Bluetooth technology is built into 7 out of 10 devices, and this is explained by the fact that it is becoming more popular and affordable. At a certain range of Bluetooth, you can connect wireless devices - from headphones to cardiac monitors, from wearable gadgets to weather stations. Recent versions stand out with significant improvements, especially in terms of low-power operation modes. They aim to prepare technology for the future flow of information for the Internet of Things (IOT). In this article, we’ll talk about Bluetooth technology, about where it is used and what it deserves to trust in itself.
Name history
Everyone knows the word Bluetooth. In fact, it is a synonym for wireless technology that can be represented from smartphones to controlling a smart home.
The innovative wireless Bluetooth technology is not an abbreviation, and it does not contain a hidden meaning. Where does this name come from?
In 1996, Intel, Ericsson, and Nokia leaders met to discuss the standardization of short-range radio technology to enable connectivity and interoperability between different information products.
During this meeting, Jim Kardash of Intel proposed the word Bluetooth as a temporary code name. When it came time to choose a permanent name for wireless technology, it was replaced by RadioWire and PAN (Personal Area Network). These names were temporarily assigned to the technology, but later returned to the original version - Bluetooth.
The name quickly gained popularity, spread throughout the industry, becoming synonymous with short-range wireless technology.
Surprisingly, this word has existed for more than a thousand years. It dates back to King Harald Bluetooth Gormsson, who was known for the unification of Denmark and Norway in 958 and a rotten tooth of dark blue color, which earned him the nickname “Blue tooth”.
The Bluetooth logo is a combination of two Nordic ("Scandinavian") runes: Hagalaz the younger futark (ᚼ) and Berkan (ᛒ) - the initials of Harald.
Solution Areas
One of the main reasons for the success of the technology is the range of the Bluetooth headset. This is not just radio technology, but integrated methods designed to solve specific wireless tasks. That is, if the question is about streaming data and sound between devices, creating a location service or creating a large network of devices, Bluetooth is the best option.
Streaming audio
The P2P topology is available on Bluetooth BR / EDR, it is used to connect one communication device to another (1: 1) and is optimized for streaming audio, making wireless audio production ideal. This includes a headset, speakers and a hands-free system in the car.
The wireless headset is the original wireless audio market device. It is now used on the road, providing opportunities for listening to music in high quality.
Wireless speakers are used via Bluetooth, the range in meters is up to ten meters. Whether it is a high-end entertainment system for the home or a portable option for the beach, park, pool, it is based on a wireless principle.
House and car
In a house with such devices, users can centrally control the thermostat settings, alarms, household appliances and lighting with special knowledge of Bluetooth instructions. The technology allows you to connect all the elements of a home theater wirelessly and transfer streaming audio and video from a mobile device or computer to a TV. Via Bluetooth, you can connect devices to the vehicle’s electronic panel so that you can conveniently answer cell phone calls, play music from a mobile device, or receive directions from a GPS device directly from the car’s navigation display.
Computers
Bluetooth is integrated into personal computers and peripherals. Therefore, without using wires, you can connect a laptop or desktop computer to a computer mouse, keyboard and speakers. And the question of how to connect Bluetooth to the computer does not arise.
In addition, the technology can be used to transfer files between two computers that support this function, or send documents to the included wireless printer. Short-range Bluetooth makes it ideal for the office with several nearby devices turned on. This technology can also be used to transfer files from computers to mobile devices (tablets, smartphones).
Consumer electronics
Bluetooth-enabled consumer electronics such as telephones, cameras, televisions, speakers and headphones simplify the exchange of data between devices without the need for an additional Bluetooth driver. For example, in a mobile phone, Bluetooth can connect to a headset to simplify a speakerphone call, or it can send images to another phone or computer. If you have a mobile phone with an Internet connection, this function can be used to compile information on the phone, which is subsequently transmitted via the Internet. Examples include sending photos to a friend or automatically sending a distress alert after a car accident.
Health
The P2P topology is available on Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) and is used one to one (1: 1). It makes it ideal for connected devices such as a fitness tracker and health monitor.
A wireless connection, which is made possible by the existence of a certain range of Bluetooth, can automatically record information from medical equipment (stethoscopes, pacemakers or glucose monitors) to computers or electronic journals, saving valuable time for doctors and patients.
Bluetooth-enabled fitness equipment simplifies exercise with heart rate monitors and GPS trackers that automatically report calorie burn routes to a smartphone or stereo headphones.
