Hands-Free Calling in Your Toyota
With the increasing numbers of accidents related to driver error from being on the phone talking and texting, it’s more critical than ever to consider a hands-free option. Available on select Toyota models equipped with and without the available onboard navigation system, the technology provides users with convenient hands-free phone capabilities. To find out if your model is compatible, please go to http://www.toyota.letstalk.com/brands/toyota-bt/home.htm
And view one of these demos on how to program your phone using your vehicle’s Bluetooth technology:
With DVD navigation system
Without DVD navigation system
Toyota’s information center for BlueTooth technology.
When you bought your Toyota at Daytona Toyota, your sales person talked to you about the options available. If you never set up your car, check your manual or go to the Toyota web site for compatibility and options. Please do not hesitate calling us here at Daytona Toyota with any questions, we’d be happy to walk you through the process and explain the options available to you.
For our customers who are driving older models, you have options for hands-free calling/texting. Many young drivers are inheriting the older Toyota from the family, so parents should be incorporating rules about talking/texting while driving the car and setting up hands –free options. You can set up a BlueTooth headset, self-installed BlueTooth, Portable Navigation Devices—with Bluetooth, and Mobile Apps. Here are some of our picks on options. We also recommend you researching the best options, like www.cnet.com.
BlueTooth Headset
The Aliph Jawbone 2. It’s super-comfortable, has excellent background-noise reduction technology, and is widely-recognized as one of the top headsets on the market. It’s also going to cost you around $165 on Amazon, but don’t worry, there are plenty of excellent options out there for under $40 like the Samsung WEP200.
Self-Installed BlueTooth
Parrot’s CK3100 is a popular choice with a voice-activated interface for dialing by name and a phonebook-syncing feature that imports contacts directly from your phone. You can find this at Amazon for around $130, don’t forget to factor in installation costs ($49.99 at Best Buy) if you forgo the do-it-yourself.
Portable Navigation Devices—with Bluetooth
Garmin’s Nüvi 660 is very simple to use and has smart features like 1-touch dialing for points of interest, so if your destination has a phone number (like a restaurant), you can dial directly from the GPS unit without ever having to pick up your phone. Listed around $330 on Amazon, it’s pricey for a hand-free wireless device, but keep in mind you’re getting a navigation unit too!
Mobile Apps
DriveSafe.ly is a mobile phone application, developed by iSpeech that reads text messages and emails aloud in real time and automatically responds without users touching their mobile phone. DriveSafe.ly utilizes iSpeech’s text to speech and speech to text software as a service (SaaS) (http://www.ispeech.org/) in hopes of eliminating the danger created by the growing number of people who text while they drive. For more information or to download the life saving product please visit (http://www.DriveSafe.ly/).
Again, your focus should always be on the road. It’s hard these days to not get a call or text in the car, so let’s take advantage of the fact that our hands don’t have to leave the wheel. Schools will be back in session in the coming weeks, so more drivers will be on the road who are inexperienced with more distractions.
Be safe! From your friends at Daytona Toyota