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Tech Tip 10 - Bluetooth Basics
By Jason Kohrs - 19.JAN.05 |
Bluetooth technology is nothing new, but in many respects it still seems to be more of a buzz word rather than a well understood, commonly accepted technology. You see advertisements for  Bluetooth enabled cell phones, PDAs, and laptops, and a search of the Computer Geeks website shows all sorts of different devices taking advantage of this wireless standard. But, what is it? |
History |
Before getting into the technology, the word Bluetooth is intriguing all on its own, and deserves a look. The term is far less high tech than you might imagine, and finds its roots in European history. The King of Denmark from 940 to 981 was renowned for his ability to help people communicate, his name (in English)... Harald Bluetooth. Perhaps a bit obscure, but the reference is appropriate for a wireless communications standard.
Another item worth investigating is the Bluetooth logo, shown above. Based on characters from the runic alphabet (used in ancient Denmark), it was chosen as it appears to be the combination of the English letter B and an asterisk. |
Capabilities |
The FAQ on the Bluetooth.org website offers a basic definition: "Bluetooth wireless technology is a worldwide specification for a small-form factor, low-cost radio solution that provides links between mobile computers, mobile phones, other portable handheld devices, and connectivity to the Internet."
 Just like 802.11 b/g wireless networking systems and many cordless telephones, Bluetooth devices operate on 2.4 GHz radio signals. That band seems to be getting a bit crowded, and interference between devices may be difficult to avoid. Telephones are now being offered on the 5.8 GHz band to help remedy this, and Bluetooth has taken its own steps to reduce interference and improve transmission quality. Version 1.1 of the Bluetooth standard greatly reduces interference issues, but requires completely different hardware from the original 1.0C standard, thus eliminating any chance of backwards compatibility.
The typical specifications of Bluetooth indicate a maximum transfer rate of 723 kbps and a range of 20-100 meters (65 to 328 feet - depending on the class of the device). This speed is a fraction of that offered by 802.11 b or g wireless standards, so it is obvious that Bluetooth doesn't pose a threat to replace your wireless network. Although it is very similar to 802.11 in many ways, Bluetooth was never intended to be a networking standard, but does have many practical applications. |
Practical Applications |
Browsing the Computer Geeks website shows a variety of products that take advantage of Bluetooth's capabilities, from laptops and PDAs, to headphones and input devices, and even wireless printer adapters.
 Laptops, such as the Toshiba Tecra 9000, include an onboard Bluetooth adapter to allow the system to connect to any Bluetooth device right out of the box. For laptop or desktop systems that do not have an adapter built in, there are USB Bluetooth adapters, such as the Belkin F8T001.
Bluetooth enabled PDAs, such as the HP iPAQ hx4700 , allow for convenient wireless synchronization and data transfer.
Headphones can take advantage of Bluetooth for two purposes… audio playback and mobile phone communications. Using something like the Logitech Mobile Headset with a Bluetooth enabled mobile phone allows anyone to go hands free, as well as wire free.
 Logitech, and other manufacturers, also produce input devices that eliminate wires thanks to Bluetooth. You can add a Bluetooth mouse to your system, such as the Logitech MX900, or both a mouse and keyboard using something like the Logitech diNovo Media Desktop. One advantage that Bluetooth wireless keyboard/mouse combinations have over the standard RF wireless keyboard/mouse combinations is range. Where most standard RF keyboard/mouse combinations have a range up to 6 feet; a  Bluetooth keyboard/mouse combination will usually have a range of up to 30 feet.
The HP JetDirect BT1300 Bluetooth printer adapter makes sharing a printer extremely convenient by eliminating the need for any wires or special configurations on a typical network. Printing to any compatible HP printer from a PC, PDA or mobile phone can now be done easily from anywhere in the office. |
Final Words |
At this point the popularity of Bluetooth might not be as large as some proponents would have hoped, but many devices are available for those interested. The cost and competition from other standards have hindered the widespread acceptance, but Bluetooth does offer a viable solution to many devices that might not have wireless connectivity without it.
