Andrew Foster asked:


Bluetooth has a lot to offer with an increasingly
difficult market place. Bluetooth helps to bring
with it the promise of freedom from the cables and
simplicity in networking that has yet to be matched
by LAN (Local Area Network).

In the key marketplace, of wireless and handheld
devices, the closest competitor to Bluetooth is
infrared. Infrared holds many key features,
although the line of sight it provides doesn’t go
through walls or through obstacles like that of the
Bluetooth technology.

Unlike infrared, Bluetooth isn’t a line of sight and
it provides ranges of up to 100 meters. Bluetooth
is also low power and low processing with an
overhead protocol. What this means, is that it’s
ideal for integration into small battery powered
devices. To put it short, the applications with
Bluetooth are virtually endless.

Disadvantages

Bluetooth has several positive features and one
would be extremely hard pressed to find downsides
when given the current competition. The only real
downsides are the data rate and security. Infrared
can have data rates of up to 4 MBps, which provides
very fast rates for data transfer, while Bluetooth
only offers 1 MBps.

For this very reason, infrared has yet to be
dispensed with completely and is considered by
many to be the complimentary technology to that
of Bluetooth. Infrared has inherent security due
to its line of sight.

The greater range and radio frequency (RF) of
Bluetooth make it much more open to interception and
attack. For this reason, security is a very key
aspect to the Bluetooth specification.

Although there are very few disadvantages, Bluetooth
still remains the best for short range wireless
technology. Those who have tried it love it, and
they know for a fact that Bluetooth will be
around for years to come.

Tim Thurlow asked:


Bluetooth headsets are becoming more and more popular with all types of users. This amazing technology allows you to access many components of your cell phone with a simple push of a button. They are a wonderful wireless option for those people who are always on the move. Many diverse types of jobs in our society require travel and physical activity, as well as constant contact with customers, employers, and vendors. This can cause multiple problems for the person not using a wireless headset.

It is not at all times an option to have your hand occupied holding your cell phone up to your ear when you are driving, working, or taking charge of other job related duties.

There are a variety of occupations that benefit from the advancements in the technology of Bluetooth headsets. Any person who spends a lot of time driving for their job including truck drivers, delivery people, and bus drivers are a good example of that. For those people, pulling to the side of the road to take a call from their dispatchers is not a viable option. Thanks to these advances in headset equipment, this is no longer an issue for those people. With the touch of a button on their headset, they can take crucial calls without removing their hands from the important tasks that must be done when driving these types of vehicles. Many headsets are even able to be programmed to answer calls after a particular number of rings without any action from the user.

These Bluetooth headsets are also well-situated for those people who are very active in their job duties and can’t have their cell phones readily available at a moment’s notice. Many occupations require the constant use of the employee’s hands and do not allow for the instance needed to answer a call without a headset. Mechanics, doctors, trainers, and more are simply unable to continuously drop what they are doing with their hands when an important call comes in. Luckily, while using a headset, this is no longer a problem.

Bluetooth headsets are becoming more and more advanced every day. If you are looking for convenience, ease of use, and portability, these are good options for you to explore. There are a variety of types to choose from based on your need, as well as many options for aesthetics and style. A wide array of these products can be found at Low Price Memory.

Keith Barrett asked:


With the rise in popularity of bluetooth motorcycle helmets, there are now a large range available. Understanding the various features on offer can help you to choose a bluetooth solution that’s right for you.

Firstly, let’s look at the basics. How does bluetooth help motorcycle owners?

The answer is that it allows you to communicate with people while you are travelling. The combination of a bluetooth compatible mobile phone and a suitable headset will allow wireless, hands free telephone communication.

The basic look and feel of many headsets currently on the market is fairly similar. They generally consist of a set of headphones, with an attached microphone.

Before purchasing any headset, you need to check that it will operate successfully with your chosen helmet. If not, you might want to consider purchasing a helmet that is compatible.

One vital feature of any bluetooth device should be that it is well protected from the elements. Having a headset that will not operate, or may be damaged, during bad weather is unlikely to be of much use.

Sound quality is also of the utmost importance. It’s vital that you can hear callers clearly and that they are able to hear exactly what you are saying.

Some of the best headsets on the market have some nice additional bits of functionality that make it easier for you to conduct conversations.

