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While relatively new to the ears of common consumers, Bluetooth technology has been around for several years and number of products that support this application grows year after year. Various technology-oriented companies advertise Bluetooth-enabled PDAs, laptops and mobile phones.

Bluetooth is a not-so-new technology that utilizes short-range radio connections, designed to take the place of cables that connect mobile or fixed electronic gadgets. Its main capabilities are low complexity, robustness, low power and low cost. Made to operate in noisy frequency places, the Bluetooth radio utilizes a fast acknowledgement and frequency hopping application to make a seamless connection.

Bluetooth radio modules move across at 2.4GHz, an unlicensed GSM band. The use of this frequency enables the technology avoid interference from other frequencies and signals. Bluetooth radio hops at a faster pace compared to other systems operating in the similar frequency level, as it uses shorter packets.

History of Bluetooth

The word Bluetooth can be traced to European history. The King of Denmark from 949 to 981 Harald Bluetooth was known for his unique ability to help people effectively communicate with each other. The reference to the king is appropriate for wireless communications technology. Characters on the Bluetooth logo come from the runic alphabet.

The basic definition based on BlueTooth.org indicates that it is a worldwide specification low-cost radio solution, small-form factor that enables direct communications between mobile phones, mobile computers, and other portable gadgets, and online connectivity.

Bluetooth gadgets operate on 2.4 GHz radio signals similar to many cordless telephones and 802.11 b/g wireless networking systems. However, Bluetooth has began to minimize interference and improve quality of transmission in response to almost excessive use of the frequency range in occupies. Interference problems have been greatly addressed in version 1.1 of the Bluetooth standard but these are not backward compatible to previous versions because of the considerable difference in hardware.

Bluetooth has a maximum transfer rate of 723 kbps and range of 20-100 meters or 65 to 125 feet. However, Bluetooth will unlikely become an alternative to wireless standards given its slower speed.

Bluetooth can be used in various applications ranging from PDAs, to laptops, to input devices, headphones and wireless printer adapters. Many laptops have a built in Bluetooth adapter that enables the gadget to seamlessly communicate with other Bluetooth-capable devices. USB Bluetooth adapters can be connected with many laptops and desktop system that do not have an onboard adapter.

Bluetooth also allows PDA’s to easily sync wirelessly and transfer data. Bluetooth is also useful in headphones particularly fro mobile phone communications and audio playback. A Bluetooth-enabled mobile headset can be used in combination with a Bluetooth enabled mobile phone, allowing the user to go hands and wire free.

Gadget manufacturers such as Logitech have products that are wireless because of Bluetooth technology. A Bluetooth mouse can be used in computers or both a keyboard and mouse. A key advantage of using a Bluetooth-enabled mouse and keyboard is range, as some can be used for as long as 30 feet.

Bluetooth printer adaptors are convenient to use in a typical network due to the elimination of wires. Printing can be done from any location inside an office.

The main roadblock for Bluetooth to be widely accepted is cost to implement. Currently, Bluetooth has not grown in terms of use as what technology pundits have hoped for. However, Bluetooth does offer a practical solution to many gadgets that could not have wireless connectivity without the technology.

Tags: bluetooth, bluetooth technology, wireless bluetoothbluetooth, bluetooth technology, wireless bluetooth

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The advances in technology in the past century have been extraordinary. From simple local communication abilities, to global, the world has been taking great strides in making technology a part of your daily life. The last few years have brought forth some truly unique technology, with the amount of wireless capabilities and products.

Bluetooth technology is by far at the front of the technological train. Bluetooth has changed the way we talk to people on phones from where we work. Some new products from Bluetooth have proved unique in that there are few like them.

Cell phones with bluetooth technology are completely wireless and compatible with your computer, PDA, Mp3 player, and now navigational system in your car. You no longer have to hold a phone and drive; the Bluetooth has allowed the phone to stay in your pocket as the car kit and phone become voice activated. If you would like to call someone you can simply speak the name and the phone will dial. You have the option of an earpiece and microphone or a system routed through your vehicles radio system. Whichever you choose this technology is sure to make talking on the phone much safer if you are driving.

Another interesting new technology with Bluetooth technology is the digital pen. The digital pen works with digital paper, writing just as you would with normal pens. You can simply write in your own handwriting on the digital paper and then place the pen in its home by your computer. The computer will upload the images from the pen right on to your computer. These pens may prove very handy for artists who would like to preserve some of the ideas they have without having to mess with a copier and scanner. The digital pen will also be useful for signature pages, you will not have to print and sign anymore, and you can sign the digital paper and upload on your computer with a touch of a button.

For navigational purposes there is nothing like the new product TomTom. This product has Bluetooth technology to give the most accurate directions available. With satellite navigation, it is currently in use in both Europe and North America. You can speak to the navigational system asking for directions to wherever you are going and TomTom will guide the way. No more time spent driving around lost or skipping the scenic route due to the chances of becoming lost. TomTom is so simple to use even a small child can operate it and get directions.

