What is Bluetooth?

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What is Bluetooth?

Bluetooth is an uncomplicated type of wireless networking that can allow up to eight devices to be connected together in a mini-network.

Bluetooth is intended to be compatible across a multiple operating systems and devices, including things that you would not normally think of as being 'computer' type items - for example, some types of headset. Bluetooth networking can allow the headset to connect with other devices such as your phone, your MP3 player or even your computer.

A Bluetooth enabled headset would mean that you can leave your cellphone in your pocket or briefcase, but still receive incoming phone calls. If your cellphone supports voice recognition for dialing out, you can even place calls as well as receive them, while never needing to reach for your phone. The safety benefits of this, if you're driving, are obvious.

Bluetooth can also help different devices to communicate with each other. For example, you might have a phone, a PDA, and a computer. If all three devices have Bluetooth capabilities, then (with the appropriate software on each device) you can probably share contact information between all three devices quickly and conveniently. And you can look up a phone number on your PDA (or laptop) and then place a call direct from the laptop or PDA, without needing to touch your cellphone.

Bluetooth is not a magical solution giving universal connectivity between devices. Each device also needs to have the appropriate software as well as the basic Bluetooth communication capability, and so sometimes the promise and theory of what could be possible is not fully matched by the reality.

For best compatibility, devices should support the Bluetooth 1.1 standard. A new standard - 1.2, was formalized in early November 2003 and this will quickly become the dominant standard.

Bluetooth has been slow to become accepted in the market, but now is starting to become increasingly prevalent. Prices are falling and increasing numbers of devices are offering Bluetooth connectivity. Over one million Bluetooth devices are now being sold every week (although mainly outside the US).