Christmas 2004 is being touted as a "Bluetooth Christmas" when finally, Bluetooth technology is generally available and people understand what is can do for them!

If you don't know what Bluetooth is, here is a simple definition from the marconi web site:

"Chip technology enabling seamless voice and data connections between a wide range of devices through short-range digital two-way radio. It is an open specification for short-range communications of data and voice between both mobile and stationary devices. For instance, it specifies how mobile phones, WIDs, computers and PDAs interconnect with each other, with computers, and with office or home phones."

What does that mean? It simply means that devices such as Mobile Phones, PDA's, PC's, Car Kits, Cameras, Laptops, headsets and home phones can communicate with each other over a wireless connection.

Why would you want this? Well one obvious answer is that it will reduce clutter and cables, however there are many more things that you can do with Bluetooth. Some examples are:

• Synchronise your PC address book with your mobile phone
• Display your digital camera photos on your PC or Television
• Use an in-car Bluetooth handsfree to speak wirelessly on the move
• Connect a Bluetooth headset to your phone for privacy when driving
• Connect a Bluetooth headset to your PC for low cost Voice over IP communication (VOIP)
• Synchronise your PC contacts and email with your PDA
• Create a small home network to share an internet connection
• Transfer files from device to device

Bluetooth has a recommended operating range of 10 metres, however devices are now available that stretch this limit to 20 metres.

Most of the major manufacturers offer either in-built Bluetooth technology or it is available as an optional extra. Most of the newer mid-range and above mobile phones have Bluetooth capability and at the current time (October 2004) the following models are Bluetooth Enabled:

• BENQ,P50,P31,P30
• Cellon,CT9888,CT9889
• Microsoft,SPV E200
• Mitsubishi,MT3300
• Motorola, A630, A820, A830, A835, A840, A760, A768, A920, A925, T260c, T270, T270c,
  T280I, V500, V525, V600, V880, E390, V80, C975, E398, E680, MPX100, MPX, MPX220,
  V1000, E1000, A1000
• NEC,e616 (3G),E808, e616v
• Nokia,3600, 3620, 3650, 3660, 6230, 6310, 6310I, 6600, 6620, 6650, 6820, 7600, 7610, 7700, 8910, 8910I, N-Gage, N-Gage QD game, 6820, 6810, 6260, 6630, 9500
• O2 XPHONE,XDA II, XDA 2
• Panasonic,X70, X700,P341I,X11,X88
• PANTECH,G800
• Philips, Fisio 820,825,826,830
• Samsung, SEC-X2500, SEC-X7700, SGH-X410, SGH-X400, Watch Phone, i250
• Sendo X
• Sharp,GX30,SHZ105
• Siemens, S55, S56, SX1, U10, S65, U15
• SK Teletech,IM-6200
• Sony/Ericsson,P800, P802, R520m, R520mc, T39m, T39mc, T60ds, T610, T616, T630, T618, T628, T61d, T61LX, T68, T68I ,T68m, T68mc, T71X, Z1010, Z600, Z608, P900, K700i, F500I, S700
• Telital,Neo
• VK Mobile,VG400

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