Almost
every device you can buy today supports Bluetooth. Bluetooth is a wireless
technology standard whose purpose is to connect gadgets without a cable.
Bluetooth was invented by a team of engineers working for Ericsson, the
networking giant. Ericsson’s Dutch electrical engineer Jaap Haartsen is
credited as the inventor of Bluetooth.
Haartsen
has said he developed the standard in 1994, but hadn’t yet found a name for it.
Bluetooth is named after the 10th century king of Denmark and Norway, Harald
Bluetooth. The king famously united Danish tribes into one kingdom much like
the Bluetooth technology unites communication protocols.
No
one “owns” Bluetooth, but its use and advancement is managed by an entity. To
ensure Bluetooth became a universal communications protocol, in 1998 a group of
companies came together to form the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), a
not-for-profit group. Today, the Bluetooth SIG handles the development of new
Bluetooth standards, like Bluetooth 5,
and licenses the technology to partners and members. Currently, there are over
30,000 members in the Bluetooth SIG.
What
makes Bluetooth different is the use of a technique called frequency hopping.
Bluetooth uses 79 bands of radio waves in the 2.4GHz frequency. When you send
data, Bluetooth first divides this data into smaller packets. These packets are
sent individually over those 79 bands, and Bluetooth is smart enough to change
bands rapidly so that no one line gets clogged. Bluetooth can simultaneously
connect up to eight devices and allow them to talk to each other. Below are
just some of the most common misconceptions about Bluetooth technology.
Bluetooth Can Be Harmful to Your Health For years, there has been a lot of misinformation when it
comes to radiation and cell phones. As countless studies are continuously
released, there has been no definitive proof that shows radiation from cell
phones is leading to cancer or other health issues. In response to the rumors
about Bluetooth technology and radiation, many electronics manufacturers have
started to make products that feature a lower power output. Most experts agree
that this lower output helps to reduce the chance of radiation exposure and
actually provides a better sound quality. Before you buy a Bluetooth headset or
speaker, be sure to find out more about the power output being provided.
Choosing a device that puts out about 100mW of power is a good idea.
Bluetooth Will Only Work in Smaller Spaces Another common misconception about Bluetooth technology is
that it will only work in smaller spaces. While it is true that this technology
works best in a confined area, you can still use it in larger spaces with ease.
If you are looking to use Bluetooth technology in a larger area, be sure to pay
attention to the class a particular device is put in. Using class
1 Bluetooth devices will allow you to connect from up
to 100 meters. A class 3 device will be good for less than 10 meters. So be
sure to look at the fine print on a device before making a purchase. While you
may have to pay more for a higher class device, it will definitely be worth it
considering the heightened level of connectivity they can provide.
Devices That Run on Bluetooth Aren’t Reliable In the beginning, Bluetooth devices were full of problems.
As with any other technology, these problems have been eliminated over the
years. Most of the speakers and headsets on the market today will work flawlessly
for a long time. The key to getting the level of reliability you are looking
for is investing in higher quality devices. Trying to skimp on the quality of
your devices to save money will generally backfire in amazing style. With a bit
of time and research, finding the right Bluetooth speakers and headsets will be
a breeze. Checking the online reviews a product has before making a purchase
can help you avoid a case of buyer’s remorse.
Using Bluetooth Drains a Device’s Battery During the beginning stages of the Bluetooth technology;
people would experience a significant reduction in battery life. Most of this
battery drain was caused by the Bluetooth system constantly searching for new
devices to pair with once it was turned on. With modern advances in Bluetooth
technology, smartphone users don’t have to worry about this battery drainage
issues. Many devices feature a low energy module setting for the Bluetooth
system. When this setting is enabled, you will be able to keep your Bluetooth
on at all times without having to worry about your battery life being depleted.
“Men are like Bluetooth: he is
connected to you when you are nearby, but searches for other devices when you
are away… Women are like Wi-Fi: she sees all available devices, but connects to
the strongest one.”
(Anonymous)[i]
[i] Sources used:
·
“Just the Facts: Common Bluetooth Myths You Need to Ignore” By Sameer
Kotian
·
“What Is Bluetooth? 10 Common Questions, Asked and
Answered” by Mihir Patkar
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