When you are in the market for new unique technological products Bluetooth has many to choose from. The advancement of wireless services is making life easier and more products accessible to people around the world.

Tags: bluetooth, car accessoriesbluetooth, car accessories

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You enter your office,your files, and images are transferred from your cell phone to your desk top wirelessly. The address books in your PC, cellphone and your desktop are synchronized wirelessly.You send photos from your cell phone to literally any receiver elsewhere in the world ,through a wireless connection to your laptop, you may even transfer info form your cell to your printer, without wires.

Such is the wireless world that is on us!

You sit in front of your wireless keyboard and click your wireless mouse.
Listen to a CD playing on the player in your notebook, while it is another room, play games all without any wires.

Imagine connecting up to 8 PCs without wires.

These are all made possible by Bluetooth Technology.

Bluetooth was developed during the last decade as a cutting edge open specification that enables short range wireless communication between PCs. handhelds, Personal Digital Assistants, mobile phones, digital cameras, printers, headsets and other computing and electronic devices

The name is taken from a 10th century Danish King…Harald Blatand or translated Harold Bluetooth.

Advantageous, because of its low cost and power consumption, Bluetooth operates on the 2.4 Ghz radio frequency, using a fast hopping spread technique. Simplistically, after receiving or sending data packets, it hops to a new channel, 1600 hops in one second, and there are 79 different channels.

Such fast cycling avoids interference from other signals, making the BlueTooth system more robust than others.

Beacuse it operates on radio waves, Bluetooth can operate through walls or from your briefcase, and does not need any directional sight for transmission, unlike infra-red, although infra-red may offer faster transmission.

The Bluetooth logo, is slowly becoming a part of everyday life.The logo program was designed to provide the industry with a mechanism to identify all Bluetooth enabled devices that meet Compliance and provide seamless operation and ease of use of enabled devices.

Over 3000 of the electronics companies including Sony-Ericcson, Hewlett-Packard, Nokia, Apple and Motorola have adopted the Bluetooth adopters agreement and are members of the Special Interest Group.
This group is commited to development and implememtaion of BlueTooth

The Technology at present provides a 10 meter personal bubble Or Personal Area Network that supports transmission of both voice and data from multiple devices. As mentioned up to 8 devices can be connected in a piconet. A piconet is only a collection of devices connected via BlueTooth Technology.

Up to 10 piconets may exist with the WPAN.

One of the bigger advantages of Bluetooth is the low power consumption, which is less than a few percent than that of of modern mobile phones, in fact, power consumption can be automatically modified as needed as Bluetooth devices can identify each other,and modify needed power consumption based on signal strength or traffic volumes.

Bluetooth will soon begin showing-up in the Automobile industry, as manufacturers implement hands-free technology.

The hands-free profile allows your vehicle to communicate with a mobile Bluetooth device that comes in the vicinity. Bluetooth and voice recognition can provide drivers with voice-activated access to voice-mail, email and other information.

It is also expected that diagnostic information may even be extracted from your car using Bluetooth.

As you approach your automobile, the mirrors are adjusted, seats are moved to preset position,the doors are unlocked, and the interior lights are turned on without you having to do anything.

As with any new and emerging technology, there are some obstacles to be overcome before full adaptation, however the pace is increasing.
Because the genesis of Bluetooth was to replace or eliminate cables, roaming features are not supported as in the 802.11b standard.
Some members of the SIG are interested in seeing an increase in speed, distance and bandwith, thus increasing the potential platforms and applications used in the PAN market.

Security, is one area, where a great deal of emphasis is being placed as the specification evolves.

Mobile phone manufacturerrs have developed software upgrades for phones that are susceptible to types of hacking such as bluesnarfing which occurs in older model telephones, where a connecting can be made and information accessed with the user’s knowledge, or Bluebugging or Blue jacking.

Devices are enable with 3 different security levels, the highest of which requires authentification and authorization before access is granted to any service available on the device.

Your mobile phone becomes useless if is lost because it can only be used by you.

Bluetooth has built-in encryption and authentication making it secure in any environment.

Another great feature, is the ability to switch to an undiscoverable mode, in which a device will not be identified.
It was expected that 670 million devices would be Bluetooth enabled,so the future is looking brighter

Bluetooth is now showing up in Washer-Dryer, Microwave ovens, and refrigerators.

Apple Computer is rumored to be working on the next generation of the sensational iPod, which may offer wireless capability, using BlueTooth.
The exciting possibiliy may allow downloading and listening to your player without touching any wires.

The possibilties are almost becoming almost unlimited, as new applications are developed daily, and the future may be indeed brighter and bluer.

To see some of the coolest Bluetooth devices visit http://www.eConsumershop.com

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Tags: bluetooth, consumer, devices, electronics, Technology, transfer, Wirelessbluetooth, consumer, devices, electronics, Technology, transfer, Wireless

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