Bluetooth Explained - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

arch13 · 02-06-2004, 07:51 PM

So after passing mentions and vague understandings of the new wireless technology Bluetooth, I’ve decided to try and help clear the air.

[QUOTE] What are the differences between Wi-Fi™ (IEEE 802.11b) and the Bluetooth wireless technology?

The Bluetooth wireless technology and Wi-Fi are complementary technologies. The Bluetooth wireless technology is designed to replace cables between cell phones, laptops, and other computing and communication devices within a 10-meter range. Wi-Fi is wireless Ethernet; it provides an extension or replacement of wired networks for dozens of computing devices.[/QOUTE]

Often descriptions about bluetooth are vague and misleading. For example, contrary to the above statement, Bluetooth has a range of between 10 and 30 meters, not simply 10 meters. Bluetooth is for short-range communication (less than 100 feet max) between small devices. It has an average transfer speed of 756kbps, far less than the 11mbps of WiFi. Its primary use is in connecting non-computer based electronics together and allowing them to communicate amongst each other and computers.
For example, I use my Palm Tungsten|2 PDA (http://www.palmone.com/us/products/h...s/tungsten-t2/ ) connected with my MSI KT3-Ultra/BR motherboard that utilizes a built in bluetooth riser card (http://www.msi.com.tw/program/produc...il.php?UID=325) to wirelessly sync my palm without docking it with my computer. I can also use the bluetooth connection between my computer and Palm to wirelessly check my email and browse the Internet, as well as browse the hard drive for needed files. I can do these things because the bluetooth connection can emulate numerous forms of standard communication with a computer. For Syncing, the wireless connection emulates a standard COM port so that the computer thinks that the palm is actually in the cradle and behaves as if it is. The information sent to this emulated COM port is then sent back over the wireless link to my computer. When I browse the Internet, the bluetooth creates a bluetooth network on the computer and then bridges this connection with my wired network to take advantage of Internet sharing. My palm is wirelessly assigned an IP address accordingly and can act as if it’s just another computer on the network with equal access to port 80 to request information from the Internet. From the point of view of the router at the network front, all the page request from the palm originated from my computer. I can even control my winamp from across the house via a program called Btamp (http://priv.astronet.pl/azzie/btamp/ ) that shows winamp on my Palm screen and my playlist. It allows my Palm to act as a remote control for Winamp and change songs or entire playlist’s from across the apartment. For nearly every type of port and it’s associated uses, a bluetooth port emulator has been written. This allows the wireless connection to appear to the computer as the port needed for an application, with the bluetooth drivers handling the transfer of the information from this (non-existent) port to the bluetooth antenna and on to my palm.

Even more exciting are the application with cellular phones that are starting to come on line from different companies. For example, the Sony erricson T68i has bluetooth built in. (http://www.sonyericsson.com/us/spg.j...e=T68i_Explore) When I use such a phone, I can sync my palm database of phone numbers directly into the cell without needing to enter them manually. I can then set the phone to ask my computer for updates, say every Monday at noon, and the phone will automatically connect with the computer and ask the palm sync program for any changes to the list of phone numbers and update itself accordingly. This means that for the first time I can truly have only one list of contact information, and every thing both hardware and software will reflect this one master list as opposed to lists in outlook, cell phone, palm, etc.
The phones will also relay caller ID information to my palm, allowing me to look at my palms screen (it scrolls the name along the screen bottom like a news ticker) and see who’s calling before I ever take the phone out of my bag to answer. The phone will also pass on all text messages I receive to the palm, so that I can save them forever (most phones delete txt messages older than 30 days) and read them on the larger screen. For phones that support pictures, the phones can also send received pictures to the Palms picture program, which will then sync them to the My Pictures folder in Windows so that you can save them.

