Stefanie Khaw

One of the most annoying things in the world is something Wikipedia calls, “cable spaghetti,” in reference to the that large mass of cables behind or connected between electronic devices.
Locating your printer’s cable amidst the tangled bunch of wires connecting your CPU to your mouse, monitor, keyboard, printer, scanner and joystick is an unnecessary and irritating hassle. Most of you who listen to MP3 players while exercising will also relate to my sheer annoyance when it comes to the task of untangling earphone wires.

Bluetooth technology is a neater and highly convenient answer to these problems. It allows easy, wire-free, short-range communication between all sorts of electronic devices. Think about a wireless entertainment system –your sound system, DVD player and television can be in-sync without messy wires running all around and across your living room. If you get annoyed at the way your iPod’s cables bob up and down when you’re out for a run, all you’ll need is a pair of wireless Bluetooth earphones.

The origins of the name ‘Bluetooth’ is an interesting one. King Harald Blatand (Bluetooth) Gormson, was a 10th century Danish king. According to ABC NewsRadio, “King Harald was famous for getting warring factions to sit down at the negotiating table and talk to each other.” The inventors of the technology named Bluetooth as such to emphasise its ability to unify different technologies like computers and mobile phones or printers and cameras.

The technology was initially developed by Ericsson but a Bluetooth Special Interest Group was formed when experts became aware of its potential. Industry heavyweights Sony Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Toshiba and Nokia pioneered this group in 1999 and today around 1800 associate member companies exist worldwide.  

The number of Bluetooth products on the market is multiplying rapidly. These include hands free headsets, keyboards, printers, mice and remote controls. At the moment, it’s used mostly in mobile phones. Bluetooth operates in a free radio band so it costs nothing beyond the cost of your device and subscription with a mobile network. Mobile phone users normally use Bluetooth to share MP3 files and digital photos.  

Technology experts are exploring the possibility of implementing Bluetooth in household products like coffee machines and fridges. Nintendo’s video game console, Nintendo Wii, allows wireless gaming with a revolutionary set of controllers called the Wii-mote. The Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3), to be released this November will also use Bluetooth for its wireless controllers.

The advent of Bluetooth paved the way for wireless headphones. Most Bluetooth headphones can be simultaneously connected to a Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone and a music player. If someone calls you while you’re listening to music, the song automatically pauses to allow you to receive the incoming call. When you’re done talking, the music automatically resumes.

In the automobile industry, manufacturer Audi was the first to install Bluetooth in a car, allowing passenger to use a wireless in-car phone. Many other manufacturers followed suit with cars like the Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry and the Lexus LS 430. Technology and consulting firm Strategy Analytics predicts Bluetooth will be available in one-third of new vehicles in 2012 due to strong automotive consumer demand for hands-free solutions and growing consumer awareness of Bluetooth.

The system is characterized as a short-range communications technology, emphasising on security and low power consumption. Bluetooth allows devices to communicate with each other when they are within a range of one metre to 100 metres, depending on power supply.

It’s easy to confuse Bluetooth, infrared and Wi-Fi technology since all three involve hassle-free, wireless connections. Infrared is a “line of sight” technology meaning you need to point the remote control at an electronic device to make things happen. On the other hand, with Bluetooth, you don’t even need to be in the same room –the device will work as long as you’re within range. Compared to both its counterparts, Wi-Fi appliances consume more power and are more suitable for computer networks due to faster connection speeds, longer range and better security.  

Users with Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones should note the dangers of mobile viruses spreading through unknown Bluetooth connections. The most lethal viruses have been known to incur unnecessary charges on a user’s mobile phone bill. To avoid problems like this, turn on your Bluetooth connection only when necessary.  

According to The Economist, Bluetooth was slow to catch on when first introduced. There were compatibility problems and competition from other wireless technologies. Last year, 500 million Bluetooth units were installed worldwide. Reports say 10 million Bluetooth units are being sold per week this year. In spite of a late start, it certainly looks like Bluetooth will do very well.