I generally keep my Bluetooth headset in my jacket pocket so it's available when I'm driving: I can put the headset in my ear when I get into the car, and then drive without even having to touch my phone, whether I'm receiving or making phone calls. The Parrot Driver Headset takes the idea a step further and combines the headset and charger into a single device. You plug the charger into any of your car's power outlets, and the headset snaps into a slot on the charger, and you leave the entire device in the car.

When you get into the car, you can leave the headset in and wait for a call to come in (at which point you remove the headset from the charging cradle and put it in your ear) or just sit down and put the headset into your ear right there and wait for a call to come in. The Parrot answers automatically and routes the call from your phone to the Bluetooth receiver in the charger and straight to your headset. This way you're never in the car without a charged and ready-to-use hands-free device, and your hands never have to leave the wheel to make or take a phone call.

The charge on the headset gives you about 5 hours of talk time, so unless you're on a really long car trip, you should be covered. And since the charger is right there in the car, you can recharge anytime. You can press the button on the headset or the cradle to start or stop calls, and when a call comes in the Parrot will sound a ringtone and flash an LED so you can make sure you don't miss a call. The Parrot Driver Headset can be purchased directly for $84.99.

Post by Alan Henry