Bluetooth is more than just a cable-replacement technology, however. It’s also a technology
that enables any electronic device to communicate with any other electronic device,
automatically. This means that, over short distances (30 feet or so), your cell phone or
personal digital assistant (PDA) can connect to, synchronize with, and even control the other
electronic devices in your home or office—such as your personal computer, printer, television
set, home alarm system, or home/office telephone system. All of this communication can take
place in an ad hoc fashion, without your being aware, totally automatically.
Consider this scenario. You have a PDA that contains your contact list and daily schedule.
You need to synchronize the data on your PDA with similar data on your desktop computer.
Today, you do this by connecting your PDA to your computer, typically via a serial cable.
(Another cable!) Once the proper connections are made, you have to manually synchronize
the data between the two devices. And you have to go through this rigmarole every time you
make a new appointment or add a new contact.
Now imagine the same scenario, but using Bluetooth technology. As soon as you walk into
your office, your Bluetooth-enabled personal computer senses the presence of your Bluetoothenabled
PDA, and sends out a signal asking, in effect, what new data has been added to the
PDA. Without your pressing a button—or even being aware that any exchange is going on—
your two devices synch up with each other, ensuring that your database of information is
current on both machines. No fuss, no muss—and, once again, no cables. Just automatic
“smart” communication, enabled by Bluetooth technology.
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