The newer phones coming on line now with bluetooth have features such as AOL IM built in, which means that your phone will connect with a palm or PPC via bluetooth, and you can chat using your pda instead of having to tap out messages for IM on your phone keypad. Data support to use phones as storage like thumb drives is also coming to market, so your computer sees and can connect with the phone directly via bluetooth and create a folder in the phones flash memory to save data.
New dongles that plug into lpt printer ports on printers to allow them to communicate with multiple computers (and even palms) using bluetooth went on sale this past January, meaning you can even get bluetooth print servers now. I’m sure that everyone is also aware of Microsoft’s mouse and keyboard that utilize it as well. (http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mo...s.aspx?pid=013). In fact, if you use this combo then you have a transceiver for your desktop already and can take advantage of everything with spending more money to buy one for 30.00.

As for security, bluetooth uses blowfish encryption which is government grade secure and not interceptable. Because all connected devices are “paired” by giving a password of your choice to identify themselves to each other, no one around you also using bluetooth will see your phone or pda unless you choose for them to be discoverable by other bluetooth capable devices. Also, because all your devices remember the devices they are paired with and recognize them through password and device configuration, no one can spoof an identity to gain access to a bluetooth device.

All new Mac’s including the PowerBooks, Ibook G4’s, and G5’s have built in bluetooth. Windows 2000 and XP support it as of service packs 3 and 1 respectively. Most PC motherboard makers do not yet feel critical mass in the market has been reached, so have shied away from incorporating it into the latest VIA and NVIDIA chipsets. That said, the code is in these chipsets, the board makers have simply chosen no to activate it and have not added the peripheral’s to use it. MSI has even stepped back after feeling there was not sufficient demand, and their new KT6’s have no pins on the motherboard to use a riser card despite that the chipset on these boards can operate them.
For now PC users can use usb dongles from Dlink and Netgear to use bluetooth on their computer. Most Notebook computers released since December have it built in natively, and only Sony has restrained from adding it to their notebooks. I f you have a centrino notebook from the last two months, you already have bluetooth.
There are rumors abound that apple has built bluetooth into all 3rd generation Ipod’s and is waiting to release the next firmware update that will activate the latent technology until they feel that ready to capitalize on bluetooth.

The average PC dongle costs 30.00, and all Palm T series, Handspring smart phones, and new PPC’s have bluetooth natively. As mentioned, all apples have had bluetooth since 2003 and even Sony has agreed to add it to all new notebooks. In fact, at this point the left out party who is not being seen as a market is the desktop user. I find myself buying extra KT3 and KT4 motherboards on Ebay to equip my whole office with bluetooth.

Some good resources are:
http://www.bluetooth.com - which provides a list of companies that make computer, cell phone, and other devices that utilize bluetooth. (See: http://www.bluetooth.com/products/)
http://www.bluetooth.org - which provides tech specs about bluetooth.
http://promo.motorola.com/bluetooth/index.html - for a list of Motorola cell phones that use bluetooth.
http://www.nokia.com/nokia/0,8764,397,00.html - for a list of Nokia phones that use bluetooth.
http://www.palm.com/handhelds - for a list of Palms that support bluetooth.

poof · 02-06-2004, 08:45 PM

You da man.
Thanks,
Anyone can google bluetooth and get <a href="http://www.technetium.biz/acatalog/Bluetooth_explained.html">this explanation</a>

danburi · 02-06-2004, 09:04 PM

Here, here. Great explanation, arch13, and thanks for the Google link, poof. You'd think mobile providers or cell phone makers would want to educate us on this a little more...I didn't know my cell phone even had bluetooth (it does - cool).

Thanks again!

arch13 · 02-08-2004, 01:03 PM

With a little shameless self promotion, I'm going to *bump*

rubicon · 02-09-2004, 10:18 AM

I've got my Tungsten T3 paired with my Sony Ericsson T68i. This allows me to send SMS messages from the Palm and connect to the Internet using Bluetotth instead of IR.

I haven't tried to sync the Palm using Bluetooth but as arch13 explains, it's easy enough through the COM ports.

I tried syncing my contacts with my T68i using Sony's XTENDConnect and had miserable results - XP would fail to recognize the phone. I'll have to try arch13's method.