Location services
Some topologies available on a Bluetooth device allow you to connect one-to-many communication devices (1: m), so local exchange of information is optimized. This technology provides search in the building, the work of Smart Home and smart cities. Here's how Bluetooth helps in various areas of our lives:
- Indoor navigation. Solutions for internal navigation and path finding based on Bluetooth beacon signals have quickly become the standard way to overcome indoor coverage problems with GPS-based approaches. Bluetooth solutions are widely distributed in large venues, including airports, train stations, and stadiums around the world.
- Information about points of interest. Retailers started using PoIs early on, but Smart Cities are now discovering many ways PoI beacons can improve the quality of life of citizens and improve the quality of customer service. For example, PoI beacons are widely used in museums, as well as in walking tours of the city.
- Tracking Point. Inexpensive item tracking solutions can help you find almost any property. Hospitals use large-scale solutions to track patients and expensive mobile equipment.
- Use of a space beacon. The Bluetooth solution is used in office buildings, airports, exhibition centers, and even on city streets around the world, so that building owners and urban planners can better understand how different places are used.
A look into the future
At the end of 2018, about 4 billion devices supporting Bluetooth technology were released.
Every year the technology is updated, new areas of application are added:
- growth and recovery of the Special Interest Group (SIG) community;
- innovative technologies try to increase the range of Bluetooth, using the achievements and discoveries in streaming audio, location services and device networks;
- It examines new trends in traditional Bluetooth markets, as well as forecasts in emerging markets (Smart Building, Smart Industry, Smart City and Smart Home).
Benefits
The first is a wireless network that eliminates wires. Unlike IR communications, a line of sight is not required. This form of communication has greatly reduced the interference caused by wires.
Secondly, portable Bluetooth devices are inexpensive. When using this technology, no special costs arise.
Third, compatibility. Bluetooth is a standardized specification. Therefore, devices with its support are well compatible with each other. They understand each other well, so no human intervention is required. Being within reach, they discover each other and begin to interact independently. The connection setup process is automatic.
Fourth, efficiency. Bluetooth uses low power signals, which requires little power. Due to the abrupt change in the frequency spectrum, interference to wireless devices is not a problem.
Fifth, with a Bluetooth headset, a person can easily communicate. You can use a mobile phone without using your hands. This allows you to calmly talk on the phone and at the same time do other things. Thanks to Bluetooth technology, you don’t need to be near your device.
Limitations
Wireless Bluetooth is not so fast. The Wi-Fi connection is at much higher speeds than Bluetooth. Although this function is considered safe if the user leaves their device in “discovery” mode, the hacker can establish a connection with the “discovered” device.
If Bluetooth is turned on, it discharges the battery. Thus, you need to be careful with the timely disabling of the function. It is better to leave it turned on only during communication and turn it off after its completion. This practice also reduces the hacking risks associated with Bluetooth technology.
What is the difference between this technology and Wi-Fi?
It is important to note that Bluetooth is not Wi-Fi. Both systems use radio waves and frequencies to connect, but the technologies are different, as are the uses. Bluetooth does not need a Wi-Fi network to work.
It is intended for direct connection of devices for the exchange of data (sound, instructions) between devices. The range of the Bluetooth to which the device is connected is several meters, the range of Wi-Fi is longer.
Wi-Fi is typically used to connect many devices to a single central device, usually a Wi-Fi enabled router, most often to access the Internet. It is considered more stable, designed to connect for a longer time and transfer large amounts of data.
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are completely independent of each other. A device with the appropriate technology installed can connect to both a Wi-Fi network and a Bluetooth device.
Security
Wireless is always less secure than wired. Hacking a wired message, unlike a wireless one, is relatively difficult. Remember how in the old spy movies, secret agents listen to the telephone so that they can find out information from people's conversations?
Hacking wired data is more difficult. Wireless eavesdropping is obviously much simpler because information is spreading easily. All you need to do is be in the range of the wireless transmitter to receive signals. Wireless Internet networks are encrypted, so you need to use encrypted communication so as not to encounter this problem.
How safe is the device and are there any reviews about Bluetooth? Like Wi-Fi, the connection is encrypted, there are many other security features. For example, you can open access to certain devices. This is called device-level security. You can also limit the actions that various Bluetooth gadgets can perform with other devices using service level protection.
Criminals are becoming more sophisticated, finding different ways to hack into Bluetooth networks. Many have heard about bluing (capturing a Bluetooth device without permission), bluing (sending a message to other people's devices, often for advertising purposes) and bluesurfing (downloading information from someone else’s device through a connection).
As a result, Bluetooth-based space utilization systems can significantly increase productivity, lower costs and improve people's lives.
According to reviews, if precautions are taken when using Bluetooth devices in public places, the issue of data security is not worth it. In general, this connection is reliable, and many users agree with this: the security rules do not allow devices to exchange data unless they have been previously approved by the user.