Bluetooth Operation Review: How it Really Works

Wireless technology can be very confusing, especially for the uninitiated. After all, it’s fairly new on the market, and no one – besides the manufacturers of course – know exactly how it works. Just how do files compress and magically shoot out over the airwaves and find them a location in another area? Well, this article will attempt to explain it to you. It’s not as complicated as it sounds.

Before attempting to explain how something works, you need to know what exactly it is. So just what is Bluetooth technology? Well, it is a very high-speed, yet low-power, microwave wireless link technology. It’s designed mostly for the convenience of connecting various devices without a large hassle. Those devices can be anything from lap tops, to cell phones, to mp3 players to PDA’s and other portable equipment. The aim with Bluetooth technology was to make something simple, with no wires involved, and they succeeded. Unlike infa-red, Bluetooth doesn’t require to be in the line of sight of whatever piece of technology it’s trying to connect to. While infrared had problems connecting when there were a large number of walls in the way, Bluetooth technology doesn’t have this problem. Walls or no walls, it will still connect just as easily. Bluetooth technology was not created from the ground up. Instead, modifying existing technology, most notably wireless LAN techniques, created it. However, unlike previous wireless, Bluetooth technology comes at a very cheap price, as well as a low cost. As a matter of fact, the cost for a chip that uses Bluetooth technology is only expected to be around five dollars in a year or two. You could purchase two for the price of going to a single movie. However, you may not have to purchase them at all, as Bluetooth is expected to be included in new technology, rather than being an option.

When one piece of Bluetooth technology gets within range of another (usually set somewhere between 10 centimeters and 100 meters), the two pieces of technology exchange addresses and capability details. It’s the same as meeting a friend on the street that you haven’t seen in a long time – you exchange addresses, and get together to discuss what you have been doing all those years. After seeing what each other is capable of, the two devices will establish a link. The speed of this link can go as high as one megabit per second (although it is expected to go faster in the next generation of technology). The technology also has a security system in place, keeping it safe to use, and keeping would-be hackers out – a very common worry among wireless users. This technology is capable of handling both simple data – like songs, or files – as well as voices.

If you want to break it down into very technical terms, then it goes something like this: In each piece of Bluetooth technology there are tiny short-range transceivers embedded. They then send out a signal, which is on an unlicensed radio band of 2.45GHz. The reason they choose this frequency is because that way international travelers will not be hindered when they use Bluetooth technology. You can use it practically anywhere you want, and you won’t have to worry about a change in frequency just because you’re in a different location. The technology supports high data speeds, and three separate voice channels. Bluetooth modules can be built into whatever electronic device using them, or they can be attached. However, it is expected that in the future most electronic devices will come with Bluetooth technology. If it’s not embedded in the technology, you can always purchase it, and attach it. For example, if you were attaching it to a PC, you would use the USB port.

That’s a basic rundown of how Bluetooth technology works. Obviously, if you were to get really in-depth it would be a lot more complicated, but unless you’re planning on creating your own Bluetooth chip, you won’t need to worry about it. Just think of it as seeing an old friend. You meet on the street, you wave at each other (connecting), you begin to talk (exchanging details), and then if you have anything to give each other, you give it to them (transferring files). Wireless technology isn’t that scary once you know what you’re dealing with.

Bluetooth Connecting Devices: When & Where You Can Connect

You can connect anywhere you want using electronic devices with Bluetooth technology, and you can do it anytime you want. It doesn’t matter whether you just need to set up a home office, work office, or even if you’re traveling somewhere exotic – Bluetooth technology will be there and it will be capable of connecting.

Why is this true, and how does it work? It’s true because Bluetooth technology is globally available. This means that you can literally use Bluetooth technology anywhere you please. It also means that in recent times, more and more manufacturers have begun to implement Bluetooth technology into everything they do. Because of that, Bluetooth technology is becoming more and more common around the globe. It doesn’t matter what the particular device is – whether it’s a laptop, and mp3 player, or a cell phone – generally speaking you will be able to find a piece of Bluetooth technology helping it operate.

