by Jeremiah Smith

Created on: October 16, 2008

Convenience and cost-effectiveness. Two things smart consumers are always on the lookout for. Fortunately, for those holding the patents, Bluetooth fits into both of these categories quite nicely. With the emergence of cell phones as a form of communication that the majority of people utilize, Bluetooth functionality has become an everyday part of many people's lives. What is Bluetooth, you ask?

Taken to its most basic form, Bluetooth communication is enabled when two (or more) devices equipped with Bluetooth are "paired," meaning a pathway has been established between the devices. The pathway is used for the transmission of data from one device to another and is maintained on an unlicensed chunk of bandwidth in the 2.4 Ghz range. Since all Bluetooth devices use this same range, frequency hopping is used to ensure not all Bluetooth components in one area cause interference with each other.

Depending on the class of the Bluetooth device, the distance within which it can operate varies from 10 to 100 meters. The transmissions sent using this protocol are able to pass through solid objects, meaning the devices do not need a clear line of sight to each other to operate effectively. As currently constructed, the technology is geared towards voice and data transfer.

While most of the attention Bluetooth has garnered is due to the prevalence of cell phone accessories, that is only a small subset of applications for this technology. Just a quick sweep through the product zone at Bluetooth's official website indicate the uses for it are endless. Wireless mice and keyboards, accessories for music and video transfers, life monitoring devices (medical), wireless printers, and syncing services designed for use in automobiles are some of the available Bluetooth devices today.

While all these options exist for Bluetooth usage, most consumers will use it on a daily basis only for their cell phones. Using a wireless headset that normally stays perched on the user's ear, calls can be answered without ever touching that actual phone. Calls are answered using a button on the headset itself, and calls are ended automatically by the phone, just as what would normally occur.

The uses for cell phones do not stop there, however. If a computer is Bluetooth equipped (either from the factory or with a plug-in adapter), photographs and music may be transferred from the phone to the computer, and vice-versa. Transferring of files is done at the rate of 3 Mbps with the Enhanced Data Rate class devices.

Although Bluetooth technology is still fairly new and emerging, it has a strong foothold in the consciousness of consumers. With the seemingly unending list of possible applications, we all may as well get to know more about Bluetooth because its not going anywhere anytime soon. Just try buying a current year cell phone without Bluetooth connectivity for evidence of this.

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