The other hands-free option is to buy a car kit, which turns a cellphone into a speakerphone. Those referred to as "easy install" plug into a cigarette lighter, with a cord that plugs into the phone and a microphone that can be attached to the dashboard.
Again, the key ingredient is compatibility, since the car kits are all manufactured for specific phones -- the downside being you will probably have to buy a new kit if you upgrade your phone. Most of the phone manufacturers make car kits, which cost US$120 to US$150. I tested models made by Nokia and Motorola, as well as the Car Cell Phone System from Sharper Image, which sells systems for Nokia and Motorola phones.
All of the car kits were easy to install and had similar sound quality. (As with the headsets, the quality of the call depends on the wireless service provider and where you are traveling.) Across the board, I found it much easier to hear callers through a speakerphone than a headset, but callers said it was harder to hear my voice through the speakerphone. (One caveat: I tend to speak softly, so those with loud voices may not find this a problem.)
The car kits are also a bit unwieldy, with cords trailing around the dashboard and the gear shift. Some phone manufacturers also make car kits that need to be professionally installed. These systems, which generally cost US$200 to US$300, also turn a cellphone into a speakerphone, but they are wired through the car's speakers and usually have a microphone attached near the visor. These models are regarded as having slightly better reception (through an antenna mounted outside the car) and, of course, there are fewer cords lying around. A big disadvantage is that you have to replace the system if you upgrade your phone.
For those in the market for a new car, some technology companies are working with auto manufacturers to develop "luxury hands-free phone systems" that are installed when the car is assembled. I got a demonstration of a system developed by Motorola, available in some Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Jaguar models.
These systems offer many advantages over the humble headset or the clunky car kit. The stereo is automatically muted during incoming calls, drivers can scroll through their phone book using buttons on the steering wheel and some versions have voice recognition.
But, alas, hands-free is not necessarily the key to safe driving. Just watching a demo in a parked vehicle, I was overwhelmed by all the commands that need to be mastered simply to place or answer a call. It remains to be seen whether any of this technology will actually lead to safer roads. For those who generally shy away from gadgets and computer gear, your best option is probably to pull over when you need to make a call.
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