Thanks to the low cost of Bluetooth technology, it is being implemented in a wide range of devices. What does this mean? Well, it means that it will be a lot easier to find electronic devices that can connect with each other. It doesn’t matter whether you’re just looking for a cell phone, or if you’re looking for a printer, computer and fax machine to set up your home office – Bluetooth technology will be there. This allows for easier connections. It also means that your friends may have some Bluetooth technology, so if you desperately need to borrow their printer, you’ll be able to connect to it anytime you want. This truly allows you to connect when and where you want to.

Bluetooth wireless technology is one of the most widely supported on the market. There are more than 4000 companies who are currently working to implement Bluetooth technology into their electronic devices. But what does this mean to you? It means that in the near future it won’t even matter where you buy the technology, because the odds of that electronic device having Bluetooth capabilities will be ridiculously high. This will allow you to make the purchase that’s right for you, and if the store will let you, you’ll be able to connect right in the store to make sure it works! How’s that for easy shopping?

One of the main concerns about being able to connect anywhere you want is security. Will your wireless technology be secure? Will people be able to hack into it and steal files, or even delete different files? Fortunately Bluetooth has thought ahead. The technology uses an adaptive frequency hopping (AFH), which allows the signal to “hop” and limit the interference it may have received from other signals. Also, there is a 128bit encryption and PIN code authentication. Whenever an electronic device using Bluetooth identifies itself, it uses this PIN number (similar to a PIN number for the ATM), and connects. Once the device is connected, the connection remains secure. Just because you have the ability to connect wherever you want doesn’t mean you have to worry about some unwanted person connecting to your device and hacking into it.

Does all of this really mean that you can connect anywhere you want to? Can you really just turn on a device, and hook up with another, without any worries? With Bluetooth technology, you can. Of course time isn’t a factor. The technology doesn’t care whether it’s mid-afternoon or midnight, although your roommate might – and people can be particularly nasty when they don’t have enough sleep. The technology doesn’t care where you are either, as long as you’re within range of another device.

Does this mean that you could just connect to some stranger’s device? In theory – yes, but there are several security measures that can be taken if you don’t want that to happen. You’ll be able to sleep easily knowing that you can’t be harmed, thanks to Bluetooth’s security system. Unlike a lot of other wireless technologies, with Bluetooth it doesn’t matter whether you can see the person you’re trying to connect to or not. This is because Bluetooth doesn’t work on infrared technology, which can be hampered by obstacles such as walls. Because of this, you truly can connect whenever, and wherever you want to.

Five Common Problems Associated with Bluetooth

The more technology advances, the more new problems crop up. It’s inevitable – you can’t make progress without making mistakes. Just ask any scientist. However, these problems can usually be solved very quickly, and the five most common problems associated with Bluetooth are no exception. Now, there are some problems with every wireless network – connectivity issues, security issues – but Bluetooth has managed to find a way around those for the most part. However, there are some specific problems that may rise up, so you need to be prepared.

The first problem you’re likely to encounter is profiles that don’t match. If you want two devices to work together – say a laptop and a fax machine – they need to have the same profile. This is actually a lot simpler than it sounds, and for the most part, profiles will match if the two devices are related to each other. Here are some examples: If you wanted to connect a mobile phone to a headset, you would need to have the same profile in both devices, in this case the Hands-Free Profile. If there’s something on your mobile phone that you need to print off, both the phone and the printer will need the Basic Printing Profile. It’s pretty simple when you get right down to it, and very rarely do you find equipment that is related that doesn’t have a matching profile.

The next common problem is what’s known as pairing. Pairing is only a problem because of the security Bluetooth puts into their technology. How does it work? Well, for devices to connect to each other so they can work together, they need to be paired. What pairing (or bonding) means is that the two devices are exchanging their passwords. Once paired, all of the data that is sent between the two devices in encrypted (meaning that any device that is not paired with the other two is unable to translate the data). However, there are some times when pairing is not necessary, such as exchanging business cards. Fortunately, there is a setting on most devices to lower the security for those lower grade transfers.

