What is Bluetooth Wireless Technology?

The global short-range wireless standard for personal connectivity of a broad range of electronic devices – from mobile phones and headsets to cars, MP3 players, cameras and printers.

Inherent Strengths:

• Small form factor radio
• Low power
• Low cost
• Built-in security
• Full featured via Bluetooth profiles
• Ease-of-use
• Ad hoc networking capabilities
• Does not require line-of-sight
• Backwards compatible

Bluetooth - it isn't what happens when I pick my favourites out of the jellybean jar.

Article by Colin Smith, BOP Times 22 August 2009

With 20 demerit points and an $80 fine at stake for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving after November 1, Bluetooth is the primary tool you need to know about that will keep you on the move and in touch.

Last week, while Bluetooth was being mentioned in dozens of stories regarding the hand-held phone ban, I was road testing a BMW 3-Series with full Bluetooth integration.

And completing a triple coincidence, my old phone died. I decided it was time to lose my Bluetooth virginity. It only took five minutes.

I'm not what marketing people describe as an "early adopter" and I'm a little slow coming to terms with electronics technology.

But the $119,000 3-Series parked in my driveway and my new budget Nokia were very quickly on speaking terms.

With no need to consult either BMW or Nokia manuals, I was dialled up for the hands-on-the-wheel, eyes-on-the-road connectivity.

Magically, the contents of my phone book were displayed on the BMW's multi-information screen - the one that also displays the GPS navigation info and a host of other vehicle information.

I could use the often-maligned, but now much more user-friendly BMW iDrive controller on the centre console to scroll through my phone book, make a call and complete a hands-free conversation.

You can put your phone in your pocket or tuck it away into the centre console or door bin. If the phone rings you press a button on the BMW steering wheel to answer and the call is completely hands-free.

Suddenly I was master of a little wireless universe. Like any new disciple I had to share the experience, helping our photographer to pair his phone to the BMW while photographing the car for Auto Parade.

In the last few days I've learned more about the technology that sounds like a dental complaint but in simple terms links two or more electronic devices together through a very low power wireless network.

I won't go into protocols and milli-watts. Bluetooth is a wireless network with a range of about 10m. The name is anglicised version of Bltand, the 10th-century king Harald of Denmark who united the Danish tribes into a single kingdom. The implication is that Bluetooth does the same with communications protocols.
BMW is one of the car makers leading the charge to provide Bluetooth as standard equipment on new cars. Some car makers seem reluctant to do so, while others bundle Bluetooth with other features like an integrated iPod connection and even navigation in some cases.

But it's by no means the preserve of expensive luxury cars. Most notably Ford has introduced Bluetooth as standard on its Fiesta small car which is priced from $24,500. Ford is fast making standard feature on every car in its range.

Many other car makers offer accessory systems, generally with pricing in the $400 to $600 range. The most common excuse offered by car makers that don't offer Bluetooth as standard equipment is they can't guarantee all phones will be compatible and point out operating systems on phones are advancing so quickly there is a danger that what is a standard integrated system now may not work with future phones.

So what about my 23-year-old ute?

Electronics and car accessory retailers have some simple Bluetooth headset systems from under $100, but a better bet for use on the road would seem to be the voice activated systems that clip onto the sun visor. They're rechargeable, so aren't linked to an accessory power socket.

One popular example is the Blueant Supertooth3 Handsfree speaker phone offered by many retailers and generally priced around $230.
Clipped to the sun visor, it offers hands-free operation with voice activated functions to make, receive or reject calls. If the call is from a number in your phone book it will apparently announce caller ID.

Bluetooth is also an integrated feature of some after-market GPS navigation systems such as TomTom and Navman, generally the more expensive versions starting in the $500-$600 range.

If your business depends on staying mobile then a Bluetooth hands-free solution lets you stay in touch and stay out of trouble.