Back in the NES days, Nintendo offered up a controller that, chances are, you’ve never heard of before. It was the Hands Free, and it was designed for the disabled.
I could only think of one thing when I saw this hands-free mobile phone holder called Cell Mate: Ahahaha haha HA! Apparently, they have a booth at CES—worth a Giz visit, methinks. [Craziest Gadgets]
Honestly, most of the solar gadgets we see aren’t terribly practical, and often rely on a primary, wired power source. Not the Nextar NXBT handsfree kits—these are the real thing.
We all know that home phones are disappearing into that wonderful void known only as obsolescence, but until all the baby-boomers and their tech-fearing ways die off, we’re stuck with companies trying to come up with different ways to make DECT phones exciting for old people. Which is probably why this Telstra Colombo cordless phone is both a) named after an old, decrepit detective with a face in a permanent state of strainage and b) they made it red (although it also comes in black).
Bluetooth carkits aren’t exactly what we’d call exciting. They all do the same thing – connect to your phone via Bluetooth and let you make and receive handsfree calls. Some of them even let you make calls using your voice.
The Sudio Vogue’s claim to fame is that it’s Australia’s first “coloured” Bluetooth handsfree speakerphone.It comes in a range of colours, including metallic blue, pink, black and white. You get 10 hours worth of talk time and 480 hours standby on a single charge, plus regular call features like one touch answer, call waiting, last number redial mute and call reject.
Like I said: Exciting.
Still, even though it’s not the most riveting product, it’s priced well at just $89. And sometimes the cheap and useful products that come in a range of colours are the best ones. Sometimes.
We might have come up with a list of ridiculous things you can do while driving with a handsfree Bluetooth set, but some people actually acted it out. And who wants to read when you can just stare?
I kind of like the BTM-118 from Brando, with its weird fusion of Bluetooth headset and FM radio in one gizmo. Maybe because I use a similar clip-on headset (partly to avoid fashion geekiness.) I guess this might be useful if you’re into radio but your mobile phone doesn’t do it: most ones with built-in radio use the earphone wires as part of the antenna circuit, don’t they? Anyhow, the BTM-118 will give you 12 hours of FM, 10 hours of talk and 200 hours of standby. It’s Bluetooth v2.0 and is available in black or white for US$53. [Brando]
The SurfaceSound Compact may be simply another Bluetooth car speakerphone on paper, but its interface and design has definitely grabbed our attention. The visor-mounted SurfaceSound connects to your phone after the microphone is pulled down into position. This simple, tactile method of activation is superior to the usual button press and would make speakerphone usage easier to become a habit.
What if a Segway didn’t require you to a hold onto its stalk and look like a dork? That’s the idea of the Handsfree Transporter, a Segway clone invented by Ulrich Kahlert that’s so close to its original, the two may end up in a courtroom. Meanwhile, this transporter leaves the hands free to do lots of creative things.
