Bluetooth Technology Central

Overview | Glossary | FAQs

FAQs

Q: I own one Bluetooth enabled product. What else can I purchase that will work with it?
A: There are many exciting ways to connect two or more Bluetooth enabled products. This can include applications from Internet connectivity to printing to gaming to hands-free mobile phone use. The Experience Icons are a quick and easy way to tell which Bluetooth enabled products work together.

Q: Can I add Bluetooth technology to my devices at home?
A: There may be adapters available that add some level of Bluetooth functionality to your device, depending on the devices to which you are trying to add Bluetooth functionality. There are Bluetooth USB adapters for computers, Bluetooth adapters for mobile phones, and Bluetooth stereo dongles for MP3 players.

Q: What are the costs involved with using Bluetooth wireless technology? Do I need to set up an account or use a certain service?
A: The cost of using Bluetooth wireless technology is limited to the cost of the product in which it is integrated. Bluetooth wireless technology operates on an unlicensed radio spectrum. There is no charge for communicating between two Bluetooth devices. However, any use of data or voice services while using your mobile phone is part of your regular mobile phone cost. There is no account or service registry related to Bluetooth technology use.

Q: Which mobile phone carriers sell Bluetooth enabled phones?
A: Bluetooth phones are available from mobile network operators worldwide. However, not all network operators currently sell Bluetooth enabled phones. Due to the rate at which mobile operators change their phone offerings, we are unable to provide an up-to-date list of phones available at each operator worldwide. Please contact your local mobile operator to see if it offers Bluetooth enabled mobile phones.

Q: What is the difference between Bluetooth wireless technologies and other technologies, such as UWB, 802.11g, 802.11a, 802.11b, WLAN, Wi-Fi, AirPort, Infrared, and Zigbee?
A: While there are many differences, key among them are range, power consumption, and intended use. Bluetooth wireless technology in its most common implementations has a range of 30 feet (10m), consumes a low amount of power designed for battery-operated mobile devices, and provides voice, data, and audio connections between devices.

Q: I’ve heard about different versions of Bluetooth technology. What does the version number signify?
A: Bluetooth technology devices include a specification, or version number. The major releases over the ten years Bluetooth technology has been around include 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 2.0 and the newest specification, 2.1 + EDR. Each release has offered greater ease of use, speed, reliability and security. As a general rule, products are backward compatible with earlier versions (for instance a 2.0 device can work with 1.1 devices, but not the other way around.) For the best results, products of the same version number should be used together. Specification versions are usually indicated in the Technical Specifications on the packaging of products featuring Bluetooth technology.

Q: How many Bluetooth enabled devices can I connect at one time?
A: Up to seven devices can belong to one piconet at a time. But, each device can belong to multiple piconets, so there is virtually no limit to the number of devices that can communicate with each other.

Q: How far away can Bluetooth enabled devices be in order to communicate.
A: Although there are many factors that can influence performance (such as other electronics in the vicinity), Bluetooth enabled devices offer up to 30 feet of connectivity.

Q: How easy is it to pair devices?
A: Connecting, or pairing, Bluetooth enabled devices is very easy. Most products can be connected within minutes.