Plantronics Filling Bluetooth Demand; Unveils Cell Phone Gear; The short-range wireless technology may be boon for No. 1 headset maker.(INTERNET & TECHNOLOGY)

Byline: PATRICK SEITZ

Cell phone headsets using Bluetooth short-range wireless technology until now have been mostly for geeks. They're big and bulky and look like something only Lt. Uhura from "Star Trek" would wear.

But new headsets on the way from Plantronics could push the cordless devices into the mainstream. They're small, lightweight and fashionable.

Plantronics, a company best known for supplying headsets for call center operators, says the time is right to make a big consumer push with Bluetooth headsets.

Bluetooth-enabled cell phones are becoming much more common. Plus, drivers are interested in headsets for safety or to comply with the law in some states.

Plantronics and rivals such as GN Mobile and Logitech International are starting to fight for consumer "mind share" related to Bluetooth headsets, says Alex Slawsby, an analyst with International Data Corp.

"It's still somewhat early," said Slawsby. "As more and more consumers warm up to the idea of Bluetooth, then it's a huge opportunity these companies are clearly angling for."