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