Although the Bluetooth specification (introduced in 1999) has been with us for nearly a decade now (as of this writing, 7-29-08). It took some time to gain wide acceptance and popularity, and has only become extremely well known and used in the last few years.

PAN - Personal Area Network

The technical specifications of the technology are not the purpose of this article, but it is only meant as a general overview of what Bluetooth is, and can offer the user. Bluetooth is a wireless communication standard and is presently offered on many electronic devices. When connecting these devices via Bluetooth, it is sometimes referred to as creating a Personal Area Network. Some of the hardware items incorporating the Bluetooth standard are, computers, cellular phones, wireless headsets for cellular phones, automobiles and virtually any device that can provide added function by offering wireless communications with another device.


Presently there are two classes of the Bluetooth standard, class 1 and class 2.  Class 2 is the most popular of the two, and the cheapest. It provides connectivity up to about 10 meters, roughly 33 feet. Class 1 offers ranges up to as far away as 330 feet or 100 meters. The majority of consumer devices utilize the class 2 standard as it is cheaper and provides the range that most users would require.

What Can You Do With Bluetooth?

PDAs are a popular use of the technology, allowing for automatic syncing of your calender and addresses to a notebook or desktop computer. Of course cellular phones are probably one of the most well known use of Bluetooth to date, along with the addon devices, like headsets.  Other uses include digital cameras, printers, mice and keyboards, and mp3 players. Recently, many automobiles are offering Bluetooth to easily allow for hands-free phone calls. Some have added enhanced audio functions using MP3 players and Bluetooth.
It is being said that Bluetooth offers a replacement for USB. The 802.11 wireless networking standard is considered wireless Ethernet, and Bluetooth has been referred to as wireless USB.

It looks as though Bluetooth is here to stay, and even older computers that weren't equipped with the technology, can be upgraded with a relatively low cost USB adapter. Notebook computers can add Bluetooth via a PCMCIA card slot device.

Now, utilizing what has been called 'bluecasting', advertisers can send messages in the form of audio, video or simply text, from bulletin boards or virtually any other Bluetooth equipped device. As usual, the advertisers are never far behind the technology.

Have a look at the top selling Bluetooth, other wireless networking devices and the latest equipment available.