The dorkiest of technology devices (TREKKIE HEAVEN)

Star Newspapers - Chicago ^ | October 15, 2006 | Myra Eder

[Chi-townChief]

I could never quite figure those things out myself but then I'm a low-tech kind of guy.

[facedown]

Oh, I dunno:

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

At least the dorks can look cool and color cordinate

[Axhandle]

These things make it a lot more difficult to discern who is sane and who isn't. These people often appear to be talking to themselves like other mentally disturbed individuals in the city, until you get close and notice the earpiece. What I've never been able to figure out is how having this thing clipped on your ear allows the microphone to pick up your voice. Doesn't seem feasible, but I guess it works.

I spend about 10 minutes per week on the phone, if that, so I usually find a way to free up my hands for this short period of time.

[the invisib1e hand]

to paraphrase an ad, "nothing says, 'NOTICE ME' like the idiot bellowing into thin air with that huge blue neon beetle clinging to his ear."

And don't me started on people using those things in the men's room.

[the invisib1e hand]

now that's hot, Mr. Quark!

[raybbr]

Complain all you want, Myra, bluetooth is necessary in states like mine that require hands-free while driving. I actually like it. Although it does feel awkward when I am at the store looking for those cookies my wife wants and I am talking to - no one it seems.

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

You WILL get noticed using this phone from Nokia

[upchuck]

I had one of those Roomba gadgets but had to quit using it. Every time I turned it on it would invariably decide to clean the stairs. It had no trouble getting down the stairs. But it was useless when it came time to come back upstairs.

[the invisib1e hand]

bwahahah! Especially where I work (the guys with the machine guns and kevlar suits still come by once in a while...)

[upchuck]

If I saw someone with that up to their ear, I'd wonder if they were about to commit suicide :)

[lesser_satan]

It's one thing when driving or typing, or for a tech working on something. But I work with a salesman who wears that f-ing thing all the g$damn time. He wanders around the office talking on that thing even when both his hands are free. It's the most annoying thing ever. If he ever takes it off and leaves it unattended it's going in the toilet.

[sonic109]

They look totally absurd. I agrre with the article , who the hell needs to be THAT in touch with anyone. The people I know with them do nothing but gossip on them anyway .

[steveo]

Complain all you want, Myra,

Myra you ignorant snot... Some people in this world work on what's called a "commission"... they need to be accessible by their "clients" to complete "deals". Study the concept... and learn about how business works.

[MarkL]

At work we were given these Pocket PC phones, and they're a major pain. While they're OK for checking email, as a telephone they really stink. They've got these touch screens that keep activating when you're talking to people. If you let the screen touch your face while on the phone, you wind up "pressing a button."

However, they're blue tooth capable, and if you use the headset, it actually works pretty well as a phone.

Mark

[Welsh Rabbit]

These things make it a lot more difficult to discern who is sane and who isn't.

LOL. Years ago, I thought my neighbor was a bit odd because I would see him having long conversations; alone, in his car. Then I found out he had a speaker phone in the car (I didn't even know those things existed).

[sonic109]

Most people I've seen with them do not have their hands occupied doing anything. It's a look at me gaget for sure.

[raybbr]

And don't me started on people using those things in the men's room.

"He doesn't know about the three sea shells."

[upchuck]

For starters, it looks ridiculous — like a reject part from the Borg (evil cyberbeings).

Never, ever forget, your life may depend on it... WE ARE BORG... YOUR ASS WILL BE LAMINATED.

[the invisib1e hand]

The people I know with them do nothing but gossip on them anyway .

There was an article somewhere a long time ago about people pretending to talk to other people on cell phones...

I'm actually training myself to go out without my cell on my belt. I may have to buy a watch, though. Probably right about the time I get weaned of it, two-way communication-chip implants will be mandatory...(I better go get some fresh air).