Bluetooth is a wireless communication protocol that allows multiple devices to communicate with each other and share files when they are in range. While Bluetooth is a rather new technology, it has quickly become a feature that the vast majority of wireless devices support and can be used with laptops, cell phones, PDAs, Bluetooth-enabled desktops, cameras, video game consoles, printers, fax machines, GPS receivers, and other fixed and mobile wireless devices. Bluetooth is an open wireless standard and uses short-wave radio transmissions to communicate with nearby devices, allowing for fast data transfer rates and strong security.

How Bluetooth Works

Bluetooth communicates with other devices via short-wave radio transmissions, much like a cell phone or walkie talkie. However, instead of carrying voice packets or text messages, bluetooth transfers pictures, audio clips, address book contacts, and other files from one device to another. Bluetooth is available in most wireless devices and desktop computers can use it in conjunction with a Bluetooth adapter. A single device can connect to up to seven different Bluetooth-enabled devices that are in range of it, but users have to allow their devices to do this.

Applications

Bluetooth can be used to transfer pictures or SmartChip data from one cell phone to another. Likewise, some devices use Bluetooth in order to share an Internet connection between them, a practice known as “tethering.” Laptop and desktop computers can also use bluetooth, if they are equipped with a Bluetooth adapter, to transfer files from a mobile device, such as a cell phone, camera, or PDA, to the computer and vice versa.

 

Advantages

Bluetooth allows users to communicate with each other and share files over short-wave radio transmissions rather than via other means. Because Bluetooth devices use short-wave radio waves to communicate with each other, they can only do so with devices that are nearby. This prevents other devices from “eavesdropping” on wireless “conversations.” In fact, in order for a Bluetooth device to connect to another Bluetooth device, it must first locate that device and receive permission from it to share files. The Bluetooth then targets that specific device and encrypts the data so that only that device can access it.