| Cables are gone and now comes the era of | | | | printing data from and to mobile phone devices, |
| wireless applications and devices. It wouldn't be | | | | digital cameras and PDAs. Both Wi-Fi and |
| longer before we live in world devoid of cables. | | | | Bluetooth have their own advantages. For |
| When it comes to switching to a wireless | | | | instance, you may want to quick-print a coupon |
| technology from a cabled one, you will need to | | | | on the go using your portable communication |
| understand the scope of the alterations that will | | | | device such as a PDA. In this case a portable |
| be required in your IT infrastructure to | | | | Bluetooth micro printer will be ideal. Bluetooth |
| accommodate this switch. Here is a brief about | | | | micro printers are small and portable and can |
| the Wireless technology, its types and wireless | | | | easily be paired with any other mobile device to |
| devices that you can use to perform a variety of | | | | deliver instant prints. This is ideal for drivers and |
| operations such as wireless data transfer and | | | | frequent travelers who do most printing on the |
| wireless printing. | | | | go. Most printers being used and manufactured |
| Wireless technology works using radio, microwave | | | | today also support Bluetooth. This means that |
| or infrared signals for transferring or transmitting | | | | you can even print your documents from a |
| information between two or more devices which | | | | mobile device on any available network printer |
| can be computers and peripherals, remotes, | | | | that supports Bluetooth. USB Bluetooth adapters |
| cellular phones, GPSs and more. A variety of | | | | are also available that can help you print from an |
| wireless technologies are used for different | | | | ordinary printer using Bluetooth. All you need is to |
| purposes, Bluetooth being one of them. Bluetooth | | | | make it ready for accepting data using Bluetooth |
| differs from wireless LAN or what we call | | | | by plugging the Bluetooth adapter into its USB slot. |
| wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) with respect to the range | | | | Another advantage of using Bluetooth is that it is |
| that it can transmit data within, and the rate at | | | | energy efficient. Unlike Wi-Fi which needs to be |
| which the data can be transmitted. While wireless | | | | switched on constantly, Bluetooth can be switched |
| or Wi-Fi has a range of approximately 300 feet, | | | | on when required and then switched off. |
| Bluetooth works best within 30 feet. The rate of | | | | Nothing matches the speed and range of a |
| data transmission too varies considerably. Wi-Fi | | | | portable Wi-Fi printer when it comes to printing |
| can transmit data at 55 Mbps allowing you to | | | | large volumes from your office or home |
| transmit large files too quickly, whereas, Bluetooth | | | | computer. While a normal printer can be attached |
| is a tad slower transmitting at the rate of | | | | to a Wi-Fi to be able to receive Wi-Fi signals, Wi-Fi |
| 22Kbps, hence ideal for portable devices such as | | | | printers specifically designed for Wi-Fi connections |
| mobile phones and digital cameras. To help you | | | | are already available and can be taken advantage |
| choose which technology is ideal for your print | | | | of. |
| requirements, here are some comparisons. | | | | Having understood the advantages and limitations |
| Wi-Fi is apt for computers and peripherals where | | | | of both technologies, deciding between the two |
| large volumes of data can be transferred and | | | | technologies that best fits your requirements will |
| printed easily within a network wirelessly while | | | | be much easier. |
| Bluetooth works best when transferring and | | | | |