Fed up with my Motorola earpiece, 3 years ago I began investigating new devices and decided the Jawbone headset was most likely the best on the market. I bought a snazzy little red number and have been delighted with it. It truly blocked out noise. I was once standing in the middle of a casino in Reno when an appraiser called me -- bells, chimes, clanging -- and we could both hear each other; the sound was crystal clear. But 3 years is a long time, and Jawbone has made exciting advances. So, I bought new Jawbone yesterday.
The new generation of Jawbone is much smaller. Plus, it comes with more choices in earbuds and earloops. One of the earloops is padded for comfort. The fit on my ear is more secure, too. I love this contraption to pieces.
What I didn't expect, though, was to receive Jawbone's literature titled, "Important Safety Information." The only reason to write a pamphlet like this, of course, is to prevent more lawsuits or complaints from consumers. Evidently, some consumers experienced problems . . .
To ensure its useful life, here are the top 10 things that Jawbone says you should avoid doing:
- Do not wear your Jawbone while bathing or swimming
- Do not microwave your Jawbone
- Do not shred your Jawbone
- Do not toss your Jawbone into a burning fire because it could explode
- Do not disassemble your Jawbone
- Do not stomp on your Jawbone nor drive your car over it
- Do not insert coat hangers or paperclips into your Jawbone
- Do not let your children swallow the Jawbone
- Do not drop your Jawbone into the toilet
- Do not wear your Jawbone while driving because you may kill yourself.
That last one grabbed my attention as most people -- especially in California where it is unlawful to hold your cellphone while driving -- are buying earpieces as an alternative. But I guess we all know that people shouldn't try to walk and chew gum at the same time.
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Elizabeth Weintraub is an author, home buying columnist for The New York Times-owned About.com, a Land Park resident, and a Land Park real estate agent who specializes in older, classic homes in Land Park, Curtis Park, Midtown and East Sacramento. Weintraub is also a Sacramento Short Sale agent who lists and successfully sells short sales throughout the four-county Sacramento area. Call Elizabeth Weintraub at 916.233.6759. Put 35 years of real estate experience to work for you. Broker-Associate at Lyon Real Estate. DRE License # 00697006.
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Elizabeth, The warnings on so much of our packaging goes beyond the ridiculous but when someone can win millions of dollars for spilling hot coffee on themselves, I guess they are necessary.
He he he. I just (still) can't believe the warnings on simple devices. People must have actually done ALL those (stupid) things. I can't really believe, though, that anyone would even TRY to refrain from doing the last activity on the list. That's why we buy 'em, right?
Elizabeth
All those warnings. I have more cadmium in my ear than anyone on Earth from my cell phone. Wait a minute; maybe that's why my ears glow at night?
Sincerely
Tom Braatz
Hi Barb: Sue happy people cause this stuff.
Ah, but Lisa, Jawbone says we should pull over to the side of the road to make a phone call. :)
Hi Tom: I think there is something in the literature about not wearing your Jawbone for extended periods of time. Like, what's extended? 10 hours? 20 hours?
Elizabeth- this list made me think of a clip I saw on the news yesterday. I'm sure the folks at Jawbone have met this guy and therefore think the warnings are needed. As always you entertained me today. :)
Elizabeth - LOL! How about: "Do not wear while talking on the phone..." :)
Elizabeth - I forgot to ask how small it was. I'd like one that isn't as visible as the one I've got. :)
I thought we all warmed our headsets up in the microwave every morning good to know I better quit that.
gotta love those warnings! And my husband just mentioned today that I should find an earpiece that works under water so I can take a call while swimming!
I think I need a jawbone. I'm feeling too much heat from my phone at my ear and it makes my hair wopsided!
Pretty funny, Tammy, and yes, Krista, please, do not go swimming while wearing your headset.
Everybody else: don't take a shower, either! That means YOU, Barbara.
Elizabeth, That list could be used for all our techno gadgets and any other appliances. Shucks, I can't wear it in the shower?
On a similar note.....I love the warning on the package of peanuts. "Warning: may contain peanuts'.
Gotta love it! I need a new headset, but ... err ... maybe I should keep looking until I find one that allows me to make a call, whadya think? (wish I could find one that wouldn't keep resetting my Treo, too)
Hi Elizabeth!
I would like to think that they are posting these warnings "tongue in cheek", but I have a feeling people really are that dumb sometimes! I think the driving thing is a CYA. Funny though!
Elizabeth,
Hilarious list and can you believe how ridiculous disclaimers have now become? Thanks for the post and I will make sure to apply these rules to my Blackberry use as well, love the microwave bit,LOL! Take care and happy blogging!
Your headline caught my attention because I couldn't fathom what in the world you were referring to! I guess you just can' ever be too safe!
It must be my petite ears....(The only part of me that IS petite) that Cell bling drives me nuts...I had a blue tooth and just couldn't do it...the microwave seems like an appropriate place for it !
Margaret and Paula: You'd like to think that they're being funny with this list, but they are not. People are that stupid. And to compensate, they sue: "But your honor, I didn't think a bag of peanuts would actually contain any peanuts, and now my kid is dead."
Sally: You should try a Jawbone. It comes with a half dozen little earbuds to make a custom fit.
Elizabeth,
I am thinking it is time for me to get one too! Love the warnings...that is so funny!
Hey Debi: Sorry, I meant to answer your question and got sidetracked. The new Jawbone is very small. It's diminished by half. And the earloop is much smaller too. Looking at the old Jawbone, it seems, well, ancient and barbaric -- yet it was the coolest thing ever THEN! And that was only 3 years ago. Trust me, you will love, love, love the new Jawbone! It's only 130 bucks. Go get one. (and no, I do NOT own stock in Alphi.)