An All-in-One Phone

• Another application of Bluetooth technology is in the world of telecommunications. If you’re

• like most high-tech consumers, you’re currently juggling several different phones, and several

• different phone numbers. You probably have a cordless phone at home, and a more complex

• phone system in the office. You also have a mobile phone to use on the go, and you might

• even have a fourth phone in your car. Plus, depending on your situation, you could have a

• fifth telecommunications device in your possession—an alphanumeric pager. All of these

• phones are separate devices, and all have their own individual phone numbers.

• How much more confusing can you get?

• In a Bluetooth world, things will be much simpler. For one thing, you’ll only have one

• telephone handset, and you’ll carry it with you at all times. When you’re at home, it will

• connect (via Bluetooth technology) to your normal telephone line. When you’re at work, it

• will connect to your office phone system. When you’re on the go, it will function as a cellular

• phone. And when you’re in the car, it will connect (wirelessly, of course) to your car’s built-in

• hands-free phone system. It will even, if you choose, function as an alphanumeric pager—as

• well as an e-mail retrieval device and a miniature Web browser. You’ll choose which phone

• numbers to use, and where; if you want, a single phone number will travel with you, no matter

• where you go.

• One phone, one number—how much simpler can you get?