Mobile Radio Simplified. Accessible. Relevant.

For west coasters (Washington and California residents), there is only a little over a month until the July 1st laws kick in that legally obligate us to employ hands free devices for cell phone use while driving. Oh, the rigors and obligations of being “safe, law-abiding citizens.”

I’ve already begun practicing for this new law. If you see me driving down the street talking to myself, the odds are now greater that I am actually talking to someone on speakerphone, with my phone in my lap. (We’ll not talk about the singing along to the radio and dancing-while-buckled-in episodes that you might also see.)

While the speakerphone on lap is workable for quick phone conversations, it leaves a lot to be desired for convenience and listening to audio through the phone. If I want to listen to a cellecast or an internet radio station, I know I’d be much better off with a hands free car kit, which I might have to spring for come July 1st.

I’ve found a few good ones that I would consider. The Mr. Handsfree Blue Compact offers an easy, plug & play scenario where you simply plug it into your stereo’s cigarette lighter and you’re ready to go, with phone audio through your car speakers. The Mr. Handsfree Blue Smart saves some green, but has a bit of installation required.

The Fourth Speaker gang is perpetually on the lookout for cool new devices that make it easy and affordable to listen to cell phone radio hands free wherever you are: home, office, on the road or on the go. Check out what we recommend thus far, and as always, let us know if you are aware of other products that we should know about.