Radio Shack at Three Star Mall

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Radio Shack manager Shawn Shepler displays several Bluetooth wireless communicators available at the local store. Bluetooth technology allows cellular phone users to go completely wireless.

Star Trek communicators are not science fiction anymore as Bluetooth technology has placed wireless in the hands of cell phone users.

“It’s getting more and more popular,” said Radio Shack manager Shawn Shepler who sells the wireless cellular telephone accessory. “The feedback we’re getting on it has been good.”

The Bluetooth system is made to work with compatible wireless devices and goes beyond normal hands-free operation as the remote communicator can multi-task with several different items.

“This will not only work with compatible phones but you can also work with your PDA (palm organizer) from the Bluetooth,” Shepler said. “It’s great for business and keeping things organized.”

The Bluetooth wireless devices are made to be small and unobtrusive and have shrunk in size considerably since the technology first came on the market. The wireless earpiece is worn over the ear and links up with the cell phone or PDA so long as the remote device is within about 30 feet of the earpiece. This means the phone or PDA could either be on the user’s person or perhaps elsewhere in an office or house area so long as it remains in the required proximity.

The earpiece can then be voice activated to perform a variety of duties, all leaving the user’s hands free. One function customers like, Shepler said, is the ability to speak the name of a number stored with in the phone’s memory and have it automatically dialed without having to push buttons or even touch a cell phone. The voice dial capability is available in the Bluetooth device so long as the cellular phone being used with it has the ability.

“Another thing is the digi-dial phones where, if you don’t have the name and number stored, you can simply speak the number when entering digi-dial and it dials that number,” Shepler said. “This is available in phones where digi-dial is available.”

Shepler said it is important for those who are considering getting Bluetooth aids to make sure their cellular phones and other devices support the technology. Most phones which do work with Bluetooth point out they are Bluetooth compatible on their boxes and paperwork. The technology is also compatible with wireless gaming devices and computers.

Shepler said their present line of Bluetooth communicators carried by the local Radio Shack at Three Star Mall range in price from $49 to $99. Bluetooth products are available at Radio Shacks across the country and at most stores which sell wireless products which support Bluetooth.