X

Off with your head(set)!

Should the government regulate Bluetooth headsets? Maybe so.

Kent German Former senior managing editor / features
Kent was a senior managing editor at CNET News. A veteran of CNET since 2003, he reviewed the first iPhone and worked in both the London and San Francisco offices. When not working, he's planning his next vacation, walking his dog or watching planes land at the airport (yes, really).
Kent German
2 min read

I think I just found the funniest person ever. While perusing a recent San Francisco Chronicle I came across a regular featured called Two Cents where the newspaper asks a group of five readers a common question. Last Sunday the question was: "What personal behavior law has government not thought of--but should?"

Love it? Love it not?

Now if that's not a intriguing poser, I don't know what is. While most of the answers were relatively dull, two of them caught my eye. The first suggested banning excessively loud motorcycles (I don't like being woken up at 5 in the morning, either) but the second was my absolute favorite. Ryan Kelling of Walnut Creek, Calif., suggested, "Wearing a Bluetooth headset in public should be outlawed. We get it: You're so important that you might get a phone call that needs answering quicker than pulling the phone out of your pocket would allow." All I can say is, Ryan, please run for office.

Now let me be clear that I don't think the government has any business regulating Bluetooth headsets. But I think Ryan has a very good point. I know I'll get a lot of flak about this but I've always had a love-hate relationship with Bluetooth. On one hand, it's a fantastic technology with many useful applications (wireless file-sharing is a godsend) but on the other hand, wearing a Bluetooth headset when you're not on the phone is just annoying. I can see it when you're driving as it allows you to keep both hands on the wheel, but there's no reason for it when you're riding the bus, eating in a restaurant, or doing your grocery shopping. I don't care how important you think you are. Really, it's just annoying.

Stereo Bluetooth headsets for music players are another matter, however. That's because if you're wearing one of those, you're actually making use of the headset instead of just wearing it as an earring.