Phablets are fabulous. But they're awfully large objects to be constantly pulling out of purses, backpacks and pockets. As we embrace giant smartphones for their big, beautiful screens, we'll have to find new ways to cope with the absurdity of holding enormous devices up to the sides of our heads when we want to talk on the phone.
Some people will just endure the absurdity and use a 7-in. phablet like it was a normal phone. Others will rekindle their love of in-ear Bluetooth headsets. Still others will gravitate toward microphone-equipped earbuds. Some wearable devices will help as well -- gadgets like Google Glass and some of the upcoming smartwatches will let you make calls without taking out your phablet.
But there's another way: Bluetooth handsets.
Wait. What's a 'Bluetooth handset'?
A Bluetooth handset is a small phone-like gadget that works like a phone, but actually uses Bluetooth to receive, and sometimes place, calls through your regular smartphone, phablet or tablet.
Sure, you may look a bit like Zoolander, using a conspicuously tiny "phone." But using a Bluetooth handset is better than holding that giant phablet to your ear. And Bluetooth handsets are far more acceptable in formal business settings than any of the alternatives.
At a minimum, this newish category of device enables you to answer phone calls without taking your smartphone out of your purse, backpack, briefcase or pocket; you can even use a Bluetooth handset if you're on the other side of the room (up to 33 feet away) from your phone. And some of them let you do a lot more than that.
Here's what's available from Sony, HTC, Samsung and Alcatel.
Sony
Sony recently launched a product awkwardly named the Smart Bluetooth Handset SBH52. The device is about the size of a Pez dispenser and has on/off and volume controls on the skinny edges. A low-resolution OLED display shows you caller ID information, text messages and other notifications. It's got a clip, so you can clip it to your shirt, pocket or workout clothes.
The SBH52 can pair with any major smartphone via Bluetooth, according to Sony -- in fact, the company says it can connect to two at the same time -- and let you answer phone calls, listen to music and listen to FM radio (built in). You can use it like a regular handset, plug in earbuds or use it as a speakerphone.
The SBH52 uses HD Voice, and Sony claims it offers super high-quality sound. It's also water-resistant, according to Sony.
You pair it via NFC (near field communication) with Sony's newer phones and phablets by simply tapping it against the phone.
The Sony SBH52 is shipping in Asia and Europe and should arrive in the U.S. soon.
HTC
HTC offers the most phone-like and feature-rich device in this category. The new HTC Mini+ has a full numeric keypad, so you can use it to dial out in addition to receiving calls.
I think the HTC Mini+ looks really cool, too. The body is brushed aluminum and the buttons are round and appealing. It's even got a small, 1.5-in. screen with two rows of icons.
The HTC Mini+ has an IR blaster and can also be programmed as a TV remote, a remote camera shutter or even as a PowerPoint slide controller. It's even got a laser pointer built in.