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5 Simple Steps to a Quieter PC
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Geeks.com now brings you Readers Digress - questions, comments, compliments, and even complaints from our loyal Tech Tips readers.
Every week we get a lot of great Geeky feedback from our Tech Tips Readers. Although we can't respond to everyone, we will post questions or comments that we think are representative of the many emails that we receive. |
Comment:
I have been in the technical field now for almost 10 years, both on the consumer/ small business side and on the medium-large business side. The first time I saw there was a Tech Tips my initial reaction was "not another one of 'those' articles". Then I read it and realized what it was that Computer Geeks was trying to accomplish. Tech Tips effectively teaches technology on a level that home users can understand. I've seen comments from professionals that believe the articles are misleading or incomplete. I disagree. The point is to teach on an end-user basis for the understanding of simple hardware components in a normal desktop system, not to prep them for a job in the IT profession. I have been very impressed with the way in which Tech Tips has presented the information in a very easy to understand method. I also like the way they answer questions people have about the information in the next article. I have recommended these Tech Tips to quite a few people who are not IT professionals but are interested in learning about computer equipment. I believe this is the first time I've read articles like this that are aimed at consumers without pushing specific products.
Steve Walker
Question:
Congrats on a job well done. Techtips will soon be a very popular way to sell products. If you can advertise 22 different items, (hyperlinks), just on the SATA technology subject alone and at the same time give the customer a well rounded idea of what they are buying, you have a Better Idea!
As far as the Computer noise article, you may, well just let me ask the question and you answer it for me. Can I build a computer using todays technology that has no fans? And no liquids?
Good job and keep up the good work. I will be reviewing the Geeker Techtips
web page often.
Answer:
You can, but I'd really not recommend it. You really need some type of medium (air or water) to carry away the heat from the computer system. You can use a CoolMax fanless power supply: http://www.coolmaxusa.com/products_powersupply.asp?item=28
Pricey, but it has gotten good reviews.
For the CPU, you are basically looking at putting on a BIG heatsink to get away from a "no fan" or "no liquid" design. Ones such as this one from Heatlane Zen: http://www.tsheatronics.co.jp/zen/english/ncu1000_e.html.
Another company with a great reputation inthe industry is Thermaltake. They also offer fanless solutions power supplies and cpus: http://www.thermaltake.com/psu.htm.
Question:
I agree that air flow is vital to a computer, but I have found that the
QUALITY is also important as well. The only thing is, is that no one seems
to be DOING anything about how all these nice cooling fans seem to SUCK IN
all the dust and lint right INTO your pc causing MORE of a problem than they
are solving!! Dust and lint seem to me like THE worst problem, causing ball
bearing failures more than anything, not to mention heating things up inside
as well. ANY IDEAS on this?
Tnoc
Answer:
You can actually improvise a filter for this type of function. Many hard drive removable drive bays with fans actually have this. This is easily done by taking filter material and placing it in front of the fan (intake side). Please note that this may lessen the fans efficiency.
Comment:
Nice article. It would be very helpful if on the CPU and case fans you list the "CFM air flow" and "dBA noise level". Keep up the good work.
-dave
Answer:
For products that we have this information on, we gladly place it in the ad. Other items are ones where the manufacturer doesn't list this specification, thus it is not listed in the ad.
Question:
I was wondering why Liquid Cooling (Something I have started to look into) did not make one of the 5 things you could do to cool your computer down. I would like to know a bit more on this if possible since I am looking into building a new computer and would not mind it being quiet enough to fall asleep watching a movie on for instance.
James Taylor
Answer:
This was covered in Tech Tips. quoted here:"For those bold enough to run plumbing inside a computer, water cooling kits such as the Cooler Master Aquagate can take cooling performance and quiet operation to a whole new level."
Comment:
Thanks so much for the Tech Tips article just sent. I do have a new-ish case and power supply. The power supply has always been noisy; even replaced it once, but still noisy. The Tech Tips was right on target about what I need. I'll be at the store tomorrow morning to see about fiting the best and quietest cooling system you folks carry.
Thank you again.
Bob Beecroft
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