Bluetooth headset use plummets in the US, humanity celebrates a small victory

Join us as we rejoice together: "Finally!" Look, we can't straight up say that Bluetooth headsets don't have their place in this world, but seriously, we've yet to not be freaked out when walking up to someone who's apparently speaking to the ghost we can't see. In a recent survey conducted by the quizzical minds over at Strategy Analytics, they found that only 26 percent of US-based Bluetooth headset owners use their device each and every day. That figure is down from 43 percent in 2008, proving that style may have just notched a minor victory over utility. Of course, the study also found that daily BT headset use was up slightly in Europe, but hey, it takes awhile for these so-called "trends" to float across the pond.

[Image courtesy of eHow, via HotHardware]

[ynp Posted Sep 6th 2009 1:02PM]

Sadly, bluetooth headset wearers have gone and ruined my anti-social dog walking. Now, since bluetooth wearing has become socially unacceptable, I'm forced to converse with the people I'm usually complaining about. As far as multitasking goes, I'm pretty sure using a bluetooth headset does not impair my ability to ignore my dog taking a crap in the bushes or pissing on my neighbor's roses, but does allow me to point to my headset in an exaggerated motion so that my neighbor knows I'm in a really intense conversation (I just have to remember to turn the thing on so the light flashes on and off) and can't really talk about Glenn Beck or the Government Health Care/Alien Conspiracy.

[Dorf Posted Sep 6th 2009 1:03PM]

I don't think using BT makes you any safer then just using your own phone. You are distracted either way. Maybe the actual act of answering the phone, is a little safer, but that is just mere seconds. Once you are on the call, you are just as distracted. At least that is my expierence. Plus wearing the BT makes me look like a tool. :-) So I just try to avoid calls, period. That is the safe way to go.

[Agent25i Posted Sep 6th 2009 1:30PM]

"but that is just mere seconds"
Yea, cause accidents where people die take 3-7 minutes to happen. Dumbass.

[Wwhat Posted Sep 6th 2009 4:00PM]

Holding a phone to your head with one hand has no effect on emergency driving response you think? If you get in a sudden alert situation then a headset/carkit user will immediately forget he's calling, but somebody holding a phone has one hand off thr wheel and needs to ditch the phone before he can grab it, which takes thinking time too.

But we forget: THIS ARTICLE ISN'T ABOUT CAR USE

[Dorf Posted Sep 6th 2009 5:12PM]

Agent .251,
Sorry you didn't understand what I was saying, jackass. I am under the impression that most accidents occur because people are already in a conversation and their mind wanders off the task at hand, not during the 2 seconds they are dialing a call. I'm way more worried about the 20 minutes somebody is yacking on the phone, then the 2 seconds they are dialing. At least based off my idiot friend's driving abilities.

[JJCT2001 Posted Sep 6th 2009 1:16PM]

my device has a broken microphone, so i have to use a bluetooth headset for making phone calls, is that weird to do? I dont think so. i dont really care, especially when i can walk around my room and do random stuff meanwhile i can still be on the phone. I find its convenience even outside the car use.

[Wwhat Posted Sep 6th 2009 4:02PM]

Good thing no cars were mentioned by darren.

[Poop Chef Posted Sep 6th 2009 9:43PM]

You silly goose you! Everyone knows Miguel is a Hispanic name!

Gay? Me? Omg!

[Poop Chef Posted Sep 6th 2009 1:17PM]

This survey left out would could have been interesting demographic data, especially statistics that confirm that black people LOVE Bluetooth!

But why?

[3 Phones Jugglin Posted Sep 6th 2009 9:25PM]

Im black. Your comment is ignorant and your as gay as the man you have in your photo.

[Agent25i Posted Sep 6th 2009 1:28PM]

Slow news day.
"but seriously, we've yet to not be freaked out when walking up to someone who's apparently speaking to the ghost we can't see."
The world is round too.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 6th 2009 1:38PM]

You've got to be kidding me! All this article promotes is more people talking while driving without one, of which there are already too many. Teens shouldn't drive with any device but now they won't use bt because pop culture says it isn't cool.

[cray Posted Sep 6th 2009 2:11PM]

I'm disappointed that Engadget encourages style over substance. Wearing a bluethtooth headset while multi-tasking is a practical solution to what would otherwise be an inconvenience or unsafe.

I would argue that there's a certain amount of multi-tasking practice required when using a bluetooth headset. I would say headsets do not directly contribute to accidents, but rather the lack of practice. I think many people assume they are safe using a headset, when it could it could impair their judgment because they are not fully capable of multi-tasking at the level required to use the device safely.

[outsidah Posted Sep 6th 2009 5:37PM]

Terrible post. Why are we celebrating this? BT's are great and anyone who needs to talk while driving should HAVE to wear one. Dissapointing Endgadget...

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 6th 2009 5:42PM]

I like using a regular wired headset over BT.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 6th 2009 6:23PM]

It's funny how much people care about what other people do. Sure it looks funny, but how does it affect you if other people decide to wear bluetooth headsets around everywhere? I don't like it when people wear uncoordinated clothing, but I don't go around wasting my time about it.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 6th 2009 7:57PM]

I think the Bluetooth in-ear products will fade away as stereo/mono bluetooth headset clips (that look like the iShuffle) come to market. It is more widely accepted for people to use the common headphones (in-ear) in public. See the Nokia BH-214 for example, I think its more fashionable to use this than the big chunky things that sit in your ear. In addition, you can also listen to your music while you walk.
Fashion wins the day!

[2late2die Posted Sep 6th 2009 10:19PM]

So let me get this straight Darren, as a writer for a tech blog, called Engadget no less, you think it's a good idea that people put their appearance above the convenience and, potentially, the safety, of using a gadget? Not to mention that I think it's pretty sad that anyone would consider someone else a douche simply because they use a BT headset. Ever hear of the expression "don't judge a book by its cover"?

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[(Unverified) Posted Sep 7th 2009 4:26AM]

I just want to say if I am not register,can I write the reply?

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 7th 2009 3:25PM]

Word?

[JWolf Posted Sep 8th 2009 2:57PM]

http://www.youtube.com/v/-_8xE1koqEE

[dissident75 Posted Sep 14th 2009 7:14PM]

http://blog.recklessphilosophers.com/2009/09/14/bluetooth-hate.aspx

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 3rd 2009 8:55AM]

I wear my bluetooth to have phone conversations while I'm playing GTA. I find that I still drive pretty well, but my navigation skills go out the window. Now if I could only figure out a better way to drink beer than a bottle in my shirt pocket with a bendy straw...