Some, for example, will automatically update the volume of the microphone to take into account the speed and background noise of your vehicle. This is more than just a nice touch – it gives you much greater flexibility.

Battery time will also be important. Ideally, you’ll want at least 6 hours, to allow for long journeys where you might not get the chance to recharge the device.

Before making a purchase, think about the functionality that will be important for your own use.

R Heavner asked:


A personal area network, or PAN, is a collection of communication technology devices within the range of one person. When communication between these devices is wireless, the acronym becomes WPAN, or wireless personal area network. In reality, and for all practical purposes, most personal area networks are wireless. For our purposes, this article will consider personal area networks as being wireless.

As opposed to local area networks (LAN), and wide area networks (WAN), the personal area network operates in a relatively short range, usually up to a maximum of thirty feet. The most common method of connection is through Bluetooth wireless technology. Bluetooth technology holds several key advantages over Wi-Fi in ease of use, as it is not necessary to configure each component and requires considerably less power to operate. Unlike infrared networks, Bluetooth also doesn’t require objects to be in alignment in order to communicate. The huge practical advantage to the end user is the ability to transmit both voice and data between devices without the use of wires or USB cabling.

A Bluetooth enabled wireless personal network, also known as a piconet, can wirelessly connect a minimum of two and a maximum of eight devices. In a piconet, one device acts as the master device to connect with up to seven active devices. Data is communicated from the master device to another (slave) device. The role of master device rapidly switches to any device in the PAN which is in the process of data transfer. A Bluetooth device has the ability to seek out and communicate with any compatible device within the immediate area.

Probably the earliest and most common example of a Bluetooth personal area network is the use of a wireless headset and cellular phone. Another popular use is that of the wireless mouse and keyboard. However, the potential for convenience and productivity of a wireless personal network extend well beyond early uses. Data can easily be synchronized and transmitted wirelessly between PDA, personal computer and cellular phone. Bluetooth wireless printers and fax machines are a great convenience to laptop users. Photos from digital cameras and cell phones can be downloaded. Wireless headphones paired with portable music devices offer hassle free music enjoyment.

The list goes on, and is limited only by the creativity of the user and limitations of the physical devices. As personal area network technology improves, one can expect the both the use and capability of wireless personal devices to expand well into the future.

John T Pratt asked:


Now that technology has made cell phones more popular than watches and handbags, you can’t go much of anywhere without seeing someone engaged in conversation with their hand plastered to their ear. This has become a bit of a problem since it ties up on of your hands and distracts you (while driving). That’s probably why the most popular accessory since the phone charger itself is now the “bluetooth headset”.

What Is a Bluetooth Headset?

Nearly all modern cell phones have “bluetooth” capatibility. Mobile phones equipped with bluetooth have the ability to create a “personal area network” or PAN. A PAN is a short-range radio frequency meant to connect small devices like cell phones, laptops, PC’s, digital cameras, printers, video game consoles, etc. So a bluetooth headset is just a small earpiece with a microphone that connects to your cell phone via this short range wireless frequency on your personal area network. Now you know why you see so many people walking around talking to themselves that look like they’re from the cast of Star Trek because of the futuristic device attached to their head.

What Makes a Good Bluetooth Headset?

A good bluetooth headset is comfortable and made out of quality materials that will last a long time. It has as decent battery life, and hopefully the audio quality doesn’t sound like a semi driving through a tunnel. There are two sides to quality audio and the first is the earpiece. What you hear while talking on the phone through the bluetooth headset is in part determined by the quality of that speaker in the earpiece itself. A very low quality sub-$20 earpiece you bought in a bargain store or flea market is likely to have very tinny audio due to the speaker quality. Without some decent bass and mid-range response you’re likely to have problems listening for any extended period of time. The largest factor of quality however lies in the microphone. It’s garbage in – garbage out they say, and you’ll only hear quality audio if that’s what the microphone picks up. The same for the person you’ve called, the audio they receive on their end is only as good as what your microphone picks up. Often, that quality is affected by your physical location. If you are in a car with an open window, in a subway station, or at a restaurant – the microphone is likely to pickup much more than your voice. In contrast, if it’s a nice sunny day at a quiet park or if you’re inside on your sofa the headset will likely have much better audio.

