A Bluetooth headset can be very helpful for many reasons, especially if you have one of those newfangled giant, “phablet” phones, as I do. With the push of a button on most Bluetooth headsets, one can initiate a compatible phone’s voice commands to dial a number, send a text, and answer a call.
But what do you do if you cannot push the button due to a disability such as quadriplegia?
The NoButtonsHeadset could be your solution! This is a standard BlueAnt Q2 Bluetooth Headset that has been adapted with a magnet proximity switch where the button used to be. To activate it, one simply sweeps the headset near another magnet of any type mounted to a standard wheelchair mount or Velcroed to a shirt collar. Once activated, the headset wakes up and greets you with, “Say a Command”. You say, “Phone Commands,” and it will activate your basic or smart phone’s built-in voice commands.
At this point, what you can do is based on the type of phone you have, and what its built-in voice commands allow you to do. When using my Samsung Galaxy Note 2, I was able to make and receive calls, create and send texts, create memos and calendar entries, check my schedule, open the camera and take pictures, and many more activities….. all by voice. See here for more of what Samsung’s S-Voice can do.
The NoButtonsHeadset was originally created by a man for his son who was injured in an accident. You can see him in a video here using an older version of the NoButtonsHeadset. You will note it takes him a few seconds to activate the older headset where the new one I used in the video below, requires just a quick pass by the magnet. In addition to your particular phone’s voice commands, the headset itself has commands including, “Call Back”, “Cancel”, “Check Battery”, “Redial”, and More.
In all my trials with this device, it worked very well and consistently, as you can see in the video below. So if you are looking for a way to control a cell phone hands-free, this headset is definitely worth a shot!
We have the NoButtonsHeadset in our IPAT Equipment Loan Library, available for short-term loan, so you can try before you buy from the company Please call 1-800-895-4728 or email ipatloan@ndipat.org for more information.
Thanks for that information Jeannie.
Hi!
I have a question. You can turn the Q2 on by simply sweeping the headset near another magnet of any type mounted to a standard wheelchair mount. Once it is activated you can give your telephone a command sucha as: “Cal…..” and your telephone will perform the command. How can you hang up a telephone call? Is the conversation over if yoy turn the blueant Q2 off? I mean, in order to hang up you have to sweep the headset near a magnet the same way you do in order to turn it on and this means the conversation is ended?
Thanks a lot!
Paola
Hello, Paola! Yes, in my experience, any magnet will do. To engage your headset, sweep the magnet, and perform your commands (i.e. make a call) and then sweep the magnet again and it will hang up-just as other headsets do when you physically push the button. They do have a new model now that I do not have access to as of yet, so for specific questions I would contact them. Hope this helps-Jeannie
Both my husband and I have the No Buttons headsets – and they are FABULOUS! We even sent one to my sister as a gift. Here are our uses – (1) my sister has a fairly severe tremor and has difficulty accurately pushing buttons on a phone or tablet, so this works great for her; (2) my husband lost the use of his extremities due to disease, so the No Buttons has finally returned a great deal of his privacy and independence; and (3) I bought mine so I could understand the technology that my husband was using, but I’ve found it terrific to use while driving, cooking, and using my hands for all kinds of other things. The developer, Darrell, is an amazing man, and we are all lucky that he is willing to share his technology with the rest of the world. And, yes, to end a phone call, simply pass the No Buttons past the magnet. And, also yes, any magnet with work.
Thanks for the great input, Nancy!
How do you keep the headset charged? A disabled person may not be able to connect a power lead and I’m not sure having the headset connected to a power source continuously is a safe option.
Hello and thanks for the comment. The majority of people that we would and have recommended this headset for all have care staff who come to their home for at least some portion of the day. They plug in the headset and phone to charge, as well as, provide help putting the headset on the individual. The charging process is just one more characteristic to think about when selecting assistive technology for someone. Let us know if you have any other questions. The company is also very helpful in answering any questions you might have.
Hello, is this device available in Australia? it sounds perfect for me as a quad
Hello Matthew, I would contact the company http://nobuttonsheadset.com/ sales@nobuttonsheadset.com
I see that they make a new version now that may work even better for you. Good luck to you! Jeannie