The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Bluetooth
Advantages:
Bluetooth technology has plenty to offer in an increasingly growing marketplace. Bluetooth offers complete freedom from the hassles of cables and chords. Not only that, but it also offers ease of use in the realm of networking... networking that has not even managed to be equaled by LAN (Local Area Network).
In today's age of handheld and wireless devices, there are no competitors to Bluetooth that even come close. Infrared exists, but there is no real comparison. Infrared has several good features, but has limited connectability (i.e. cannot go through walls or many other objects, like Bluetooth can).
Infrared uses a straight line of sight to communicate. Bluetooth on the other hand does not use line of sight, but has ranges of up to 100 meters! Bluetooth technology also intigrates a low processing and low power protocol. This makes the technology ideal for use with small battery powered units such as cell phones and PDA's. The applications are endless!
Disadvantages:
Given the vast array of advantages and positive things that Bluetooth technology has to offer, it may be difficult for one to clearly see the disadvantages compared to the competition. Data rates and security are the only real downsides to this technology. Infrared technology may have data transfer rates oftentimes exceeding 3MBps, while Bluetooth technology lags and only offers 1 MBps.
This is the sole reason that infrared has not yet been completely thrown out yet! In fact, many consider infrared to be the compliment to Bluetooth and actually offer both technologies within single devices. Infrared also has a lot higher security rate for the simple fact that it implements the line of sight method of information transfer.
Because Bluetooth has a lot larger range and (RF) radio frequency than does infrared, it is much more easily intercepted and an easier targer for attack. This problem makes security a key aspect within Bluetooth specs.
Although the disadvantages to Bluetooth are few in numbers, this technology still reigns title-holder for the best short-ranged wireless technology. Anybody who has already experienced what it can do for them loves it, and for those who plan to soon will fill the same way and realize that it will be around for years to come.