What is Noise Cancelling Technology?

Noise Cancelling Technology is where a headset attempts to differentiate between your voice and background noise. It then separates the two to the best of it’s ability, canceling out the noise and transferring along only your voice to make the audio quality cleaner. Of course this works with varying degrees of success from poor to stellar. Once again the quality of the noise canceling bluetooth headset (and price paid) are probably pretty good indicators of the audio quality produced. Noise cancelling in bluetooth headsets is also called “Digital Signal Processing” or DSP. Headsets with better noise canceling usually have more than one microphone (two or more) to be able to separate the noise better.

What are the Best Noise Canceling Bluetooth Headsets?

There are a handful that are simply exceptional and really stand out from the crowd you should take note of. I’ll tell you what makes each one unique.

The Eliph Jawbone
The Jawbone has been getting absolutely rave reviews since it was first shown at CES early 2008. The Wall Street Journal, c|Net, engadget, Financial Times, and Macworld all give it stellar reviews. On c|Net the user reviews are a bit lower than what the editor’s gave it, but all in all they are still above average. It uses “military grade” noise canceling technology. You can usually find it new for $80-100.

The Jabra BT800

There are online reviews of the Jabra BT800 going back as far as 2005, which means this headset has been out awhile. Jabra is the world’s largest maker or bluetooth headsets, largely because of their lower pricepoint compared to others on the market. The thing that makes the BT800 popular to this day is what sets it apart – the digital display for caller ID. This is a feature not found in nearly any other bluetooth headset. The DSP in this headset boasts both noise cancelling and echo cancelling. Admittedly since this unit has been out a few years, newer units like the Jawbone will have better DSP, but then again you can get the Jabra BT800 under $40-50 now.

The Blueant Z9

The Blueant Z9 bluetooth headset came on the market in 2007 and retails for about $100. It claims to have advanced noice cancellation that “preserves the natural voice”. They call this their “Voice Isolation Technology”. In addition this unit has 2 modes for noise cancellation, both standard and “Max”. I guess you could be at the market or in a dog kennel and having the options for extreme circumstance can’t be all that bad. It’s highly rated by most users at tech sites, in fact more highly rated that all the Motorola bluetooth headsets we viewed.

The Jabra 8040

The Jabra 8040 is brand new for 2008 and it has some new features as well that make it stand out. It has MultiPoint technology, which gives it the ability to connect to two different devices at the same time (very handy!). It also seems to be one of the only “mono” headsets on the market with A2DP technology for streaming music wirelessly. You usually only see A2DP in full headphones or speakers. It is listed as having intelligent volume settings, and active noise reduction, but also has “Acoustic Shock Protection” which supposedly protects your ear from sudden spikes in volume. For all these features this Jabra model seems to be a bargain compared to some of the high priced models at it’s modest

Kelly Calkins asked:


As hearing aid technology gets more and more advanced, you will continue to get more and more features and better hearing. Bluetooth is one of those technological examples. Many of my patients don’t really understand Bluetooth or don’t need it, but it is a very nice and advanced feature. Bluetooth technology is a wireless feature that connects electronic devices to send information. For hearing aids this means that your cell phone, computer, television, iPod, or any other Bluetooth enabled device can be directly connected to your hearing aid. You can actually hear the TV or cell phone like you are wired directly to them without any outside interference.

The connection is accomplished by using a another piece of equipment to link the cellphone to the hearing aids. These devices are generally worn around the neck, but a few manufacturers have designed devices that you can carry in your pocket. The device that you wear around your neck has a microphone in it so that you can talk on the phone. The wire around your neck is what sends the sound to the hearing aid.

Depending on your lifestyle, Bluetooth may be a great option for you. If you talk on your cell phone a lot, it will be a great option for you. If you don’t need Bluetooth for the cellphone, you probably don’t need it for other things like TV or iPods. For many patients the extra equipment is a little overwhelming and many do well on the TV and Cell phone without Bluetooth. Bluetooth is simply a connection to your other devices and doesn’t make the hearing aids any louder or function any better, but they are very convenient.

Digital Hearing Aid accessories are excellent tools, but only to those who really need them. I don’t typically recommend that you buy any extra accessories like Bluetooth, FM systems, or remote controls unless you really need them. They are one more thing to purchase, one more thing that could break, and one more battery to change or recharge. You can always add them later if you need to.