Bluetooth on my T68i was worth it for the BT Jabra headset. No wires has always been the promise of technology and it's a joy to not get tangled when going handsfree.

When it comes to mobile phones and Bluetooth, you'll find them limited by the built-in BT profiles. For example, I cannot "browse" the contents of my T68i because it lacks the necessary BT profile for that function. However, the T600/610 can.

If you're using a Mac, try Salling Clicker . It allows you to use your Sony BT phone or Palm to remotely control your Mac. iTunes, DVD player, PowerPoint, and more.

arch13 · 02-09-2004, 08:40 PM

Actaully Rubicon, I don't have the t68i, I have a european V60i moterola with bluetooth (only the Europe models had it), but i'll be happy to look into what hacks and support i can find for your phone.

rubicon · 02-10-2004, 09:29 AM

The problem I experienced was Sony's Mobile Phone Monitor. It is a control panel applet that failed to recognize my phone most of the time. The biggest failing of Bluetooth under XP is loading the vast array of drivers and background processes on my system. That always spells trouble.

At the moment I'm syncing the phone using third-party tools via IR - it gives me tight control without the hassle of BT drivers in XP. Ironically, I had no problems syncing OS X's Address Book with the T68i using BT. The more I use the Mac the more I discover it's the little "usability" features that make it excel over XP. Hard to explain without using a Mac for awhile.

I've looked high and low to find good apps, hacks, mods for the T68. The best I've done so far is SendFile (which I don't need because my IR adapter has that function), float's Mobile Agent, and Susteen's Data Pilot.

Thanks in advance if you locate some interesting things for the T68 but don't let it take much of your time.

Silverbrain · 02-10-2004, 04:52 PM

Very well explained, I had a general understanding of bluetooth but now it actually makes sense. Thanks

Mr. Sparkle · 07-09-2004, 09:41 AM

Hi there,

This might merit it's own thread but I will start here. I just purchased a Motorola v600 with bluetooth capibilities. Now they want me to buy some $30 software to connect it to my computer.

I think this sucks. Do you suppose there is anywhere else to get the software? It is called Mobile Phone Tools.

Thx in advance

rubicon · 07-09-2004, 11:32 AM

Is "Mobile Phone Tools" synchronization software (like Palm or PocketPC)?

Mr. Sparkle · 07-09-2004, 02:31 PM

I believe that the software is sync software. I already bought it and they will ship it to me but I am wondering what would happen if I just got the bluetooth connectivity thing for my computer. My hypothesis is that I will be able to connect between the two but I don't know how. The sync software will allow me to sync with outlook and whatnot I believe but my blackberry does that already (I am in a high pressure sales job with some cool tools, i just started and am trying to get everything straight). I'll try and report back what the phone does without the software and with it.

Thanks,

dnd · 07-11-2004, 08:46 AM

thanks for that explanation...really handy

cheers

Mr. Sparkle · 07-11-2004, 09:14 AM

No!

I didnt mean to pretend that I knew anything. I have yet to get the bluetooth adapter for my computer (which I should get today) nor the software for my computer. My hopes is to find someone who uses mMode or this sync thing for the v600 or something comperable. Are there other softwares available for my phone or am I pidgon-holded into using one. Also, Igot a cool Java doppler weather thing for a couple bucks a month. What are some other fun things I can do? I know nothing! Nothing I say!

