A Bluetooth is what?

Written by Latricia Cooke-Eason on Mar 29, 2009 1:56 am

Have you bought a new cell phone recently that said is was Bluetooth compatible?

Bluetooth is an open wireless protocol for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks (PANs). It was originally conceived as a wireless alternative to RS232 data cables. It can connect several devices, overcoming problems of synchronization.

A mobile phone that is Bluetooth enabled is able to pair with many devices. To ensure the broadest support of feature functionality together with legacy device support, the OMT. The Bluetooth specification was developed in 1994 by Jaap Haartsen and Sven Mattisson, who were working for Ericsson Mobile Platforms in Lund, Sweden. The specification is based on frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology.

The specifications were formalized by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). The SIG was formally announced on May 20, 1998. Today it has a membership of over 11,000 companies worldwide. It was established by Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Toshiba, and Nokia, and later joined by many other companies. Products with Bluetooth technology must be qualified and pass interoperability testing by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group prior to release.

Most countries in the world and a few places in the US have banned the use of cell phones while driving without a handsfree device. If caught some include a hefty fine + points on your license. Check the statistics from Cellular News - http://www.cellular-news.com/car_bans/

Do you have a Bluetooth?