If you live in a state or region where “hands-free” laws are in effect, then you should take a closer look at it. If this is the case, then Bluetooth may be a great option for you while you are in your car driving down the road. While Bluetooth is a great option and extremely convenient, the main goal of a hearing aid is to reconnect you with your family, friends, and loved ones so that you can experience life to the fullest again!

David Urmann asked:


Headsets utilizing Bluetooth technology are the most popular accessories of mobile communication gadgets. These pieces of electronic devices are attractive and designed fashionably. Manufacturers make sure that users don’t look clumsy and silly when using these headsets.

Bluetooth headsets are greatly varied, coming in many models. Do not just look at the design but also the functionality relative to your kind of work.

Top ten Bluetooth headsets in alphabetical order:

1. Aliph Jawbone is the smallest headset available in the market. It has an attractive minimalist look with high quality audio. The controls are in the actual unit itself. The NoiseAssasin feature makes clear sound quality during calls.

2. Jabra JX 20 Pura Titanium Edition is on luxurious and expensive. The headset is made of lightweight titanium, making it useable without ear hooks. The earpiece is rotated to turn the unit on and off. The headset comes with a handy desktop dock charger.

3. LG HBM-310 is a perfect match for the stylish LG handsets. Its cheap cost is attractive to consumers. Sound quality is just adequate.

4. Logitech Cordless Headset for PC and Mobile Phone is considered the most stylish headset. The ear hook of the headset sets the unit comfortably in place.

5. NextLink Invisio G5 is claimed to be the smallest Bluetooth headset, just 3.3 centimeters. The ear hook folds inside the ear instead of hooking outside the lobe. Because of the small size, the sound quality is a bit compromised.

6. Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-902 has a little LCD display. Displayed are the volume level and caller ID. Displays are useless when attached to the ears.

7. Plantronics Discovery 925 is a slim Bluetooth headset, light and stylish. Audio quality good, particularly to cell phones. The microphone is picking up voice clearly. The molded rubber holds the earpiece comfortably without the need for ear hook.

8. Samsung WEP700 is a headset with two microphones. The design reduces background noise. Unit could not be recharged from the USB port of a computer.

9. Sennheiser VMX 100 has a large ear hook looking like a hearing aid. The headset is firmly in place even on the move. Sound quality is very okay. There is a twin microphone set-up to filter background noise. The unit is turned off when it is folded.

10. Sony Ericsson HBH-IV840 is a mobile phone headset that is similar to a tie-pin because of the slim built. It does not need an ear hook. A neck strap secures the headset from accidental falls. Two buttons serve as control panel of the headset. The phone controls the volume. Audio quality is acceptable.

Glenn Foley asked:


But using a mobile phone while behind the wheel is legal if the use of a hands free or bluetooth device is involved. But which is best for both economy and ease of use. These depend on how much you will use the car kit or bluetooth headset and obviously your taste.

Car kits are an excellent way of talking while avoiding them dreaded penalty points. They come in all shapes and sizes and have a variety of functions. Some, such as the basic Nokia CK7W car kit is designed mainly for Nokia handsets. Depending on which handset you have, the car kit is designed to display the phone clearly on the dashboard. This allows you to see any call or SMS, which you receive while driving. Making calls is also just as easy, because the phone is clearly visible on the dashboard; you call access your phonebook and select the person you wish to call.

Other car kits which would off bluetooth and don’t have the phone displayed clearly on the dashboard. Bluetooth car kits do have pros and cons to them however. Firstly; bluetooth car kits allow you to have the phone anywhere within a certain range; i.e. in your pocket. This is useful because it means you don’t have to dig the phone out of your pocket or handbag in order to place it in the cradle. The downside to this however is you don’t know who is calling unless you actually look at the phone but it still allows for conversations to continue.

Installation of car kits is easy enough. Professional engineers can arrange to meet you at a time and place that suits and install it professionally. This can be a little expensive but it does mean however that if a qualified professional installs it, the warranty on the car kit is not void as it would be if you installed it yourself.

