Bluetooth is a wireless technology that allows short-range transmission of data between various electronic devices such as phones, computers, cameras and faxes. It was created in 1994 by the telecom company Ericsson to provide a wireless alternative to data cables and allows up to eight devices to connect simultaneously. The technology was named after the 10th century Danish king Harald Bluetooth who united Denmark and Norway, just as Bluetooth unites electronic devices wirelessly. Bluetooth can be used privately with devices like headsets or publicly to share files between phones.

1. Emma Hoggett

2. Background Bluetooth is now a very popular communication and used by many people everyday. It is a way of exchanging data over short distances and the majority of current day phones have bluetooth built in. Using a special radio frequency to transmit data, it creates a short range network. It is very secure and can connect up to eight devices (items of electronic equipment) at the same time. The chip can be plugged into items such as computers, digital cameras, mobile phones and faxes. Bluetooth is particularly convenient in certain situations – for example, when transferring files from one mobile phone to another without cables. Sending music and photos between a PC and a mobile phone is another useful application.

3. Facts about Bluetooth It was created by telecoms vendor Ericsson in 1994, it was originally conceived as a wireless alternative to RS-232 data cables. It can connect several devices, overcoming problems of synchronization. Bluetooth is managed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, which has more than 15,000 member companies in the areas of telecommunication, computing, networking, and consumer electronics. For something to be marketed as a Bluetooth device, it must be qualified to standards defined by the SIG. A network of patents is required to implement the technology and are only licensed to those qualifying devices; thus the protocol, whilst open, may be regarded as proprietary.

4. Whys it called Bluetooth? The name ’Bluetooth’ reflects the Scandinavian origins of the technology. It is named after a 10th century Danish viking, King HaraldBlåtand (translating as 'Bluetooth' in English). He united and controlled Denmark and Norway, hence the association of uniting devices through Bluetooth.

5. Private uses Bluetooth headsets should be used for private use only. You can use it on fax machines, headsets, synchronizing data and much more to send and receive important files.

6. Public Uses BluePosition is specialised in Bluetooth Location Based Service applications for the Enterprise and the Telecommunications carrier market. You can use it to share music files, pictures and so on through phones.