[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

A digital music device that attached to the ear (in its entirety) could be useful. Earbuds break after about a month (a generous estimate).

Also, advanced robots that can multi-task, navigate, communicate, etc. are still far away. A popular science magazine (could have been Popular Science) had a prediction of late this century when advanced robots would come to fruition.

[Spruce]

My boss's wife walked around the office with one of these stupid things stuck to her ear for about a week.

Me and the other programmer were merciless in our ridicule. Calling her Uhura, and asking if there's been any sub-space transmissions.

I have been a programmer for almost 30 years and I am a complete luddite when it comes to crap like this.

[Poser]

I have a cell phone. I used it for 2 minutes last month. It worked great.

[I see my hands]

Identical kvetching as when cell phones were first carried on belt clips. Fear of the new/different disguised as a loftier perspective than others.

[SandRat]

The least they can do is be surgicly altered so that they at least look like Vulvans or Romulans. --snicker--snicker--

[KyHammer]

According to my kids they're called "queer ear". LOL

[lilylangtree]

I can only imagine what it does for hearing over a long period of time stuck in the ear 24/7.

[Pablo64]

I work for a wireless company and we are required to use hands-free if we are in a company vehicle and it is in motion (even though our state does not have a law demanding such). I used to have a hands-free mic that had a cord that plugged into the phone but it would always get tangled or the little tiny wires would develop a short right near the plug. I switched to a phone that was BlueTooth capable about 6 months ago and I love it. Not only is it good for when I'm driving, but if I am troubleshooting something and need to be on the phone with tech support or another technician I have both hands free and no stupid cord to get hooked on something as I move around equipment.

I don't, however, wear it 24/7 as some are implying. In fact, when I'm not at work I don't even use it at all.

[RightOnline]

Oh good lord.....how prissy so many are here.

I have my cell with me wherever I go. So does my wife. Her phone was recently stolen and I replaced it with a Motorola Q and an HS700 bluetooth headset. She loves both. Piece of cake to just reach up and touch that little button on it and place calls, receive calls, etc. Twenty thousand reasons why it's convenient and SAFE, damn it all, people.

Join the 21st century, would ya??

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Now ASIMO would be cool to have. Just so long as Skynet doesn't make them rebel...

[Caramelgal]

Listen to Bud Light's "Mr. Really Loud Cell Phone Talker Guy"

http://thefuntimesguide.com/audio/Bud_Light_Real_Men_of_Genius_Mr_Really_Loud_Cell_Phone_Talker_Guy.mp3

I think I know this guy; he works in my office....

I am a gadget geek myself (today I just bought an external sound card and audio speakers for my laptop co I can listen to my CD’s while working – how very geeky) but on a cell phone you have to of cognizant of the people around you – watch what you talk about – TMI.

But I do put my cell phone headset on when I’m upset and or listening to talk radio and ant to talk to myself while driving but don’t want to appear crazy to my fellow drivers.