| Bluetooth can be defined as a wireless form of | | | | seven devices can be connected at any one time |
| communication that enables devices to send and | | | | which makes it easier to find and connect the device |
| receive communication. It is a global initiative set up | | | | being searched for, as Bluetooth highlights itself to |
| by manufacturers such as IBM, Intel, Ericsson, | | | | the other devices. Bluetooth technology is also more |
| Toshiba and Nokia to create a standard for linking up | | | | ideal for consumer electronics devices as it has a |
| devices such as mobile phones, mobile PCs, handheld | | | | smaller power requirement. Microsoft have also |
| computers and other peripherals. Bluetooth relies on | | | | recently announced that Bluetooth support will be |
| short-range radio technology to allow the wireless | | | | built into a future version of windows XP. Another |
| connectivity. The key features of Bluetooth are | | | | advantage is concerning voice communication. For an |
| robustness, low power and low cost. Both data and | | | | office or home environment, Bluetooth can be used |
| voice transmissions can be handled simultaneously. | | | | in a cordless phone within a 10m range, without the |
| Examples of innovative solutions which users can | | | | need to be passed around. It is not likely that Wifi |
| perform include printing or faxing capabilities, | | | | technologies will have a required voice-over-IP to |
| synchronising PDA, laptop or computer and making or | | | | support voice communication, within the near future. |
| receiving calls from a mobile phone, with many more | | | | Bluetooth was also introduced much earlier in the |
| applications available. | | | | market and is installed in much more user devices and |
| Wifi is short for 'wireless fidelity' and is a limited-range | | | | products, in comparison to Wifi products. |
| wireless networking code which is used in many | | | | Advantages of Wifi |
| airports, hotels or other services, who offer public | | | | The most prominent advantage which Wifi has over |
| access to Wifi networks, to allow people to log on to | | | | Bluetooth is that Wifi operates at a much faster rate |
| the Internet and receive emails whilst on the move. | | | | - of about 11mbps, whereas Bluetooth only operates |
| As Wifi is a reasonably fast method of transmitting | | | | at a much slower rate of around 720kbps. This |
| information in wave form, it is often used in | | | | makes Bluetooth too slow for video transfers or for |
| computers and also notebooks. In future, it will | | | | moving large amounts of large photo images from a |
| become possible to access the Internet from just | | | | digital camera. Wifi is also designed to link up entire |
| about anywhere, without the use of any wires. The | | | | networks, rather than computer to computer. Wifi |
| advantages of using Wifi are that the networks are | | | | can achieve this too but it is not its real purpose. |
| fairly cheap and straight-forward to set up. Wifi is | | | | Originally intended to be used for mobile computing |
| also quite inconspicuous and can hardly be noticed | | | | devices, such as laptops, it is now often being used |
| unless it is being looked for specifically, whilst in a Wifi | | | | for increasingly more applications, such as Internet |
| 'hotspot.' For a wireless network to be created, | | | | access, gaming and basic connectivity for home |
| communication is transferred like a two way radio, | | | | electronic appliances such as televisions or DVD |
| using radio waves. | | | | players. Wi-Fi may be used by cars in highways, as |
| Both Bluetooth and Wifi have both been in the news | | | | standards rise in development, in support of an |
| more especially in recent years. Both technologies are | | | | Intelligent Transportation System to increase safety, |
| relatively new on the market and, with time, a trend | | | | gather statistics, and enable mobile commerce. |
| may be seen favouring one or the other. As more | | | | Having taking in the advantages of both forms of |
| and more Bluetooth devices become available, most | | | | communication, it can not be said that one is better |
| people will own devices for Bluetooth and Wifi. There | | | | than the other. The two wireless protocols can be |
| are several advantages for opting for Bluetooth | | | | used to perform separate things and it is not |
| networking over Wifi and vice-versa. WiFi and | | | | essential to opt for one, rather than the other. |
| Bluetooth are actually very different technologies | | | | Bluetooth should be the first choice for when |
| with very different reasons to exist. The question | | | | connecting single devices, only when speed is not an |
| should not be Bluetooth versus Wifi but more how | | | | issue. It has a short range of approximately 30 to 60 |
| Bluetooth can work with Wifi. | | | | feet and common applications can include sharing |
| Advantages of Bluetooth | | | | printers, syncing PDAs or using a mobile phone as a |
| Bluetooth can connect devices from point-to-point | | | | modem. As time goes by it will be very interesting to |
| and probably better on security than Wifi, as it can | | | | see how both Bluetooth and Wifi develop and what |
| cover shorter distances. In addition, Bluetooth offers | | | | new uses they will have and for what devices. |
| an optional two levels of password protection. Up to | | | | |