| Bluetooth is a specification for the use of low | | | | technology isn't suitable for a Wi-Fi replacement. |
| power radio communications to wireless phones, | | | | When compared to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth is much |
| computers, and other network wireless devices | | | | slower, limited in range, and actually supports |
| over short distances. The name Bluetooth is | | | | fewer devices. |
| actually borrowed from Harald Bluetooth, a | | | | For short range devices, Bluetooth is rapidly |
| Denmark king more than 1,000 years ago. | | | | becoming the best. The technology is more |
| The technology of Bluetooth was primarily | | | | popular with cell phones, as Bluetooth headsets |
| designed to support simple wireless networking of | | | | are the way to go these days. To use Bluetooth, |
| devices and peripherals, which includes cell phones, | | | | your cell phone will need to have it enabled, or an |
| PDAs, and wireless headsets. The wireless signals | | | | infrared device somewhere on the phone. |
| that are transmitted by Bluetooth cover short | | | | Upcoming devices are utilizing Bluetooth as well, |
| distances of up to 30 feet, generally | | | | such as PS3 and the Nintendo Revolution. The |
| communicating less than 1 MPps (Mega Byte per | | | | wireless controllers will be Bluetooth enabled, which |
| second). | | | | will give players the cutting edge. |
| The networks of Bluetooth feature dynamic | | | | If you own a cell phone or other wireless device, |
| topology called PAN or a piconet. The piconets | | | | you should look into Bluetooth. The technology is |
| contain a minimum of two and a maximum of | | | | nothing short of spectacular, making it something |
| eight peer devices. The devices will communicate | | | | that will be around for years and years to come. |
| using protocols that are part of the specification. | | | | As technology gets bigger and bigger, you can |
| Even though the Bluetooth standard will utilize the | | | | expect Bluetooth to advance as well. |
| same 2.4 GHz range as 802.11b and 802.11g, the | | | | |