Thursday, April 15, 2010

Hands free use of a Cell Phone



Hands free Cell Phone Calls
A hands free way to make a cell phone call in a car is not only convenient but it is the Law in many jurisdictions. A hands free way to use a cell phone for a person who has limited or no hand function is often a safety necessity.

Many Cell phones have speaker-phones which allow you to carry on a conversation without holding the phone in your hand. Some cell phones allow you to dial a number by simply speaking a name into a pre-configured phone. A suitably paired bluetooth earpiece or separate speakerphone can extend the phones capabilities to other devices wirelessly.

Hands free way to dial a number on a cell phone
I researched many devices and found that the voice dialing feature comes closest to making a hands free call possible. However almost universally a button needs to be pushed to tell the phone to "listen" and then dial the associated number that matches the spoken sound. The need to push a button makes this a "near hands free" experience in my view. Good enough for most people but I was looking for a way to dial without having to touch the phone. If anyone knows of a true hands free method of making a call please let me know.

Hands free way to receive a call on a cell phone
Fortunately I found a device that allows you to answer a call with only your voice. When a call is received this device automatically activates its "listening mode". During the "listening mode" you can speak commands such as "Answer", "Accept call" or simply "OK" to answer the call. No need to push a button! True hands free operation in my book.
This device is made by an Australian company called BlueAnt. It pairs up to most phones using the standard wireless Bluetooth protocol.
The BlueAnt S1 is a voice activated speakerphone which is typically attached to the sun visor in a car or it can be fixed on a wheelchair or other location as close to your mouth as convenient. Make sure the paired phone is always within 10 meters (30 feet) of the S1, so always take it with you.

Amazon sells these devices for around $60USD. In Canada www.Tigerdirect.ca is currently selling them for $70CAD.

I use this device in a constrained way for emergencies only. Since dialing out requires the press of a button I use the device strictly for voice activated answering. Before I venture out on a trip I file a so called "flight plan" with my loved ones. This FP includes my planned route (which I almost never follow) and more importantly an estimated time of arrival which I try to adhere to. If I'm overdue someone calls me and I can explain my predicament. I have needed the S1 countless times. I have been hopelessly stuck in sand in a secluded area. My power wheelchair has run out of power far from home. Most often I meet a friend and I lose track of time in a spirited conversation. Sometimes I need "extrication" services but most of the time I'm simply delayed "kvetching" with a friend. The use of the BlueAnt S1 can quickly sort out the cause of my tardiness.

BlueAnt S1 MP3 player bonus feature
I should also mention another feature that I often use. The S1 can play MP3 songs or audiobooks which are stored on your phone. Make sure your phone supports the Bluetooth A2DP standard. The S1 pauses music playback when a call comes in.

5 stars from me for this excellent device.


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