Bluetooth is a wireless technology that has unified the wireless connectivity of many different types of devices, allowing synchronisation and interaction between devices over a short range and letting user create personal area networks for transferring data and more. In the UK most people will be familiar with Bluetooth because in recent years it has been integrated into virtually every mobile phone handset. We will talk a little about Bluetooth in the mobile phone market, but will also cover its uses in the world of the personal computer, and cover some of the issues that may arise when trying to set up and use Bluetooth on both platforms.
Bluetooth and Mobile Phones
Most people will have come into contact with Bluetooth technology on their own
mobile phones. Usually Bluetooth is used to send and receive files between one
or more handsets, and most phones with Bluetooth will allow you to configure
your own public Bluetooth profile. There are now also a variety of mobile
accessories which use Bluetooth to interact with mobile phone handsets in
different ways. For example you can purchase wireless headsets to allow hands
free calling when you are driving, and with some handsets offering Stereo
Bluetooth compatibility you can use wireless headphones to listen to your
favourite music without actually having to have a physical connection with the
phone. Because Bluetooth operates over radio frequencies there is no need for
two devices connected via Bluetooth to be in the line of site with each other,
as there was in the past when mobile devices used an infrared data transfer
solution. Bluetooth in a mobile environment isn`t just for swapping things with
mates, but has also been used by businesses as a way of giving information on
products and services to users who have Bluetooth turned on and are passing
through their place of business.
Bluetooth and Personal Computing
Bluetooth is also integrated into personal computing. Some laptops and PCs come
with a built in Bluetooth receiver and transmitter aimed at allowing the user to
connect any other Bluetooth compatible device to their PC, and you can buy USB
dongles which will turn any PC into a Bluetooth compatible machine. Once
Bluetooth devices can connect to your PC you can use it to transfer files,
pictures and videos from your mobile phone or connect to other accessories with
Bluetooth. The latest generation of games consoles have also begun to use
Bluetooth, with both the Nintendo Wii and the Playsation 3 using it in their
wireless controllers which in both cases has allowed for innovation in the
control scheme. You can even buy cordless Bluetooth telephones which are
integrated into a VoIP calling system, allowing you to make international calls to any
other user around the world who has a VoIP program like Skype installed.
Bluetooth`s low power consumption and growing popularity make it a brilliant
wireless solution that you should expect to see integrated into more and more
devices.