How To: Use Bluetooth Technology

What is Bluetooth?
Essentially, bluetooth is a technology that allows you to create wireless personal area networks. Using radio frequencies, you can access multiple devices within approximately a 30-foot radius.

You might be thinking it's a lot like the popular Wi-Fi system, but the latter is much faster and more expensive, as it covers a wider area and requires more sophisticated hardware. In fact, Wi-Fi can replace a local area network, whereas bluetooth is only a personal area network.

The word "bluetooth" comes from the Danish king Harald Blatand (known as Harold Bluetooth in English), who was famous for uniting Denmark and Norway, and bringing Christianity to Scandinavia more than a thousand years ago. Since bluetooth technology unifies electronic devices, the comparison is suitable.

With the component cost being low and bluetooth being strong and easy to operate, this low-power technology has a very bright future. In fact, industry insiders expect that one billion bluetooth products will be on the market by the end of 2005.what can bluetooth do for you?Specifically, bluetooth connects devices such as digital cameras, personal digital assistants, printers, fax machines, mobile phones, laptops, and PCs together. The magic of bluetooth is that it simultaneously handles both voice and data transmissions.

Specific Uses:
For instance, you can use your phone or PDA to consult databases located in your laptop, or even to print documents. You can use your MP3 player around the house to listen to music stored on your PC.

Recently, car manufacturers such as BMW, Lexus and Toyota have equipped some of their models with bluetooth car kits. This allows you to use the features of your cell phone through the car's audio system while the phone itself is stored away in the trunk, for instance.specific usesSynchronization: You know about this feature; you've been using it for years with your PDA. But this synchronization technique requires a docking station or line of sight for the infrared signals. With bluetooth technology, you can send information such as your phonebook, calendar and messages from your PDA to all your other gadgets.

File transfer: If you've taken a picture with your mobile phone and want to transfer it to your PDA, you only have to press a few buttons to do so. Also, you can use the same device to browse documents on another gadget.

Multi-use telephone: First, you need to purchase a special bluetooth headset, which will allow you to use your phone three different ways. You'll be able to receive calls that you get on your regular phone line, just like a cordless phone. Also, you can use the headset to communicate with other phones in the house, like an intercom or walkie-talkie. Finally, you'll be able to receive calls that you get on your mobile phone.

Required Equipment
Since bluetooth is an industry standard, you don't need any special equipment to use this technology. All you have to do is make sure the new devices you buy are bluetooth compatible, which shouldn't be a problem since all leading manufacturers are bluetooth technology partners. These gizmos -- and there are now hundreds -- have a special $5 (U.S.) chip, which makes radio transmissions possible.

Still, to get the most out of bluetooth, you'll need to buy a special headset, which retails at less than $100. Furthermore, if you intend to include your PC, laptop or PDA in your personal area network, you'll need a bluetooth wireless card, also available for about $130.

How to use bluetooth
Each device comes with software to configure bluetooth to share data by implementing specific profiles. These profiles (each device may have one or more) will determine what type of information or resources the device can share.

For example, a mobile phone will have the "Business Card" exchange server and client profile, as well as a "Headset" client profile. On the other hand, a headset will only have the "Headset" server profile. It all depends on the device and what it's typically used for. However, computers can have all available profiles to perform a variety of tasks.

Getting started
When you get two new bluetooth compatible devices, you first need to "introduce" them to each other before they can share data. This is called pairing and it authorizes the devices to communicate with each other. This only needs to be done the first time.

For instance, you may want to pair your PDA with your mobile phone. Just follow the simple instructions in your manual and you'll be able to configure your PDA as a "Dial Up" device. This means that, from now on, you'll be able to use your PDA to go on the Internet, provided you have that option on your phone.

The advantage is that you won't need physical access to your phone. Even better, you can configure your PDA to use your home's faster Internet connection. After installation on your PC, a virtual Ethernet adapter will be created. Have your PDA connect to Internet Connection Sharing and you'll be surfing.

Repeat this process with each of your devices and you'll basically be able to have access to all your data from any device. Remember: the devices need to be within approximately 30 feet of each other.

Information on bluetooth
The radio frequency that bluetooth operates on is usually 2.45 gigahertz (it ranges from about 2.40 to 2.48). This is a rather low frequency, which explains the limited range. Nevertheless, because it uses radio signals, the walls in your home will not impede a bluetooth network. Also, it makes controlling devices in different rooms very easy.

In fact, a bluetooth gadget can simultaneously control up to seven other devices, although only one connection can be active at the time. Such a network involving a master and its "slaves" is called a piconet .

It's possible to configure the devices to have password-protected connections to prevent people from sneaking into your communications. Also, devices can be set up to constantly announce their presence to nearby devices, so that connections can be automatically established.

Security issues
This new type of networking raises security-related concerns. In 2004, a group of researchers experimented with a virus transmitted through mobile phones. While this wasn't a genuine cyber-attack, they demonstrated that it's theoretically possible that one might occur.

In addition, an experiment with directional antennae extended the range of bluetooth devices to one mile. This technique, called "bluetooth sniping," could let hackers attack vulnerable devices from farther than expected.

Similarly, there's a new phenomenon called "bluejacking," which consists of people sending unsolicited messages to your bluetooth device. Fortunately, there's no actual hijacking involved; your personal information cannot be stolen and you always remain in control of your own device.

Total synergy
Interest in bluetooth technology is at an all-time high. Manufacturers are constantly finding new ways to use it. It shouldn't be long until your refrigerator can notify you that it's low on beer. In the meantime, the greatest potential bluetooth has is using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoiP). With calls coming through the computer, bluetooth offers a reliable cordless network.