New Voyager PRO+ and M100 Bluetooth Headsets and K100 In-Car Speakerphone Provide Compliance with the Law and Choice for Drivers
Plantronics, Inc. (NYSE: PLT), the world leader in personal audio
communications for almost 50 years, encourages Maryland drivers to
prepare for the hands-free driving law by educating themselves on the
new headset and in-car speakerphone options available and following a
set of simple safety tips. Effective Friday, October 1, Maryland will
ban the use of handheld mobile electronic devices including phones while
operating a motor vehicle unless a hands-free device is used.
Plantronics offers Maryland drivers a wide variety of products for
hands-free driving, including the new Plantronics Voyager® PRO+
Bluetooth® headset, M100™ Bluetooth headset and K100™ in-car
speakerphone.
The new law bans Maryland drivers from using handheld phones for
anything other than emergency calls with violators receiving a $40 fine
for a first offense and $100 fine for each subsequent offense.
Hands-free devices, such as headsets and in-car speakerphones, minimize
physical and visual distractions associated with talking on the phone
and driving by enabling motorists to keep both hands on the wheel and
both eyes on the road.
“As more states enact hands-free legislation, Plantronics continues to
develop a variety of hands-free products to fit a range of personal
styles and budgets while still providing the first-rate audio quality
consumers want,” said Elizabeth Bastiaanse Hamren, vice president of
Marketing at Plantronics. “Given that Maryland drivers have the second
longest commute time in the country*, we think they’ll especially
appreciate the award-winning performance, comfort and usability that our
products deliver.”
Today’s busy commuters often make calls on the road using a mobile phone
which can cause physical impairments while driving. With the use of a
headset or in-car speakerphone, coupled with voice commands, drivers can
continue to enjoy the convenience of talking in the car while never
having to look at their phones. Plantronics offers the following tips
for staying safe on the road and complying with the hands-free law:
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Try it out: Test your headset with your phone before you drive.
Familiarize yourself with the headset’s controls and voice commands
(if supported), and adjust the fit and volume. Make sure your headset
and phone are connected and store your phone so it is out of your way
but still accessible.
-
Get organized: Make sure frequently called numbers are
programmed into your phone. Most phones have voice-dialing; be sure to
use this feature so you can always keep both eyes on the road.
-
Set it up: Add headset preparation to your pre-driving
checklist. Buckle your seatbelt, check your rearview mirror, and put
on your headset and make sure it’s connected to your phone before you
drive.
-
Focus on the road: Always remember that driving safely is your
first priority. You should focus on the road and only place and
receive calls when it’s absolutely necessary.
Best-in-Class Bluetooth Solutions
The Plantronics Voyager PRO+ Bluetooth headset, a new version of the
award-winning Voyager PRO, combines advanced noise-canceling and wind
noise reduction technology to deliver rich, natural audio during
conversations. Voyager PRO+ also features a new online voice service,
Plantronics Vocalyst™, that helps drivers with convenient features and
capabilities, including text-to-speech, reminders, audio streaming, and
much more. Voyager PRO+ includes A2DP wireless streaming technology that
enables drivers to stream GPS directions from a mobile phone.
The Plantronics K100 Bluetooth in-car speakerphone offers a robust
combination of advanced audio technology, ease-of-use and enhanced
features for convenient, hands-free conversations in the car. The slim
K100 is designed to clip onto a car visor and allows users to broadcast
calls through the built-in speaker or onboard stereo system. Dual
microphones, noise reduction technology, voice alerts and large,
easy-to-locate buttons all work to provide clear conversations and an
easy calling experience. The Plantronics K100 delivers up to 17 hours of
talk time and 15 days of standby time.
The Plantronics M100 Bluetooth Headset is an ultra-slim, lightweight
headset that includes advanced technology to deliver clear and natural
audio. One of the industry’s slimmest headsets — the device measures
only 8mm thin — the M100 also delivers outstanding audio performance by
incorporating dual microphones, wind-noise reduction and Digital Signal
Processing (DSP) technology.
Pricing and Availability
The Plantronics Voyager PRO Bluetooth headset ($99.99 ESP), K100 in-car
speakerphone ($79.99 ESP) and M100 Bluetooth headset ($79.99 ESP) are
available today at www.plantronics.com
and Best Buy stores in Maryland and surrounding areas. The Plantronics
Voyager PRO+ with the Vocalyst service will be available online and in
wireless carriers and retailers in October. To learn more about the
headsets and see a complete listing of Plantronics’ hands-free products,
please visit: www.plantronics.com.
Plantronics recognizes that there are occasions when driving
circumstances make talking on a mobile phone - handheld or hands-free -
unsafe. In these instances, motorists should pull over or hang up to
protect the safety of themselves, their passengers and others on the
road.
About Plantronics
Plantronics is a world leader in personal audio communications for
professionals and consumers. From unified communication solutions to
Bluetooth headsets, Plantronics delivers unparalleled audio experiences
and quality that reflect our nearly 50 years of innovation and customer
commitment. Plantronics is used by every company in the Fortune 100 and
is the headset of choice for air traffic control, 911 dispatch and the
New York Stock Exchange. For more information, please visit www.plantronics.com
or call (800) 544-4660.
*Census
2000, Maryland Department of Planning
Plantronics, Plantronics Voyager, K100, M100 and Vocalyst are trademarks
or registered trademarks of Plantronics, Inc. The Bluetooth word mark
and logos are registered trademarks of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use
of such marks by Plantronics is under license. All other trademarks are
property of their respective owners.
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