02-06-2004, 07:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
arch13 Loves my girl in thongs Location: North of Mexico, South of Canada	Bluetooth Explained So after passing mentions and vague understandings of the new wireless technology Bluetooth, I’ve decided to try and help clear the air. [QUOTE] What are the differences between Wi-Fi™ (IEEE 802.11b) and the Bluetooth wireless technology? The Bluetooth wireless technology and Wi-Fi are complementary technologies. The Bluetooth wireless technology is designed to replace cables between cell phones, laptops, and other computing and communication devices within a 10-meter range. Wi-Fi is wireless Ethernet; it provides an extension or replacement of wired networks for dozens of computing devices.[/QOUTE] Often descriptions about bluetooth are vague and misleading. For example, contrary to the above statement, Bluetooth has a range of between 10 and 30 meters, not simply 10 meters. Bluetooth is for short-range communication (less than 100 feet max) between small devices. It has an average transfer speed of 756kbps, far less than the 11mbps of WiFi. Its primary use is in connecting non-computer based electronics together and allowing them to communicate amongst each other and computers. For example, I use my Palm Tungsten\|2 PDA (http://www.palmone.com/us/products/h...s/tungsten-t2/ ) connected with my MSI KT3-Ultra/BR motherboard that utilizes a built in bluetooth riser card (http://www.msi.com.tw/program/produc...il.php?UID=325) to wirelessly sync my palm without docking it with my computer. I can also use the bluetooth connection between my computer and Palm to wirelessly check my email and browse the Internet, as well as browse the hard drive for needed files. I can do these things because the bluetooth connection can emulate numerous forms of standard communication with a computer. For Syncing, the wireless connection emulates a standard COM port so that the computer thinks that the palm is actually in the cradle and behaves as if it is. The information sent to this emulated COM port is then sent back over the wireless link to my computer. When I browse the Internet, the bluetooth creates a bluetooth network on the computer and then bridges this connection with my wired network to take advantage of Internet sharing. My palm is wirelessly assigned an IP address accordingly and can act as if it’s just another computer on the network with equal access to port 80 to request information from the Internet. From the point of view of the router at the network front, all the page request from the palm originated from my computer. I can even control my winamp from across the house via a program called Btamp (http://priv.astronet.pl/azzie/btamp/ ) that shows winamp on my Palm screen and my playlist. It allows my Palm to act as a remote control for Winamp and change songs or entire playlist’s from across the apartment. For nearly every type of port and it’s associated uses, a bluetooth port emulator has been written. This allows the wireless connection to appear to the computer as the port needed for an application, with the bluetooth drivers handling the transfer of the information from this (non-existent) port to the bluetooth antenna and on to my palm. Even more exciting are the application with cellular phones that are starting to come on line from different companies. For example, the Sony erricson T68i has bluetooth built in. (http://www.sonyericsson.com/us/spg.j...e=T68i_Explore) When I use such a phone, I can sync my palm database of phone numbers directly into the cell without needing to enter them manually. I can then set the phone to ask my computer for updates, say every Monday at noon, and the phone will automatically connect with the computer and ask the palm sync program for any changes to the list of phone numbers and update itself accordingly. This means that for the first time I can truly have only one list of contact information, and every thing both hardware and software will reflect this one master list as opposed to lists in outlook, cell phone, palm, etc. The phones will also relay caller ID information to my palm, allowing me to look at my palms screen (it scrolls the name along the screen bottom like a news ticker) and see who’s calling before I ever take the phone out of my bag to answer. The phone will also pass on all text messages I receive to the palm, so that I can save them forever (most phones delete txt messages older than 30 days) and read them on the larger screen. For phones that support pictures, the phones can also send received pictures to the Palms picture program, which will then sync them to the My Pictures folder in Windows so that you can save them. The newer phones coming on line now with bluetooth have features such as AOL IM built in, which means that your phone will connect with a palm or PPC via bluetooth, and you can chat using your pda instead of having to tap out messages for IM on your phone keypad. Data support to use phones as storage like thumb drives is also coming to market, so your computer sees and can connect with the phone directly via bluetooth and create a folder in the phones flash memory to save data. New dongles that plug into lpt printer ports on printers to allow them to communicate with multiple computers (and even palms) using bluetooth went on sale this past January, meaning you can even get bluetooth print servers now. I’m sure that everyone is also aware of Microsoft’s mouse and keyboard that utilize it as well. (http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mo...s.aspx?pid=013). In fact, if you use this combo then you have a transceiver for your desktop already and can take advantage of everything with spending more money to buy one for 30.00. As for security, bluetooth uses blowfish encryption which is government grade secure and not interceptable. Because all connected devices are “paired” by giving a password of your choice to identify themselves to each other, no one around you also using bluetooth will see your phone or pda unless you choose for them to be discoverable by other bluetooth capable devices. Also, because all your devices remember the devices they are paired with and recognize them through password and device configuration, no one can spoof an identity to gain access to a bluetooth device. All new Mac’s including the PowerBooks, Ibook G4’s, and G5’s have built in bluetooth. Windows 2000 and XP support it as of service packs 3 and 1 respectively. Most PC motherboard makers do not yet feel critical mass in the market has been reached, so have shied away from incorporating it into the latest VIA and NVIDIA chipsets. That said, the code is in these chipsets, the board makers have simply chosen no to activate it and have not added the peripheral’s to use it. MSI has even stepped back after feeling there was not sufficient demand, and their new KT6’s have no pins on the motherboard to use a riser card despite that the chipset on these boards can operate them. For now PC users can use usb dongles from Dlink and Netgear to use bluetooth on their computer. Most Notebook computers released since December have it built in natively, and only Sony has restrained from adding it to their notebooks. I f you have a centrino notebook from the last two months, you already have bluetooth. There are rumors abound that apple has built bluetooth into all 3rd generation Ipod’s and is waiting to release the next firmware update that will activate the latent technology until they feel that ready to capitalize on bluetooth. The average PC dongle costs 30.00, and all Palm T series, Handspring smart phones, and new PPC’s have bluetooth natively. As mentioned, all apples have had bluetooth since 2003 and even Sony has agreed to add it to all new notebooks. In fact, at this point the left out party who is not being seen as a market is the desktop user. I find myself buying extra KT3 and KT4 motherboards on Ebay to equip my whole office with bluetooth. Some good resources are: http://www.bluetooth.com - which provides a list of companies that make computer, cell phone, and other devices that utilize bluetooth. (See: http://www.bluetooth.com/products/) http://www.bluetooth.org - which provides tech specs about bluetooth. http://promo.motorola.com/bluetooth/index.html - for a list of Motorola cell phones that use bluetooth. http://www.nokia.com/nokia/0,8764,397,00.html - for a list of Nokia phones that use bluetooth. http://www.palm.com/handhelds - for a list of Palms that support bluetooth. __________________ Seen on an employer evaluation: "The wheel is turning but the hamsters dead" ____________________________ Is arch13 really a porn diety ? find out after the film at 11. -Nanofever Last edited by arch13; 02-06-2004 at 07:53 PM..

