Bluetooth Technology: Hype Or A Glimpse Into The Future

Although the average consumer has only recently begun to discover the joys of Bluetooth technology, it has been around for quite a while now. The fact that it has been around means that there are quite a few products that are now able to support and utilize this technology and those numbers are growing each year. Currently you can find many Bluetooth supported laptops, cell phones, and PDAs.

The recently discovered technology that Bluetooth offers uses short range radio signals in order to replace wires and cables that were once required to transfer information from one device to another. The most hallowed capabilities of this technology is its use friendly lack of complexity, its ability to hold a true connection without constant interruptions, its lower power consumption, and its affordability. Bluetooth was made to operate in areas where 'noisy' frequencies often prevent other wireless connections to flourish. Bluetooth uses a fast acknowledgement and 'frequency hopping' application in order to maintain a smooth connection.

Bluetooth radio frequencies move at 2.4 GHz, which requires no licensing in order to use. Using this particular frequency allows the avoidance of interruptions from other frequencies and signals. Bluetooth radio also moves much more quickly than other similar systems because it utilizes shorter packets.

History of Bluetooth

Bluetooth can be traced to the King of Denmark from 949 to 981. Harold Bluetooth was famous for his ability to help people communicate with one another more effectively. The characters on the Bluetooth logo come from characters in the runic alphabet. The reference to this particular king is somehow appropriate as Bluetooth technology also accomplishes the often-difficult task of keeping people connected and communicating effectively.

Bluetooth.org defines Bluetooth as a worldwide specification low cost radio solution. This small factor enables the communication of mobile devices with one another.

Bluetooth operates by using 2.4 GHz radio signals that are very similar to those used in many cordless home phones and wireless networking systems. Bluetooth has found a manner in which to limit interference while improving the quality of the transmission because of its heavy reliance on this frequency range. Bluetooth version 1.1 has made leaps and bounds in progress and as a result is not backwards compatible with previous versions.

The maximum rate at which Bluetooth can transfer data is 723 kbps and a range of anywhere from 60 to 120 feet. Bluetooth can be used for a wide variety of applications. Some of the more common current applications include laptops, PDAs, headphones, and printer adapters. Many laptops have Bluetooth adapters built in so that the laptop can easily communicate with other Bluetooth enabled devices. You can also use many USB adaptors in order to communicate with devices that are not graced with a Bluetooth adaptor.

Another great benefit of Bluetooth is the fact that it allows PDAs to easily sync wirelessly as well as to transfer data. Bluetooth is useful in headphones for cell phones in particular to allow hands free, wireless cell phone communication while driving, working, or performing any number of tasks that require the use of your hands.

Many new gadgets are wireless through the technologies that Bluetooth has introduced. A Bluetooth mouse and/or keyboard can be used at a distance of up to 30 feet for those who need to be farther ways from the computer. Bluetooth printer adaptors are particularly useful as they allow multiple users in a network to share printer access without a snake pit of wires to really confuse things.

While Bluetooth is inexpensive to use, the main reason it isn't more widely used is the initial costs required to implement this technology. The initial costs of installing a Bluetooth system are somewhat prohibitive and most companies aren't prepared to make this sort of investment in emerging technology.