A Dummies Guide To Bluetooth Technology

Bluetooth technology has become ubiquitous with around 75% of consumers indicating they're familiar with the technology

. An increasing number of devices, the latest being a range of Bluetooth-enabled white goods (refrigerators, freezers etc.), are now using this technology and people want to understand what it is.

Basically, it is a wireless connection technology that enables electronic devices to be interconnected without cables. Typical applications include the interconnection of mobile phones, portable digital assistants (PDAs) laptops and digital cameras.

Many of these devices can automatically establish data connections when they are within range of one another. Once connected data can be transferred from one device to the other. For example, a data connection like this might be used to synchronise a mobile phone with a laptop, or transfer images from a camera to a computer. A key feature of this interconnection technology is that it doesn't necessarily require that you request the connection, which is then established automatically. Mobile phones can connect to one another and exchange business cards easily or you could use your mobile phone as a wireless modem enabling internet connection from your laptop computer.

One of the most common applications of Bluetooth is to interconnect a mobile phone with a wireless head-set allowing hands-free cell-phone operation. This has made an enormous contribution to road safety allowing drivers to safely use their phones while remaining in control of their vehicles.

Bluetooth uses radio communications in the 2.4 Gigahertz band. The maximum communications distance can be up to around 100 metres, but reliable connection usually requires that devices are much closer together.

The basic technology was originally developed back in 1994 by telecommunications giants Ericsson. The name was derived from a tenth century Viking king called Harald 'Bluetooth' Blatand. He was famous for helping people to communicate and is well known for having united warring factions in Denmark and Norway. This modern technology now helps people to communicate wirelessly.

Bluetooth is often muddled with wi-fi technology but they are different. While both are wireless connection technologies that use radio communications they operate in different radio frequency bands, use different communications protocols and different output power levels.

There have been reports that Bluetooth technology is not secure, but this is often due to owners not securing their devices with a sensible pass-code. Certain mobile phones are known to have had vulnerabilities that allowed others to gain access to their phones and transfer data. But issues like this are rare.

The future for this increasingly popular wireless connection technology looks very positive with many devices now providing support. For example, many of today's automobiles now come with integral Bluetooth technology, allowing MP3 devices to connect directly to the car sound system. Some cars will automatically connect with the driver's mobile phone enabling them to control their telephones by voice or using controls built into the driver's control panel.

Some of the latest devices to sport Bluetooth connection capability are kitchen appliances. Washing machines, refrigerators and micro-wave ovens can be controlled from a central controller, with no wires and easy setup. As yet the popularity of these devices hasn't really taken off, but these are just a taste of what the future holds for centrally controlled and monitored household devices.

by: Rex Swain

POST COMMENT

Chemical Analysis In Science And In Nature Drishti Becomes Communication Technology Partner To Wlci Face Lift Techniques: An Overview Meditation And The Brain: A New Frontier In Science Taking A Closer Look At Ion Analysis Techniques Saving Isnt Rocket Science What To Expect On The Natural Sciences Clep Exam The Big Contribution Of Wireless Technology To Information Backed By Science, Rhythmic Bioidentical Hormones Reverse Osteoporosis Nlp Techniques For Confidence: 3 Powerful Nlp Techniques To Skyrocket Your Confidence The Science of Arthritis by:Adam Waxler "Got Milk?" Science Discovers More Than MILK Just Doin' The Body Good by:Bonnie Fronek The Science Of Being Well - Wallace Wattles Book Review by:Dr. Laurence Magne