I’m Not Crazy, I’m Just Using Bluetooth!

Walking down the always-crowded streets of Manhattan, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the diversity of New York’s populace: you have your handful of well dressed businessmen, your street vendors screaming in a “language” unheard of in any other part of the world, your typical crazy (some would prefer to say unique) passerby, and who can forget the obnoxiously loud cell phone talker? Well to make things more confusing for the average, technologically lagging citizen, we all owe our dearest thanks to the newest craze introduced to the world: Bluetooth. Now, the crazy passerby has become confused with the obnoxiously loud cell phone talker, whom, to the naked eye, appears to be screaming at no one, and just like that New York has become that much more confusing! It is nearly impossible to discern an individual speaking to themselves and a Bluetooth cell phone headset user. Now take this previous scenario and add 40 MPH (number subject to change based on the New York driver) to it and what do you get? Bluetooth enabled cars.

With new traffic laws prohibiting handheld cell phone usage while driving, the world was bound to adapt such technology. But who would have guessed that the market would be armed with this kind of advanced technology, so fast? Not me, that’s for sure. Aside from the Bluetooth headsets already dominating market sales, big car companies are beginning to equip new cars with built in Bluetooth that feeds directly to your car’s speaker. The Bluetooth enabled car senses an incoming call and immediately transfers to phone mode even while listening to the radio, allowing you to talk and listen to the other person, by the touch of a button! Though only some new manufacturers such as Lexus, Toyota and Acura are already utilizing this technology, it will probably become as common as in-car GPS in the very near future. For those impatient and technologically savvy New Yorkers, unable to wait those couple of years, the brand new Sony MEX-BT5000 allows for an after market receiver to be installed in the dash, permitting practically the same features as those seen on manufactured cars. However, at around $400 a unit and a complicated install, it might be worth the wait to purchase a new car. Another cheaper and easier alternative is to purchase the Parrot Easy Drive Bluetooth Handsfree Car Kit which is powered by your cars cigarette lighter and is compatible with every Bluetooth enabled cell phone. This great kit provides an affordable and simple way for automotive communication!

So what is in store for the future of Bluetooth and cars? Well, I had a pretty good idea.

How many people out there have left a waiter or waitress your number on the receipt, hoping that, challenging history, they will call? No? Well maybe you have slipped a total stranger your business card hoping they will call you? Well I have and it’s not so unlikely that when Bluetooth takes over the world, which it will, and everything will be Bluetooth enabled, you will be able to send text messages to someone standing right next to you or even driving next to you! Since Bluetooth technology picks up neighboring “wireless” connections, it would be possible to speak with complete strangers in your vicinity. And this way you’re guaranteed a response, even if it is a finger…the thumbs up obviously. If this seems funny, that’s because it is. But for serious companies this has posed a major security concern. For those people who aren’t satisfied with just getting a number (or a slap in the face), the potential exists for data, phone conversations, phone numbers, you name it, to be intercepted by snooping ears, right before your very eyes. These companies will have to come up with a solution to this problem and, unfortunately, I will have to think of a better way of hitting on strangers.

If hitting on a complete stranger isn’t really your thing and hasn’t sold you on the possibilities of Bluetooth, this is sure to make you start seeing Blue. Imagine if you could control all of your cars features from your cell phone. Well soon you will be able to because connect2car.com has created a device that connects directly to your mobile phone, PDA, even your laptop, which then allows you to turn on your car, lock/unlock your car door, roll up/down windows, and receive engine diagnostics among other things. So New York, brace yourself, because this world is going to be hit by a huge, blue wave of technology over the next few of years. The possibilities seem endless! But don’t worry, J&R will be right there, keeping you updated with the latest technology so you too can look like the rest of the crazy people “talking to themselves” everywhere that you travel.

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