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Do Bluetooth Earphones Make You Look Like a Jerk?

by Terrence O'Brien on October 17, 2007 at 12:43 PM

Why Does Bluetooth Make You A Jerk?
There's something about bluetooth headsets that sort of makes us want to punch their users the face. Farhad Manjoo, writer at Machinist, decided to test a batch of headsets and figure out why it is that these admittedly useful gadgets conjure up descriptions of their users that we simply can't repeat on a family-friendly web site such as this.

Manjoo's first theory was that aesthetic appeal was the problem. Most headsets are, to put it lightly, hideous. Consumer electronics grade plastic, over ear arms, and obtrusive teardrop shapes are the standard. So Manjoo looked to the Jawbone, one of the first headsets to realize that as a piece of wearable technology it must also be fashionable. Unfortunately the high style design just exacerbated the problem of appearing self-important.

Manjoo moved on to the itty bitty Apple headset, figuring that the barely visible accessory would reduce the problem of appearing pompous. An unforeseen side effect arose however: If it's not apparent you're talking into a headset, you just look crazy.

Then Manjoo settled on the Cardo S-640 (pictured above), a bluetooth hands-free device that looks more like the cheapo wired extensions packaged with many cell phones. The microphone and radio are housed in a relatively unobtrusive plastic rectangle that clips on to your collar or lapel. A single earbud is wired to the box that runs up to your ear. Though far from perfect, Manjoo found this to be the least offensive headset he tested. We still recommend you pull it out of your ear before walking into your uncle's funeral though.

From Machinist

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Tags: bluetooth, cell phone, CellPhone, headset, mobile

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