Motorola releases Automotive Niche Bluetooth Headset just in time for California drivers

Expect to see California and Washington drivers using cellular phone headsets come July 1 (click here for details on the law). New laws in these states restrict use of hand-held phones while in a motor vehicle. Drivers will start risking being ticketed if they're caught holding a phone to their ear.

These states join New York, New Jersey and Connecticut in restricting hand-held cell phones and require the use of only hands-free phones behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. California has the largest number of licensed drivers of any state (almost twice as many as second-ranked Texas) and so it is no surprise manufacturers of bluetooth hands-free devices are chomping at the bit at the promised spike in bluetooth hands-free devices.

Motorola announced plans to roll out a "car-specific" bluetooth headset in the coming months. The question is, "Is it better than a portable Bluetooth car kit?"

California Drivers! Get up to 80% off cell phone accessories before the July 1 law.

Motorola says the new H620 Bluetooth headset is superior because it has noise reduction and echo-canceling technology as well as the ability to adjust the volume automatically to compensate for road noise. It comes with a car charger so you don't have to worry about draining the battery on long drives as well as a dashboard holder in order to place it in a convenient location. The new headset also has voice-dialing for entirely hands-free calls.

With bluetooth now being built into everything from portable navigation systems to car stereos, drivers in California and Washington have plenty of options. Even econo cars like the Nissan Sentra and Ford's Sync system have bluetooth technology as standard equipment making a hands-free system a no-brainer if you're buying a new car. If you drive an older car though, the Motorola H620 may be just the ticket for not getting a ticket.

Motorola said the new headset will be available soon but we're betting it will be released sooner rather than later and at a cost under $100 in order to take advantage to the expanded market for these products.