Living in the age of technology means new products, tools, and devices appear everyday. Bluetooth technology, for example, has been around for years, but hasn't become popular until recently.
Bluetooth technology is a wireless standard used for short-range communications. It is intended to replace the cables connecting portable or fixed devices by using radio frequencies.
Bluetooth began as a system that warned drivers when maintenance was due on a car or when a potential problem was developing. It allowed the driver to adjust heat, place calls, request music and more through a voice command.
Barbara Schmuker, a sales associate at UB Micro explained Bluetooth as a wireless standard used to connect small devices such as a personal digital assistant, (PDA) to computers.
"Students that use PDA's for class notes can connect to a keyboard and send notes easier," said Schmuker.
While Bluetooth is still used in many vehicles, it allows a wide range of devices to connect and communicate with each other through minimal battery power consumption. A tiny microchip, incorporating a radio transceiver, is built into these devices. Bluetooth appears in phones, pagers, notebooks, PDA's, wireless game controllers, hands-free headsets and more.
Dr. Joseph Salisbury, an adjunct assistant professor of communication works for IBM, does not see the benefit in this new form of technology.
"I don't even like using Bluetooth. I have a separate power cord for my two cell phones, Blackberry, and palm pilot. Why would I want to use another device?" Salisbury said.
On the other hand, Salisbury said, "If you ask some people, they will say Bluetooth has changed their life."
While using Bluetooth, a mobile phone can be hooked to a PDA or laptop so the phone will act as a wireless modem. On a laptop, Bluetooth allows wireless file exchange and network access. A headset also permits hands-free calling.
Colin Harewood, a senior communication major, felt that the growing use of Bluetooth products could greatly benefit the Buffalo community.
"Bluetooth is the biggest safety and convenience issue right now. In Buffalo, we can't talk on a cell phone while driving. If we all used headsets, it would decrease the number of tickets," Harewood said.
By plugging a Bluetooth adaptor into a cell phone, one could answer a call on a wireless headset even if the phone is not within line-of-sight. Bluetooth frequencies deliver clear sound and reception up to 100 meters away.
While Bluetooth technology promises wireless communication, privacy may be a concern to many.
Bluetooth provides a high transmission rate, where all data is protected by advanced error-correction methods. This means, Bluetooth transfers voice and data from one device to another while maintaining high levels of security.
Elizabeth White, a junior communication major, said Bluetooth enables people to do more at once.
"I have a Sprint phone. When I bought the phone, Sprint offered Bluetooth, but I didn't want to pay extra for it," said White.
Prices for Bluetooth were expensive when it first hit markets back in 2001, but are starting to decrease in 2006. UB Micro offers many Bluetooth products such as headsets, iPod's, and high quality printers, averaging $180. Attachments for computers that don't have Bluetooth are also available for purchase.
According to Schmuker, because prices are coming down, people are using Bluetooth in their homes now.
"I have Bluetooth on my computer at home. My sister and I use it to transfer papers and edit," said Schumaker.
"Schumaker also said that at UB Micro, students are asking for Bluetooth headsets for cell phones. Keyboards and mice are also very popular, especially for Apple computers because they come with Bluetooth installed.
While Bluetooth is convenient for small devices to communicate within short distances, it is not designed to carry heavy traffic loads or as a replacement to LAN, WAN, and Backbone cables. Bluetooth is portable, but needs occasional contact with computerized devices.
"Students are always asking what other ways they can use Bluetooth," Schmuker continued, "Bluetooth is the future of computing."
