Technology: Bluetooth: What’s it all about?

With so much new technology being introduced, it is difficult to keep up. The technology industry moves quickly for several reasons. First, to beat the competition. Other companies will try to compete, but the prestige of being first is over. Second, is to keep other companies from stealing ideas. This is a huge problem for companies bringing about so much secrecy surrounding new products before they are launched. Thirdly, is to keep up with the public demand. People are always looking for ways to communicate faster, to save as much time as possible while trying to accomplish a task. They demand technology that can keep up with their busy lives. The latest technology in most electronic devises is the Bluetooth. All devices such as mobile phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA), and pagers, can connect using Bluetooth technology. It is a wireless specification delivering short-range communication between electronic devices that are equipped with special chips. In delivery, a private, personal area network (PAN) is formed. It is like a very low-power, short-range radio signal. Bluetooth signals are secure from the moment they are sent. The technology allows almost all devices talk to one another by creating a common language between them. This mechanism performs the functions of identifying other Bluetooth devices, then connecting and transferring data. Upon matching up the device profile, the software technology embedded in the chip triggers an automatic connection to deliver and accept the data flow. And devices carrying the chips can easily transfer data through walls, clothing and luggage bags. During transmission, one device acts as the master and the other as the slave. The master decides if a particular communication service is needed from a slave device. The Bluetooth technology frequencies never die out, the power source will always be available to use as long as someone has the Bluetooth chip to harvest the frequencies. No more landlines and other devices like cable wire to worry about in bad weather, or when traveling. Sometimes signals can be lost and not retrieved for hours at a time. But with Bluetooth technology, weather is not a concern and neither is a signal fading in or out. Communication is always possible. One can create a personal area network at home or on the road with the technology such as keyboard, mouse, and scanner among others. This network can automatically help synchronize notes, calendar, address book and also print pictures, receive emails, name it. It can even help consumers pay bills with credit card through Bluetooth cash register if a Bluetooth PDA stores the card information. It is available in new cars, but many people do not even know they have it when using it. Some cars like certain BMW’s and Acura’s come with Bluetooth installed. There are also companies that sell kits so you can add Bluetooth to your own vehicle. This allows you to control your cell phone hands free while driving. Any drawbacks? With Bluetooth enabled you are using up more battery power especially if enabled all day. To overcome this, the best thing that you can do is disable it once you are finished with the transfer. Bluetooth devices must perform a discovery operation which means they are likely to find other unwanted devices in the same room. But overall, the next time you think wireless, think Bluetooth...it’s the best way to communicate! Contact: eddiemukaaya@yahoo.com