Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard used for exchanging data over short distances (using short wavelength radio transmissions) from fixed and mobile devices, and building personal area networks (PANs). Bluetooth is a universal short-range communication standard for personal area networks developed by the Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group).

The Bluetooth standard has been around since 1994 and was created by Norwegian telecommunications company Ericsson, but it wasn’t until 1998 that the SIG adopted the Bluetooth 1.0 protocol. It came to public attention in 1999 when Ericsson released their Bluetooth enabled mobile phone. It gained significant popularity in 2000 when Apple incorporated the technology into their iMac G4.

Bluetooth was originally designed as an alternative to the short-range wired communication standard known as RS-232, which was often used to connect serial ports and peripheral devices. But it quickly became a favored method of connecting headphone sets, keyboards, mice, and various other devices. Over time, improvements to the technology have enabled Bluetooth to be used for numerous applications such as streaming audio, GPS navigation, and even credit and debit card transactions.

Nowadays, Bluetooth is used for a wide variety of communication protocols. It can be used in networking technologies, smart home products, gaming consoles, electronic devices, and even augmented reality and virtual reality gadgets. It also enables the development of innovative products like fitness tracker bracelets and lifesaving medical devices.

The most recent version of the Bluetooth protocol is Bluetooth 5.2, which was introduced in December 2019. This version of the technology offers faster data rates than its predecessor (Bluetooth 5.0) and better data security with improved authentication for boosting IoT (Internet of Things) security.