If you have ever driven a freeway in California, then you have likely been “driven” to the point of yelling out the window at some random driver who is talking on the phone, eating their breakfast, and reading the morning paper all while attempting to navigate the 405 at the same time. On July 1st (tomorrow) we can at least count on one of those things actually being illegal.
On July 1st, 2008, the state of California will no longer allow drivers to use cell phones while they are driving unless they are using a hands free device of some sort. If you get caught violating this law, the base fine for the FIRST offense is $20 and $50 for subsequent convictions. With the addition of penalty assessments, the fines can be more than triple the base fine amount. The violation is a reportable offense, however, DMV will not assign a violation point. Drivers from outside California, who are driving within the state of California, will be held to this law as well. Drivers will be allowed to dial, but are strongly urged not to. Headsets can be used, but BOTH ears can not be covered.
The best part about this law, and when I say best part I mean the funniest, is that text messaging is still allowed. REALLY?!? I can hold the phone to the side of my head, but I can type messages to my friends while I drive.. OK, well I digress.
So, since a headset will be required as of tomorrow, we will be showcasing some of the best that we here at For the Love of Geeks like.
First on the list is [ Cardo S-2 Bluetooth stereo headset ] is affordable and comfortable.
Pricing in at around 60 bucks, and compatible with any bluetooth phone that supports stereo bluetooth. The downsides are that in noisy settings it doesn’t perform extremely well, and using these while driving would actually still be a violation of this law, since both ears would be covered. I personally like these for the office, since I can rock out on my tunes, and use my phone.
Next is the [ Aliph Jawbone 2 ], which is quite possibly the most stylish bluetooth headset out there …
The upside to this, aside from helping you pick up the chicks in the car next to you, is that it has quite a few noise cancellation features, and also does a great job of enhancing the voice quality and I have found that it works well, even when driving in my jeep with the top down. The downside is mostly just the price. It is a bit expensive coming in at more then 100 bucks.
Lastly, for the iPhone users out there … sometimes old school is the best school. I personally LOVE my OG cords that come with the iPhone. They have the button to answer calls, and have great sound quality and allow full control of starting/stopping the iPod and moving to the next song. Also, fairly cheap at 30 bucks.
You can pick these up at the [ Apple Store ].
So, all you Californian drivers, put the cell phone down and back slowly away.
If you have a favorite handsfree device for your phone.. let us know in the comments.
Norway probling Microsoft. Everyone has to get into the act. Lo-Jack for laptops? More than 600,000 laptops stolen in airports yearly. How does this happen in these "secure" airports? AD blockers worry advertisers. Why does Sun Microsystems have a chief gaming officer? EBay burned for allowing sales of fakes. Samsung pushing OLED. Look for Rhapsody to attack iTunes. No more Bill Gates stories. 
