What exactly does Bluetooth do?

Question

I've been living out of the country for a few years, so I'm completely lost.

Answer 1

Bluetooth is a wireless protocol utilizing short-range communications technology facilitating data transmission over short distances from fixed and/or mobile devices, creating wireless personal area networks (PANs). The intent behind the development of Bluetooth was the creation of a single digital wireless protocol, capable of connecting multiple devices and overcoming issues arising from synchronization of these devices. Bluetooth provides a way to connect and exchange information between devices such as mobile phones, telephones, laptops, personal computers, printers, GPS receivers, digital cameras, and video game consoles over a secure, globally unlicensed Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) 2.4 GHz short-range radio frequency bandwidth. The Bluetooth specifications are developed and licensed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). The Bluetooth SIG consists of companies in the areas of telecommunication, computing, networking, and consumer electronics.

[edit] List of applications



A typical Bluetooth mobile phone headset

Nokia BH-208 headset internalsMore prevalent applications of Bluetooth include:

Wireless control of and communication between a mobile phone and a hands-free headset. This was one of the earliest applications to become popular.

Wireless networking between PCs in a confined space and where little bandwidth is required.

Wireless communications with PC input and output devices, the most common being the mouse, keyboard and printer.

Transfer of files between devices with OBEX.

Transfer of contact details, calendar appointments, and reminders between devices with OBEX.

Replacement of traditional wired serial communications in test equipment, GPS receivers, medical equipment, bar code scanners, and traffic control devices.

For controls where infrared was traditionally used.

Sending small advertisements from Bluetooth enabled advertising hoardings to other, discoverable, Bluetooth devices.

Two seventh-generation game consoles, Nintendo's Wii[3] and Sony's PlayStation 3 use Bluetooth for their respective wireless controllers.

Dial-up internet access on personal computer or PDA using a data-capable mobile phone as a modem.