Although the past few years has had critics downplaying the importance and potential of Bluetooth; it is now obvious Bluetooth and similar wireless technologies are around to stay. As the latest version of Bluetooth (V1.2) improved both in security and capabilities so does its potential. Companies out of the mobile environment (prominent Bluetooth applications) are beginning to research and design impressive applications for the wireless technology. The computer industry was the second business group to make use of Bluetooth. Computers are now capable of connecting to the internet via a Bluetooth network, build wireless networks, plus connect almost any computer component wirelessly. It is the recent designs or applications however that must have Bluetooth creators relieved and excited.
Mobile Commerce
Mobile commerce at this stage appears to have the largest potential for Bluetooth. Applications such as vending machines, car parks, service stations, food outlets, entertainment venues all have the potential to be payed by using Bluetooth. In some cases throughout Europe and Asia this is already the case. Now that wireless security has improved (relative to v1.1) banks are the next link to allow the mobile commerce industry using Bluetooth to take off.
Automotive Industry
Bluetooth and cars may not be a direct link many Bluetooh creators would have expected. It is however inevitable we see Bluetooth being used in cars for applications such as internet connection, voice recognition commands, vehicle diagnosis and communication to external networks. Whitfield (2004: 52) states that Bluetooth can be used for ‘wireless networks for information and entertainment downloads, in addition to taking notes and creating spreadsheets. They can also be programmed for more mundane tasks like activating garage doors, and home lighting and heating systems'.
Portable Power Transfer
The initial reason Bluetooth was perceived to be useful was the elimination of wires. Although one wire that many may believe always necessary is a power wire. Taylor (2004: 1) says that ‘Splashpower Limited is focused on the elimination of the "last wire" in electronic devices - the charging lead. The company's unique and patent-pending SplashpowerTM technology enables a range of devices to be powered and recharged simply by resting them on the SplashPad - without any wires or contacts’. This application of Bluetooth has obvious potential for any portable device that requires battery power, from mobile phones, to computers, music devices plus many more.
Bluetooth Messaging
Although Bluetooth is mostly used for technical reasons, companies in Singapore have joined forces to use it in a social application. Bluetooth has been used in Singapore to help raise the low birth rate by a software and a dating company. Tong (2004: 1) explains ‘Software company BEDD has seized on the city state's concerns over falling birth rates and its obsession with mobile phones and launched a mobile-phone matchmaking service, also called BEDD’ Customers of the dating service download the software to their phones, which must be Bluetooth enabled. Once personal details, such as whom they are and the kind of person they'd like to meet are entered on their phone, the waiting game begins. If a potential partner walks in the range of their Bluetooth device the phone will alert them with that persons details. The programs rates the person on a range from 1-5 in terms of compatibility. Once the user decides whether they want to meet their match, all that is left is to send a message or to introduce themselves without the aid of their mobile phone.
Reference List
Taylor, K. (2004) ‘Splashpower Ltd: Driving the future of mobile communications; Splashpower and Visteon demonstrate the future of automotive integrated wireless charging technology and Bluetooth communication’ M2 Presswire [Online], p1. Available: Database Service: Proquest, 522388421 [Accessed 25/10/04]
Tong, S (2004) ‘BEDD Turns the Mobile Phone Into a Matchmaker in Singapore’Wall Street Journal [Online], p1. Available: Database Service: Proquest, 676989391 [Accessed 25/10/04].
Whitefield, K. (2004) ‘TOWARD THE CONNECTED Car’, Automotive Design and Production [Online], vol. 116, issue. 3, p52. Available: Proquest, 617794701. [Accessed 25/10/04]
Bibliography
Luo, X. Lee, C. (2004). Micropayments in Wireless M-Commerce: Issues, Security, and Trend[Online]. Available: http://www.arraydev.com/commerce/jibc/0402-10.htm [Accessed 4/8/2004] (Ben Henzell)
Bluetooth- Security --benhenzell 10:11, 29 Oct 2004 (EST)
