I haven't been as excited about a gadget, well, since my iPhone... but maybe that's because this gadget works with and enhances my iPhone!
The Parrot 3400 (and its cousin the 3200, which subtracts GPS) is a HARDWIRED addition to just about any car, that does several things:
1) It mutes your radio/CD when an incoming call comes in.
2) It plays the callers voice over your speakers (EVEN if the radio was turned off! very cool). And the sound is great.
3) It comes with a microphone which can be mounted near the visor, etc.
4) It can auto-answer for 100% hands-free answering
5) For calling, it actually downloads/syncs with the phone so your phonebook is on the 3400, and you can scroll through your contacts. VERY cool.
6) I'm still playing with it, but it should have photo caller ID. I need to add more photos to my iPhone address book, but this is cool.
7) You can download firmware updates via a PC with bluetooth. I did this and one of the updates is a daytime/nighttime mode option for a bright screen all day vs. auto dim at night.
8) It does NOT do anything about playing iPhone/iPod music through Bluetooth...maybe a firmware upgrade from both parties could address this.
9) It has voice command and voice recognition, but I need to play with this more. (NOTE: even though the iPhone doesn't have this capability natively, somehow this unit achieves it independently!)
10) The 3400 is also a GPS antenna, so if you have a Bluetooth enabled device with GPS software and maps, you can pair it with the 3400. Unfortunately, my old Nokia e62 had this, and the iPhone does NOT...but maybe that will change?
Full disclosure: I'm a member of the press, so Parrot sent me my unit! But I know my car installation limitations, so I had to have mine wired by Circuit City, who sells Parrot (as does BestBuy). Details at http://www.parrot.com/usa/products/3400ls-gps
The Parrot 3400 (and its cousin the 3200, which subtracts GPS) is a HARDWIRED addition to just about any car, that does several things:
1) It mutes your radio/CD when an incoming call comes in.
2) It plays the callers voice over your speakers (EVEN if the radio was turned off! very cool). And the sound is great.
3) It comes with a microphone which can be mounted near the visor, etc.
4) It can auto-answer for 100% hands-free answering
5) For calling, it actually downloads/syncs with the phone so your phonebook is on the 3400, and you can scroll through your contacts. VERY cool.
6) I'm still playing with it, but it should have photo caller ID. I need to add more photos to my iPhone address book, but this is cool.
7) You can download firmware updates via a PC with bluetooth. I did this and one of the updates is a daytime/nighttime mode option for a bright screen all day vs. auto dim at night.
8) It does NOT do anything about playing iPhone/iPod music through Bluetooth...maybe a firmware upgrade from both parties could address this.
9) It has voice command and voice recognition, but I need to play with this more. (NOTE: even though the iPhone doesn't have this capability natively, somehow this unit achieves it independently!)
10) The 3400 is also a GPS antenna, so if you have a Bluetooth enabled device with GPS software and maps, you can pair it with the 3400. Unfortunately, my old Nokia e62 had this, and the iPhone does NOT...but maybe that will change?
Full disclosure: I'm a member of the press, so Parrot sent me my unit! But I know my car installation limitations, so I had to have mine wired by Circuit City, who sells Parrot (as does BestBuy). Details at http://www.parrot.com/usa/products/3400ls-gps