02-08-2004, 01:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
arch13 Loves my girl in thongs Location: North of Mexico, South of Canada	With a little shameless self promotion, I'm going to bump __________________ Seen on an employer evaluation: "The wheel is turning but the hamsters dead" ____________________________ Is arch13 really a porn diety ? find out after the film at 11. -Nanofever

02-09-2004, 10:18 AM	#5 (permalink)
rubicon Stop. Think. Question. Location: Redondo Beach, CA	I've got my Tungsten T3 paired with my Sony Ericsson T68i. This allows me to send SMS messages from the Palm and connect to the Internet using Bluetotth instead of IR. I haven't tried to sync the Palm using Bluetooth but as arch13 explains, it's easy enough through the COM ports. I tried syncing my contacts with my T68i using Sony's XTENDConnect and had miserable results - XP would fail to recognize the phone. I'll have to try arch13's method. Bluetooth on my T68i was worth it for the BT Jabra headset. No wires has always been the promise of technology and it's a joy to not get tangled when going handsfree. When it comes to mobile phones and Bluetooth, you'll find them limited by the built-in BT profiles. For example, I cannot "browse" the contents of my T68i because it lacks the necessary BT profile for that function. However, the T600/610 can. If you're using a Mac, try Salling Clicker . It allows you to use your Sony BT phone or Palm to remotely control your Mac. iTunes, DVD player, PowerPoint, and more. __________________ How you do anything is how you do everything.

