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Is a Bluetooth headset a necessity?
- Thread starter eswank
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With a blanket statement like that, now look who the idiot is.
Additionally, many states require handsfree devices whether wired or wireless when driving. Bluetooth is more convenient and probably safer by eliminating wires to a headset. It is a matter of choice. Are you one that talks on their cell phone ILLEGALLY just to look cool? It is your choice afterall !
So just stick one of the earbuds in and talk on it. You don't need to hear somebody's voice in stereo.
They just passed the handsfree law in PA. It's effective Nov 11. I already went out and bought my Jawbone. I know if I wait it will be hard to find a good BT unit as that date gets closer.
Back to the question, 3 days ago I would have said no its not a necessity. Unfortunately today (for me) it's a necessity now.
Back to the question, 3 days ago I would have said no its not a necessity. Unfortunately today (for me) it's a necessity now.
Avatar74
macrumors 68000
Strictly speaking, the iPhone is not a necessity nor are cell phones in general.
I know what you meant by your question, though... and the reason I prefaced it thus is because, well, the answer too needs some perspective.
Can you function without the headset? Sure. The only advantage to a bluetooth headset over the included one is that it's not wired. That's all. It's not a question of whether you "must" have it, but whether or not wires are to you enough of a nuisance that it's worth the extra money to get a bluetooth headset.
If you have decided to get one, I will tell you from experience the Aliph Jawbone is simply the best headset on the market. Period. I've used more expensive Plantronics headsets and they blow. They're not as durable, they're not as clear, and they have no replacement part kits.
I broke the earloops on the Jawbone and sent for a $10 replacement earloop kit from the manufacturer. Other than that, the Jawbone itself is great... and it's one of the easiest and quickest to pair with iPhone or any other bluetooth-capable phone.
But it is $120 retail and the iPhone earphones are included and also allow you to hear iPod audio from the same unit. With bluetooth you have to switch to the wired headphone jack anyway to listen to music/watch movies.
Lately I've used the Jawbone less because I have an auxiliary audio input jack on my car and use the car's speakers in combination with the iPhone microphone as a handsfree without the encumbrance of having to put on or take off a headset. Plus I play all my music through there and it makes for a nice carphone that automatically silences my music when a call comes through.
Ultimately the decision of the value issue is yours... If you can justify spending $100+ for a headset, the Aliph Jawbone is the best one on the market, hands down.
Frankly, though, one should limit their usage of cellphones on the road... even with a headset, studies still show that this distraction does increase the risk of car accidents. Where I live that's a pretty big deal. I was recently in a very bad car accident on 635 in Dallas which is a very dangerous freeway. I do NOT get on my phone, handsfree or otherwise, unless I absolutely have to... because the slightest distraction on that freeway could get you killed. 25 percent of the drivers down here are uninsured.
I know what you meant by your question, though... and the reason I prefaced it thus is because, well, the answer too needs some perspective.
Can you function without the headset? Sure. The only advantage to a bluetooth headset over the included one is that it's not wired. That's all. It's not a question of whether you "must" have it, but whether or not wires are to you enough of a nuisance that it's worth the extra money to get a bluetooth headset.
If you have decided to get one, I will tell you from experience the Aliph Jawbone is simply the best headset on the market. Period. I've used more expensive Plantronics headsets and they blow. They're not as durable, they're not as clear, and they have no replacement part kits.
I broke the earloops on the Jawbone and sent for a $10 replacement earloop kit from the manufacturer. Other than that, the Jawbone itself is great... and it's one of the easiest and quickest to pair with iPhone or any other bluetooth-capable phone.
But it is $120 retail and the iPhone earphones are included and also allow you to hear iPod audio from the same unit. With bluetooth you have to switch to the wired headphone jack anyway to listen to music/watch movies.
Lately I've used the Jawbone less because I have an auxiliary audio input jack on my car and use the car's speakers in combination with the iPhone microphone as a handsfree without the encumbrance of having to put on or take off a headset. Plus I play all my music through there and it makes for a nice carphone that automatically silences my music when a call comes through.
Ultimately the decision of the value issue is yours... If you can justify spending $100+ for a headset, the Aliph Jawbone is the best one on the market, hands down.
Frankly, though, one should limit their usage of cellphones on the road... even with a headset, studies still show that this distraction does increase the risk of car accidents. Where I live that's a pretty big deal. I was recently in a very bad car accident on 635 in Dallas which is a very dangerous freeway. I do NOT get on my phone, handsfree or otherwise, unless I absolutely have to... because the slightest distraction on that freeway could get you killed. 25 percent of the drivers down here are uninsured.
No and for sole reason that it comes with earbuds (with built in mic). This is really fun to use and great audio quality. The blue tooth head set is also really great though.
Ugh, I'm so tired of fumbling with that damned infernal earpiece wire that gets tangled every single time I put my iPhone in my backpack. For that reason alone I'm heading out to the Apple Store this weekend to pick up a bluetooth headset. No more tangled wires! Thank you...
Edit: Oh, and there's no way I'm ever walking around in public wearing a BT headset. That cyborg look is so incredibly hideous and annoying.
I only use one when I am driving. I spend a lot of time on the road so it is pretty useful to have. Luckily, my old Sony Ericsson bluetooth headset works just fine.
Just walking around town or something I will use the included ear buds. Although, that looks even more weird in the UK considering the iPhone has not being released, so people just think you are listening to an iPod and talking to yourself 😛
Just walking around town or something I will use the included ear buds. Although, that looks even more weird in the UK considering the iPhone has not being released, so people just think you are listening to an iPod and talking to yourself 😛
megfilmworks
macrumors 68020
I use my iPhone maybe 50% with no headset, 40% with stereo headsets, and the rest with the apple bluetooth. I like that flexibility. Different options for different missions!