The way I see it, pretty technology is always worth a blog post or two, and as Dory wrote earlier this month, there are several options for cell phone users looking to talk hands free. These handy devices are not just for those looking to abide by the law and avoid a ticket while driving. Hands free means you can quickly snatch your toddler if he tries to bolt down the sidewalk during an important work call. Hands free allows you to cook dinner and chat with your mother without getting a stiff neck, or knit a sweater while talking to an old friend.

I have been loathe to go hands free because until now I found most Bluetooth headsets to be an ugly accessory. Sure, I know plenty of women who use them regularly and they look perfectly fine, but the little earpieces just didn't seem to be my style. Last week that all changed when I received a new Bluetooth headset from Jawbone (retail $129.99).

Perhaps it's because the demo they sent matched perfectly with my new glasses. This little piece of tech (all 10 grams of it) actually looks quite fashionable. And its noise-elimination technology provides better voice quality in a smaller and more ergonomic package than the original award-winning Jawbone. It's simple to set up and easy to use, too. Two streamlined buttons are covered by an outside shield but activate with a touch. The best part was it took only 50 minutes to charge. Of course, after 35 minutes (or one call to your mother) you'll be left with just 80% power.

I made several hands-free calls this morning and everyone reported hearing me loud and clear. One friend asked, "If it's really that small, how does it pick up your voice so clearly?"

The answer is in Jawbone's NoiseAssassin technology. With a touch of a button, the device literally feels your speech with its patented Voice Activity Sensor (VAS). The headset uses the VAS to distinguish the sound of your voice from ambient noise with incredible accuracy and then uses proprietary algorithms to subtract the noise so only the sound of your voice comes through.

In other words, your boss won't hear your kids fighting in the back seat of your car. But don't just take my word for it. View some impressive video demos here.

According to the company, "the NoiseAssassin technology was originally developed for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, which creates and delivers breakthrough technology for the U.S. military. It is tested and designed to work in the toughest, most inhospitable terrain, when clear communication is critical, which means for the average user it is designed to perform everywhere."

So it's got to be good enough for any old Jane or Joe walking down a noisy city street. Which makes me wonder, is technology only about function? Or is form important to you, too?