Staying with pairing, there are three common problems. The first one will give you the message that devices cannot be found. Usually, when a device can’t be found it’s because the device you are trying to connect to is either off, or is not in “discoverable mode”. To solve this problem, you simply need to turn the device you’re trying to connect to on, or switch it into discoverable mode. If you’re scared that someone will hack into your device, you can always turn it back to non-discoverable mode after you’re finished. However, Bluetooth technology is pretty solid in the security department, so you shouldn’t have to worry too much.

Another common message that you might see is the “pairing unsuccessful” message. This means that when the two devices attempted to pair, it failed. The most common reason for this is that someone is using the wrong password or PIN. If you are absolutely sure that you’re using the proper PIN and password, then you should try to first power down the devices and then power them up. That usually solves the problem.

The last common problem you will have is when the devices pair successfully, but still don’t work together. The main reason you will see this happen is that the devices don’t share the same profile. Unfortunately, both of the devices that are trying to connect have the right profile, or they will be unable to connect to each other. The easiest way to figure out if they do both have the profile is to look in the manual that came with the device, as it depends on the manufacturer. Sometimes it’s just a matter of finding the right commands to connect, and the only way to figure that out is to look in the manufacturer’s manual, as this will vary from device to device.

As Bluetooth technology continues to advance, more bugs are sure to pop up. However, the most common ones are under control, and are very easy to deal with. If you need to trouble shoot your device, just figure out what’s going wrong – whether it deals with the profiles, the pairing, or the security, and work from there. If all else fails, you can always find support online.

Bluetooth Accessories Are Hotter Than Hot

Once a person has Bluetooth technology integrated into their home and office, they will want to invest in some accessories. These accessories go far beyond cell phone skins and ring tones. These accessories are advanced little gadgets that can make using this technology even easier and faster. Wireless technology is the wave of the future. Finding ways to adapt it and make it fit into one’s lifestyle is not that difficult. Chances are, Bluetooth technology was already being used before people realized it. If a person has used a wireless interest connection at home, at the local coffee shop or bookstore, they are taking advantage of this technology. Even though it has gone far beyond simple wireless computer connection, to many people, this is all they know. This technology has been around for years now.

But for those who use this type of technology often, Bluetooth has made their lives a little simpler. Some of the most popular accessories are car kits. Many newer model cars come with built in wireless connection. This is because many new cars come with navigation systems, which are also wire less. This means that phone calls can be made even in the most mountainous of areas. For those who travel by car often, this is the technology to invest in. With hands free headsets that work on voice activation, a person can make a phone call without taking their hands off the steering wheel. In some new cars the caller ID is flashed in the rearview mirror. One can ask for a phone menu and it will pop up with all of the person’s contact numbers. These can be pre-programmed into the phone and used in the car.

For those who want wireless technology in their car, but who can’t afford to buy a new car, car kits have been created. By rewiring the electrical system in any car, wireless technology can be installed. A car kit comes with the wiring, headset, and other accessories that make driving safer. These kits are a lot less than buying a new car, but can still be expensive. Car kits are available in most automotive stores, online, or at car dealerships. Upgrading to a wireless car environment is worth the investment for those who spend a lot of time driving, for those who want to drive safely, and for emergency usage. It is nice to know that the phone will always work even out in the middle of nowhere. Having a flat tire and worrying about whom to call is a thing of the past.

Other accessories include wireless headsets for the home, a wireless mouse, servers, PDA’s and modems. Wireless technology has changed the way people think about home offices. All office equipment can be connected to one network without all the wires and extra outlets. Being able to run everything all the time is a great luxury that will come in handy. A wireless mouse can free up space and make drawing and other intricate usage easier. For graphic designers, a wireless mouse can save the day. Being able to point the mouse in the exact spot saves time and money. PDA’s can now be used to check e-mail, fax, print, send images, and make phone calls without having to switch networks or physically connect to a network. This has really improved the working world. A person can make a phone call to anyone or send them a fax that will get there and in time.

