Bluetooth

toc //"[|Bluetooth]// wireless technology makes your world wireless and gives you the freedom to explore."



=What is Bluetooth?=

Bluetooth was created by a group of technology companies namely Ericsson, [|IBM], [|Intel], [|Nokia] and [|Toshiba] as a for wireless connectivity between two or more devices.

Named after an ancient Danish King, Bluetooth is a wireless connectivity technology, enabling a range of devices to speak to each other using radio waves (Gauntlett& Horsley 286). //Bluetooth// wireless technology is the standard for transmitting information in the form of short range radio waves over distances of up to 30 feet and is used to connect and exchange information between digital devices. The transfer speed of Bluetooth 1.0 is 1 Mbps; Bluetooth 2.0 is 3 Mbps which is faster than conventional IR(infrared) which most cell phones are equiped with. However, the only advantage for Bluetooth is the low power signal it sends which limit the signal range so it won't interfere with any other radio frequecy in the air. For instance, a cellular telephone can connect to a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or to a computer in order to update a phonelist or to connect a wireless Bluetooth headset (pictured above).



The creators of the Bluetooth system named it after Harold Bluetooth, a 10th century Danish King. Apparantly, King Harold Bluetooth was famous for bringing warring camps to the negotiation table, thus talking or communicating with each other, as devices that are Bluetooth enabled are capable of ([|ABC NewsRadio]).

=What devices have it?=

Many new digital devices possess Bluetooth capabilites. Some of which are laptops, PDAs and pocket PCs, cellular telephones, cellular telephone headsets, MP3 players and even some automobiles. If the digital device has the ability to create and/or store information, chances are that new models will be Bluetooth equipped. Any Bluetooth device can communicate with another, at a range of 10 m (30 ft).

__Examples__

 * Mobile Phones**
 * [|Motorola V600]
 * [|RAZR V3]
 * [|Sony Ericsson T608]
 * Desktop computers and Notebook computers**
 * [|HP Compaq Presario]
 * [|HP Tablet PC tc1100]
 * Others**
 * [|Toshiba Microwave oven]
 * [|CAR-100, a tiny phone-driven remote-control car]

and the list goes on...

=The Bluetooth Car=

The latest vehicles will be Bluetooth enabled, to provide a safe wireless communication system integrated within the car’s interface. This technology has been adopted by companies such as [|BMW] and they are ready to bring Bluetooth to the road.



Other companies also have a add on Bluetooth feature such as the Acura TL, [|Chrysler PT Cruiser],[|Jeep Grand Cherokee], [|Lexus], Lincolns, and Toyotas. Hands-free calling lets people keep their eyes on the road while driving. The feature is very convenient while driving. The control for the devise is on the dashboard, there is a talk button on the steering wheel where you say a name or number and your cell phone dials the number. The dialing and battery information is presented on the dashboard. You can hear the person’s voice from the speakers of the car. Another benefit of Bluetooth systems is the ability to connect a Bluetooth-enabled portable PC or PDA to gain internet access. Hence, only cell phones with bluetooth capability can be linked to the car that has bluetooth feature, and through a linking process called pairing. After this one-time process, everytime you start the car the phone and the car will automatically connect and be ready to use.

=How has it enhanced communication?=

Bluetooth has greater enhanced communication because it allows the wireless transfer of information with low power consumption. What does this mean? This means that information can be transfered very easily between devices and it can be update on a constant basis. However, one might argue that we already have a wireless system in place that does the same thing. Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) is different from Bluetooth in a few respects. Bluetooth technology is mainly used in the cellular telephone market whereas Wireless Fidelity is mainly used for providing wireless internet to laptop computers. They each have their own market niche and will probably continue to co-exist side-by-side in a highly competitive market because they are used for different purposes.

One way Bluetooth is used with cell phones is calling people through voice recognition. For example, the caller adds a number in her or his cell phone and then he can literally forget about the handset and just use the bluetooth device hung on the ear. He or she can make a phone call by simply clicking the button located on the device and saying the name of whom he or she wish to call. To answer a phone call, he or she can also rely on the Bluetooth device and forget about the handset by clicking the button and saying "Hello!"

=Invasion of Privacy=

Despite the growing trend and use of bluetooth technology many issues have occurred in which users have been put at risk. In 2004, John Blau wrote about the fact that intruders can crack into ones cell phone and steal confidential information. To view the article click [|here]. In 2005, //Paris Hilton's// cell phone was hacked into and all of her data, which included the phone numbers and emails of other celebrities, was posted on the Internet (CBS News 2005). To view the article click [|here].

Sony Ericsson advises users to turn off Bluetooth
//[|Sony Ericsson] has joined [|Nokia] in admitting that its Bluetooth phones could be vulnerable to a 'snarfing' attack, meaning that a hacker can access data even if the phone is not paired with another Bluetooth device.// See Full Story

=External Links=

[|Bluetooth product listing] [|Toshiba's Bluetooth Initiative] [|Motorola's Bluetooth Overview]

=Works Cited=

websites
Gauntlett, David & Horsley, Ross (2004). //Web Studies. Second Edition//. Unites States of America: Oxford UP.

Haag, Stephen et al. __Management Information Systems For the Information Age 5/e__. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2005.

"3G Glossary". 3GNewsroom.com. 27 February 2006. http://www.3gnewsroom.com/html/glossary/b.shtml


 * Images Courtesy of:**

"Bluetooth Car." GatWick. 2006<[|Source]>

"Bluetooth Picture" Bluetooth. 2006. <[|Source]>

"Motorola phone Picture" 2006. [|Motorola Canada].

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/bluetooth.htm

http://clabedan.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/bluetooth.jpg