An obscure dental hygiene issue? Something you've heard a friend talk about on their mobile? CNET.com.au explains Bluetooth, what to be aware of when buying Bluetooth products, and what to expect in the future.
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology used today for connecting and transferring information between devices such as mobile phones, laptops, PCs, PDAs, printers, digital cameras, mice and keyboards.
As different devices use different cables and plugs to connect to other devices, it can be tricky to move data around -- most phones have a unique, proprietary port to serve as an interface, for example. Bluetooth defines wireless standards that allow data to be transferred between such devices securely, easily and, of course, free of cables.
In the wireless world, Bluetooth is a snail: home Wi-Fi networks and wireless hotspots are almost 20 times faster. With the latest incarnation of Bluetooth (version 2.0), devices must be within about 15 metres of each other to connect, and achieve data transfer speeds up to 2 or 3Mbps (megabits per second) -- real world experiences are usually half of this. Expect an average-length song to transfer from a Bluetooth-capable laptop to a phone with Bluetooth in a minute; pictures or ring tones take about 10 seconds.
If you have Bluetooth on your phone but not on your PC, you can pick up a Bluetooth USB adaptor or "dongle", for under AU$30.
Although different products support different standards of Bluetooth (version 1.0, 1.1, 2.0), they are backwards compatible -- a Bluetooth 2.0 phone will connect to a Bluetooth 1.0 hands-free headset, for example. Confusing matters further, there are different Bluetooth profiles that a device must support if it is to work as intended.
Say you want to stream music from your phone to a pair of Bluetooth stereo headphones. In this case, both devices must support the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP). For car kits, you'll need the Hands-Free Profile (HFP); Bluetooth mice, keyboards and joysticks utilise the Human Interface Device Profile (HID). Before buying a Bluetooth device, check to see that it supports all the profiles you need.
Although Bluetooth has already become a standard inclusion on most mobile phones, laptops and PDAs, expect to see many more devices around the home adopt the technology once the next generation of the standard is finalised by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, a specialised industry body that oversees Bluetooth development.
This new version of Bluetooth, due in 2007 or 2008, will meet the high-speed demands of transferring large amounts of data, and is expected to enable high-quality video and audio applications for portable devices, projectors, TVs and wireless VoIP.
And for those wondering why on earth it's called Bluetooth, here is the reasoning on Wikipedia:
The name Bluetooth is derived from the cognomen of a 10th century king of Denmark, Harald Bluetooth. According to the inventors of the Bluetooth technology, Harald engaged in diplomacy which led warring parties to negotiate with each other, making Bluetooth a fitting name for their technology, which allows different devices to talk to each other. The name of the king in Danish was Harald Blåtand and the Bluetooth logo is based on the H and B runes.
Do you use Bluetooth? What do you use it for? Would you like to know more about how to use Bluetooth? Send your feedback to cnet@cnet.com.au or leave a comment below.
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Phil
04/08/2006 12:30 PM
It should be pointed out that despite the misinformation given by the Communications world today, Bluetooth 2 does NOT provide stereo Bluetooth. I spent almost 2 grand with the local Telstra Shop who suggested I buy an Imate Jamin, IHF 1000 bluetooth car kit and X5 Bluetooth Stereo Headphones only to find out later that if the unit was not compatible with Bluetooth A2DP, thus I have NO stereo Bluetooth. So much for the accessories. I took the unit back to the Adelaide Telstra Shop and they simply told me it was not their problem because they were told it was stereo bluetooth. They suggested I take it up with IMATE. Needless to say, I simply left it there and walked out. This is a big issue when they sell devices as converged technologies that do everything better. In my experience, the Jamin did nothing better and failed to perform as promised.
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ach
18/05/2007 04:08 PM
whats the difference between stero and normal bluetooth?
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Laurel Higgins
21/05/2007 05:52 PM
Bluetooth have been sending me messages on my Optus Nokia prepaid mobile and I wish it to cease please as my credit of $30 has diminished in just one week and I cannot afford this. My mobile no. is 0432632781 and I only use it for emergencies as I am a middle aged novice where mobiles are concerned. Please help by stopping these messages for me. Thanks. Laurel.
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nel
23/05/2007 05:11 PM
recently i purchased a dongle for my laptop but my aptop says i should install the device with th cd that goes with it but it still doesnt work by the way my os is a microsoft vista, will you help me with the software requirement for it thanks
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yamah
22/08/2007 05:24 PM
how do u down load bluetooth to your phone
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Fred
26/11/2007 08:38 PM
I recently purchased a 07 Toyota Prado. Part of the sales pitch was that it had Blue Tooth set up incorporated in the radio. After many fruitless hours I now discover the the unit only works with older mobiles and will not operate with phones usiing Telstra Next G network. On contacting Toyota their only comment was that phone systems change and they can't keep up with all the new systems. A bit of forward planning by Toyota would not have gone astray, or perhaps the just don't care as long as they sell cars. Looks like Toyota have taken me and no doubt many others for a ride. Incidently my mobile is a Motorazr max v6 3g, and is about fifteen months old.
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eshiae
13/12/2007 08:33 AM
i have a new boost mobile phone how do i bluetooth ringtones to my phone...
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Ian Van Lathum
21/03/2008 09:17 AM
Can I listen to music from my MP3 using a bluetooth
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David Wrathall
24/05/2008 08:29 PM
I have a TU500 Tetstra mobile phone and want to move photos from it to my PC. Despite my UB connecting lead it seems that I need to use Bluetooth to do this. Is this true and if so what device do I need to use for my computer to be compatible? regards David
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Pranraj
12/06/2008 09:59 PM
I have seen one of the mobile with blue tooth pen does any one know what is that because seller is not repling
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Giana
26/08/2008 02:03 PM
Thank god 4 bluetooth is the best thing ever it is so fast 2 send n reiceve ringtone pic i love it so who ever haz bluetooth on there phone injoy it
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