Bluetooth Technology

Bluetooth is best known as a wireless communication device which connects different pieces of electronic devices together to be interconnected over a short distance. The most common type of a Bluetooth is a wireless headset, printers, and even computers which all can communicate to send and receive messages. "Bluetooth uses radio waves (in the 2.4 Gigahertz range), and is designed to be a secure and inexpensive way of connecting and exchanging information between devices without wires." (1) Bluetooth feature now is a standard in any new cellphones, laptops, printers, and many other electronic devices. Bluetooth offers many advantages to consumers such as transferring files to and from your mobile cellphone, backup data files from your phone to your PC, and wireless means no cables and no messy wires to worry about. Bluetooth also offers similar services as Wifi, which both are radio technologies, but differ in frequencies making Wifi much faster. Some other devices that share similar characteristics as Bluetooth are garage opener, baby monitors, and even cordless house phones.

A Bluetooth device can connect simultaneously to eight different devices which is uses spread-spectrum frequency hopping to successfully not interfere with the other devices. When connecting the Bluetooth device the user does not have to click a button or a start up, it automatically connects once in range with the receiver. "When Bluetooth-capable devices come within range of one another, an electronic conversation takes place to determine whether they have data to share or whether one needs to control the other". (2)

Think of your portable GPS in your car as a type of Bluetooth device which connects wireless to satellites to receive the mapping information needed to perform its job. Not only is your GPS device connecting with other devices in comes within range of, the Bluetooth will help conserve lower battery consumption making your device last longer without being plugged in. " Then comes efficiency! Bluetooth uses low power signals, thus requiring less energy. Due to spread-spectrum frequency hopping, interference with other wireless devices is not a question at all". (3) Bluetooth was originally advertised as the wireless headset piece so you didn't need to hold your phone anymore to participate in conversations over the cellphone. This innovation was introduced to the consumer as "hands free" so you can drive in the car with two hands firmly gripping the steering wheel without any hesitation. Before drivers would struggle holding the cellphone while driving which resulted in many accidents. This technology was not only the advancement of wireless communication, but a safer way of talking on the cellphone while performing other activities.

1. Layton, Julia. "Bluetooth Explained - Information and Advice." File Save As. FileSaveAs.com, 01/2011. Web. 21 Jul 2011. <http://www.filesaveas.com/bluetooth.html>.

2. Franklin, Curt. "How Bluetooth Works." How Stuff Works. HowStuffWorks.com, 03/2011. Web. 21 Jul 2011. <http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/bluetooth2.htm>.

3. Oak, Manali. "How does Bluetooth Work." Intelligent Life on the web. Buzzle.com, 05/07/2010. Web. 21 Jul 2011. <http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-does-bluetooth-work.html>.