dream of success. If this 11 year old can continue to design and produce as he grows older, he may well be the next billionaire by the time he is 30. Move over Bill Gates!

When Verizon finally gets the iPhone 4, Apple’s stocks will skyrocket. This is according to Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster. Munster is so sure that Verizon will have the iPhone 4 in early 2011 that he has included Verizon in his Apple sales estimates for next year. Munster is predicting that Verizon will sell 9 million iPhones next year, and that is a conservation estimate.

Verizon iPhone Will Explode Apple’s Stock

How confident is Munster about the stock going up? Munster is predicting the Apple stock will go from $320.12 (5 days ago) to $438. That’s quite a jump. He is advising people to buy Apple stock now of course. But what happens if Verizon doesn’t get the iPhone in the next quarter? So far, Verizon hasn’t been able to pin down a release date. When asked, Apple doesn’t deny the rumor that Verizon will have the iPhone, but doesn’t confirm it either. According to Beatweek Magazine, the answer Apple has given is “the future is long.” Yeah, right. That’s helpful. But Steven Jobs isn’t known for pandering to the media.

“Verizon iPhone release date” is the most popular iPhone Google search term. Looking for news of the release date tops the search numbers over even iPhone 5. Everyone wants to know when they can expect to be able to buy the Verizon iPhone. Consumers were very hopeful that it would be out by this Christmas season, but since Christmas is now just a few days away, that seems very unlikely. Imagine what it must be like to be a Verizon executive right now during this long waiting period. Should they roll out another Droid phone? Customers are getting a little ho-hum about Droids. If they want an iPhone, they don’t want to settle, but it appears they are just going to have to wait.

AT&T will lose its exclusivity with the iPhone. I imagine that over at AT&T, executives are asking, “What were we thinking, giving up our exclusivity?” With Verizon having the most extensive network coverage across the nation, AT&T will definitely be at a disadvantage without the being the only carrier to have the iPhone. Their dropped calls history is enough to make me steer clear of AT&T.

Waiting for a new Verizon iPhone? Or did you decide the wait was too long and bought a new Droid phone? I got the Droid X back in July and love it. I’m not sure I would change to an iPhone now that I have the Droid. I do like the Google apps as well. But I have another year or so before I am eligible for an upgrade, so by that time, Verizon will be waiting for the Verizon iPhone 5. The other consideration to having an iPhone is that the battery is hard-wired into the phone. I like the fact that I can have more than one battery for my Droid X and keep them both charged up with a spare battery charger. With all the apps, GPS, and Wi-Fi, the battery’s life gets sucked up pretty quickly. Of course since I work at batteries4less.com, it is very convenient for me to have all my cell phones needs met. What about you? If you have an iPhone, is the battery life long enough between charges for you?

Will cash become totally obsolete? Square, the plastic card reader cell phone attachment, makes it easy for street vendors to accept credit cards. No merchant account is needed for the vendor to accept payment.

Paying for Food on the Street with a Cell Phone?

Square, a product of Twitter Inc. creator Jack Dorsey, uses a little “square” attachment and downloadable software to make the transaction from a Smartphone. The Square plugs into the headphone jack of the iPhone or Android based Smartphone, and then is processed through Square’s secure servers. Apps for Palm Pre and BlackBerry are supposed to be coming in the near future.

After swiping the card through the reader, the buyer signs for the transaction by using finger strokes on the touch screen. The buyer can type in an e-mail address where a digital receipt will be sent. Square charges a fee of 15 cents and 2.75% of the transaction amount to the person processing the credit card. That would amount to 42.5 cents for a $10 purchase.

A version of Square for the iPad is also available. It enables store owners to input and track inventory and handle cash transactions, replacing pricey point-of-sale cash registers and terminals.

“The future has arrived,” tweeted Mayer Hawthorne, a singer and songwriter who used Square to sell his CDs and merchandise while on the road.

While convenient, where is this trend headed? Already you can send money between friends by “bumping phones.” With the app pulled up on both phones involved, the amount of the transaction is input on the payer’s phone. Money changes hands by physically bumping the two phones together. Both of the users must have a PayPal account tied to a bank account or the fees charged will be even higher than Square’s fees.

