Wireless Hacks

Chapter 2. Bluetooth and Mobile Data

Hacks #13-19

There is much talk in the communications industry of providing “last mile” connectivity. Think of Bluetooth as providing connectivity for the last 10 feet. Bluetooth excels as a handy cable replacement technology, helping to eliminate the need for cumbersome wires that you might find on headsets, remote controls, PDAs, and other small devices. Bluetooth aims to end the days of needing to carry a three-foot piece of cable with obscure connectors on either end everywhere you go, just to interface to your laptop. You can use Bluetooth-enabled devices to talk to a laptop or a desktop, or even have them talk to each other to exchange data almost effortlessly. There are also a number of Bluetooth-enabled input devices on the market, such as mice and keyboards. While it does increase one’s dependency on batteries, Bluetooth can go a long way toward cutting down on the rat’s nest of cables that comes with personal computing. This chapter demonstrates some nifty directions people are taking with Bluetooth.

Also presented in this chapter are a couple of hacks about how to interface with mobile data networks [Hack #8]. These networks are particularly handy to use when Wi-Fi or other connectivity just isn’t available. Devices that combine Bluetooth, mobile data networks, on-board storage, audio capability, and even video cameras are just coming to market. These advanced devices are just the beginning of the inevitable convergence of consumer ...