What is Bluetooth?

What is Bluetooth?

August 4, 2005

More and more electronic devices are coming equipped with Bluetooth technology, which leads to the questions what is Bluetooth? How does it work? What products are equipped with this new technology? What are the benefits of having Bluetooth electronics?

Bluetooth technology is a short-range wireless radio technology that allows electronic devices to connect with one another. Just like a cable connects a printer to a computer or a head set to a cell phone, Bluetooth does the same thing, only wirelessly. Finally there are no cables to worry about or get tangled in. Bluetooth technology reaches up to 30 feet but with technology growing the wireless connection is reaching up to 100 feet or more in the newer versions.

The technology was first discovered by Ericsson and was made official by a group of electronic manufacturers including Ericsson, Toshiba, IBM, Intel and Nokia. The group formed a private trade association, Bluetooth Special Interest Group or SIG.

This new technology is going to be around for a long time to come and there are several reasons why consumers should seek out products that feature the technology. First and foremost, it is wireless, eliminating extra cords. The connection is automatic; no buttons to push. There is little or no interference from other wireless devices because Bluetooth uses a technique called spread-spectrum frequency hopping. The technology is also upgradeable.


This technology is being seen in many types of electronics including gaming consoles, cell phones, computers, MP3 Players, medical uses and more. Cell phone manufacturers are adding this new technology to their phones to offer wireless hands free connections as well as enables connections to PC's, handhelds, printers, cameras and even vehicles.

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