This certainly does eliminate having to carry a pocket full of change to buy lunch from the hot dog seller. Am I ready to eliminate carrying money? Perhaps not just yet. A concern is that we are giving more control to banks than ever before. There’s something reassuring about cash. What’s your take on it? Feel the need to actually “feel” your money? Like the weight of that money clip in your pocket?

Remember the days when cell phones were so large you needed to carry them in a bag or briefcase? No one I know misses those old dinosaurs. But apparently Stuart Hughes, (the company behind gold iPhones, TVs, and game consoles) thinks there are at least 10 mega-rich people who do.

$200,000 gold plated brick phone?

Soon to be released are ten $200,000 gold brick phones. These phones have a 22ct gold shell and the screens are surrounded with diamonds. While they are boasting to have the latest technology, WAP, SMS and color screens, not only are they too expensive to carry around, they must weigh a ton with their size and all that gold. So what’s the point? Having one to just show how rich you are?

This is just another way for the mega-rich to squander money. Why not do some charitable work with the money? There are people without homes due to earthquakes and flooding. There are children in families too poor to buy food. A diamond encrusted, gold phone is over the top. Put one in the Smithsonian and call it a day!

BlackBerry cell phone maker, Research in Motion, is set to buy QNX Software Systems, which was acquired by Harmon, which makes audio and entertainment products. The partnership would allow Research in Motion, QNX and Harman to build a better system between Smartphones and audio and entertainment systems in vehicles.

BlackBerry Music Quality to Improve?

iPod has been the dominant device to interface with car stereo systems, but with BlackBerry rising to the occasion, we may see the market share shift. Depending on the quality BlackBerry shows us, iPod may be in trouble (NOT). It is still inconvenient to have your phone hooked into your stereo when receiving an incoming call.

Will I rush out to get a new BlackBerry when the new technology arrives? No. I have a car stereo with a USB port and use a flash drive. It solves all my musical challenges in my car. My Moto Q cell phone allows me to listen to music and hook up to the car, but I prefer the flash drive. I have the iPod for “out-of-car” music. BlackBerry? Nope. What about you?

Human powered cell phone chargers are the next step in technology. You can charge the new YoGen by Easy Energy, Inc., by simply pulling a cord, much like a yo-yo. The device has a good pull-to-charge ratio, so you don’t get user fatigue trying build up a charge. The device is very portable, easily fitting into your pocket or purse, making it a practical alternative to the spare battery.

Cell Phone Yo-Yo or Charger?

The YoGen works for more than just cell phones. In addition to charging your cell phone, the YoGen will also charge MP3 players, iPods, GPS devices, camcorders, and even your laptop. This seems like the universal solution for those battery draining devices.

Will the YoGen catch on? Perhaps if they actually created it as a real yo-yo it would be more popular. That way you could play with a yo-yo while building a charge for your cell phone. They just need to take the idea a step further. Wouldn’t you rather be entertained while charging the YoGen?

Use your cell phone without using any minutes on your plan. Ymax announced at the CES 2010 that they are developing a MagicJack for cell phones. Much like the original MagicJack, which uses your home broadband connection for phone calls, the new cell phone MagicJack will utilize the same technology. Because of this, your cell phone doesn’t connect to the cell phone provider service, thereby saving your precious cell phone minutes.

New MagicJack for Cell Phones

MagicJack’s new device (unnamed femtocell service) will cost about $40. It will work with the existing MagicJack service ($19.95 per year) as well and there is talk they are developing a software to compete with the popular Skype.

In addition, you can “hook up” to your friend’s MagicJack as well. As this becomes more popular, perhaps places like Starbucks will have the MagicJack as well as WiFi. How cool would that be? We would be able to use our cell phones for free while enjoying our coffee.

As we move into this new decade our communication needs are evolving. As I mentioned in my blog Cell Phone Service Provider Price War, the latest trend is to discontinue our home land lines in favor of just having the cell phones. With the advent of “free minutes” through this MagicJack device, I see this trend becoming even more popular.

I am all for this new device! Anything that gives us an edge over the expensive cell phone services is a major benefit!