Microtransmitter telephones

Although microtransmitters are not yet functionable with both talking and listening capabilities like a phone, there is technology that makes headway towards such a device becoming a reality very soon.

Already on the market is a hands free cord that attaches to a cell phone and allows an earpiece to also serve as a microphone. The internal microphone that is built into the earpiece uses the vibration of the ear and jawbone while speaking to pick up the user's voice with perfect clarity. Conventional ear bud microphones hang low past the jawbone, picking up more background noise.

Another phone being researched won't even need a device in the ear. Japan's NTT DoCoMo's Media Computing Lab is currently developing a wearable wireless phone that consists only of a wristband. The phone, called the "Whisper," because it vibrates rather than rings, contains a tiny microphone the wearer speaks into. The wristband also contains a device that converts voice into vibrations that travel through the hand, the finger and into the ear canal. To answer incoming calls, the wearer taps the index finger and thumb, and then sticks a finger in one ear to hear the person on the other line. The Japanese telecom giant hopes to release the phone in 2005.

Jack Bauer used a Microtransmitter Telephone to stay in touch with Ira Gaines during Day 1.

- From Fox's Official 24 Website