02-09-2004, 08:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
arch13 Loves my girl in thongs Location: North of Mexico, South of Canada	Actaully Rubicon, I don't have the t68i, I have a european V60i moterola with bluetooth (only the Europe models had it), but i'll be happy to look into what hacks and support i can find for your phone. __________________ Seen on an employer evaluation: "The wheel is turning but the hamsters dead" ____________________________ Is arch13 really a porn diety ? find out after the film at 11. -Nanofever

02-10-2004, 09:29 AM	#7 (permalink)
rubicon Stop. Think. Question. Location: Redondo Beach, CA	The problem I experienced was Sony's Mobile Phone Monitor. It is a control panel applet that failed to recognize my phone most of the time. The biggest failing of Bluetooth under XP is loading the vast array of drivers and background processes on my system. That always spells trouble. At the moment I'm syncing the phone using third-party tools via IR - it gives me tight control without the hassle of BT drivers in XP. Ironically, I had no problems syncing OS X's Address Book with the T68i using BT. The more I use the Mac the more I discover it's the little "usability" features that make it excel over XP. Hard to explain without using a Mac for awhile. I've looked high and low to find good apps, hacks, mods for the T68. The best I've done so far is SendFile (which I don't need because my IR adapter has that function), float's Mobile Agent, and Susteen's Data Pilot. Thanks in advance if you locate some interesting things for the T68 but don't let it take much of your time. __________________ How you do anything is how you do everything.

02-06-2004, 08:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
poof Psycho	You da man. Thanks, Anyone can google bluetooth and get <a href="http://www.technetium.biz/acatalog/Bluetooth_explained.html">this explanation</a>

02-06-2004, 09:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
danburi Upright Location: Sunny Central Texas	Here, here. Great explanation, arch13, and thanks for the Google link, poof. You'd think mobile providers or cell phone makers would want to educate us on this a little more...I didn't know my cell phone even had bluetooth (it does - cool). Thanks again!

02-10-2004, 04:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
Silverbrain Addict Location: Nor Cal	Very well explained, I had a general understanding of bluetooth but now it actually makes sense. Thanks __________________ Over Thinking, Over Analyzing Seperates the Body from the Mind - MJK

07-09-2004, 09:41 AM	#9 (permalink)
Mr. Sparkle Upright	Bluetooth software Hi there, This might merit it's own thread but I will start here. I just purchased a Motorola v600 with bluetooth capibilities. Now they want me to buy some $30 software to connect it to my computer. I think this sucks. Do you suppose there is anywhere else to get the software? It is called Mobile Phone Tools. Thx in advance

07-09-2004, 11:32 AM	#10 (permalink)
rubicon Stop. Think. Question. Location: Redondo Beach, CA	Is "Mobile Phone Tools" synchronization software (like Palm or PocketPC)? __________________ How you do anything is how you do everything.

07-09-2004, 02:31 PM	#11 (permalink)
Mr. Sparkle Upright	Bluetooth phone I believe that the software is sync software. I already bought it and they will ship it to me but I am wondering what would happen if I just got the bluetooth connectivity thing for my computer. My hypothesis is that I will be able to connect between the two but I don't know how. The sync software will allow me to sync with outlook and whatnot I believe but my blackberry does that already (I am in a high pressure sales job with some cool tools, i just started and am trying to get everything straight). I'll try and report back what the phone does without the software and with it. Thanks,

07-11-2004, 08:46 AM	#12 (permalink)
dnd Psycho Location: London...no longer a student	thanks for that explanation...really handy cheers __________________ "Never underestimate a dumb question"-- Brandon Boyd

07-11-2004, 09:14 AM	#13 (permalink)
Mr. Sparkle Upright	No! I didnt mean to pretend that I knew anything. I have yet to get the bluetooth adapter for my computer (which I should get today) nor the software for my computer. My hopes is to find someone who uses mMode or this sync thing for the v600 or something comperable. Are there other softwares available for my phone or am I pidgon-holded into using one. Also, Igot a cool Java doppler weather thing for a couple bucks a month. What are some other fun things I can do? I know nothing! Nothing I say!