'Hands-Free' Players Await Demand Spurt

SAN FRANCISCO -- Forcing drivers to use hands-free devices for cell phones makes a lot of sense, but it also could make for great business.

As more states adopt the move to curb distracted driving by making use of hands-free communication devices mandatory, headset makers and Bluetooth chip suppliers expect to see a spike in demand.

Along with a host of smaller private companies, the move could mean a windfall for larger publicly listed players such as Plantronics(PLT Quote), which specializes in headsets, or Broadcom(BRCM Quote), which supplies Bluetooth chips. ...