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"I wrote many novels which … contained the element of the projected collective unconscious, which made them simply incomprehensible to anyone who read them, because they required the reader to accept my premise that each of us lives in a unique world."
- Philip K. Dick

Implanted Tranceiver  
  Device enables two-way communication with needing to carry a device.  

As a plot device, this functions very well. It allows a third person to participate in the encounters between two other characters. Note also that this is a subvocal input unit, as well.

Orne stood at an opposite port, studying the jungle horizon... The surgical scars on his neck where the micro-communications equipment had been inserted into his flesh itched maddeningly...

"Let's check that equipment the surgeons put in your neck."

Stetson put a hand to his own throat. His mouth remained closed, but a surf-hissing voice became audible to Orne, radiating from the implanted transceiver: "You read me, Orne? ...touch the mike contact. Keep your mouth closed. Just use your speaking muscles without speaking aloud."

Technovelgy from The Godmakers, by Frank Herbert.
Published by Berkley Medallion in 1972
Additional resources -

The idea of an implanted phone is used elsewhere (see the audio relay by Robert Heinlein). However, Herbert uses it as both surveillance as well as straightforward communications. Spying with the device sounds too sneaky for Heinlein.

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Additional resources:
  More Ideas and Technology from The Godmakers
  More Ideas and Technology by Frank Herbert
  Tech news articles related to The Godmakers
  Tech news articles related to works by Frank Herbert

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