Being able to connect to the Internet quickly and still be able to send a fax or print something at the same time is achievable with Bluetooth technology. Multi-tasking has never been easier for those who work from home as well as those who work in an office. Businesses save lots of money each year by utilizing this equipment. The accessories are small and most would go unnoticed. The accessories are not ugly eyesores like wires and extra cable used to be. Too many wires are a safety hazard that has all but disappeared. These accessories make using Bluetooth technology even better. Saving time and money is everyone’s goal. Bluetooth technology makes this goal a little easier to reach.

Convincing Your Boss To Use Bluetooth At the Office

Bluetooth wireless technology is the watchword of the modern age and gives the modern age a modern edge. Those were primitive periods when the offices used to look like the storehouses of cords, wires and cables, and men used to stumble on each other. Confusion that created due to the network of cords connecting the computers to its wide range of peripherals and the cables connecting the various other devices used to give birth to a totally informal and chaotic working environment.

This not only created unfavorable environments but also jeopardized the people life. Today’s offices are far more sophisticated and free of such chaos and the credit goes to Bluetooth. They are highly organized and much less prone to confusions with the Bluetooth wireless technology. The Bluetooth enabled keyboards, printers, mice, scanners, speakers, presenters make the work places more spacious, well adorned and make the work more enjoyable since the worker finds freedom to sit a couple of meters away from the device he is working with. Bluetooth built-in headsets enable to stay all time connected to all the office phone lines through out the office premise. Today computers and PDAs operate simultaneously, sharing the official information. A wide range of peripherals communicates with each other and with the computers at the same time. All these operations are simultaneously carried out wirelessly.

A boss should understand that Bluetooth is essentially necessary in the office not only because yesterday’s office structures have become old-fashioned and we must get tuned up according to modern tone, but also due to the fact that Bluetooth has brought a great change in the present day’s working fashion. It makes work easier; thereby enables the workers to perform at a comparatively higher level with comparatively less time consumption. One most important point regarding this issue is, each and every Bluetooth enabled device is capable to develop its own ad hoc network — thus helps the users to share information and presentations and transfer files from one device to the other and also helps to hold group discussions, meetings, conferences irrespective of compatibility through the radio based wireless system.

The eBeam Projection is a unique product that enables the computer to save white board brainstorming sessions through the Bluetooth wireless technology. Mobile phones or PDAs sync with the computers, which comes to a great help to the organization and the managers because this keeps the user completely updated and well organized as far as the contact list and calendars are concerned. This way, Bluetooth allows a high degree of coordination between the persons at different levels in an office, which is one of the most important factors that encourages a smooth rise in the business. A smooth inflow and outflow of information is the another salient feature, which benefits enormously in taking prompt essential actions, such as decision making, policy formulation and planning.

Is there any boss who sits unaffected even if he finds his sales unsecured and are on the constant wane due to the lack of technique? I believe, a real and a responsible employer of an organization is aware of the fact that technology is one of the primary inputs, without which the long run business should never be expected – especially when the business world is aggressively affected by severe competition. Bluetooth has come up with a very simple and low cost solution. Bluetooth enabled mobile point of sale devices provide enough scopes to conduct a sale and process it, even when the sales person is on the road or bus or in the sickbed. The sales person can, at the same time, connect the mobile printer to his laptop by using the Bluetooth technology and within no time, can print out a receipt for the sales. Bluetooth wireless technology allows the sales man to send his daily sales report in details to his boss who is in the office. The process demands only a very scanty amount of time and money. Every thing is done without cords and wires. The overall system works with the help of radio based wireless connection.

Once bosses start using the Bluetooth in his office, they are bound to realize what degree of freedom, reliability and efficiency the technology offers. He will also realize that the time saved by using Bluetooth, is the time allotted to formulate policies for further development of his business.