A much less expensive to the whole car kit solution is the bluetooth headset option. The size, weight and price of these have fallen within the last 2-3 years. Headsets are not just confined to the car but can be worn outside as well. Headsets give clear sound but also have the added bonus of not allowing other people to hear the conversation. Headsets don’t give you the freedom a fully installed car kit offers. Some headsets have voice recognition, but some people may prefer to select the number from the phone; this in itself contradicts the whole idea of hands free and increases the possibility of penalty point.

Research around the world has shown the benefit of using a hands free device not just to driving safety but also to personal safety. Many people balance their phone between their shoulder and their head while driving. This has been proven to restrict blood flow. But by actually trying to balance the handset, a driver’s movement are impaired which may be an important factor in critical situations.

Bluetooth devices such as headsets and car kits can avoid a driver getting penalty points. Many people however fail to realise that the threat of hurting yourself or other is more important than penalty. Penalty points do make people think about their actions, and hopefully by doing so they will use bluetooth headsets or a car kit.

Finally, penalty points can also hit people where it really hurts, in their pockets. The fact that if stopped, a driver can receive a fine, but too many points may result in higher insurance premiums and perhaps a ban from driving if too many points are received. This can make you lose more than just your car!

Ernesto Maitim asked:


Bluetooth technology started in 1994 as a basic but promising wireless connection device but ever since it has evolved greatly, adapted and become more creative with its multiple functions, features and uses.

One great feature of this device is the Bluetooth connection especially between mobile phones. The device allows the cell phone owners to be able to connect to their headset with the use of any cords. Bluetooth likewise allows cell phone users to be able to make connection with hand free kits.

Another very important use of Bluetooth connection is in the aspect of file sharing. The technology allows two mobile phones, or a cell phone and a PC to share various files. Sharing of the files in this process can be done immediately and easily. Should you have a file from your phone which you want to transfer to your computer, you can easily perform the process. The same is true if you have a PC file which you want to store into your mobile phone.

To cite an example if you decide on putting MP3 from your computer into your mobile phone, this process can be done in a snap with the use of Bluetooth. An important Bluetooth accessory that you need to have is an adaptor for the PC. Swapping and exchanges of files can also be done using your pc and cell phone such as putting phone books in sync and being able to send text messages.

Will the Bluetooth technology is much visibly utilized for cell phones, the device is also very useful when it comes to the homes and offices as well. The technology that is Bluetooth connection is simply a great means of setting up an office, or a home office for that matter. With a simple office on your residence, you just need two PCs, printer and a scanner. All of them become easily connected with the Bluetooth technology. Ranges should be within 10 meters in order to optimize effectiveness.

Indeed, the Bluetooth technology and all its wireless devices are here to stay. And at it evolves as time goes by, it will offer much better solutions meant for various applications. And while some might argue about the Bluetooth only effective in short ranges, it is still recognized as unparalleled in wireless technology.

A Aryan asked:


Bluetooth Technology is being widely used in portable devices such as Mobile’s, Digital Camera’s, etc. But because of its slow speed does not gain so much attention. Suppose we want to transfer huge files from our mobile devices to our PC, we will prefer connecting the phone via cable rather than using the in-built Bluetooth. This is just because of DTR or Data Transfer Rate is high when connecting with cable as compared to a Bluetooth connection.

To resolve this problem with the current version, the Special Interest Group (SIG) is going to release 2.2 Version in the end of Q2 of 2009 integrated with some high speed configuration technologies. These new releases Include a specification of High Speed, which allows transaction and exchange of data at a very high rate.

To offer Enhanced Data Transfer Rate, either WLAN (wireless local area network) or UWB (ultra wide band) will be utilized in conjunction with Bluetooth Technology. These technologies will be marketed with Bluetooth 10x & Bluetooth 100x tags.

The Bluetooth 10x is expected earlier than the 100x as the devices with WLAN have already made their presence in the market. Though the finished products won’t appear in market before 2010. Integration of WLAN & UWB with Bluetooth technology will not only increase the speed but will also increases the range on a wider scale killing the 10m mark as of today.

After this integration usage possibilities will be raised very high as it won’t be only used for wireless headphones or data transfer. Imagine a Video Conversation on two mobiles in two different rooms of your house. This new technology has a high potential to transfer huge data wirelessly in just few seconds because of its Better Range and Speed.

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