Not only will you and those around you remain safer while driving, but this speakerphone is solar-powered and therefore green. Not to mention the lack of cords cluttering up your immaculate interior. Expect to shell out $110 for the LG Solar, money well spent compared to the cost of moving violations. [Ecofriend]

It will automatically adjust the volume depending on the surrounding road noise. This means when that big ass diesel truck rolls up next to you at a stop light, the headset will increase in volume to compensate for the loud noise. It also includes the usual array of noise-reduction and echo-cancellation technology for clearer sound for the person on the receiving end of your phone conversation. The H620 will be available later this year for an undisclosed price. Are you reading this, you convertible-loving, Californians?

[Source: Motorola]

Many other states already have laws on the books regarding the use of mobile phones when driving, but the state-wide California law has to be one of the most significant since the state is known for having an abundance of drivers that can't keep their mouths shut when driving. The study shows that the use of mobile phones during adverse driving conditions is one of the larger causes of accidents and fatalities in California, which reports upwards of 4,000 driving-related fatalities per year. [Press Release via Autopia] (Image via Getty)

The VoiceBox Technologies voice recognition software in the Pioneer units allows users to speak "normally." There will no longer be an exact rhetoric required to achieve a simple task. For example, rather than having to say something long the lines of "Play Artist Green Day," the units can recognize casual conversation like "I want to hear Green Day," or possibly "Play those phat Busta Rhymes beats, yo." [Giz]

This headset is pretty average, including six hours of talk time and a $70 price tag. But it is distinguished by the famous bull Lamborghini logo. So if you must drive your Lamborghini around town like a jackass, at least do so safely with a Bluetooth Bello headset, just in case your mistress calls demanding money so she can buy pointy purple alligator skin boots or pay that "photographer" who took the "portraits" of her. [Crave]

The DS-400GB also includes a Bluetooth module for makings and receiving calls, hands-free. The right sided display is a touchscreen and the entire unit includes SD card expandability as well as a USB port. Oh, it has a mirror, as well. For the minimalist that has to have everything, this is the bee's knees. [Navigadget]

BlueTouch is a touchscreen Bluetooth module that includes a keypad for easy dialing. You simply sync your phone with the BlueTouch. BlueTouch then syncs with your car's entertainment center. It can stream music from your phone or do all of the calling jazz, as well. It's available for $400, unfortunately. [BlueTouch via ChipChick]

You wear the RoadRunner Bluetooth Communicator around the neck, therefore the microphone can sit directly on your voice box and transmit noise directly from your larynx, which is capable of eliminating almost all ambient noise. It supports nine hours of talk time and includes a rechargeable battery. It's available for $80 or so from Pro-Idee. [RoadRunner Communicator via CrunchGear]

The HCB-150 includes a text-to-speech feature to audibly tell you who is calling. With most Bluetooth speakerphones, it will audibly ring, but you still have to look at your phone or the device to see who is calling, therefore taking your eyes off the road and risking injury. The HCB-150 will read you the name of whoever is calling, which is a huge convenience. Although you may want to think twice about the names you enter in your phone book. I would hate for the HCB-150 to say "Sugar Daddy Ray Wert is calling" when my parents are in my car. It will be available worldwide in the upcoming months. [Slashphone]

Including rechargeable batteries ensures that cables aren't dangling everywhere, obstructing vision. The battery life is rated at 15 hours of talk time and 22 hours of standby time. It's available for $100. And I hate to admit it, but in this case I am geeky enough to be excited about a visor-mounted Bluetooth speakerphone. [Product Page via Giz]

Anycom's gadget will join the rest of your automotive arsenal, suction cupped to the windshield. This one is a bit different from its brethren, however, because it's solar-powered, which is always convenient. Unless you do most of your driving in caves and tunnels. Then it could be pretty useless.

If you want to get all technical, the device includes echo- and noise-cancellation, as well as a digital signal processor for top notch clarity. The speaker is pretty loud. Three hours of sunlight will provide the device with 30 minutes of talk time. USB and DC adapters are provided to do supply some heavy-hitting, non-Al Gore-approved charging. It's available for $100 from Sharper Image. [Product Page via Geekalerts]

The device's cellphone envy knows no bounds. Naturally, it includes Bluetooth so your cellphone can link up with it and complete the union. The RK8200 will be available in March for $280. For that modest outlay, you also get a face that folds down to uncover a hidden compartment for gadgets and other stuff, like sandwiches and—YES!—cellphones. [CrunchGear]

Including a car charger allows for the headset to be removed before exiting the vehicle, for the sanity of everyone else in public. With the ability to charge in the car there is no need to leave it in your ear all hours of the day. My apologies to Plantronics for taking its new release and turning it into a rant against society. [Plantronics via AVING]

In a Q&A over at the GM FYI Blog, the lack-of-Bluetooth shenanigans were kicked to the curb. Phil Colley of GM Performance Parts was quoted saying:

...and we (General Motors) will offer the broadest rollout of Bluetooth in the industry by making it available on more than 30 models across all eight North American brands by the 2009 model year.

Well I'll be damn skippy. Now I can talk to ma through my cellulartelaphoney without having to endanger myself, others on the road or let OnStar tear my wallet a new one—oops! Thanks GM! [GM FYI Blog]

"Bluetooth capability will be a dealer-installed accessory for 2008 CTS models. There's a very simple "pack" that dealers install quickly and easily to enable this capability. We're investigating a more-comprehensive approach for subsequent years if consumer interest continues to grow in Bluetooth. But the CTS absolutely can support it for 2008. Stay tuned on this front. Cadillac will have some really interesting features to discuss later this summer that will be in the CTS right off the bat."

Answers! [Cadillac.GMBlogs.com]

Related:
FYI: GM 's Expansive Blog Empire; Blogging The Auto Bloggers: Chrysler's Firehouse Corplog; GM 's FastLane Blog , We Knew You Well? [internal]

Innovate Motorsports [innovatemotorsports.com]

Related:
Detroit Auto Show Preview: Ford And Microsoft Scheming, Making Plans — Doing The Bluetooth Thing? [Internal]

" will allow for hands-free cellphone communication and other wireless information transfers inside the car, including the ability to receive email and download music."

...it will "revolutionize the driving experience" — but we've yet to see proof of that. The system will be available starting in the Ford Focus and the Five Hundred first and then is expected to spread across the automaker's lineup. The WSJ's also claiming the system will be called "Sync," which means we're now assuming the release event will include a performance of n'Sync — with the part of Lance Bass played by Toby Keith. – Ray Wert

Ford Aims to Jazz Up Its Fleet With Microsoft Pact [WSJ]

Related:
Detroit Auto Show Preview: Ford And Microsoft Scheming, Making Plans — Doing The Bluetooth Thing? [internal]