Getting a grip on Bluetooth

JDtech · 06-29-2010, 06:59 PM

Bluetooth is the wireless connectivity standard that can do away with cables once and for all. It's a technology that's been around for a while, but even today, those who bring home a new computer that's Bluetooth-equipped typically have lots of questions. How can it be used? Are there drawbacks? Where can you find Bluetooth-ready equipment?

Q: My new notebook computer has Bluetooth. What can I do with it?

A: Think of Bluetooth as a technology that allows your notebook or desktop computer to connect to a wide range of peripherals--everything from headsets to printers--without a cable.

That may not excite you much now, assuming you don't have any peripherals that are Bluetooth-ready, but once you start thinking about the possibilities, you'll likely want to learn more. Put simply, how constrained are you by cables that you have to run from your notebook or desktop to whichever devices you hook up to it?

PDAs, computer mice, printers, headset microphones, keyboards--all of these and more either are available in Bluetooth versions or can be connected to your notebook or desktop using Bluetooth if you purchase the right adapters.

Q: Where can I find a Bluetooth printer?

A: You don't need to, thankfully. With a Bluetooth-capable notebook or desktop computer, you can purchase a Bluetooth printer adapter--a small device that fits either in the parallel port or USB slot of your printer, taking the place of the cable.

With a Bluetooth adapter fitted to your printer, your notebook computer can send print jobs to the printer as though it is connected to the device with a cable. Lots of manufacturers make Bluetooth adapters for printers, including Belkin, with its popular Bluetooth Wireless USB Printer Adapter. These adapters usually run for around 50 dollars.

Once your printer it outfitted with a Bluetooth adapter, you can print to it from any notebook or desktop in the house that's equipped with Bluetooth technology. Bluetooth devices can communicate from up to 100 metres away, too, so you'll have infinitely more flexibility than you would if cabled to the printer.

Q: What if my notebook doesn't have Bluetooth? Can I add it later?

A: Yes. There are adapter cards available for notebooks that have a free USB port, PCMCIA slot, or a free Type 1 memory card slot. Probably the thumb-sized USB adapters are the easiest and least expensive option for most--and these can be used to equip most recent-vintage desktop computers with Bluetooth capability, as well.

Bluetooth adapters are widely available at computer and electronics stores and generally cost from 25 to 50 dollars, depending upon the connection type. USB adapters tend to be the most affordable. You'll receive driver software along with the adapter that you purchase. Remember to install the software first, and then plug the adapter into your computer.

Q: Can I use Bluetooth on an airplane?

A: Bluetooth allows your computer to communicate with peripherals by means of a radio signal, and often airlines have specific regulations against any device that uses radio signals. By all means before you use the Bluetooth capabilities of a notebook computer on an aircraft, check with the airline to determine what rules, if any, exist.

verdesardog · 08-23-2010, 07:32 PM

what kind of security does bluetooth have?

JDtech · 08-24-2010, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by verdesardog

what kind of security does bluetooth have?

Good question which I can't answer right off the bat.

Ken-L · 08-24-2010, 05:42 PM

Take a look at this info re Bluetooth Security.

And a side note, I have read that Bluetooth will be replaced in a few years by Wi-Fi that will operate as Bluetooth does today but with greater distance and bandwidth.

06-29-2010, 06:59 PM	#1
JDtech Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 286	Getting a grip on Bluetooth Bluetooth is the wireless connectivity standard that can do away with cables once and for all. It's a technology that's been around for a while, but even today, those who bring home a new computer that's Bluetooth-equipped typically have lots of questions. How can it be used? Are there drawbacks? Where can you find Bluetooth-ready equipment? Q: My new notebook computer has Bluetooth. What can I do with it? A: Think of Bluetooth as a technology that allows your notebook or desktop computer to connect to a wide range of peripherals--everything from headsets to printers--without a cable. That may not excite you much now, assuming you don't have any peripherals that are Bluetooth-ready, but once you start thinking about the possibilities, you'll likely want to learn more. Put simply, how constrained are you by cables that you have to run from your notebook or desktop to whichever devices you hook up to it? PDAs, computer mice, printers, headset microphones, keyboards--all of these and more either are available in Bluetooth versions or can be connected to your notebook or desktop using Bluetooth if you purchase the right adapters. Q: Where can I find a Bluetooth printer? A: You don't need to, thankfully. With a Bluetooth-capable notebook or desktop computer, you can purchase a Bluetooth printer adapter--a small device that fits either in the parallel port or USB slot of your printer, taking the place of the cable. With a Bluetooth adapter fitted to your printer, your notebook computer can send print jobs to the printer as though it is connected to the device with a cable. Lots of manufacturers make Bluetooth adapters for printers, including Belkin, with its popular Bluetooth Wireless USB Printer Adapter. These adapters usually run for around 50 dollars. Once your printer it outfitted with a Bluetooth adapter, you can print to it from any notebook or desktop in the house that's equipped with Bluetooth technology. Bluetooth devices can communicate from up to 100 metres away, too, so you'll have infinitely more flexibility than you would if cabled to the printer. Q: What if my notebook doesn't have Bluetooth? Can I add it later? A: Yes. There are adapter cards available for notebooks that have a free USB port, PCMCIA slot, or a free Type 1 memory card slot. Probably the thumb-sized USB adapters are the easiest and least expensive option for most--and these can be used to equip most recent-vintage desktop computers with Bluetooth capability, as well. Bluetooth adapters are widely available at computer and electronics stores and generally cost from 25 to 50 dollars, depending upon the connection type. USB adapters tend to be the most affordable. You'll receive driver software along with the adapter that you purchase. Remember to install the software first, and then plug the adapter into your computer. Q: Can I use Bluetooth on an airplane? A: Bluetooth allows your computer to communicate with peripherals by means of a radio signal, and often airlines have specific regulations against any device that uses radio signals. By all means before you use the Bluetooth capabilities of a notebook computer on an aircraft, check with the airline to determine what rules, if any, exist. __________________ Members don't see ads in threads. Register your free account today and become a member on Tech Today Online, gaining access to posting privileges, contests, free plug-ins and other downloads, unlimited online storage for your photographs, reviews, free marketplace listings, and much more.

08-24-2010, 05:42 PM	#4
Ken-L Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 139	Take a look at this info re Bluetooth Security. And a side note, I have read that Bluetooth will be replaced in a few years by Wi-Fi that will operate as Bluetooth does today but with greater distance and bandwidth. __________________ "An intellectual says a simple thing in a hard way. An artist says a hard thing in a simple way." - Bukowski

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08-23-2010, 07:32 PM	#2
verdesardog Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 28	what kind of security does bluetooth have?