Going wirefree the Bluetooth way

Data Transfer Speed and Frequency
Bluetooth transfers data at a rate of 721 Kbps, which is three times the average speed of parallel ports and eight times the average speed of serial ports. This bandwidth is capable of transmitting voice, data, video and still images. Unlike IrDA (Infrared Data Association), Bluetooth frequency ranges quite a distance from a metre to 100 metres even at blockades.

Security
In order for Bluetooth units to communicate without others listening in, Bluetooth devices must be paired. To accomplish this, the devices must recognise each other and be accessed with the same password. Data transferred between the devices are sent in cipher encrypted text format.

Protocol Stack
For the network communications between Bluetooth devices four protocol layers are basically on the task of which have Bluetooth core protocols, cable replacement protocol, telephony control protocols, and adopted protocols. In designing the protocols the main principle has been to maximize the re-use of existing protocols for different purposes at the higher layers, instead of re-inventing the wheel once again.

Local Market Inspection
By this time most of the hi-tech devices and especially the latest cell phones include built-in Bluetooth feature, which allow the derivation of its benefits even among the locals. Even though not widely used in terms of devices but at its early stage the adoption of the technology has increased because of the mobile phone market in the country. Some Bluetooth enabled catchy products are available at the BCS Computer City and the outlets of WinTrade.

Let me introduce you to some of the widely used Bluetooth devices.

Socket SDIO Connection Kit
This is a secure digital input/output (SDIO) card that can be inserted in Pocket PCs having a SDIO slot to enable Bluetooth. This would initiate communication between mobile computers and other Bluetooth enabled devices such as cell phones, printers and LAN access points. Available at taka 6500, it has an integrated antenna with a range up to 10 meters i.e. 30 feet. It must be noted that this particular product would only work on Pocket PCs with the SDIO slot.

Bluetooth USB Adapters
Bluetooth USB adapters are used to enable personal computers and notebooks with Bluetooth technology so that other Bluetooth enabled devices can communicate with the computers easily without any cable support. Quite a few USB adapters are available in the market now ranging a price from taka 1100 to 2500. With no warranties these products shape like the USB flash drives and work pretty good to my personal experience with some. The Chinese made brand less USB adapters tag a 100metre range but are available at taka 1100 to 1300 whereas those of branded USB adapters like Quatech and Anycom Blue are available at WinTrade at a price of taka 2500 providing the Class 1 Bluetooth i.e. 100metre in range or 328 feet.

Bluetooth Cell Phone
The most popular Bluetooth enabled sets available in the local markets are Motorola E398, Nokia 6600, 6230, 6230i, and 8800, Sony Ericsson K300i and P910 etc. Among all of them Nokia 6600 has caught up the craze as it appears with all the up to date features at quite an affordable price if the services are considered. They all include a minimum of 1.2 mega pixel camera, Bluetooth functionality, 32MB minimum storage space along with MP3 player. The prices range from taka 10,500 to 20,500 except for the Nokia 8800.

Bluetooth Headsets
People are more often seen using Bluetooth headsets than cell phones while on the move these days. It is because of the ease of talking on the phone while driving and biking even though the risk still remains for accidents as mind gets deviated.

Headsets of Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola and Bluetooth SIG are already available in the market in various models ranging prices from taka 3000 to 6500. The ANYCOM Blue Headset HS-790 is priced taka 6500 at WinTrade and it is the second ANYCOM Headset which is using the new generation of Bluetooth chipsets (CSR2) with Class 2 Bluetooth functionality i.e. 10metres range. These headsets also feature redialing and voice dialing options, which does not necessitate the use for a cell phone. Another headset available at Eastern Plaza is the Bluetooth B11 priced taka 4000 but it works in single key function to answer, end, mute and reject calls and it works in approximately 10metres distance from the cell phone.

Bluetooth Printers
It just takes seconds to print out a page from devices like the Nokia6600 cell phone with the Hewlett-Packard DeskJet 995C printer connected through Bluetooth. To print documents from a desktop PC via the Bluetooth adapter it is necessary to connect a serial port of the printer to the PC. This printer is available at taka 18000.

Canon Pixma iP90 - Although this printer does not have a built-in Bluetooth facility but it includes the Bluetooth insertion area for Bluetooth cards which if inserted would work in a range of 10metres with any other Bluetooth enabled mobile phones, PDA and computers. It's a sleek silver machine weighing just about four pounds and beats HP 450wbt on speed. The printer is available in the local market at taka 17000.

Bluetooth Smart Keyboard and Mouse
Mouse and keyboards are available too in the local market with Bluetooth functionality but they are limited. Weighing approximately 205gm the foldable Bluetooth Smart Keyboard can perform with PDA, mobile phones and computers and is available at WinTrade for taka 6000.